Thursday March 12, 2020 ~ NATIONAL
~ West Shore Voice News
As COVID-19 community spread unfolds in Canada, today we see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau in voluntary self-isolation at home, as well as NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
In the Trudeau household’s case, Sophie reportedly had some symptoms last night (which apparently resolved on their own today) but she awaits test results. Justin has stayed home to be with his wife until the test results are known; he continues to work from home. Trudeau had attended a large mining industry convention in Toronto last week at which one person has since been tested positive for COVID-19.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh posted on Twitter today March 12: “Friends, I am at home today, feeling unwell,” Singh said. “I have been in contact with a doctor and they do not believe I have symptoms consistent with COVID19. But their advice is for me to limit contact with the public until I am feeling better…. All of us come into contact with many people who may be vulnerable to illness – we have to make sure we are taking measures to limit the chance that we infect them. Looking forward to being back at work and feeling better soon.”
Today’s First Ministers conference (Prime Minister and Premiers) in Ottawa has been cancelled, though aspects of it are likely to still continue by virtual teleconference and phone. Premier John Horgan was on his way this morning to Ottawa for the meeting but at some point turned around and came back when he heard the in-person meeting was cancelled.
Being in Ottawa for that meeting today, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says that along with the impact of COVID-19, things are heading to a ‘perfect storm’ in particular for Alberta with oil prices having plummeted on top of the pipeline-related political struggles that have put a stranglehold on the energy sector (which affects revenues for all of Canada).