Trudeau thanks Sask. COVID-19 researchers 'on behalf of 38 million Canadians'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced $32 million in funding for long term care in Saskatchewan.
He made the annoucement during a stop at St. Ann’s Senior Citizens’ Village in Saskatoon on Wednesday.
The money will fund COVID-19 measures such as safer dining practices, increased cleaning and housekeeping and enhanced screening protocols for staff, Trudeau said.
"During the past years, I've had the opportunity to talk with many long term care workers to thank them and hear their stories about their concerns," Trudeau said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with seniors in Saskatoon on May 25, 2022. (Pat McKay/CTV News)
The money will come from the federal Safe Long-term Care Fund.
Trudeau was joined by Saskatchewan Seniors Minister Everett Hindley.
"We appreciate the federal government's support today for the work Saskatchewan has done to improve infection prevention and control measures and long term care for the past couple of years," Hindley said.
He said the money will go to offset costs incurred during the pandemic as the province worked to limit the spread of COVID-19 in long term care homes.
A group of roughly two dozen protesters stood outside the care home, jeering the Prime Minister as he left.
A group of protestors are seen outside a Saskatoon care home Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited on May 25, 2022. (Pat McKay/CTV News)
Wednesday afternoon, Trudeau met agriculture students from the University of Saskatchewan.
He then toured the university's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, which is working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
"On behalf of 38 million Canadians ... thank you for everything you do," Trudeau said outside the facility.
"When the pandemic hit and everyone had to hunker down, you sprung into action. You put aside your research projects and your long standing responsibilities and focused on COVID-19 in extraordinary ways, the first place to sequence, isolate COVID-19 here in Canada, which allowed us to spring into action," Trudeau said.
His last stop of the day is scheduled at a daycare, where he is to meet with families and discuss child care and early learning.
Trudeau was in British Columbia on Monday to attend a memorial ceremony at the former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., where 215 suspected graves were detected one year ago.
--With Canadian Press files.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.