Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says government is ready to deploy “much more stringent measures” if Canadians flout pandemic health recommendations but he stopped short of committing to using the federal Emergencies Act.
“The federal Emergencies Act is a last resort but as I keep saying, all options are on the table. If people do not comply with expert advice and government guidelines, we will have to take additional steps,” the prime minister said Tuesday (March 24) during his daily briefing outside his home in Ottawa where he is in isolation.
Invoking the act would give the federal government a considerably broader range of powers to tackle the pandemic.
“If you want things to get back to normal, do your part — stay home. And if you’re just coming home from abroad, go straight home from the airport. Do not leave for at least 14 days,” Trudeau said.
“This is not a suggestion. You cannot pick up groceries, or visit your parents or friends. You need to go home and stay there. If people do no follow these guidelines, we will put much more stringent measures in place.”
He made the remarks moments before a small group of MPs sat in the House of Commons to begin work on passing legislation for an $82-billion economic stimulus package.
A day earlier, Trudeau led a teleconference with premiers from throughout the country as an increasing number of provinces and territories announced lockdowns to varying degrees.
“We agreed that we have to keep collaborating to ensure that all regions have what they need, including testing equipment and medical supplies,” Trudeau said.
The prime minister expressed reluctance to further tighten of the border with the U.S. — non-essential travel is currently restricted — after the World Health Organization warned earlier in the day the U.S. could become the next epicentre for COVID-19 following a “very large acceleration” in infections south of the border.
“We are braced for a broad range of scenarios. We have put contingency plans for next steps depending on what trajectory the virus takes in Canada or indeed around the world,” Trudeau said.
“But we will respond every step of the way with the necessary actions at a given moment. At this time, we feel the measures that we have taken to restrict flow across the border … is the important thing that we’re doing to keep Canadians safe. Of course, as the situation evolves we will be ready to shift our posture with that.”
