May 25, 2022
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
All seniors deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and build a better future for everyone, the Government of Canada continues to address the existing gaps in our health care system that were exposed by the pandemic, particularly for those in long-term care homes. By working with provinces and territories, we can ensure all seniors get the care they deserve when they need it, no matter where they live.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and Saskatchewan’s Minister of Health and Addictions, Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health, Everett Hindley, today announced the signing of a bilateral agreement to improve care for residents of the province’s long-term care homes through the Safe Long-Term Care Fund (SLTCF).
Through this agreement, Saskatchewan is receiving more than $32 million through the SLTCF to improve care by supporting enhanced screening protocols for staff, safer dining practices, and increased cleaning and housekeeping.
Building on historic investments made throughout the pandemic, Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable proposes new measures to ensure our health care system can support Canadians as they age by investing in innovations in brain health and improving treatment for those living with dementia. Delivering better health care for Canadians is a key part of our plan to make life more affordable, create jobs, grow the middle class, and build a stronger economic future for everyone.
Quotes
“No matter who you are or where you live in Canada, you should have access to quality health care when you need it. Today’s agreement to better support people who live and work in long-term care homes is good news for everyone in Saskatchewan. We will continue to work with all provinces and territories to be there for our seniors, ensure that everyone can be treated with dignity and respect as they age, and build a long-term care system we can all be proud of.”
“Everyone in Canada, including seniors, should have access to the safe, quality health care they need and deserve. Today’s agreement with Saskatchewan will help address the challenges we have seen in long-term care homes, ensuring that all seniors are treated with dignity and appropriate care. By working with all provinces and territories to strengthen our health care system, our government will continue to be there for seniors in Saskatchewan, and everywhere across Canada.”
“Saskatchewan is continuing to make significant investments to improve long-term care. As a province, we are investing more than $750 million this year to support Saskatchewan seniors in long-term care, including fulfilling our commitment to hire 300 new full-time equivalent continuing care aides in long-term care and home care and continued progress on long-term care home replacement projects in six communities.”
Quick Facts
- Since its introduction in 2020, the $1 billion Safe Long-Term Care Fund (SLTCF) has helped provinces and territories improve infection prevention and control in long-term care homes across the country. Provinces and territories have used this funding to undertake a range of activities, including carrying out infection prevention and control readiness assessments, making improvements to infrastructure, such as ventilation, and hiring additional staff and topping up wages.
- With today’s announcement, the federal government has signed and announced agreements through the SLTCF with nine provinces and territories, including British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
- In addition to the SLTCF, the Government of Canada has also invested to address the gaps in long-term care identified since the beginning of the pandemic through:
- $740 million in the Safe Restart Agreement to provide support to vulnerable populations, including those in long-term care;
- Up to $3 billion to support a temporary increase to the wages of low-income essential workers; and
- An additional $10.7 million to Healthcare Excellence Canada to support long-term care homes across the country through the LTC+ initiative. More than 1,500 facilities across Canada are participating in the program.
- Budget 2021 included an additional investment of $3 billion over five years to support provinces and territories in developing and implementing standards for long-term care. This funding will help provinces and territories strengthen compliance and enforcement activities and support workforce stability, including through wage top-ups and improvements to workplace conditions.
- Budget 2022 reiterated the government’s commitment to work with provinces and territories to improve health care, including for long-term, home, and community care. Budget 2022 also proposed the creation of an expert panel, which will report to the Minister of Seniors and the Minister of Health, to study the idea of an Aging at Home Benefit.
- Saskatchewan has developed an action plan for the implementation of today’s bilateral agreement: Shared Health Priorities and Safe Long-term Care Fund.
Related Product
Associated Links
- Budget 2022
- Shared Health Priorities and Safe Long-term Care Fund
- Delivering better health care in New Brunswick and across Canada\
May 25, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of Janice Charette as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, effective May 28, 2022. Ms. Charette has been serving as Interim Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet since March 9, 2021, and prior to this as High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Ian Shugart on his upcoming retirement from the Public Service, and to thank him for his outstanding leadership and exceptional contribution to Canada.
The Prime Minister also thanked Ms. Janice Charette for continuing to serve in the role of Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, and for her commitment to excellence, a hallmark of the Public Service.
Quotes
“I thank Ian Shugart for over 42 years of public service for Canadians. He served with distinction, including as a deputy minister in three different departments, in addition to Clerk of the Privy Council. I thank Ian for his support and professionalism, especially the leadership he provided supporting Canadians through the COVID-19 pandemic. I wish him continued good health and happiness.”
“I am very pleased that Janice Charette has agreed to continue in this important role. Janice’s leadership and expertise as Head of the Public Service of Canada is vital to the delivery of our ambitious agenda to build a better future for the people of this country and to deliver results for Canadians.”
Biographical Notes
May 25, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Africa Day:
“Today, we celebrate Africa Day and the founding of the Organization of African Unity 59 years ago, now the African Union (AU). We recognize the African continent’s rich mosaic of nations, peoples, and cultures, and their contributions to Canada and the world. We welcome the opportunity today to celebrate Canada’s enduring friendships with our many African partners – friendships made possible by our strong people-to-people ties.
“Canada is a long-time supporter of the AU’s vision of African-led solutions to support economic and political development. We share a commitment to good governance, the fight against climate change, building resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic, peace and security, and humanitarian assistance. As a permanent observer of the AU, Canada has worked – and will continue to work – with African countries to advance shared priorities, including gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“Canada welcomes the AU’s designation of 2022 as the Year of Nutrition for Africa. Ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food remains a high priority, particularly given the disproportionate impact that food security and nutrition challenges have on women and girls and people made vulnerable through conflict.
“We are also working with the AU to support the health and well-being of its people, including through the AU Strategy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, and the Women Peace and Security agenda.
“We welcome the AU’s Agenda 2063 for inclusive and sustainable development and support the implementation of an African Continental Free Trade Area as a way to drive economic growth, while reducing poverty and advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In line with the Agenda, we are also developing a strategy for economic cooperation across the African continent, which will facilitate increased infrastructure investment and expand partnerships in research and innovation.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish everyone a happy Africa Day. Canada is proud to work in partnership with the African continent and its people to build a better future for everyone.”
May 24, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to reconfirm Canada’s strong ongoing support for Ukraine against Russia’s military aggression.
President Zelenskyy thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for his recent visit to Kyiv and expressed his gratitude for Canada’s unwavering support.
The Prime Minister and President discussed Russia’s ongoing indiscriminate attacks and the immense suffering they have imposed on both Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. President Zelenskyy thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for today’s announcement that Canada would send significant amounts of artillery ammunition to Ukraine.
The two leaders discussed how Canada could continue to support Ukraine while working with like-minded partners to address the broader global impacts of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war. This includes sharply rising fuel prices and an unfolding global food security crisis.
The Prime Minister commended the President’s personal leadership in defence of our shared values. He highlighted the courage of the Ukrainian people in coming together to defend their country and their freedoms against Russia’s war of aggression. The two leaders agreed to keep in close touch.
Associated Links
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Prime Minister visits Kyiv, Ukraine
- Pathways towards sustainable food systems in times of crises
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Canada’s engagement in Ukraine
May 23, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident:
“In the spring of 1914, 376 Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus of South Asian origin arrived in Vancouver’s harbour aboard the Komagata Maru steamship. Like millions of others before and after them, they hoped to settle into Canada and build a better life for themselves and their families.
“Due to the racist and discriminatory laws of the time, most of the passengers were refused entry into Canada and detained on board. For two months, Canadian immigration officials confined them to the ship and denied them sufficient access to medical aid, food, or water. Despite the best efforts of the local South Asian community, the passengers lost their appeal in Canadian court and were forced to return to India, where some were killed and many others imprisoned.
“We will never forget the pain and suffering of those who lived through these shameful events at the hands of the Canadian government. Six years ago, I stood in the House of Commons to apologize on behalf of the Government of Canada to all those affected by the Komagata Maru incident. Today and every day, what happened more than a century ago serves as a reminder to all Canadians of the importance of treating each other with dignity and respect, fighting racism and discrimination in all its forms, and promoting equity and inclusion. We will continue to learn from the mistakes of our past to ensure they never happen again.
“As we pay tribute to the victims of the Komagata Maru incident and their descendants, I encourage everyone to reflect on the many contributions Canada’s South Asian communities have made and continue to make to our country. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to build a better country for everyone. Canada is strong, not in spite of our differences, but because of them.”
May 24, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, and congratulated him on his recent election victory.
The two leaders discussed opportunities to further strengthen the close partnership between Canada and Australia. They noted their shared commitment to addressing climate change, generating economic growth that benefits everyone, promoting gender equality and inclusive growth, and advancing meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Albanese agreed to advance common objectives in the Indo-Pacific region. They also discussed the importance of working with partners and allies to promote security and uphold democratic values.
The prime ministers discussed Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine. They agreed to continue closely coordinating efforts with international partners to stand up to Russian aggression and support the people of Ukraine.
The two leaders agreed to stay in close touch and to work together to advance shared priorities. Prime Minister Trudeau looked forward to meeting Prime Minister Albanese in person in the coming months.
