Canada will get ‘millions of masks’ from China, and ramp up PPE production on the homefront

Amazon will help manage PPE distribution

OTTAWA, ON., April 5 2020 – Yesterday at Rideau Cottage Justin Trudeau stated that with the uncertainty of the 3M masks Canada has “millions of medical masks” coming from China.

Prime Minister Trudeau, said within the next 48 hours Canada will be receiving a shipment of millions of masks by a chartered cargo flight from China.

Trudeau said Air Canada and Cargojet will be assisting in providing transport for the masks and surgical supplies.

“I want to take a moment to thank everyone, whether you’re working in a warehouse, flying the plane or part of the ground crew, for your dedication,” he said.

On Saturday, Trudeau also said that Canada is not considering retaliatory measures in response to Trump’s move, asking 3M not to supply N95 respirators to Canada.

“We are continuing to engage in constructive discussions with different levels within the administration to highlight that the U.S. will be hurting itself as much as Canada will be hurting if we see an interruption of essential goods and services flow back and forth across the border,” Trudeau said. “We continue to demonstrate that this is a good thing for both of our countries and we look to continue to ensure that essential supplies get across the border.”

The Prime Minister also assured Canadians that their government is working around the clock to secure medical supplies with shipments coming in imminently. ““We have shipments coming in in the next 24 hours. We’ve received shipments over the past days,” he said. “We continue to work with suppliers around the world to ensure that we do get the medical equipment that we need and we have more coming in regularly.“

“That is going to actually not just supply Canada, but be there to supply other countries who need them as we meet our own needs,” he said. “This is part of what Canada is doing to ensure that we are protecting our front line workers and all Canadians every single day.”

Amazon will help manage PPE and medical supply distribution, partnering with Canada Post and Purolator

Trudeau had already announced, Friday that the Government of Canada was partnering with Amazon to help to help manage the distribution of personal protective equipment and supplies, purchased by Canada, to support the COVID-19 response. Amazon is providing these services to Canadians at cost, without profit.

Amazon will work collaboratively with the Government of Canada to process and manage orders through its online Amazon Business store. Amazon will use its Canadian distribution network, including delivery partners Canada Post and Purolator, to deliver these supplies to provincial health authorities, hospitals and other government agencies across the country.

This agreement will ensure the vast quantities of masks, gloves and other equipment purchased by the government are provided to front-line healthcare workers and others in need as quickly as possible.

“As we continue to work hard to increase our production and procure essential personal protective equipment and medical supplies, this collaboration with Amazon will help get them as quickly as possible to the hospitals and healthcare professionals who need them,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health.

This contract award is part of the Government of Canada’s whole-of-government response to COVID-19, which includes major investments in personal protective equipment for the health sector, as well as research, science and innovation.

Trudeau said the government is also turning to Canadian manufacturers to develop “made in Canada products, PPE, security equipment and medical supplies.”

On March 31, the Government of Canada announced it is investing $2 billion to support diagnostic testing and to purchase ventilators and protective personal equipment, including bulk purchases with provinces and territories.

The Government of Canada is collaborating with provinces and territories on an ongoing basis to identify their needs and to purchase the required equipment, supplies and services to combat COVID-19. They also said in a statement that they are “ramping up up domestic manufacturing capacity, through the Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19.”