Safe Restart Agreement: Canada and British Columbia

On Sept 16, 2020, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, shared the details of the investments that will be made through the Safe Restart Agreement. Through the Agreement, reached earlier this summer, the Government of Canada announced over $19 billion in federal funding to help provinces and territories safely restart the economy. Provinces and territories were asked to outline in a letter how these funds would best be allocated within their jurisdictions, based on their priorities. The premiers have now submitted the letters and the federal funding will be transferred to the provinces and territories.

According to the federal government, funding will support the provinces and territories in their delivery and management of COVID-related response under seven key priorities:

• Testing, contact tracing, and data management
• Health care capacity, including mental health and substance use
• Protecting vulnerable populations, including seniors in long-term care facilities
• Securing personal protective equipment
• Child care for returning workers
• Support for municipalities, including for public transit
• Sick leave

For more information from the federal government on this agreement, click here.

For the Safe Restart Agreement Response Letter from the Premier of British Columbia, click here.