Prime Minister Announces Canadian COVID-19 Clinical Trials, Addresses Air Canada Layoffs

Health Canada has approved the first Canadian clinical trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, made the announcement Saturday, saying trials will begin at the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, at Dalhousie University. The National Research Council of Canada will be working with manufacturers, so if the trials are successful, a vaccine could be produced and distributed in Canada.

Trudeau says research and development will take time and must be done right, but this is encouraging news for the country.

Air Canada Layoffs

Air Canada will see approximately 60% of its staff laid off, as the company continues to experience large financial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Prime Minister, says the government moved forward quickly on support for people who have been laid off, and a wage subsidy that will be drawn on by Air Canada and other airlines. He says the government will continue to work with airlines across the country and says there will be support from the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEF) as well as sectoral supports.

The Prime Minister didn’t give a direct answer on the possibility of a bail out or a nationalization of Air Canada. Trudeau reiterated the government will continue to work large corporations, sectors and airlines to see what the options are for support.

Child Benefit and Red Cross Investments

The Canadian Child Benefit will see an increase on Wednesday of $300 per child. Trudeau also announced, on July 20th, the Child Benefit will see an increase for the upcoming year. The Prime Minister explained every summer for the past three years the government has boosted the CCB and this summer will be no different. The increase will raise the maximum benefit to $6,765 per child under 6 and $5,708 for kids aged 6 to 17 for the 2020-21 benefit year.

Trudeau also announced a $100 million to the Red-Cross for Covid-19 response and preparation for any other emergencies that may occur like floods or wildfires.