The Prime Minister announces a change in the senior ranks of the Public Service
March 29, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that Ian Shugart will assume his new responsibilities as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet on April 19, 2019.
The Prime Minister also announced the following change in the senior ranks of the Public Service:
Gina Wilson, currently Deputy Minister for Women and Gender Equality, becomes Deputy Minister of Public Safety, effective May 6, 2019.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to congratulate Malcolm Brown, Deputy Minister of Public Safety, on his upcoming retirement from the Public Service, following an exceptional career marked by dedication and excellence in serving Canadians.
Biographical notes
- Gina Wilson
- Ian Shugart
- National pharmacare to make prescription drugs more accessible and affordable
March 28, 2019
Halifax, Nova ScotiaCanadians pay too much for prescription drugs – and that means far too many go without the medicine they need. With Budget 2019, the Government of Canada is taking important first steps on implementing national pharmacare, to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to more Canadians.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today visited Halifax, Nova Scotia to highlight the Government of Canada’s plan to move forward with important measures that will lay the foundation for national pharmacare.
Through Budget 2019, the government announced its intention to move forward, in partnership with provinces, territories, and other partners and stakeholders, on three foundational elements of national pharmacare:
- Create a Canadian Drug Agency, which would assess the effectiveness of new prescription drugs and negotiate drug prices on behalf of Canada’s drug plans to help lower drug costs for Canadians by up to $3 billion per year in the long term.
- Develop a national formulary – a comprehensive, evidence-based list of prescription drugs – which would help promote coverage that is more consistent across the country.
- Establish a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases to help Canadians– many of whom are children –get better and more consistent access to the much-needed treatments that they need.
Quote
“No Canadian should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for the prescription drugs they or their family need. Through Budget 2019, we are taking action to make medication more accessible and to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Canadians of all ages. These are important steps toward building a system that helps all Canadians get the medicine they need when they need it.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of CanadaQuick Facts
- Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class, is the government’s plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare.
- In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare to lead a national dialogue on how best to implement national pharmacare in a manner that is affordable for Canadians and their employers.
- The Advisory Council has engaged thousands of Canadians from across the country through stakeholder roundtables, targeted engagement sessions, and community town halls. They provided preliminary recommendations in their interim report, released on March 6, 2019. Their final report is expected this spring.
- Budget 2019 proposes $35 million over four years, starting in 2019–20, to establish a Canadian Drug Agency Transition Office to support the development of this vision.
- Budget 2019 also proposes to provide up to $1 billion over two years, starting in 2022–23, with up to $500 million per year ongoing, to help Canadians with rare diseases access the drugs they need.
- In Budget 2017, the Government of Canada committed $11 billion over 10 years in new funding for provinces and territories to improve access to home care and mental health services across the country.
- Through Budget 2019, an additional $50 million is proposed to support the implementation of a national dementia strategy.
Associated Links
- Budget 2019
- Moving Forward on Implementing National Pharmacare
- Interim report from the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands
March 27, 2019
Ottawa, OntarioToday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands.
Prime Minister Trudeau offered the condolences and firm support of all Canadians for the victims of the shooting in Utrecht, Netherlands on March 18, 2019. They also discussed the heinous mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15, 2019.
The two leaders emphasized the crucial importance of international cooperation and coordination in countering extremism, including right-wing extremism, and pledged to continue the close collaboration between Canada and the Netherlands. They agreed that embracing diversity as strength and rejecting all forms of xenophobia and discrimination are essential in building peaceful and prosperous societies.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with King Abdullah of Jordan
March 27, 2019
Scarborough, Ontario
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke today with His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan.
Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his condolences for Jordanians killed, injured, or affected by the tragic mosque attacks in New Zealand. He conveyed his commitment to confront Islamophobia and all forms of hate in order to create a world in which all people can feel safe and secure. The two leaders reaffirmed the need to protect diversity and counter violent extremism, and pledged to work together in this effort.
The Prime Minister and the King also spoke about the importance of promoting peace and security in the Middle East, and looked forward to keeping in touch in this regard.
A secure and dignified retirement for Canadian seniors
March 27, 2019
Scarborough, Ontario
All Canadian seniors deserve a secure and dignified retirement, free of financial worries. The Government of Canada is working to support seniors so they can enjoy their retirement years and stay active and involved in their communities.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today visited Scarborough, Ontario, and highlighted Budget 2019 measures to improve the quality of life for Canada’s seniors now, and for generations to come.
Through Budget 2019, the government is proposing new measures so that Canadian seniors can enjoy a more financially secure retirement. These measures include:
- an increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) earnings exemption so that low-income seniors who choose to keep working can keep more of their hard-earned income
- pro-active enrollment in the Canada Pension Plan for contributors who are 70 years old or older to make sure they are receiving the pension payments they are entitled to
- increased protection of workplace pensions earned by seniors in the event of corporate insolvency
To better support Canadians living with dementia and their families, Budget 2019 also proposes an investment of $50 million over five years to implement Canada’s first ever National Dementia Strategy. The strategy will seek to increase awareness and reduce stigma, develop treatment guidelines and best practices for early diagnosis, and help us better understand dementia and its effects on our communities.
In addition, Budget 2019 proposes increased funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program to help seniors thrive and stay connected to their communities. The new funding would support projects in communities across the counry, from providing fitness equipment for seniors’ centres, to offering financial literacy classes, to creating volunteer opportunities.
With measures like these, this year’s budget will help make sure that all Canadian seniors can spend less time worrying about making ends meet and more time enjoying the secure and dignified retirement they deserve.
Quote
“Canada’s seniors have worked hard to support their families, build strong communities, and grow our economy. Their knowledge, skills, and experience are the cornerstones that have built our businesses and our country. Now, with this year’s budget, we’re making sure they have the support they need, and investing to provide Canadian seniors with the freedom and peace of mind they deserve in their retirement years.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class, is the government’s plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare.
- To allow low-income older Canadians to take home more money while they work, Budget 2019 proposes to introduce legislation that would enhance the GIS earnings exemption beginning in July 2020.
- It is estimated that with the proposed changes to CPP enrollment, approximately 40,000 individuals over the age of 70 who are currently missing out would begin to receive an average monthly retirement pension of $302 in 2020. In addition, approximately 1,500 Canadian seniors turning age 70 in 2020 will be proactively enrolled, receiving an estimated average monthly retirement pension of $645. By 2040, as many as 4,000 people could be proactively enrolled each year.
- Budget 2019 proposes new measures that will make insolvency proceedings fairer, more transparent and more accessible for pensioners and workers. This will be accomplished in part by requiring everyone involved to act in good faith, and by giving courts greater ability to review payments made to executives in the lead up to insolvency.
- Budget 2019 also proposes significant additional funding of $100 million over five years, with $20 million per year ongoing, for the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
- Since 2016, the Government of Canada has worked to provide seniors with a more secure and dignified retirement, including by:
- appointing a Minister of Seniors to help better understand the needs of older Canadians and ensure programs and services are designed to respond to those needs
- boosting benefits for nearly 900,000 low-income seniors and lifting about 57,000 out of poverty by increasing GIS top-up payments for Canada’s most vulnerable seniors
- committing $6 billion over 10 years for home care, to allow provinces and territories to improve access to home, community, and palliative care services
- restoring the eligibility age for Old Age Security and GIS benefits to 65, putting thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Canadians as they become seniors
- increasing benefits for couples who receive GIS and Allowance benefits and have to live apart for reasons beyond their control
- enhancing the CPP, in collaboration with provincial and territorial partners, which will raise the maximum CPP retirement benefit by up to 50 per cent over time
Associated Links
- Budget 2019
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of the Republic of Mozambique
March 27, 2019
Scarborough, OntarioToday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of Mozambique to offer his condolences for the loss of life and destruction caused by tropical cyclone Idai. The two leaders discussed the urgent humanitarian situation and recovery efforts in Beira and the surrounding area. Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canadian support both in the immediate aftermath of the disaster and continuing as the affected communities rebuild and recover from this significant disaster. The leaders discussed the critical role of humanitarian partners working in difficult conditions and offered their mutual appreciation for their efforts to provide critical supplies, contain water borne disease and meet the urgent needs of thousands of affected people in Mozambique, as well as in Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Budget 2019 investments to help Canadians find and keep good jobs
March 26, 2019
Winnipeg, Manitoba
As the nature of work changes, Canadians want to build their skills and learn new ones, so they can enjoy greater job security and build a better future for themselves and their families. The Government of Canada is working to make it easier for Canadian students and workers of all ages to find and keep good jobs.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today visited Winnipeg, Manitoba to highlight how Budget 2019 will help Manitobans – and all Canadians – succeed in a rapidly changing job market and an increasingly competitive global economy.
Introduced in Budget 2019, the new Canada Training Benefit will help workers gain the skills they need. Thanks to the new Benefit, workers will be able to take four weeks off every four years to pursue training to improve their skills or learn new ones. The Benefit will provide a credit to help workers pay for training, as well as up to four weeks of income support through a new Employment Insurance Training Support Benefit. The government will also consult with provinces and territories on changes to labour laws to help make sure jobs are protected, so that workers can take the time they need to keep their skills up to date and in-demand.
Through Budget 2019, the government is also helping more young Canadians pursue the careers of their choice, by enhancing support for apprenticeships and making post-secondary education more affordable. New measures will support post-secondary education for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation students, so they can gain the skills they need to succeed.
With new investments in student work placements, Budget 2019 is a significant step towards making sure there is a work placement for every student who wants one. Young Canadians will also benefit from support for service experiences through the Canada Service Corps, and opportunities to work or study abroad, giving them an advantage in our global economy.
Canadians are among the most skilled and highly educated workers in the world. With this year’s budget, the Government of Canada is making sure Canadians can keep developing their skills throughout their working lives, so they can build good careers and benefit from Canada’s growing economy.
Quotes
“People in Winnipeg and across Canada want the education, skills, and experience they need to succeed in today’s changing global economy. Through Budget 2019, we are making smart investments in Canadians, and giving students and workers the support they need to find and keep good jobs, and build a better future for themselves and their families.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“The Canada Training Benefit is about giving workers the two things they need most to upgrade their skills: time and money. These measures will help Canadians find and keep good, well-paying jobs and ensure everyone has a fair chance at success – not just for today but for the future of work in Canada.”
—The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
Quick Facts
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates that one in ten Canadian jobs are at high risk of automation, with about one in three jobs likely to experience significant change as a result of automation.
- The Government of Canada makes significant investments in skills development – close to $7.5 billion annually. More than $3 billion of this programming is delivered in partnership with the provinces, territories and Indigenous groups, and targets students and Canadians who are unemployed.
- Introduced in Budget 2019, the Canada Training Benefit includes a new tax credit that will provide working Canadians between 25 and 64 with up to $5,000 over their career to pay for up to 50 per cent of their training fees.
- The government is also lowering interest rates on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans, and eliminating interest charges entirely during the six-month grace period. Together, these measures will save the average borrower approximately $2,000 over the lifetime of their loan and help make paying back student loans more affordable.
- Budget 2019 investments will also create up to 84,000 new student work placements per year by 2023-2024 for young people to learn new skills, build their resumes, and help them start their careers.
