Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says conversation with the provinces “need to be had” following a second military report detailing disturbing conditions in long-term care facilities.
From lack of personnel to disregard over physical distancing and personal protective equipment, the prime minister said the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) report on the state of 25 facilities in Quebec was “troubling.”
But Trudeau would not commit to launching an inquiry into the matter, instead saying he was committed to supporting provinces amid the pandemic.
“We respect the provincial responsibility to get these situations under control,” Trudeau said Wednesday (May 27) during his daily media briefing outside his home in Ottawa.
Long-term care facilities fall under provincial jurisdiction and the prime minister said the federal government would continue to provide help, such as the deployment of military members in Ontario and Quebec.
He said he would be speaking to premiers during their weekly teleconference about the next steps to address the issues raised in the CAF reports.
On Tuesday the Ontario government released to the public a CAF report on conditions in that province’s long-term care facilities where military members have been assisting.
Quebec followed suit the following day after receiving a CAF report on its province.
Trudeau acknowledged the challenges facing long-term care facilities extends beyond where the Canadian military has been deployed to assist.
More to come …
