WHETHER YOU'RE HOSPITAL STAFF OR
FIRST RESPONDER, A BUS DRIVER --
EXCUSE ME.
WHETHER YOU'RE A HOSPITAL STAFF
OR A FIRST RESPONDER, A BUS
DRIVER, TRUCK DRIVER OR FREIGHT
TRAIN OPERATE, I KNOW YOU'RE
WORKING HARDER THAN EVER.
THANK YOU.
YOU'RE MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE
FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED YOU.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE SEE
THAT AND WE'RE STANDING BEHIND
YOU.
WHATEVER OUR GOVERNMENT CAN DO
TOKER TO SUPPORT YOU, TO PROTECT
OUR ECONOMY, WE'RE DOING
EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE IT
HAPPEN.
THAT INCLUDES FROM NORTHERN
COMMUNITIES.
WE'RE WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO
REDUCE TRAVEL TO NORTHERN
COMMUNITIES, TO HELP PROTECT
THEM FROM THE VIRUS.
TODAY THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
WILL ISSUE AN ORDER TO LIMIT
NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INTO THE
TERRITORY.
WE SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT STEP.
AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE FOCUSED
ON ENSURING ESSENTIAL GOODS GET
TO PEOPLE IN THESE COMMUNITIES.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH
PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS ON
TRAVEL TO THE NORTH.
THIS PAST WEEK, WE ALSO
ANNOUNCED NEW MEASURES TO PUT
MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS
TO GET THROUGH THIS UNCERTAIN
TIME.
THIS MEANS EVERYTHING FROM
BOOSTING THE CANADA CHILD
BENEFIT TO INCREASE THE G.S.T.
CREDIT, TO GIVING PEOPLE A BREAK
FROM PAYING BACK THEIR STUDENT
LOANS.
WE'VE UNVEILED A PLAN TO
MOBILIZE INDUSTRY TO PRODUCE
THINGS LIKE MASKS AND
VENTILATORS AND TO ACCELERATE
VITAL RESEARCH, $25 MILLION WILL
GO TO TEAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY,
WORKING ON MEASURES TO DETECT,
MANAGE, AND REDUCE THE SPREAD OF
COVID-19.
FOR CANADIANS WHO ARE OVERSEAS,
WE'RE SENDING THEM TEXTS WITH
IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
WE'VE ANNOUNCED NEW FUNDING TO
HELP PEOPLE BORROW UP TO $5,000
TO RETURN TO CANADA OR TO COVER
THEIR NEEDS WHILE WAITING TO
COME HOME.
AND PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE WORKING
AROUND THE CLOCK TO HELP PEOPLE
WHO ARE STRANDED.
ON THAT LAST FRONT, WE'VE
CONTINUED TO MAKE PROGRESS IN
THE LAST FEW DAYS.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
>> Voice of Translator: OUR
GOVERNMENT IS WORKING WITH THE
CANADIAN AIRLINES TO MAKE
COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS MORE
ACCESSIBLE TO CANADIANS, WHO ARE
STRANDED ABROAD.
WE'LL ALSO BE WORKING WITH OTHER
COUNTRIES TO ENSURE THAT OUR
AIRLINES HAVE THE PERMISSION AND
OTHER LOGISTICAL MEASURES
NECESSARY TO TAKE THESE FLIGHTS.
FIRST AIR CANADA FLIGHT WILL
LEAVE MOROCCO THIS WEEKEND.
WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH OTHER
AIRLINE COMPANIES TO REACH
SIMILAR AGREEMENTS.
WE ARE PLANNING OTHER FLIGHTS IN
THE COMING DAYS, POTENTIALLY
FROM PERU AND SPAIN, WITH OTHER
COUNTRIES BEING ANNOUNCED AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE.
A NUMBER OF FACTORS ARE BEING
CONSIDERED WHEN WE DECIDE WHERE
THE FLIGHTS WILL LEAVE FROM.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE NUMBER OF
CANADIANS IN A CERTAIN AREAS OR
THE LOCAL SITUATION OR THE
CLOSED AIR SPACE.
WE'LL DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO
HELP AS MANY CANADIANS AS
POSSIBLE.
SO THAT THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT
CAN CONTACT PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, CANADIANS
ABROAD MUST REGISTER WITH GLOBAL
AFFAIRS CANADA, IF THEY HAVE NOT
ALREADY DONE SO.
YOU CAN DO THAT ON-LINE AT
voyage.gc.ca.
THE SAME POLICIES THAT APPLY TO
PEOPLE ENTERING THE COUNTRY,
ALSO APPLY TO THOSE FLIGHTS.
ALL PASSENGERS ON THOSE FLIGHTS
WILL HAVE TO SELF-ISOLATE FOR 14
DAYS, AS SOON AS THEY RETURN.
I ALSO WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE
THAT IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF
COVID-19, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE
TO TAKE THE FLIGHT.
OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO PROTECT YOUR
HEALTH AND THAT OF PEOPLE AROUND
YOU.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ESSENTIAL THAT
EVERYONE DO THEIR SHARE.
[END OF TRANSLATION]
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: WE'RE MAKING
COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS AVAILABLE FOR
AS MANY CANADIANS WHO ARE
STRANDED, AS POSSIBLE.
WE WILL ALSO BE WORKING WITH
OTHER COUNTRIES TO ENSURE THAT
OUR AIRLINES HAVE THE
PERMISSIONS AND OTHER SUPPORTS
NECESSARY TO FLY.
THE FIRST FLIGHT IS LEAVING
MOROCCO THIS WEEKEND AND IS
BEING OPERATED BY AIR CANADA.
WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH
OTHER AIRLINES ON SIMILAR
ARRANGEMENTS.
AND THERE WILL BE MORE FLIGHTS
FROM OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE
COMING DAYS.
THIS POTENTIALLY INCLUDES PERU
AND SPAIN.
OTHER COUNTRIES WILL BE
ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AS WE MAKE THESE DECISIONS,
FACTORS LIKE THE NUMBER OF
CANADIANS THERE, AIR SPACE
CLOSURES AND THE LOCAL SITUATION
ARE BEING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
NOW WE WON'T BE ABLE TO REACH
EVERYONE.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR BEST
TO HELP THOSE WE CAN.
TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET
INFORMATION TO PEOPLE AS QUICKLY
AS POSSIBLE, ALL CANADIANS
OVERSEAS SHOULD REGISTER WITH
GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA, IF
THEY'VE NOT ALREADY DONE SO.
YOU CAN DO THIS BY GOING ON-LINE
TO TRAVEL.GC.CA.
THE SAME POLICIES APPLY TO THESE
FLIGHTS AS ANYONE ELSE COMING
INTO THE COUNTRY.
EVERYONE ON THE FLIGHTS HAS TO
ISOLATE FOR 14 DAYS, ONCE
THEY'RE BACK.
I ALSO WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE
THAT IF YOU'RE SHOWING SYMPTOMS
OF COVID-19, YOU WON'T BE ABLE
TO BOARD.
THIS IS ABOUT KEEPING ALL
CANADIANS SAFE, SO WE NEED
EVERYONE TO DO THEIR PART.
ON THAT NOTE, I WANT TO
RECOGNIZE THE AIRLINES THAT ARE
WORKING WITH US TO GET TRAVELERS
HOME AND FAMILIES REUNITED.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK THE
STAFF FROM PILOTS TO AIR CREWS
FOR THEIR PROFESSIONALISM AND
DEDICATION, DURING A VERY
DIFFICULT TIME FOR THE INDUSTRY,
WHEN PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT
THEIR JOBS AND FUTURES, THEY'RE
STILL STEPPING UP TO HELP.
THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH WEEK FOR A
LOT OF CANADIANS.
PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR
HEALTH AND THE ECONOMY.
AND TODAY ON THE INTERNATIONAL
DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, LET'S NOT
FORGET THAT PEOPLE ARE WORRIED
ABOUT HOW FEAR CAN FUEL RACISM,
TOO.
SO LET'S BE KIND TO EACH OTHER.
AND LET'S STAND UP AGAINST
DISCRIMINATION, WHEREVER YOU SEE
IT.
IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD, AS
WE CONTINUE TO FEEL THE IMPACT
OF THIS VIRUS, IT WILL BE MORE
IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO FIGHT
AGAINST FEAR, MISINFORMATION AND
STIGMA.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO PULL
TOGETHER.
BECAUSE IN TIMES OF NEED, OUR
STRENGTH IS DEFINED BY HOW WE
CARE FOR EACH OTHER, AS
NEIGHBOURS, AS COMMUNITIES, AND
AS A COUNTRY.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
>> Voice of Translator: OVER
THE WEEKEND, WE MUST ALL DO OUR
PART.
WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW
THE PUBLIC HEALTH
RECOMMENDATIONS AND LIMIT TRAVEL
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
YOU MAY WANT TO GO TO A
RESTAURANT WITH YOUR FAMILY OR
GO AND SEE A FILM WITH FRIENDS.
BUT IN ORDER TO PROTECT
YOURSELVES, WE MUST ALL MAKE
ADJUSTMENTS.
AND IT'S ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT
THAT WE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER,
BECAUSE IT'S TOGETHER THAT WE
CAN COME THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT
PERIOD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[END OF TRANSLATION]
>> Question: MOLINARIS A THOMAS
FROM CTV NATIONAL NEWS.
I SAW TODAY THE
FRANCOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE HAD
SPOKEN TO OFFICIALS IN TURKEY
AND SPAIN AS WELL.
FOR CANADIANS THAT ARE OUTSIDE
OF MAYBE MORE POPULATED AREAS OR
PLACES WE'RE TALKING TO, IS IT
SAFER FOR THEM TO STAY PUT,
THEY'RE SCARED AND THEY'RE
ASKING US, SHOULD WE STAY, AVOID
THOSE AIRPORTS.
SHOULD WE AVOID PLACES OF
GETTING TRAPPED IN OTHER
COUNTRIES EN ROUTE?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: I THINK WE NEED TO --
EVERYONE NEEDS TO TAKE THE BEST
DECISIONS FOR THEM.
OBVIOUSLY IF THEY ARE NOT
CERTAIN THEY'RE GOING TO BE
GETTING ON A FLIGHT, PROBABLY
BETTER TO STAY IN PLACE.
BUT GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA WILL
GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS LIKE THAT
ON VARIOUS SITUATIONS.
PEOPLE WILL NEED TO USE THEIR
BEST JUDGMENT.
WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO
HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
BUT AS I SAID, AIR SPACE
CLOSURES THAT DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES ARE PUTTING IN,
LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES, THESE ARE
THINGS WE'RE DEALING WITH RIGHT
NOW AS A WORLD.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
>> Voice of Translator: OF
COURSE, WE WANT CANADIANS TO DO
EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO REMAIN
HEALTHY AND SAFE.
THEY HAVE TO JUDGE BASED ON
THEIR OWN SITUATION, WHETHER OR
NOT IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO GO TO
THE AIRPORT, WITHOUT
CONFIRMATION.
BUT CERTAINLY GLOBAL AFFAIRS
WILL BE PROVIDING MORE
INFORMATION TO CANADIANS TO MAKE
THE RIGHT CHOICES FOR THEMSELVES
AND THEIR FAMILY.
[END OF TRANSLATION]
>> Question: A 51-YEAR-OLD MAN
LOST HIS LIFE IN ONTARIO.
HE WENT TESTED FOR THE VIRUS
UNTIL HE WAS PUT INTO I.C.U.
HE ONLY CAME BACK POSITIVE AFTER
HE HAD DIED.
I MEAN, WE KNOW THAT THE
COMMUNITY SPREAD.
SHOULD WE NOT BE TESTING THOSE?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: THE RAMPING UP OF
TESTING IS INCREASING AT A
TREMENDOUS PACE.
TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE PEOPLE
ARE BEING TESTED EVERY SINGLE
DAY.
WE ARE GETTING ON -- WE'RE
GETTING MORE EQUIPMENT FOR
TESTING.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT BROAD-SCALE
TESTING IS AN ESSENTIAL TOOL IN
CONTINUING TO FIGHT THE SPREAD
OF THIS DISEASE.
AND AS I SAID, EVERY SINGLE DAY
WE ARE DOING FAR MORE TESTS THAN
THE DAY BEFORE.
AND THAT WILL CONTINUE TO RAMP
UP.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
>> Voice of Translator: WE
RECOGNIZE THAT SCREENING IS AN
ESSENTIAL TOOL, IN ORDER TO STOP
THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS.
AND THAT'S WHY EVERY SINGLE DAY
WE ARE TESTING TENS OF THOUSANDS
MORE CANADIANS, AND THAT WILL
CONTINUE TO INCREASE EVERY
SINGLE DAY.
WE KNOW THAT MASSIVE TESTING IS
ONE OF THE WAYS OF PROTECTING
CANADIANS.
AND REDUCING THE SPREAD OF THE
VIRUS.
[END OF TRANSLATION]
>> Question: I WANTED TO ASK
ABOUT THE EMERGENCY'S ACT.
SPEED IS CRITICAL IN CONTAINING
THE VIRUS.
WE'VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
COUNTRIES WAIT TOO LONG TO
RESTRICT PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT.
POLITE REQUESTS ONLY GO SO FAR.
WHY NOT DECLARE A FEDERAL STATE
OF EMERGENCY RIGHT NOW?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: I WANT TO THANK THE
MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF
CANADIANS HOP -- WHO HAVE
SELF-ISOLATED, WHO ARE ENGAGING
IN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
THAT'S THE FUNDAMENTAL THING
THAT WE ALL CAN DO AND NEED TO
DO, TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF
THIS VIRUS.
WE KNOW THAT IN MANY GLOBAL
CRISES OR SITUATIONS,
INDIVIDUALS FEEL POWERLESS TO
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
IN THIS SITUATION, PEOPLE CAN
AFFECT THEIR HEALTH, THE HEALTH
OF THEIR NEIGHBOURS BY TAKING
STRAIGHTFORWARD STEPS TO
SELF-ISOLATE, WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
AND TO MOVE -- AND TO KEEP
SOCIAL DISTANCING TO A MAXIMUM.
WE HAVE NOT REMOVED FROM THE
TABLE ANY OPTIONS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT A BROAD ARRAY
OF MEASURES THAT WE CAN MOVE
FORWARD WITH AT THIS TIME.
WE DO NOT SEE THE FEDERAL
EMERGENCY'S ACT AS AN ESSENTIAL
TOOL TODAY.
BUT WE ARE CONTINUING TO LOOK AT
THE SITUATION.
AND WE'LL MAKE DECISIONS BASED
ON THE BEST RECOMMENDATIONS OF
SCIENCE.
>> Question: AND WHAT DO YOU
NEED TO SEE BEFORE DECLARING A
FEDERAL EMERGENCY?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: I THINK THE KEY ISSUE
IS ARE THERE THINGS THAT WE NEED
TO BE ABLE TO DO AS A
GOVERNMENT, THAT WE CANNOT DO
WITH THE VERY STRONG EXISTING
REGULATIONS THAT ARE PLACE AND
GOVERNMENT HAS AS TOOLS.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
>> Voice of Translator:
THANKING THE MILLIONS OF
CANADIANS, WHO HAVE BEEN
FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEALTH
OFFICIALS' RECOMMENDATIONS, WHO
ARE STAYING HOME, SELF-ISOLATING
AND PRACTISING SOCIAL
DISTANCING.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN
ALL DO, NOT JUST TO ADDRESS THIS
CRISIS, BUT ALSO TO PROTECT
OURSELVES AND THE PEOPLE AROUND
US.
OF COURSE, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE
EMERGENCY MEASURES ACT.
BUT WE DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS
NECESSARY AT THIS TIME TO INVOKE
IT, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL THE
TOOLS THAT WE NEED TO DO WHAT IS
BEING RECOMMENDED TO US.
BUT IT COULD BE AN OPTION IN THE
FUTURE.
RADIO CANADA.
WITH RESPECT TO THOSE CANADIAN
WHO WANT TO RETURN, WHO WILL BE
PAYING FOR THE TRAVEL AND WILL
THE PASSENGERS HAVE TO PAY?
AND HOW CAN YOU BE SURE THAT
THEY WON'T OVERPAY?
WELL, OF COURSE, YES.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE AIRLINE
COMPANIES AT THIS TIME TO ENSURE
THAT WHAT THEY CHARGE PASSENGERS
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS TYPE OF
RESCUE FLIGHT.
AND WE WILL BE THERE TO HELP THE
AIRLINES, IF NEED BE, IN ORDER
TO COVER THEIR COSTS FOR IT'S
FLIGHTS.
CANADIANS WHO HAVE TO RETURN TO
CANADA, NEED TO PAY FOR THEIR
TICKET.
[END OF TRANSLATION]
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: WE'RE WORKING OUT AN
AGREEMENT WITH AIRLINE
COMPANIES, WHERE THE GOVERNMENT
WILL HELP TO COVER EXTRA COSTS,
BUT WE EXPECT CANADIANS BEING
RETURNED HOME ON THE EMERGENCY
FLIGHTS TO PAY A RESPONSIBLE
COST, RESPONSIBLE TICKET PRICE
FOR THEIR RETURN.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
>> Voice of Translator: THE
PANDEMIC SEEMS TO ORIGINATE FROM
LIVE MARKETS IN CHINA.
DO YOU THINK THE CANADIAN
GOVERNMENT COULD USE ITS
PRESENCE AT THE UNITED NATIONS
TO ASK THAT THIS TYPE OF MARKET
NOT EXIST ANY MORE AND THAT
THERE BE FIRE DEPARTMENTERS SENT
OUT -- INSPECTORS SENT OUT TO
INSPECT?
IN THE WEEKS, MONTHS TO COME,
THERE WILL BE A GREAT DEAL OF
LEARNING, WITH RESPECT TO THIS
PANDEMIC.
HOW IT HAPPENED AND HOW WE CAN
PREVENT IT IN THE FUTURE.
FOR THE TIME BEING, ALL OF OUR
EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON
PROTECTING PEOPLE TODAY AND
TOMORROW.
AND RESOLVING THIS SITUATION FOR
THE PUBLIC HEALTH SITUATION AND
CANADIANS.
AFTER THAT, THERE WILL BE A
GREAT DEAL OF DISCUSSION, AS TO
HOW WE CAN PREVENT A FUTURE
PANDEMIC.
[END OF TRANSLATION].
>> Question: YOU SAID INEVITABLE
THAT CANADIANS WILL BE STRANDED
ABROAD.
WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO CANADIANS
WHO ARE SCARED, WHERE THE
MEDICAL SYSTEM IS NOT LIKE HERE
IN CANADA.
THEY'RE UNDER LOCKDOWN WITH
HEAVY MILITARY PRESENCE IN
TOWNS.
WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM AND THEIR
FAMILIES?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: FIRST OF ALL, CANADIAN
IS MAKING CONSULAR ASSISTANCE
AVAILABLE.
A LOAN OF $5,000, FOR EXAMPLE,
TO HELP THEM IN EITHER BUYING
TICKETS HOME OR BEING ABLE TO
HUNKER DOWN IN PLACE.
IT IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT
SITUATION.
THE LOCKDOWNS IN VARIOUS
COUNTRIES, THE LIMITS ON AIR
TRAVEL, LOGISTICAL PAST CAPACITY
-- CAPACITIES OF OUR AIRLINE,
MEANS WE CAN'T BRING EVERYONE
HOME.
WE'LL ASK PEOPLE TO SAY SAFE,
MAKE SMART CHOICES AND DO THE
BEST THEY CAN IN A SITUATION
THAT'S UNPRECEDENTED,
EXCEPTIONAL AND VERY DIFFICULT.
>> Question: AND WHAT'S THE
LEVEL OF COOPERATION THAT YOU'VE
RECEIVED FROM CANADIAN
COMMERCIAL AIRLINES TO TRY TO
REPATRIATE CANADIANS?
AS WELL AS, WHAT BAILOUT IS ON
THE WAY FOR THEM?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: I HAVE SPOKEN DIRECTLY
WITH THE HEADS OF CANADA'S
LARGEST AIRLINES OVER THE PAST
DAYS.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE
ALL IN IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING
CANADIANS IN TERMS OF GETTING
PEOPLE HOME.
OF COURSE, THERE ARE LIMITS TO
WHAT WE CAN ALL DO TO RESCUE
EVERYONE.
BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE
AIRLINES HAVE BEEN VERY
POSITIVE, THOUGHTFUL PARTNERS ON
THAT.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT CANADA'S
AIRLINE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN STRONG
AND SUCCESSFUL IN YEARS' PAST.
AND WILL NEED TO BE STRONG AND
SUCCESSFUL ONCE THE PANDEMIC
FOLLOWS ITS COURSE AND WE COME
OUT THE OTHER SIDE.
WE WILL BE THERE TO SUPPORT
AIRLINES AND OTHER INDUSTRIES
THAT HAVE BEEN SORELY HIT BY
THIS PARTICULAR CRISIS.
>> Question: THANK YOU.
WE'LL GO TO THE PHONE LINES FOR
A FEW QUESTIONS.
MODERATOR.
>> Announcer: THANK YOU.
PLEASE PRESS STAR ONE IF YOU
HAVE A QUESTION.
>> Operator: THE FIRST QUESTION.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
YOUR LINE IS NOW OPEN.
>> Question: BONJOUR, MR. 
TRUDEAU.
>> Voice of Translator:
EARLIER THIS WEEK, MR. LEGAULT
WAS ADVISING QUÉBECERS TO STAY
IN THEIR REGION.
NEWFOUNDLAND IS CLOSING OFF ITS
BORDERS TO OTHER CANADIANS.
AND THE SAME IS BEING DONE BY
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES.
EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT AT THE POINT
WHERE YOU WANT TO ORDER THIS
SORT OF THING, WILL YOU BE
RECOMMENDING TO CANADIANS CANADT
THEY NOT TRAVEL WITHIN CANADA?
WE ARE RECOMMENDING TO CANADIANS
THAT THEY NOT TRAVEL ANYWHERE,
UNLESS IT'S ABSOLUTELY
ESSENTIAL.
WE'RE TELLING PEOPLE TO STAY
HOME, NOT TO GO AND VISIT THEIR
NEIGHBOURS.
THAT INCLUDES IN THE UNITED
STATES OR IN NEIGHBOURING
PROVINCES.
PEOPLE MAY HAVE IMPORTANT
REASONS TO TRAVEL FOR FAMILY OR
FOR BUSINESS.
BUT IF PEOPLE CAN KEEP THEIR
TRAVEL DOWN TO A MINIMUM AND
STAY HOME, THAT WOULD BE THE
BEST THING FOR ALL OF US.
[END OF TRANSLATION]
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: WE'RE ASKING PEOPLE TO
AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL, NOT
GOING TO SEE NEIGHBOURS IF YOU
DON'T HAVE TO, THAT APPLIES TO
THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER
PROVINCES.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT PEOPLE HAVE
REASONS, WHETHER FAMILY REASONS,
WORK REASONS OR OTHER IMPORTANT
REASONS TO TRAVEL AND THEY CAN
MAKE THOSE JUDGMENTS.
BUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, PEOPLE
SHOULD BE STAYING HOME.
PEOPLE SHOULD BE, YOU KNOW,
SELF-ISOLATING WITH THEIR FAMILY
MEMBERS, SO WE CAN ALL GET
THROUGH THIS AND SO WE CAN BE
MAKING SURE WE'RE KEEPING OUR
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND
OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS SAFE AND
ABLE TO HANDLE THE CAPACITY.
>> Question: THANK YOU.
NEXT QUESTION, MO MODERATOR.
>> Operator: THE NEXT QUESTION
IS FROM GREG QUINN FROM MARKET
NEWS.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
YOUR LINE IS NOW OPEN.
>> Question: GOOD MORNING.
BANK OF MONTREAL AND SCOTIABANK
HAVE SAID THE DEFICIT THIS YEAR
COULD COME IN AROUND
$100 BILLION.
ABOUT TWICE THE PREVIOUS RECORD.
HAVE YOU SEEN ANY OFFICIAL
FIGURES FROM GOVERNMENT OF THOSE
KINDS OF NUMBERS?
AND DO YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF
HESITATION POLITICALLY OR
ECONOMICALLY ABOUT THAT KIND OF
FIGURE?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: WE HAVE HEARD A WIDE
RANGE OF ESTIMATES FROM
ECONOMISTS AND BANKS ABOUT HOW
BAD THIS IS GOING TO GET.
ONLY THING THEY SEEM TO AGREE ON
IS THAT IT'S GOING TO GET VERY
BAD.
FORTUNATELY, CANADA IS AN
EXTREMELY STRONG, FISCAL
POSITION.
WE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST
DEBT-TO-G.D.P. RATIOS.
THE LOWEST DEBT AS A FACTOR OF
THE SIZE OF OUR ECONOMY OF MOST
OF OUR ALLIED COUNTRIES.
THAT GIVES US ROOM TO INJECT
MONEY INTO POEM'S POCKETS, --
INTO PEOPLE'S POCKETS, INTO THE
ECONOMY AS NECESSARY.
WE WILL FOCUS ON ENSURING THAT
CANADIANS AND COMPANIES GET
THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
SO THAT ONCE WE'RE THROUGH, WE
CAN PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF
AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A STRONG
AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING TON
RIGHT NOW.
HOW TO BRIDGE CANADIANS AND
BUSINESSES THROUGH THIS
DIFFICULT TIME.
WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THAT.
AND WE WILL DO WHAT IS
NECESSARY.
>> THANK YOU.
LAST QUESTION, MODERATOR.
>> Operator: THANK YOU.
WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM MIA FROM
THE CANADIAN PRESS.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
YOUR LINE IS NOW OPEN.
>> Question: GOOD MORNING, PRIME
MINISTER.
I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD TALK
ABOUT THE CAPACITY OF THE CIVIL
SERVICE TO DELIVER THINGS LIKE
EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.
WE SAW RECORD NUMBERS OF PEOPLE
APPLYING FOR E.I. AND LOTS OF
PEOPLE SAYING THEY COULDN'T GET
THROUGH ON THE PHONES.
THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO APPLY.
SO MANY WORKING FROM HOME AND SO
MANY APPLICATIONS, THE
GOVERNMENT GOING TO BE ABLE TO
MANAGE THIS?
>> Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau: WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE
NEED TO DO THINGS THAT ARE
ABSOLUTELY UNPRECEDENTED IN
TERMS OF GETTING MONEY OUT THE
DOOR, INTO THE POCKETS OF
CANADIANS WHO NEED IT.
WE HAVE MANY DIFFERENT
PROGRAMMES AND MANY DIFFERENT
TOOLS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO DO
THAT, IN NORMAL TIMES, IN THESE
EXCEPTIONAL AND UNCERTAIN TIMES,
WE'RE HAVING TO TAKE, YOU KNOW,
NEW MEASURES AND CREATE NEW
MEASURES TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER
FOR CANADIANS, WHO NEED IT RIGHT
NOW.
OUR CIVIL SERVANTS ARE WORKING
EXTRAORDINARILY HARD TO ENSURE
THAT'S POSSIBLE.
BUT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT
DELIVERING EXISTING PROGRAMMES
TO FAR MORE PEOPLE.
IT'S ABOUT ACTUALLY SIMPLIFYING
BOTH THE PROCESS AROUND
APPLICATION AND DELIVERY, TO BE
ABLE TO GET MONEY TO THE PEOPLE
WHO NEED IT IN EXCEPTIONAL
CIRCUMSTANCE.
I WANT TO THANK ALL PUBLIC
SERVANTS, NOT JUST AT THE
FEDERAL LEVEL, BUT PROVINCIAL
LEVELS AS WELL, WHO ARE WORKING
INCREDIBLY HARD.
MANY OF THEM FROM HOME, TO
ENSURE WE'RE ABLE TO HOLD ON AS
A COUNTRY GETTING THROUGH THE
DIFFICULT TIMES.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO USE VARIOUS
MEASURES IN ORDER TO GET MONEY
OUT TO PEOPLE, THROUGH MANY OF
THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE
ALREADY.
WE'RE LOOKING AT NEW THINGS AND
CIVIL SERVICE IS ESSENTIAL PART
OF THAT.
>> Rosemary: AND THAT'S PRIME
MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU ON THIS
SATURDAY MORNING, GIVING
CANADIANS AN UPDATE FROM HIS
HOME AT RIDEAU COTTAGE.
A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT MESSAGES
THERE, THAT I'LL GO THROUGH WITH
MY COLLEAGUE VASSY KAPELOS, HOST
OF "POWER & POLITICS."
LET'S START WITH THE
REPATRIATION QUESTION, VASSY.
THAT SEEMS TO BE THE NEWEST BIT
OF INFORMATION.
KNOWING THAT THE FIRST FLIGHT,
ONE OF THE FIRST FLIGHTS, WE
KNOW SEVERAL OTHERS DONE
ALREADY.
A FIRST FLIGHT FROM MOROCCO
ARRIVING BACK IN MONTREAL
TONIGHT.
>> Vassy: YES.
ARRIVING BACK TONIGHT.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IS WORKING WITH
AIRLINES TO TRY AND SECURE
FLIGHTS FROM OTHER LOCATIONS,
WHERE WE KNOW A HIGH NUMBER OF
CANADIANS ARE TRAPPED.
HE ACTUALLY MENTIONED NA.
THE NUMBER OF CANADIAN CITIZENS
AS ONE OF THE FACTORS IN
DETERMINING WHERE THOSE FLIGHTS
WILL GO AND COME FROM.
HE MENTIONED TWO PLACES IN
PARTICULAR, PERU AND SPAIN.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE
POTENTIAL FOR PORTUGAL AS WELL.
THE DIFFERENCE AGAIN TODAY, FROM
WHAT WE HEARD WHEN HE ANNOUNCED,
FOR EXAMPLE, THE FLIGHT COMING
BACK FROM MOROCCO, WE DON'T HAVE
AN EXACT TIMETABLE.
HE SEEMED TO INDICATE IT WOULD
HAPPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
BUT WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN
THOSE FLIGHTS WOULD LAND OR WHEN
THEY WOULD COME BACK.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE
FOR OUR VIEWERS, THE REASONS
THESE LOCATIONS ARE BEING
IDENTIFIED AS THE -- BY THE
GOVERNMENT FIRST, IS BECAUSE
THESE ARE THE PLACES WHERE THE
BORDERS HAVE REALLY SHUT DOWN.
WHERE YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GET
IN OR OUT.
IT SOUNDS ALSO -- IT'S IMPORTANT
TO NOTE FOR PEOPLE WATCHING,
THEY CAN BE WATCHING CBC NOW
OUTSIDE OF CANADA, AND IF YOU
ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE FLIGHTS,
THEY'LL STILL BE COMMERCIAL
FLIGHTS.
THESE ARE AGREEMENTS THAT THE
GOVERNMENT IS WORKING ON, FIRST
WITH AIR CANADA, PERHAPS WITH
OTHER AIRLINES AS WELL.
YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS
FLIGHT.
HOWEVER, IT'S DIFFICULT TO
DETERMINE WHAT THE EXACT COSTS
WILL BE.
A COUPLE OF THINGS TO TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT.
THE FLIGHT IS FLYING OVER THERE
EMPTY.
THAT UPS THE COST FOR THE
AIRLINE.
HOWEVER, THE PRIME MINISTER DID
INDICATE THEY ARE WORKING WITH
AIRLINES, MY UNDERSTANDING IS
THEY'LL SUBSIDIZE THEM TO A
CERTAIN AGREE, IN ORDER TO MAKE
THOSE COSTS, QUOTE UNQUOTE,
REASONABLE.
I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT
"REASONABLE" MEANS.
THEY ARE EFFORTING TO TRY AND
MITIGATE THE COSTS FOR PEOPLE
TRYING TO GET OUT.
>> Rosemary: YEAH.
IF WE LOOK AT THE MOROCCO
FLIGHT, FOR INSTANCE.
ABOUT $1,300.
THAT SOUNDS REASONABLE TO ME,
BECAUSE I KNOW THERE WERE OTHER
PEOPLE TRYING TO GET FLIGHTS
WHEN THE WORLD WAS SORT OF
SHUTTING DOWN AT A RAPID PACE
AND AIRLINES WERE JACKING UP THE
FLIGHTS.
IF IT SEEMS REASONABLABLE,
DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE.
I'LL JUST MENTION THE INSTANCE
OF PERU.
AS YOU SAY, VASSY, THIS IS WHERE
PLACES WHERE BORDERS ARE REALLY
SHUTTING DOWN.
THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE OF PERU
SAYS AS OF TOMORROW, PERU WILL
NOT SORT REPATRIATION EFFORTS BY
GOVERNMENTS.
SO I WOULD IMAGINE THESE
CONVERSATIONS ARE ONGOING.
THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN WE
WON'T GET A PLANE IN.
A LOT MORE COMPLICATED TO GET A
PLANE IN.
>> Vassy: WE KNOW THERE'S AT
LEAST 800 CANADIANS IN PERU.
I'M GETTING MESSAGES DURING THE
BROADCASTER SAYING THERE COULD
BE MANY MORE THAN THAT.
WE'LL TRY AND GET AN ANSWER FROM
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER
CHAMPAGNE, WHO IS BY THE WAY,
OUT OF ISOLATION, HE TESTED
NEGATIVE AND APPARENTLY WILL BE
JOINING THE OTHER MINISTERS AS
WE ANTICIPATE IN ABOUT 20
MINUTES.
IT WILL BE, YOU KNOW, I AM
CURIOUS TO FIND OUT, ESPECIALLY
WHEN THE NUMBER OF CANADIANS IS
A DETERMINING FACTOR FOR THE
GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS IN THESE
INSTANCES.
HOW MANY CANADIANS ARE IN EACH
JURISDICTION.
AND LIKE YOU SAY, I THINK TIMING
IS A BIG PART OF ALL OF THIS,
RIGHT.
WE DIDN'T HAVE AN EXACT TIMELINE
PROVIDED TODAY BY THE PRIME
MINISTER.
BUT, IF OF -- IN FACT, PERU IS
SAYING NO.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.
>> Rosemary: SPEAKING OF
BORDERS, BEFORE I MOVE ON TO
SOMEONE STUCK IN PERU RIGHT NOW,
THE EXTRAORDINARY MEASURE FOR
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES TO
CLOSE ITS BORDERS LATER TODAY
FROM TRAVEL WITHIN CANADA.
I SHOULD TELL PEOPLE THAT THERE
ARE NO CASES IN ANY OF THE
TERRITORIES AND NORTHWEST
TERRITORIES HAS THE MOST NUMBER
OF PEOPLE OF THE THREE.
THAT, TOO, AN UNUSUAL MOVE AND
UNUSUAL MAYBE MESSAGE FROM THE
PRIME MINISTER WHEN HE WAS ASKED
ABOUT THAT.
>> Vassy: YEAH.
HE MENTIONED IT RIGHT OFF THE
TOP AND EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT TO
THAT MEASURE.
IT'S UNUSUAL BECAUSE IT ALMOST
SIGNALS, AND I DON'T KNOW IF
THIS WILL HAPPEN IN A LOT OF
OTHER PLACES, THE LATTER STEP.
TRAVEL LIMITED AND LIMITED IN
AND KEEPS ON GETTING MORE AND
MORE LIMITED.
NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BORDER
BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CANADA,
WHICH BASICALLY CLOSED DOWN TO
ANY LEISURE OR TRAVEL OVERNIGHT.
WILL IT KEEP GOING LIKE THIS
THROUGHOUT THE REST OF CANADA?
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE
HEALTH MINISTER A FEW DAYS AGO
ABOUT THAT.
IT ACTUALLY KIND OF JOINS UP
WITH ANOTHER QUESTION THE PRIME
MINISTER GOT AROUND THE
EMERGENCY'S ACT.
THEY KEEP TELL US IT'S A LAST
RESORT.
THE EXAMPLE MINISTER HAJDU
PROVIDED TO ME, WHEN THEY USE
THE ACT OR INVOKE IT, IF THEY
HAD TO LIMIT OR HAD TO BAR
TRAVEL BETWEEN PROVINCES.
NOW SHE INSISTED THAT THAT'S A
LAST RESORT.
THEY'RE VERY FAR FROM THAT.
WE HAVE AN INDICATION TODAY, AT
LEAST IN THE NORTHWEST
TERRITORIES, THAT'S SOMETHING
THAT THEY ARE INVOKING.
YOU KNOW, I THINK IT DEPENDS ON
HOW THINGS GO OVER THE NEXT FEW
DAYS.
IT IS INTERESTING, YOU KNOW,
WILL THE PROVINCES MAKE THOSE
DECISIONS ON THEIR OWN?
MAKE THEM AT ALL?
OR WILL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
REACH A POINT WHERE THEY HAVE TO
INVOKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SHE SEEMED TO THINK IT WAS AWAYS
OFF.
I DON'T KNOW.
>> Rosemary: THE SITUATION IN
THE TERRITORIES OBVIOUSLY
DIFFERENT.
THEY'RE FAIRLY LIMITED MEDICALLY
IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY CAN COPE
WITH.
IF THERE ARE NO CASES THERE AND
CAN PEOPLE OUT, THAT MAKES A LOT
OF SENSE.
THE QUÉBEC PREMIER FRANCOIS
LEGAULT WAS ALSO TELLING
QUÉBECERS, DON'T TRAVEL
ANYWHERE.
THE PRIME MINISTER ESSENTIALLY
SAID THAT TODAY, TOO.
IT'S NOT JUST DON'T TRAVEL
ANYWHERE, WON'T BOTHER TRAVELING
TO ANOTHER PROVINCE.
THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR THAT.
STAYING HOME IS A BETTER OPTION
RIGHT NOW.
>> Vassy: YEAH.
I THINK THE ISSUE IS THAT FOR A
LOT OF PEOPLE, UNLIKE YOU AND I,
WE'RE OKAY TO STAY WHERE WE ARE,
WE CAN ACT AS YOU SO RIGHTLY
SAID, WE ALREADY HAVE IT AND
AMEND OUR BEHAVIOUR FOR THAT.
SOME PEOPLE WHO, FOR EXAMPLE,
ARE BRINGING FOOD ACROSS THE
COUNTRY OR OTHER GOODS, TRUCKING
OR WHATEVER IT HAPPENS TO BE,
IT'S A LITTLE BIT HARDER I GUESS
OF A DECISION FOR THEM TO HAVE
TO MAKE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE
ONE PROVINCE IS SAYING SOMETHING
AND IT'S A RECOMMENDATION HERE.
IT'S A RECOMMENDATION THERE.
SO AGAIN I WILL EMPHASIZE THAT
MINISTERY -- MINISTERS SAID OVER
AND OVER SAID IT'S A LAST
RESORT.
THE ONE EXAMPLE PROVIDED, WHEN
THE ACT MIGHT BE APPLICABLE, IS
SHUTTING DOWN THE INTERNAL
TRAVEL.
>> Rosemary: I'LL BE BACK TO
YOU, VASSY.
WE'RE STANDING BY FOR ANOTHER
PRESS CONFERENCE FROM A HANDFUL
OF CABINET MINISTERS, INCLUDING
THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
WHO WILL BE ASKED MORE QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE CANADIAN REPATRIATION
EFFORT.
AND TO THAT END, I WANT TO BRING
IN A GUEST RIGHT NOW.
GREG BESTAVROS, HOPEFULLY I HAVE
GOT THAT RIGHT.
HE'S FROM MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO.
HE'S ONE OF MORE THAN -- WE
THINK 800 CANADIANS.
THERE MIGHT BE MORE TRYING TO
GET HOME FROM PERU.
AND GREG, I THINK YOU'RE IN
CUSCO, PERU.
HOW ARE YOU DOING, FIRST OF ALL?
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
>> Interview: WE'RE DOING WHAT
WE CAN WITH THE LIMITED
INFORMATION THAT WE'VE BEEN
PROVIDED.
AS YOU GUYS CAN TELL, THE
SITUATION HAS CONTINUED TO
CHANGE VERY DRASTICALLY, VERY
RAPIDLY, PROMPTING, YOU KNOW,
UNPRECEDENTED DECISIONS.
THAT HAS REALLY PUT A BIND ON
OUR ABILITY TO GET HOME.
WE ARE CURRENTLY IN ACCUSE --
CUSCO, 300 TO 400 CANADIANS IN
CUSCO ALONE.
THE FIGURE THAT YOU MENTIONED OF
OVER 800 CANADIANS, WE HAVE A
FACEBOOK GROUP THAT WE HAD
STARTED FOUR DAYS AGO STARTING
WITH 67 PEOPLE.
WE'RE NOW OVER 920 PEOPLE.
AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND,
THERE IS MORE THAN # THOUSAND,
3,000 PEOPLE NOT IN THE GROUP.
BUT THEY ARE HERE IN PERU IN
VARIOUS PLACES, BE IT SMALL
CITIES, WHERE MAYBE AIR TRAVEL
IS RESTRICTED, OR THEY'RE IN
LARGER CITIES SUCH AS CUSCO OR
LIMA, THEY'RE STILL ON LOCKDOWN,
ON QUARANTINE, WHERE THE ABILITY
TO TRAVEL BOTH BY ROAD OR BY
BOAT OR BY PLANE HAS BEEN
LIMITED.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SEEN -- SORRY,
GO AHEAD.
>> Rosemary: GREG, I WAS GOING
TO ASK YOU.
YOU HEARD THE PRIME MINISTER, IF
YOU WERE TO HEAR HIM, YOU GOT
THE FLIGHT FROM MOROCCO AND
FOCUSED ON TRYING TO GET A
FLIGHT FROM PERU AND FROM SPAIN.
WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT?
THAT MUST BE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU?
>> Interview: I MEAN, APPEARS TO
BE GOOD NEWS.
GIVEN WHAT YOU HAD SAID LAST
NIGHT WHERE THE DEFENSE
MINISTER, FROM HERE IN PERU, HAS
BASICALLY SAID AS OF MIDNIGHT
TONIGHT OR TOMORROW, I
UNDERSTAND IT TO BE THIS
EVENING, THEY'RE GOING TO STOP
REPATRIATION EFFORTS AND, YOU
KNOW, I HAVE STAYED IN THIS
HOSTILE, WHERE I HAVE SEEN MY
FRIENDS FROM MEXICO BE
REPATRIATED AND TAKEN OUT.
I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE FROM GERMANY
REPATRIATED AND TAKEN OUT.
WE'RE KIND OF WONDERING, WE
FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN
TO US.
WE ENCOURAGE A SWIFT ACTION IN
THE WAY IT HAS CLOSED DOWN THE
BORDERS, THE SAME LEVEL OF
SWIFTNESS FROM OUR GOVERNMENT TO
BRING US HOME SAFELY, BEFORE
MATTERS GET WORSE.
WE'VE SEEN THIS SITUATION GET
WORSE OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS.
I THINK WE ALL FEAR THAT,
ALTHOUGH THERE IS THE HOPE THAT
THERE'S ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE,
IT MIGHT BE TOO LITTLE, TOO
LATE.
>> Rosemary: I'M SURE LOTS OF
CANADIANS WATCHING YOU RIGHT NOW
ARE WONDERING WHAT THE HECK
YOU'RE DOING THERE OR WHEN YOU
GOT THERE OR WHY YOU DECIDED TO
LEAVE THE COUNTRY.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT WHY
YOU'RE THERE AND WHY YOU DECIDED
TO TRAVEL.
YEAH.
>> Interview: FOR SURE.
YEAH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A VERY
GOOD FRIEND.
I'M HERE WITH MY FIANCEE.
A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MY FIANCEE
WAS GETTING MARRIED IN LIMA.
WE MADE THE PLANS OBJECTION OF
LAST YEAR.
WHEN -- PLANS OCTOBER OF LAST
YEAR.
WHEN WE SAW THE SITUATION
APPROACHING, IT DIDN'T APPEAR TO
BE AS SERIOUS AS THE LAST SEVEN
TO TEN DAYS.
WE ARRIVED ON THE 12TH, AT WHICH
THE ONLY WARNING THAT WAS
PROVIDED TO US, FROM OUR
GOVERNMENT ON OUR TRAVEL
ADVISORY BOARD, WAS MORE SO
BASED ON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
HERE.
BUT NOTHING TO DO WITH COVID-19,
NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY SORT OF
HEALTH REGULATIONS.
AND AT THAT POINT, YOU KNOW, WE
THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SAFE TO
TRAVEL.
ON THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON, WE SAW
OUR FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER HAD
BASICALLY TOLD CANADIANS TO COME
BACK AS SOON AS THEY POSSIBLY
CAN, BEFORE THEY DON'T HAVE THE
OPTION TO DO SO.
WE TRIED TO BOOK FLIGHTS.
WE TRIED TO GET HOME AND THERE
WAS NO FLIGHTS AVAILABLE.
THERE WAS NO SEATS AVAILABLE.
THINGS I THINK MOVED SO QUICKLY
THAT, YOU KNOW, ONLY A FEW
PEOPLE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE
COUNTRY, BEFORE ALL OF THIS TOOK
PLACE.
>> Rosemary: I SHOULD SAY, LET
ME UPDATE SOME NUMBERS I'VE BEEN
GIVEN FROM GLOBAL AFFAIRS
CANADA.
YOU'RE RIGHT.
A LOT MORE CANADIANS THAN WE
HAVE BEEN REPORTING.
THEY NOW SAY 4,300 REGISTERED
CANADIANS IN PERU.
>> Interview: YEAH.
>> Rosemary: I DON'T KNOW THAT
EVERYBODY WANTS OUT.
THAT'S NOT ASSUMING THAT
EVERYBODY WANTS OUT.
>> Interview: FOR SURE.
>> Rosemary: TELL ME, GREG, WHAT
KIND OF COMMUNICATION HAVE YOU
HAD THEN?
I'M ASSUMING YOU'VE REGISTERED
WITH THE GLOBAL AFFAIRS.
WHAT KIND OF COMMUNICATION HAVE
YOU HAD NOW?
>> Interview: WE'VE REACHED OUT
TO M.P.s AND FEDERAL.
WE HAVE FOLLOWED ALL OF THE
INSTRUCTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN
PROVIDED TO US BY REGISTERING
WITH THE REGISTRATION OF
CANADIANS ABROAD.
AND THEY'VE BASICALLY TOLD US
TIME AND TIME AGAIN, YOU KNOW,
SIT TIGHT, WE ARE BECOMING AWARE
OF YOUR SITUATION.
WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE
ARRANGEMENTS, TO BE ABLE TO
BRING YOU HOME.
AND ULTIMATELY THAT'S I THINK
WHAT EVERYBODY HAS DONE.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE SAT TIGHT.
WE'VE WAITED TO SEE WHAT EFFORTS
ARE GOING TO BE DONE BY OUR
GOVERNMENT, YOU KNOW.
YESTERDAY MORNING MEXICO WAS
ABLE TO MOVE 13 BUSES OF PEOPLE
FROM HERE IN CUSCO TO A SMALL
VILLAGE, WHICH IS TEN, 11 HOURS
AWAY AND THEY WERE ABLE TO BOARD
A FLIGHT THIS MORNING AT
4:00 A.M.
SO, YOU KNOW, WAS IT A GLIMPSE
OF HOPE FOR US?
ABSOLUTELY.
HEARING THE UPDATE FROM THE
DEFENSE MINISTER IN PERU,
REPATRIATION EFFORTS WILL BE
HALTED, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
REAR HOPING THAT WE -- WE'RE
HOPING WE SEE A SIMILAR RESCUE,
THAT WE SAW WITH ISRAELI
CITIZENS, GERMAN AND THOSE FROM
THE U.S. AND MEXICO, LIKE I
MENTIONED.
>> HOW ARE YOU DOING?
HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR FIANCEE
DOING, HEALTH-WISE, ALL OF THOSE
THINGS?
>> Interview: EAR -- WE'RE
HEALTHY.
THIS IS VERY DRAINING AND VERY
STRESSFUL.
BEING KEPT IN THE DARK AND MAYBE
NOT KNOWING WHAT EXACTLY IS
HAPPENING ON THE BACK END HAS
KEPT US A LITTLE BIT MORE
FRANTIC.
A LOT OF ACTIVITY, A LOT OF
PEOPLE SUFFERING WITH DIFFERENT
MEDICAL ILLNESSES OR MENTAL
ILLNESSES AND THE LACK OF
COMMUNICATION IS HELPING, YOU
KNOW, MAKE THESE THINGS MUCH
WORSE.
AND ULTIMATELY, YOU KNOW, I'M
DOING MY BEST TO MAINTAIN
POSITIVITY AND TRUST IN OUR
GOVERNMENT.
NOW HEARING THIS UPDATE THAT THE
REPATRIATION EFFORTS MAY COME TO
A HALT, HAS PUT US IN A SPACE
WHERE WE'RE SCARED.
WE'RE -- WE WANT TO GO HOME.
>> Rosemary: WE'RE GOING TO PUT
THE MORE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO
THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
IN JUST A FEW MINUTES WHEN HE
POPS UP.
IN CASE HE'S LISTENING OR THE
PRIME MINISTER IS LISTENING,
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM, WHAT
DO YOU NEED FROM THEM?
>> Interview: YOU KNOW, I THINK
THAT CANADA IS A WONDERFUL
COUNTRY.
WE'RE VERY STRONG.
WE HAVE GREAT PRINCIPLES AND
GREAT BELIEFS.
I THINK THAT AT THIS POINT THERE
IS A SENSE OF URGENCY THAT'S
NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO BRING US
HOME, BEFORE THESE MATTERS
BECOME WORSE.
IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS ALONE, WE
HAVE SEEN TWO 24-HOUR WARNINGS
THAT THE BORDERS WILL BECOME
CLOSED.
I THINK WE AS CANADIANS AND OUR
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ACT
WITH THE SAME LEVEL OF
SWIFTNESS, BEFORE MANY OF US ARE
LEFT HERE ABROAD, BE IT HERE IN
PERU OR IN MOROCCO OR ANY OF THE
OTHER COUNTRIES THAT FIND
THEMSELVES IN THIS KIND OF
SITUATION.
YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYBODY IS MAYBE
EAGER TO GET HOME.
THERE IS A LOT OF US THAT WANT
TO GET HOME TO OUR FAMILIES.
THE LACK OF CONTROL AND THE LACK
OF TRANSPARENCY THAT WE'VE
RECEIVED IS SCARY.
>> Rosemary: OKAY.
GREG BESTAVROS.
I THINK THE MESSAGE IS PRETTY
WELL RECEIVED THERE TO THE
GOVERNMENT, IF THEY'RE
LISTENING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND MY BEST TO YOU AND YOUR
FIANCEE.
KEEP US POSTED.
>> Interview: THANK YOU FOR
HAVING ME.
>> Rosemary: LET EMPLOYEE GO
BACK -- LET ME GO BACK TO MY
COLLEAGUE VASSY KAPELOS.
>> Vassy: I WAS GOING TO SAY,
ROSY, TO YOUR QUESTION AND WHAT
GREG WAS TALKING ABOUT, OF
COURSE, AROUND WHAT THE PERUVIAN
GOVERNMENT HAS SAID, THE DEFENSE
MINISTER'S COMMENTS ABOUT NOT
ALLOWING REPATRIATION SOURCES.
I'M TOLD BY A NUMBER OF SOURCES
IN THE GOVERNMENT, THEY HAVE
ASSURANCES FROM PEOPLE THEY NEED
ASSURANCES FROM IN THE PERUVIAN
GOVERNMENT, THAT THE AGREEMENT
TO LAND FLIGHTS AND FOR THE
FLIGHTS TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO
REPATRIATE CITIZENS, STILL
STANDS.
THE IMPRESSION IS THEY'VE BEEN
GIVEN ASSURANCES THAT THEIR
OPERATION IN PERU, HOWEVER
SUBSTANTIVE IT IS, IT WILL GO
AHEAD.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE FROM THE BEST
SOURCES THAT I CAN GET AT THIS
POINT.
I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF
PEOPLE IN PERU WATCHING AT THIS
POINT, THAT'S THE MESSAGE I'M
GIVEN.
>> Rosemary: THAT'S REASSURING
TO THEM, THAT THE REPATRIATION
EFFORTS ARE COMPLICATED WITH
EVERY COUNTRY AND PARTICULARLY
COMPLICATIONS, DEPENDING ON THE
CASES AND THE COUNTRY.
SOME REASSURANCE THAT THE TALK
IS ONGOING.
I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG YOU CAN
TALK TO A GOVERNMENT THAT SEEMS
QUITE ANXIOUS TO JUST STOP ALL
FLIGHTS ENTIRELY.
>> Vassy: YEAH.
IT PUTS A TIMELINE.
AS I KEEP SAYING, I'M INTERESTED
TO SEE WHEN THE FLIGHTS ACTUALLY
-- WHEN WE START GETTING SOME
INFORMATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT
ABOUT WHEN THESE FLIGHTS WILL
TAKE PLACE.
AND I THINK UNTIL I IMAGINE
CANADIANS HEAR THE EXACT TIMING
OF THEM, THERE WILL BE A LEVEL
OF NERVOUSNESS ABOUT THEM
HAPPENING AT ALL.
>> Rosemary: GETTING TO THE BIG
CITIES WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO
NEED, LIKE LIMA, CUSCO.
VASSY, I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU
THERE FOR JUST A MOMENT.
WE STAND BY AND WAIT TO THE
MINISTERS TO COME OUT AND SPEAK
WITH US AND BEGIN US MORE
DETAILS ABOUT WHAT THE PRIME
MINISTER ANNOUNCED TODAY.
IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON CBC
TELEVISION AND CBC NEWS NETWORK,
THE BORDER BETWEEN CANADA AND
THE U.S. IS NOW OFFICIALLY
CLOSED TEMPORARILY TO ALL
NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL.
AND REMEMBER THAT IS FOR AT
LEAST 30 DAYS.
THERE IS THE OPTION TO RENEW
THAT CASE.
WE KNOW THAT THE NORTHWEST
TERRITORIES IS NOW PREVENTING
ANY TRAVEL INSIDE THE NORTHWEST
TERRITORIES.
THEY HAVE NO CASES.
THEY'RE DOING THAT IN A BID TO
TRY AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN
CONTAIN THE VIRUS AND NOT LET IT
INTO THEIR TERRITORY AT ALL.
AND, OF COURSE, THESE
REPATRIATION EFFORTS WE'RE GOING
TO HEAR ABOUT SHORTLY CONTINUE
ON THE GOVERNMENT'S PART.
THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER
FRANCOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE
HAVING A NUMBER OF CALLS WITH
VARIOUS COUNTRIES OVER THE
COURSE OF THE PAST 24 HOURS TO
TRY AND ALLOW FOR FLIGHTS TO
LAND ONE LANDING IN MONTREAL
FROM MOROCCO TONIGHT AND THE
GOVERNMENT FOCUSED NOW ON BOTH
FLIGHTS, BOTH CANADIANS IN SPAIN
AND PERU, ALTHOUGH KNOW DETAILS
ON THOSE FLIGHTS YET.
THE NUMBER OF CASES IN THIS
COUNTRY HAS NOW EXCEEDED 1,000,
214 REPORTED ON FRIDAY.
THE BIGGEST RISE SINCE THE
PANDEMIC DECLARED.
WE'RE STILL AT 13 DEATHS.
LET ME GO OVER TO B.C., BEFORE
THESE MINISTERS COME UP AND GIVE
US MORE DETAILS.
BECAUSE IN B.C. SOME EXTREME
MEASURES HAVE BEEN PUT INTO
PLACE.
RESTAURANTS ARE ALL BEING
ORDERED TO SHUTTER DOORS TO
VISITOR AND SWIH TO TAKE-OUT
AND DELIVERY ONLY.
JOINING ME NOW IS BELLE.
>> Reporter: 77 NEW CASES OF
COVID ANNOUNCED IN B.C.
THAT PUTS US AT 348.
THAT'S THE MOST CASES OF ANY
PROVINCE IN THE COUNTRY.
NINE PEOPLE HAVE DIED.
WE'LL GET AN UPDATE LATER TODAY.
YOU CAN BE GUARANTEED THE
NUMBERS CHANGE.
EIGHT ARE RELATED TO THE LYNN
VALLEY CARE CENTRE.
NOW FOUR SENIORS' HOMES IN THE
REGION, THAT ARE REPORTING
ISSUES WITH THE VIRUS.
THE LATEST IS ONE IN THE
COMMUNITY OF COQUITLAM.
THE DUFFERIN CARE CENTRE HAS A
WORKER THAT TESTED POSITIVE.
ACROSS THE PROVINCE, TWO DOZEN
HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE
SUFFERING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS.
AT THIS POINT WE HAVE NO FULL
SHUTDOWN, BUT THAT IS NOT
SITTING WELL WITH A GROUP OF
DOCTORS.
ONE DOCTOR IN PARTICULAR, AT ONE
OF THE LARGEST HOSPITAL, HAS
PENNED A LETTER AND 60 OTHER
DOCTORS SIGNED WITH THE DOCTOR.
THEY ARE ASKING FOR A COMPLETE
COMMUNITY SHUTDOWN.
THEIR CONCERN IS THAT THE
NUMBERS ARE GOING UP TOO FAST.
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL
TAKING SOCIAL DISTANCING FAR TOO
LIGHTLY.
AND THEN THERE ARE COMMUNITIES
THAT ARE NOT PART OF MAINLAND
B.C., PLACES LIKE BOWEN ISLAND
AND HAIDA GWAII.
IF YOU DON'T LIVE HERE, PLEASE
DON'T COME HERE.
AS YOU MENTIONED, RESTAURANTS
ARE TAKE-OUT, NO DINING IN.
IT WILL BE POLICED.
ANY RESTAURANT THAT DOESN'T HEED
THAT ORDER COULD FACE
PROSECUTION.
>> Rosemary: ALL RIGHT.
THANKS FOR GIVING US A GOOD
PICTURE OF HOW THINGS ARE
DEVELOPING OUT WEST IN
VANCOUVER.
AS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, AND
AIR CANADA PLANE FULL OF
CANADIANS EXPECTED TO LEAVE THE
AIRPORT VERY SHORTLY.
WE'VE REACHED A GUEST WHO WILL
BE BOARDING THE FLIGHT ALONG
WITH HIS WIFE.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT
THINGS?
>> PRETTY CALM.
EVERYTHING IS MOVING VERY
SMOOTHLY HERE.
WE'RE ABOUT TO GET OUR BOARDING
PASSES.
>> HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT FOR YOU
TO GET ON THAT FLIGHT?
>> LAST NIGHT IT WAS NOT THAT
HARD.
THE WEEK HAS BEEN AN
EXTRAORDINARILY ARDUOUS PROCESS.
BECAUSE WE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A
LOT OF SIGNALS FROM THE EMBASSY
REGARDING, YOU KNOW, HOW WE WERE
GOING TO GET HOME.
>> Rosemary: AND YOU WERE THERE,
TELL ME THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT
BROUGHT YOU TO MOROCCO?
>> MY WIFE AND I WERE ON A
THREE-WEEK VACATION, WE WERE TWO
WEEKS IN.
TIME TO GO HOME.
THERE'S A CURFEW HERE NOW.
MILITARY TRUCKS IN THE STREETS
AND SO IT'S TIME TO GO.
>> Rosemary: HAVE YOU BEEN
ANXIOUS I GUESS OR STRESSED OUT?
AT TIMES, YES.
EVERYTHING HAMMED VERY QUICKLY.
THE MOMENT AT WHICH CANADA TOLD
EVERYBODY TO GO HOME, MOROCCO
ESSENTIALLY CLOSED THE BORDERS.
THERE WAS NO TIME TO ACT.
THE INFORMATION WE GOT FROM THE
EMBASSY WASN'T LIKE -- BY THE
TIME WE HAD IT, IT WAS OBSOLETE.
WE WERE TOLD TO ONLY CONTACT
EMBASSY OFFICIALS IF WE WERE IN
AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND WE
WERE NOT.
WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR A NUMBER OF
DAYS.
AND NOW WE'RE GOING?
>> Rosemary: AND I HAVE ABOUT 30
SECONDS.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FEEL WHEN
YOU FINALLY GET HOME?
>> Interview: NO DOUBT RELIEVED.
AND THEN WE'LL BE INDOORS LIKE E
ELSE.
>> THIS MIGHT BE THE BIGGEST
GROUP OF CANADIANS IN ONE SPOT
IN THE WHOLE WORLD RIGHT NOW.
>> Rosemary: YES.
YES.
STAY SOCIALLY DISTANCE YOURSELF
IN THE LINE IF YOU CAN.
MARK, WE'RE GLAD THAT YOU GOT A
FLIGHT OUT.
HAPPY TRAVELS BACK WITH YOU AND
YOUR WIFE AND GLAD YOU'RE
GETTING HOME SAFELY.
[Please stand by]
>> Rosemary:  WE'LL BRING YOU TO
THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
FEDERAL MINISTERS AND HEALTH
OFFICIALS GIVING US AN.
UPDATE ON COVID-19 MEASURES IN
THIS COUNTRY.
LET'S LISTEN IN LIVE.
>> CANADIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR
DEDICATION TO PUBLIC HH
