Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced another large funding package to help Canada fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He said his government will be providing almost $130 million to help people in the North. 

Of that cash, $72.6 million will go to Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to boost their healthcare systems. 

Nutrition North Canada will also be given funds, while the government will work with airlines to ensure supplies get to northern communities.

“These are tough times,” Trudeau said. “But we’re going to help you through them.” 

Photo credit: Contributed

The prime minister also said Canada received four planes’ worth of medical kit on the weekend. 

There are now 1.1 million N95 masks ready to be shipped to provinces, he said, with more coming. 

There are also millions of pairs of gloves and gowns, Trudeau added.

He also said it will be “weeks” until the Canadian economy begins to reopen. 

It will have to be done in phases, the prime minister said, and the government is going to have to remain vigilant until a vaccine is found. 

Trudeau said he is having ongoing conversations with the provinces about the economy. 

Each province is experiencing the disease differently, he added.

“It’s going to be a while still,” he said. 

The prime minister also said over 430,000 Canadians have been tested for COVID-19 so far.

He again mentioned that people not covered by the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit can expect some help soon. 

The Canada Emergency Business Account will also be expanded, he said. 

Trudeau was also pressed on his decision to spend some of the Easter holiday in Quebec with his wife and children. 

Health officials across the country – as well as the prime minister himself – have repeatedly warned Canadians to stay at home and not indulge in the temptation to visit family or their cottages during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He confirmed he visited the Harrington Lake prime ministerial residence in Gatineau Park to see his family, but did not concede that he behaved contrary to his own instructions.

Trudeau said he continues to follow all guidelines from public health authorities.