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
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.