Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that the federal government is working to support some industries that have fallen through the cracks of current financial assistance programs, including hard-hit sectors during the ongoing pandemic.
Canadian government looks to aid the oil and gas sector by spending $1.7 billion to help clean up “orphaned wells,” specifically.
Trudeau says restoring abandoned oil and gas wells is not only good for the environment, but for landowners as well, and for the thousands of workers this new effort could employ – a potential 10,000 employees.
A $750-million fund to cut methane emissions was also announced in the Prime Minster’s daily address.
The federal government is also unveiling more help for small businesses and those in the energy, arts, culture, and sports sectors in the way of $500 million going to Heritage Canada to support these creators.
$962 million will go towards regional development agencies and the community futures network, with $270 million towards industrial research assistance programs to help innovators who don’t qualify for subsidy.
It was announced as well that 125 Canadian Armed Forces members trained in healthcare will go to Quebec to help workers in long-term care facilities, answering a request from Quebec government.
Trudeau also says that Bell Media will be donating 1.5 million N95 face masks, to be distributed to provinces and territories as soon as possible.
See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 2,227,038.
Over 150,000 people have died from the illness and 563,696 have made a full recovery.
