By Canadian Press

Red Cross to send 900 workers to Quebec care homes as military withdraws

Jun 26, 2020 | 10:22 AM

OTTAWA — The Canadian Red Cross will send 900 people to work in Quebec’s long-term care homes until September, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday.

The announcement came as the military prepares to pull out of the homes, despite repeated requests from Premier Francois Legault to keep at least 1,000 Forces members there until the fall.

Trudeau said 150 Red Cross personnel would arrive before July 6, with the balance arriving by July 29.

They will remain at the homes until September 15, by which time thousands of workers hired by the province are expected to be trained and ready to take over the jobs. 

Trudeau said a small number of Canadian Armed Forces personnel will remain at four of the care homes until the COVID-19 situation is stable, while 10 teams of seven will be ready to deploy in the case of an emergency.

targeted job action

Striking Nanaimo postal workers disrupt Purolator operations

56m ago

final flight

Massive Philippine Mars waterbomber preparing for final Island departure

5h ago

Skatepark refresh

Town of Ladysmith seeks public insight in reforming skateboard park

20h ago

He praised the work of the soldiers, who were deployed to 47 Quebec care homes, known as CHSLDs, as well as to several homes in Ontario.

“Overall, the situation in the CHSLDs has greatly improved,” he said at a stop at an Ottawa craft brewery. “The needs are no longer the same as they were two months ago.”

More than 3,730 people have died of COVID-19 in Quebec’s care homes, which have long suffered from a lack of staff.

Trudeau said the replacement of Armed Forces personnel with civilians was part of a “transition plan” created in conjunction with the province that would allow the soldiers to return to their regular duties.

The workers will be paid from the $100 million in federal funding the government announced for the Red Cross in May to help it meet the demand created by COVID-19.

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is expected to provide more details Friday afternoon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2020.

The Canadian Press