PM is up. He's touting the CERB and the $2,000 a month that it will provide to Canadians who don't have an income because of COVID-19.
Trudeau says money will flow 14 days after applications begin - yesterday he said 10 days.
Trudeau says there's a text scam going around about the new CERB. He says Canadians shouldn't trust those texts - and go to the government's website for reliable information about the new benefit.
"We know people abroad are still having trouble getting flights home," Trudeau says - another flight has been added from El Salvador.
Trudeau says he had a call with G20 leaders this morning. He says Kirsten Hillman has been appointed Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. She was instrumental in getting the new NAFTA signed, he says. cbc.ca/news/politics/…
Trudeau says the premiers, public health officials have been clear about 14 day isolation for travellers. "Some people have not been taking this seriously - they're getting together with friends after being away. This conduct isn't just disappointing. It's dangerous."
Quarantine is mandatory, Trudeau says, and people may receive a stiff penalty or be sent to prison. "What we're asking for is not difficult. Stay home. Call your friends. If you're coming back from abroad under no circumstances can you leave your home."
Trudeau asked about sending masks and medical supplies to China in January. He says COVID-19 is a global crisis "that requires global cooperation and response if we're going to keep all of us safe, keep Canadians safe."
Trudeau says the federal stockpile will be receiving millions more items in the coming days "to make sure we have enough for Canadians and friends and allies around the world who need it."
Why did you want tax-and-spend powers until 2021? "We don't know how long it could last. We understood and worked with the opposition parties to resolve their concerns," he says.
U.S. border? "We'll continue to adjust as things unfold as necessary but we will be continuing to follow the best advice of the scientific community to keep Canadians safe as a priority," Trudeau says.
Why not implement Quarantine Act sooner? "We know that the vast majority of Canadians have been following the guidelines set out for their own protection, for protection of all us. Unfortunately there have been a number of people who are not following the guidelines," PM says.
"There was a requirement from the very beginning, instructions given to Canadians that they need to self-isolate for 14 days. Many, many of them did," Trudeau says. "There have been too many who have not. We need to take this further step."
Enforcement? "Public health will be following up in many, many cases and enforcement will happen as enforcement does with various ways - police and enforcement officers," Trudeau says. (He has mentioned the possibility of jail time a couple times this a.m.)
Credit cards. "The finance minister has had conversations with the banks about credit card rates. We recognize they're a significant challenge for many Canadians at this point," Trudeau says
U.S. troops near border. "Canada and the U.S. have the longest unmilitarized border in the world. It is very much in both of our of interests to remain that way," PM says. "It's benefitted our two countries, our two economies tremendously. We feel it needs to remain that way."
G20 call - aid for developing countries? "We talked about a number of things - including a need for a coordinated global response. We need to ensure we're continuing to exchange information. We talked about the need to flatten the global curve," PM says.
Trudeau says they discussed the challenges facing Africa - and access to testing. "We know support for vulnerable countries is not just about being altruistic it's about protecting Canadians as well," PM says - stopping a possible resurgence of the virus.
To recap: CERB portal will soon be open for Canadians. Benefits to come by mid-April. Speaking about a Global News report, he says Canada wants to keep Canada-U.S. border demilitarized. Stay home. Quarantine Act in place - travellers face jail time or fines if they leave home
Dr. Tam says community spread is behind the sharp increase in cases in Quebec and Newfoundland - returning travellers who congregated in large gatherings and passed it on.
Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough says the EI system was not designed to address a global pandemic situation because it doesn't help all workers. "It's clear we need an immediate emergency benefit outside of existing government program perimeters."
Qualtrough says people who have already applied for EI since COVID-19 will be automatically considered for the CERB. EI-eligible people can continue to apply through existing channels; those who aren't - wait for CERB system to go live in early April.
Dr. Tam says any symptomatic people will be given an order to isolate. People with mild symptoms can drive home - follow up with local public health officials. If symptomatic people can't get home than they'll be put in a federal quarantine place.
Asymptomatic travellers are to go home right away and isolate for 14 days. Tam says there will be random checks to make sure people are following the quarantine order. "That's felt to be the most reasonable approach," she says.
Tam says some people have already be placed in federal quarantine facilities. "There are very, very few people," she says. A couple at Que. crossing, a truck driver, someone who came through the Vancouver airport.
"We will potentially check on people who are not following the order," Tam says with random checks. "We will adjust and coordinate our response as needed," she says, adding PHAC working with local public health units.
Tam says PHAC has contracted medical transportation. Symptomatic patients will be transferred to a federal quarantine site or, if possible, all the way home - depending on distance.
Freeland on U.S. proposal to move some troops to places near Canada border. She says Canada is "strongly opposed ... we're making very clear Canada's position."
Freeland won't give specifics on what the U.S. is proposing in terms of military options for the border. "In Canada's view this is an entirely unnecessary step that we would view as damaging to our relationship," Freeland says.
Tam says equipment sharing with China early in the health crisis (we sent 16 tonnes of equipment) was to stop the spread. "The global health collaboration is extremely important, particularly in pandemic situations," she says.
Freeland says the U.S. told Canada about its proposal to move troops to the border "a couple of days ago," then adds a "few" days ago. "I've had conversations directly with American leaders about this," she says, but says she hasn't spoken to Sec. State Pompeo or VP Pence.
