Mar 27, 2022 | International
Canadians are rightfully proud of their publicly funded health care system. Ensuring accessible, public, high-quality health care is ever critical as we adapt to a post-pandemic reality. The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed an estimated 700,000 surgeries and other medical procedures, resulting in an increase of waitlists and backlogs. The federal government is today taking further action to help provinces and territories deliver quicker access to health care, reduce the backlog accumulated during the pandemic and support hundreds of thousands additional surgeries.
March 25, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada
Canadians are rightfully proud of their publicly funded health care system. Ensuring accessible, public, high-quality health care is ever critical as we adapt to a post-pandemic reality. The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed an estimated 700,000 surgeries and other medical procedures, resulting in an increase of waitlists and backlogs. The federal government is today taking further action to help provinces and territories deliver quicker access to health care, reduce the backlog accumulated during the pandemic and support hundreds of thousands additional surgeries.
Today, the federal government introduced Bill C-17 in the House of Commons, which would provide an additional $2 billion one-time top-up to provinces and territories, distributed equally per capita. This amount—in addition to the $4.5 billion Canada Health Transfer (CHT) top-up provided since the start of the pandemic—would further help provinces and territories to address immediate pandemic-related health care system pressures, particularly the backlogs of surgeries, medical procedures and diagnostics.
The Government of Canada will continue to work collaboratively with the provinces and territories to drive positive health care outcomes for Canadians. This investment is a part of the government’s promise to Canadians to protect their health. It would provide doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals with the resources they need to ensure Canadians have access to the care they deserve. Provinces and territories would be able to use this funding to support their own unique circumstances, including strengthening the health workforce.
Bill C-17 would also provide the authority for the previously announced transfer of $750 million to help municipalities deal with transit shortfalls and to improve housing supply and affordability, in partnership with the provinces and territories. This one-time payment would help cities maintain their service levels despite decreased ridership as a result of the pandemic.
“Since the pandemic began, the federal government has invested over $63 billion to support Canadians’ health and safety. Because of this strong support from the federal government, provincial and territorial balance sheets have been sheltered from the pandemic. But Canadians across the country are still facing significant backlogs of delayed surgeries and long waitlists for procedures as a result of the pandemic. This further $2 billion investment would help us continue our Team Canada approach to protecting the health and safety of Canadians as we move forward to the brighter days ahead.”
– The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
“Today’s investment would help our provincial and territorial partners expedite the processing of surgeries that had been delayed due to COVID-19. This is a significant first step on the road to addressing the major health care challenges lying ahead of us, including repairing the damages caused by the pandemic and upholding the principles of universality and accessibility that are so dear to Canadians in the long-term.
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health
“As a registered nurse, I’ve seen first-hand the major challenges that Canadians, particularly seniors, faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This further $2 billion investment would help us continue to support the health and well-being of Canadians and those on the frontlines of our health care system, through this difficult time and into the future.”
– The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Seniors
“The unmet mental health and substance use needs of far too many people in Canada have worsened during COVID-19. Our government is committed to improving mental health and substance use services and supports so that Canadians are able to receive timely, high quality, culturally appropriate care regardless of where they live. Moving forward, we will continue working with all our partners, and the provinces and territories to ensure that mental health care is treated as a full and equal part of our universal health care system.”
– The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
Adrienne Vaupshas
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Adrienne.Vaupshas@fin.gc.ca
Feb 26, 2022 | International
Backgrounder
Canada has been closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine, and remains steadfast in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is taking additional steps to support Ukrainians and people residing in Ukraine, and to make it easier and faster for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their accompanying immediate family members to return to Canada.
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Canada has been closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine, and remains steadfast in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is taking additional steps to support Ukrainians and people residing in Ukraine, and to make it easier and faster for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their accompanying immediate family members to return to Canada.
As part of the Government of Canada’s response, IRCC has taken the decision to prioritize applications for new and replacement travel documents for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members. Over a month ago, we implemented measures to priority process citizenship grant applications for adoption, as well as permanent and temporary residence applications for people with a primary residence in Ukraine who want to reunite or travel with family, study, work, or start a new life in Canada. Ukrainian nationals currently in Canada on a temporary basis can apply to extend their status as a visitor, student or worker. Since January 19, IRCC has approved nearly 2,000 applications from Ukrainian nationals and people residing in Ukraine across various programs.
In addition to prioritizing applications, IRCC is launching a package of new immigration measures, including the following:
Establishing a dedicated service channel for Ukraine enquiries that will be available for clients both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted. In addition, clients can now add the keyword “Ukraine2022” to the IRCC Web form with their enquiry and their email will be prioritized.
Implementing urgent processing of travel documents, including issuing single-journey travel documents for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who do not have valid passports.
Updating a Web page to provide current information on measures; this page will include content in Ukrainian for ease of reference.
Ensuring that Ukrainians currently in Canada are able to extend their stay or stay longer in Canada by prioritizing the renewal of work and study permits, and extending a policy that allows individuals to apply for a work permit from within Canada. This policy would allow temporary residents who receive a job offer to remain in Canada and start working while they wait for their work permit application to be processed.
IRCC will issue open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers and students who are currently in Canada and cannot go home, so they can stay longer if they wish. We will waive fees, retroactive to February 22, 2022, for certain travel and immigration documents, such as Canadian passports, permanent resident travel documents, proofs of citizenship, visitor visas, and work and study permits. Further details will be made available in the coming weeks as these measures launch.
IRCC has also taken steps to increase operational readiness in the region, including relocating staff, moving additional supplies and equipment, such as mobile biometric collection kits, in anticipation of an increased volume of requests, and adjusting operations in offices across our global network to ensure service continuity for Ukraine. Online options are available for most applications.
In support of the Government of Canada’s approach to the situation in Ukraine, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has an administrative deferral of removals (ADR) in place for Ukraine. An ADR is a temporary measure that can delay a removal order that would normally require a person to leave Canada immediately. The removal of these individuals would resume once the situation in their country or region stabilizes, and those who are not allowed in Canada on grounds of criminality, international or human rights violations, organized crime, or for security reasons can still be removed despite the ADR.
All immigrants, refugees and visitors, including temporary foreign workers and students, are carefully screened before coming into Canada. This screening ensures that they do not pose a threat to the health, safety or security of Canadians.
We will continue to monitor developments in the region, track application processing closely and take action where needed to support those affected by the situation in Ukraine.
Jan 29, 2022 | Business
Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has granted additional borrowing permission of Rs. 7,309 crore to two States for undertaking the stipulated reforms in power sector. While, Rajasthan has been allowed to borrow additional Rs. 5,186 crore, Andhra Pradesh has been allowed to borrow additional Rs. 2,123 crore as incentive to embark on the reform process.
Ministry of Finance, based on the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission, has decided to grant additional borrowing space of upto 0.5 percent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to the States every year for a four year period from 2021-22 to 2024-25 based on reform undertaken by the States in the power sector. This was announced by the Finance Minister in the Budget speech of 2021-22. This will make available additional resources of more than Rs. 1 lakh crore every year to the States. The objectives of the additional borrowing permissions are to improve the operational and economic efficiency of the sector, and promote a sustained increase in paid electricity consumption.
In order to avail additional borrowing space linked to Power sector reforms, the State government has to undertake a set of mandatory reforms and also meet stipulated performance benchmarks. The reforms to be carried out by the States are –
- Progressive assumption of responsibility for losses of public sector distribution companies (DISCOMs) by the State Government.
- Transparency in the reporting of financial affairs of power sector including payment of subsidies and recording of liabilities of Governments to DISCOMs and of DISCOMs to others.
- Timely rendition of financial and energy accounts and timely audit.
- Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Once, the aforesaid reforms have been undertaken by the State, the performance of the State is evaluated on the basis of the following criteria to determine the eligibility for additional borrowing in 2021-22
- Percentage of metered electricity consumption against total energy consumption including agricultural connections
- Subsidy payment by Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to consumers
- Payment of Electricity bills by Government Departments and local bodies
- Installation of prepaid meters in government office
- Use of Innovations and Innovative technologies
In addition, States are also eligible for bonus marks for privatization of the power distribution companies.
The Ministry of Power is the nodal Ministry for assessment of performance of States and determining their eligibility for granting additional borrowing permission. Apart from Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, nine other States, namely Assam, Goa, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have also submitted their proposals to the Ministry of Power, which are under examination. Additional borrowing permission will be issued to eligible States on receipt of recommendation from the Ministry of Power.
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Jul 29, 2021 | International
Following his arrest on March 2, 2020, Nanaimo-based commercial crab fishing boat master Scott Steer has again been found guilty of serious offences against the Fisheries Act. He was convicted on 5 counts in Vancouver Provincial Court on May 14, 2021, by the Honorable Justice Edelman for illegal activities near North Vancouver, B.C. in early March 2020.
July 29, 2021
Vancouver B.C. – Following his arrest on March 2, 2020, Nanaimo-based commercial crab fishing boat master Scott Steer has again been found guilty of serious offences against the Fisheries Act. He was convicted on 5 counts in Vancouver Provincial Court on May 14, 2021, by the Honorable Justice Edelman for illegal activities near North Vancouver, B.C. in early March 2020.
Mr. Steer, who has faced serious judicial penalties in the past, including a jail term, a twenty-two year prohibition from fishing in Canadian or U.S. waters, and significant fines, is currently under 24-hour house arrest and will be sentenced in October of this year. Mr. Steer is currently prohibited by the Courts until 2038 from: applying for any Fisheries Act licences: being on board any fishing vessel; possessing/acquiring any vessels, or owning any fishing gear.
On March 1, 2020, just before midnight, a Vancouver Sea Bus advised the Marine Traffic Center of a vessel fishing crabs in the harbour at night. The Coast Guard were advised and contacted Conservation and Protection Radio Room Dispatch. Fishery officers from the Marine Patrol Program enforcement vessel, the M. Charles, investigated and discovered Mr. Steer illegally fishing for crab. After ignoring commands to stop, the vessel was boarded at high speed and Mr. Steer and three crew members were arrested and held in custody by the North Vancouver RCMP. The fishing vessel, plus a truck and trailer were seized, and 300 live crab found on board were released back into the water.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a mandate to protect and conserve marine resources and to prosecute offenders under the Fisheries Act. It ensures and promotes compliance with the Act and other laws and regulations through a combination of land, air, and sea patrols, as well as education and awareness activities.
Since 2008 there have been 15 different DFO files on Scott Steer.
Over the last several years 4 vessels and two vehicles have been seized as evidence against Mr. Steer.
On May 31, 2021, 8 new charges in Nanaimo were laid against Mr. Steer, and a numbered company owned by a family member, for illegal fishing activities involving the harvest of sea cucumbers between July 2019 and March 2020.
Mr. Steer was again arrested and appeared in Court on June 1, 2021 for a bail hearing for breaching his Court-ordered conditions.
On July 6, 2021, 3 additional new charges against Mr. Steer were sworn in Nanaimo Provincial Court and that case is yet to be heard.
Two of the three crew members arrested on March 2, 2020, are awaiting trial.
Harvesters who choose to ignore the rules give themselves an unfair advantage, undermine the effective management of the fishery, and threaten the sustainability of the resource.
Excess harvesting threatens conservation. It also could result in management changes or closures, diminish the significant economic benefit from the fishery to coastal communities, recreational fisheries, commercial harvesters and tourism, and threaten the traditional food source for Indigenous people. The commercial crab fishery accounts for almost one third (approximately 31%) of the wholesale value of the province’s wild shellfish products.
Crab caught illegally can be laundered into the legitimate retail market. Only fish caught under a licence, which permits the sale, or purchase of fish, may be purchased or sold. Any fish sold must be processed through a licensed plant to ensure quality and public safety. Fish that has not been inspected may be unsafe for consumption and post significant health risks.
As part of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s work to end illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Leri Davies
Strategic Media Relations Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
Cell: 604-612-6837
Leri.davies@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Jul 2, 2021 | Business
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri D.V Sadananda Gowda announced that an additional 1,14,000 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin-B, used in the treatment for Mucormycosis have been allocated to all the States/UTs and Central Institutions today.
Our govt. is committed to facilitate smooth and timely supply of #AmphotericinB to patients.
👉 Additional 1,14,000 vials of Liposomal #Amphotericin allocated today to all the States/UTs & Central Institutions.
👉 Till now, Over 11 Lakh vials have been allocated across country. pic.twitter.com/aglRqdrdFY
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) July 2, 2021
The Minister also informed that so far, over 11 Lakh vials have been allocated across the country, maintaining adequate availability to patients of Mucormycosis.
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