Trudeau, Ng, Freeland, Tam & Njoo at news conference as Cda #COVID19 cases top 202,200 cases, w/ more than 22,000 active cases.

Ng announces extra $12m for small biz in form of $5k grants for PPE, physical modifications, etc if they have $150k in annual sales or 75 employees.

Tam says there have been 9,778 COVID-19 deaths, and the 7-day average daily new cases: 2,370.

Trudeau deflects responsibility for whether there will be an election onto the Opposition, says they have to decide whether they want to make this Parliament work or whether they’ve lost confidence in Govt to manage pandemic.

Trudeau doesn’t directly answer what responsibility his govt takes for escalation of Nova Scotia fishing dispute. Says Indigenous fishing rights long recognized, insists negotiations ongoing, says it’s not easy or quick work.

Trudeau repeats earlier answers on the confidence motion, whether Oppo is serious, they can accept the Lib proposal for special committee.

The operator here is trying to control/direct questions to PM now, ministers later, and muting prematurely the reporter.
Argh.

Trudeau, asked by @danlebla whether judicial appts process should be changed, insists his Govt has already made “significant” reforms that ensure merit based diverse appointments.

Trudeau says the wage subsidy was a big support for airlines, “always looking for more ways,” doesn’t answer my question about how his govt will help airline sector, or whether LEEFF or ownership stakes are the answer.

Trudeau says his family won’t go trick or treating because Ottawa is a red zone and local public health officials don’t recommend it. Looking at a scavenger hunt in their house & backyard (which is humungous btw).

Trudeau says there’s lots of noise and disinformation about #COVID19, designed to ”sow chaos”- that a student asked him the other day about “COVID internment camps”
(FTR-that’s not a thing.)

Tam, speaking about misinformation/ disinformation , says it spreads faster than the virus on social media, says today “everyone is an armchair epidemiologist” and urges people to seek out/spread credible sources.

Freeland spoke last week to major airline/union leaders, says all airlines have used $1B in wage subsidy supports, but govt continues to work on what more is needed. Says LEEFF is there for them.

Freeland gave lengthy answer t q about whether it is helpful for Govt ministers to cast non-Indigenous fishery workers as racist. Said it’s important & “actually helpful” for non-Indigenous Cdns to reflect on the role played by systemic racism, & need to “do things differently.”

That’s a wrap for this thread.