Trudeau announces COVID support for children and seniors

Support services for children and seniors were the focus of Justin Trudeau’s daily Covid-19 address to the nation on Sunday.

“Tough times fall first and hardest on the most vulnerable in our communities. But we can change that. We can make sure that no one is left without help,” said Trudeau from outside his home in Ottawa.

The prime minister announced $7.5 million to add more counsellors and trained volunteers for a service children can call 24-7 to get support called Kids Help Phone.

“Reach out to kids help phone. You can call them or text them: text at 686868 or call 1 800 688 6868 or go online to kids help phone.ca. They’re there to listen and to support you, and make sure you know you are not alone,” said Trudeau.

The federal government is also providing $9 million for the new horizons for seniors program through the United Way for things like health check-ins, and meal and food delivery for seniors.

Trudeau re-announced earlier funding of $200 million for Canadian shelters and transition houses to help the homeless and people fleeing domestic violence.

He said measures to help charities and non-profits who have seen donations dry up during the Covid crisis, will be announced soon.

The PM said he will continue to work from his home in Ottawa even though his wife has been given the all-clear from her case of Covid-19.

Trudeau told the media his family has left to their Harrington Lake residence, but he will remain in isolation as a precaution, and is still able to get all his duties done.

“I continue to work from home as we’re asking many Canadians to do. The fact is I was in the same house with someone who, up until a few days ago, had Covid-19, and therefore the countdown will continue as I theoretically could have caught the virus.”

As of Sunday morning, Canada had 5,866 cases of Covid-19 (792 in B.C.), with 63 deaths.