Use every tool to help Canadians get through Omicron wave

Almost two years into the pandemic, the Liberals continue to fail to learn from past experiences and are continuing to let Canadians down as Omicron spreads across the country. Today, NDP Health Critic Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) and Finance and Employment and Workforce Development Critic Daniel Blaikie (Elmwood–Transcona) are calling on the Liberals to use every tool to keep Canadians safe and help get them through this latest wave of the pandemic.

“Once again, we are seeing a government fail to secure PPE and rapid tests, fail to support long-term care homes, and stand on the sidelines as our healthcare system and healthcare staff struggle to treat those affected by COVID-19,” said Davies. “Decades of cuts to our healthcare system by Liberal and Conservative governments have led us here. Intensive Care Units and healthcare workers across Canada were already stretched before the pandemic began. We need to invest immediately to fix the massive gaps that exist, to help keep people safe now.”

Between December 30 and January 5, an average of 41,743 new cases of COVID-19 were reported daily across Canada, increasing by 65 per cent compared to the previous week. And yet despite the increase of cases, the Trudeau government has been slow to announce any support for our healthcare system, for workers, or to keep Canadians safe.

The NDP is calling on the Liberals to immediately:

• Use federal workers and the military for a massive public vaccination campaign for children, to ensure a safe return to school.
• Increase financial support for workers and small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
• Use federal powers to immediately increase public and private domestic manufacturing capacity to produce rapid tests and PPE, including N95 masks, to ensure every Canadian can access proper protective equipment.
• Increase funding to fix the massive gaps in our healthcare system.

“As the pandemic continues and lockdowns return in different regions, small businesses and workers need continued support from the federal government. Yet the Liberals had started to phase out supports, and many don’t know if they’ll be able to survive the latest lockdowns,” said Blaikie. “Justin Trudeau promised that he would have people’s back for as long as they need help. Well people need help now more than ever and he’s nowhere to be seen. You can count on New Democrats to continue to fight to help you and your family get through the pandemic.”