July 16, 2020 – Canada’s First Ministers announced a federal/provincial/territorial (FPT) Safe Restart Agreement. The FPT Safe Restart Agreement is supported by a $19 billion federal investment to help restore economic activity and rebuild a resilient future amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The First Ministers recognize the unique approaches that provinces and territories have taken in response to COVID-19 as well as the distinct challenges and circumstances faced by the territories and smaller jurisdictions. Throughout the next six to eight months, the federal funding will sustain provincial and territorial efforts to restart the economy and keep Canadians safe. The funds will focus on supporting major investments in response to COVID-19 critical areas such as funding for municipal services, healthcare, and childcare.
The FPT Safe Restart Agreement supports:
- Funding for municipal services; to maintain the delivery of critical services
- Investments in public transit
- The expansion of COVID-19 testing and contact tracing capabilities
- Procurement of personal protective equipment
- Canadians facing mental health challenges
- Measures to protect vulnerable populations such as seniors in long-term care facilities
- Childcare services
- Income support program to provide workers with up to 10 ten days of paid sick leave
- Health care service capacity
The First Ministers acknowledge that provinces, territories, and local governments will continue to be faced with tremendous challenges. The economy is in need of a boost and future waves of the virus threaten efforts to restore the Canadian economy. The $19 billion federal investment will uplift critical efforts to mitigate the negative health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
