Question Period Note: SAFE RESTART

What is the FPT Safe Restart Agreement?

• On July 16, First Ministers agreed to a Federal/ Provincial/ Territorial Safe Restart Agreement – supported by over $19 billion in federal investments.

• As of September 16, all premiers have submitted their response letters and the federal funding will be transferred to the provinces and territories.

• This agreement helps provinces and territories restart their economies, while protecting the health of Canadians.

• We recognize that provinces and territories have had to respond to COVID-19 in unique ways, and have already made major investments, and will continue to do so.

• Funding under the Safe Restart Agreement will help provinces and territories in critical areas, such as healthcare, childcare, sick leave and municipal services.

• This includes investments to support our collective efforts on testing, contact tracing and data management, health system capacity, mental health and substance use, personal protective equipment, and protecting seniors and other vulnerable people.

• First Ministers agree that continued collaboration is key to ongoing success, and will build on the Team Canada approach that has taken place throughout this pandemic.

On July 16, 2020, First Ministers agreed to an FPT Safe Restart Agreement, supported by over $19 billion in federal investments, to help PTs restart the economy over the next six to eight months while making Canada more resilient to possible future waves of the virus.

Provinces and territories were asked to outline in a letter how these funds would best be allocated within their jurisdictions, based on their priorities. On September 16, the Prime Minister announced that the premiers have now submitted the letters and the federal funding will be transferred to the provinces and territories.

Funding includes support for expanding testing and contact tracing capabilities so that provincial and territorial health authorities are able to mitigate outbreaks of COVID-19. This funding will also support capacity in health care services; procurement of personal protective equipment, including for essential workers; and support for Canadians facing mental health challenges, including problematic substance use. First Ministers also agreed to jointly provide support to municipalities to maintain the delivery of critical services.

In addition, there is a dedicated stream of funding for public transit. Funding will also support measures to protect vulnerable populations, including seniors in long-term care facilities, and child care services, so parents can return to work. Under the agreement, the Government of Canada will establish a temporary income support program to provide workers with up to ten days of paid sick leave related to COVID-19. PTs will establish job protected sick leave legislation or regulation in their respective jurisdictions.

Funds include:
• $700 million to support health care system capacity to respond to a potential future wave of COVID-19;
• $500 million to address immediate needs and gaps in the support and protection of people experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use and homelessness; and
• $4.28 Billion to support PTs with the costs of increasing their capacity to conduct testing, perform contact tracing and share public health data that will help fight the pandemic.

SYNOPSIS
Recognizing that provinces and territories (PTs) have had to respond to COVID-19 in unique ways, on July 16, 2020, First Ministers agreed to a Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Safe Restart Agreement. Supported by over $19 billion in federal investments, this Agreement will help PTs restart their economies over the next six to eight months while making Canada more resilient to possible future waves of the virus.

On September 16, 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the premiers have now submitted the response letters and the federal funding will be transferred to the provinces and territories.