Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister speaks with provincial and territorial counterparts

February 5, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, met virtually with provincial and territorial Finance Ministers. This was the ninth call chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister began by mentioning the friendly nature of her recent call with the United States’ new Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, including that the topics of Keystone XL and Buy America were raised.

The Deputy Prime Minister also spoke to the progress of Bill C-14, the Economic Statement Implementation Act, through Parliament and the necessity of the measures in the legislation to urgently provide assistance to families with young children, support students, and invest in resources to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

The Deputy Prime Minister also addressed the difficult school year for students and staff and the recent second installment of the Safe Return to Class Fund which provides federal support for provinces and territories to ensure students and staff are healthy and safe.

Finance Ministers spoke to the current situation in their respective jurisdictions and discussed how broad-based support programs continue to be necessary.

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a sustained, unified and collaborative response to the COVID-19 pandemic.