March

COVID-19 (2020) Pandemic

Timeline : March 2020

March 5th, 2020:

Justin Trudeau defends Canada's current open border policy. He continues on to say that "We know that keeping Canadians safe needs to be done in the right way and we’re going to keep doing things that actually keep Canadians safe. There is a lot of misinformation out there, there is a lot of knee-jerk reaction that isn’t keeping people safe. That is having real, challenging impacts on communities, on community safety” (Staples, 2020c).

March 9th, 2020:

The first confirmed death from COVID-19 in Canada.

In the House of Commons, MP Alain Rayes asks, “Many countries are starting to talk about COVID-19 as a global pandemic. As of today, the vast majority of developed countries have already implemented measures for travellers. Here in Canada, there are no restrictions on or monitoring of people entering the country. My question is for the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Does he intend to ban travellers from countries such as China, Iran or Italy from entering Canada?” (Staples, 2020c)

Health Minister Patty Hadju responded to the comment by reaffirming that screening is already happening to many travellers from a variety of countries. As well, if they are symptomatic then they are directed to correct health professionals.

From here, MP Kristina Michaud asks the House, “On Friday, travellers at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport complained that passengers arriving from at-risk areas were not being tested. Some travellers even likened the airport to a sieve. We need to protect the public against the spread of this virus. The government must issue clear directives to ensure that no cases of the virus are allowed in. Will the government set up detection measures for the coronavirus at all border crossings, starting with airports?” (Staples, 2020c)

Hadju replies first with an acknowledgement to those working in CBSA to combat COVID-19 thus far. She continues to say, "As you know, and as I have been saying for two and a half months, this is a situation that is very fluid ... I am sure you all saw that the World Health Organization has declared that this is a pandemic. However, that is not shocking to us because we have been acting as if it had this potential in the early days, and certainly over the last several weeks and months we’ve been working to prepare Canada for a worst-case scenario. I will remind the members that we have been acting as if we were in a pandemic since the beginning" (Staples, 2020c).

March 10th, 2020:

A report from Dr. David Fisman was released that states, “March Break is a terrible idea” (Sharratt, 2020).

Dr. Fisman is an expert epidemiologist working at the Univerity of Toronto with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. His team received a $27,000,000 investment from the Canadian Federal Government for research into COVID-19.

March 11th, 2020:

The WHO announces that COVID-19 has now been declared a Global Pandemic.

During the Health Committee, Dr. Tam brought up how “The WHO did call this a pandemic today, but the key message is that all countries can still change the course of this pandemic by doing a number of things. I will go through them very quickly, but I believe we’re already doing them” (Staples, 2020c). 

She continues by listing the policies that needed updates in light of COVID-19. However, border closures were not a part of this list.

At this time, MP Luc Thériault asks, “You said earlier that, from the start, you’ve managed this crisis as if it were a pandemic. With all due respect, I doubt this very much … The federal government must — and this falls under its jurisdiction — protect the public, properly identify cases and determine any restriction. In that respect, the news isn’t necessarily good, based on what we’re hearing from the customs workers. Will you tighten up these measures? When will the Public Health Agency of Canada take responsibility for tightening up screening measures and send clear guidelines to the Canada Border Services Agency officers working at the border? Your current approach is to inform people and let them decide what they must do in terms of good practices to protect themselves. When will the Public Health Agency of Canada take responsibility for tightening up screening measures and send clear guidelines to the Canada Border Services Agency officers working at the border?” (Staples, 2020c)

Hadju responds once again affirming Canada has the correct protocols in place, elaborating how "When people came from an affected region, they were met by CBSA and public health officials. CBSA would pull them aside and ask them some questions about their health. Public health would work with them, if in fact they were symptomatic, and would transfer them to the local health facility. If they were not symptomatic, then they were asked to self-isolate at home with a mandatory requirement to check in with public health within 24 hours. We have evidence that there was a very high compliance rate" (Staples, 2020c).

Dr. Tam adds on how "borders are not a solid wall ... Nonetheless, we do use a very rigorous risk assessment ... I do know that we have really stepped up our presence at the border. I think the border is the moment for education and telling people what to do when they come in" (Staples, 2020c).

March 12th, 2020:

In the House of Commons, the Federal Conservative party leader, Andrew Scheer states, “The World Health Organization has declared coronavirus to be a pandemic, and while the government says that the risk to Canadians is low, countries around the world are taking decisive action. Italy is one of the hardest-hit countries and it has initiated many measures to lock parts of that country down. However, when the final flight out of Italy landed here, passengers were not screened. No temperatures were taken and no one was quarantined. They were given a pamphlet and sent on their way. Is the government convinced that a departmental pamphlet is enough to reduce the spread of this disease?” (Staples, 2020c)

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Chrystia Freeland defends, “We need to continue to listen to our medical experts. They are telling us that the situation will get worse before it gets better. They also say that Canada is well prepared” (Staples, 2020c).

MP Claude DeBellefeuille then asks, “Just yesterday, travellers arriving from Italy at Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport were shocked to see that no one asked them any questions. They were coming from one of the largest outbreak zones in the world, yet they were simply handed a pamphlet. This afternoon, the government’s travel advisory for Europe still indicated the lowest possible risk level, even though when we are in a full-blown pandemic. There is a happy medium between panicking and doing nothing. Will the government finally take real measures to monitor the coronavirus?” (Staples, 2020c).

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair, replies “Mr. Speaker, let me assure the member opposite that we, in fact, have implemented very significant new enhanced screening and detection processes for all of our CBSA officers ... They have the tools and training they need to do their part to assist in this public health crisis” (Staples, 2020c).

March 13th, 2020:

In a press conference, Dr. Tam says “My advice is to postpone or cancel all non-essential travel outside of Canada. This means reconsidering your vacations, going to sporting and entertainment events, large international conferences” (Staples, 2020c).  

March 16th, 2020:

The Federal government abruptly changes the course of direction, severely restricting any flights coming into Canada from international regions. 

During a press conference, Trudeau says, “I know that these measures are far reaching. They are exceptional circumstances calling for exceptional measures… From the very beginning, Canada’s response has been based on the latest available science and advice from our world-class health professionals. Today’s announcement is no different. These measures will help save lives ... Let me be clear. If you’re abroad, it’s time for you to come home. If you’ve just arrived, you must self-isolate for 14 days. And finally, all Canadians, as much as possible, should stay home" (Staples, 2020c).

A reporter from the Press Conference then asks Trudeau how “You’ve said that your decisions thus far have been dictated by science. What is the science behind leaving the US border open, but denying entry to other travellers?” (Staples, 2020c)

Trudeau says in response, “We recognize that the level of integration of our two economies, and the coordination that we’ve had over the past while, puts the US in a separate category from the rest of the world” (Staples, 2020c).

During another Press Conference, Dr.Tam is questioned on whether self-isolation is now mandatory for passengers arriving from other countries. She insists that now all travellers are asked to self-isolate upon arrival, although "this is not essentially ordered … It is impossible to keep tabs on every traveller that comes in" (Staples, 2020c).

March 18th, 2020:

In a Press Conference, Trudeau updates Canadians that “we closed the borders to overseas travel on Monday. And today, two days later we announce that we are restricting non-essential travel between Canada and the United States. This is something that we’ve been coordinating with the United States on over the past days ... This is something that we need to move forward on to protect Canadians” (Staples, 2020c).

March 19th, 2020:

March 21st, 2020: