June 10, 2020 – Appearance by the Minister of National Defence

Advice to the Minister - Canadian Armed Forces assistance to Long Term Care Facilities

Question: When will the Government provide military members deployed in long term care homes with the equipment they need, and the hazard pay they deserve?

• The Canadian Armed Forces always stand ready to assist communities across Canada.
• Military members are currently assisting vulnerable populations in Long Term Care Facilities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec and Ontario.
• We recognize that COVID-19 poses unique hazards for Canadian Armed Forces personnel operating in these facilities.
• The Canadian Armed Forces ensures its personnel are properly trained and equipped.
• This is why we defined Operation LASER, including the assistance military personnel are providing in these facilities, as a Special Duty Operation.
• The Chief of the Defence Staff has also tasked his staff to pursue hazard allowance for members directly engaged inside these facilities.
• That work is ongoing now.
• We will continue to support Canadian Armed Forces members as they provide assistance to communities across Canada.

If pressed on requested continued assistance to LTFC in Quebec

• Canadian Armed Forces members are currently making a real difference in fifteen long term care facilities in Quebec.
• Military personnel are proud to have provided assistance in a total of thirty-one facilities in Quebec thus far.
• At the request of the province of Quebec, in the coming days, military personnel will be withdrawing from five centres where the situation has stabilized.
• During this period, the Canadian Armed Forces will be repositioning to other facilities in Quebec that require support.
• National Defence has received Quebec’s request for continued assistance and is currently assessing whether continued support can be provided.

If pressed on COVID-19 testing among CAF in LTCF

• Every day, military personnel risk their own health and safety to protect vulnerable Canadians.
• In both Ontario and Quebec, any military personnel who displays symptoms of COVID-19 is immediately removed from the facility and tested.
• We are now developing more stringent testing protocols for personnel, including those without symptoms.
• All military personnel will be tested before they start work in a long term care facility.
• Whenever a facility orders additional testing, military personnel within that facility will also be tested.
• Finally when the mission is over, all personnel will self-isolate for 14 days, and will be tested again before returning to their home units.
• These measures will be adopted to ensure the health of the force, of residents and staff, and of our overall mission in long-term care facilities.

Quick facts

Location of CAF assistance in LTCF

• Quebec: CAF personnel assisting in fifteen facilities in and around Montreal.
  • 10 facilities on the island of Montreal
  • 1 facilities in Saint-Lambert
  • 2 facilities in Laval
  • 2 facilities in Lachine
• Ontario: CAF personnel assisting in five facilities in and around Toronto.
  • 1 facility in Scarborough
  • 1 facility in Etobicoke
  • 2 facility in North York
  • 1 facility in Woodbridge (effective 10 June)

COVID-19 cases within the CAF population providing support in LTCF

• Total: 51 cases as of June 9, 2020
  • 36 Tested Positive in Quebec
  • 15 Tested Positive in Ontario

Responsible Principals: Canadian Joint Operations Command, Strategic Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy) - June 10, 2020

Back to top

Advice to the Minister - Security of Information

Question: Why is this government targeting Canadian Armed Forces members who leak information which embarrass this government?

• Our Government is committed to openness and transparency, while also making every effort to safeguard information that if disclosed would cause harm.
• National Defence has policies and procedures in place to provide guidance to the Defence Team on the release and safeguarding of information.
• These internal policies and procedures are guided by the Treasury Board of Canada direction and are updated on a regular basis.
• National Defence is currently reviewing its policies on the release of unclassified information in order to provide clear guidance to the Defence Team.
• This review will ensure National Defence is timely and transparent with the release of information, while ensuring sensitive information is safeguarded.
• We will continue to take steps to ensure the Defence Team is provided with clear guidance on the release and safeguarding of information. 

Responsible Principals: Corporate Secretariat, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Judge Advocate General - June 10, 2020

Back to top

Advice to the Minister - Safety and wellbeing of Canadian Armed Forces members

Question: What is the Canadian Armed Forces doing to ensure its members are not contracting COVID-19, and remain physically and mentally fit to support Canadians during this pandemic?

• As we respond to COVID-19, the Canadian Armed Forces is taking new and unprecedented steps to protect its people and its operational capabilities.
• Members who are supporting essential operations have made social distancing and sanitisation part of their routine, while non-essential tasks are on pause.
• In March we paused certain training and exercises, and repositioned personnel both at home and internationally to ensure their continued safety.
• Throughout the pandemic period, we have maintained healthcare services for our brave women and men in uniform, including mental health support services.
• To ensure the operational effectiveness of the Canadian Armed Forces, preparations are underway to gradually resume certain activities, including training.
• These activities will resume in a progressive, deliberate and safe manner while protecting the health, safety and overall wellness of our personnel.
• Activities will be resumed in conjunction with each relevant provincial, territorial and local authority, in accordance with their particular policies in place.
• We will continue to ensure that military members are physically and mentally ready to support Canadians when called upon, whether at home or abroad.

Quick facts

• Canadian Armed Forces members are self-isolating and restricting their movements to ensure the spread of the virus is limited and to preserve the Force for future operations and tasks.
• The Canadian Armed Forces operates 37 primary healthcare clinics for its members. All remain open.
• Remote mental health and spiritual support services are deemed essential and remain available to Canadian Armed Forces members and their families, including phone lines and online tools.
• The Canadian Armed Forces Personnel Support Program fitness unit is using social media to post daily “work-ins”, health challenges and healthy recipes.
• The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre services for survivors remain operational, including the 24/7 telephone response and support service.

Responsible Principals: Military Personnel Command, Strategic Joint Staff, Canadian Joint Operations Command - June 10, 2020.

Back to top