Thread: about how the Canadian Armed Forces, federal govt and provincial govts are working together regarding a possible military deployment to help with COVID-19 and the scenarios that could involve. #cdnpoli #CAF #COVID19 #Coronavirus
There have been no official asks from a province yet for military assistance. That doesn't mean officials aren't talking. I have the following info from three separate sources.
1. The military has already declined minor unofficial asks for help (starting weeks ago) such as another department asking for help with IT or social media etc... this is because the CAF has been trying to make sure resources are concentrated when a big ask comes.
2. Military planners are closely integrated with the provinces emergency management meetings. Like literally sitting in them. So they have a pretty good idea of what state provinces are in and if and ask could be coming and what it could be for.
3. There are lots of unofficial back channel discussions so the military has a sense of what provinces will ask for and the provinces have a sense of what the military can and cannot do. Sources say the provinces will not put in an official ask the military can't fulfill
The military folks have had to explain a few times what they have been tasked to be able to provide and what asks would be beyond their capability. I'm told no one wants a situation where the military is asked for something they can't provide or provinces have an ask declined
