Justine Frangouli-Argyris
Three months after the enforcement of the “lockdown” in Canada (which began March 15), the country continues to count cases and casualties at a steady rate with their numbers reaching 90,947 and 7,295, respectively. The province of Quebec has been hit the hardest, with 51,059 cases and 4,641 deaths from COVID-19.
The weak links in this pandemic, especially in the populous provinces of Quebec and Ontario, have been nursing homes, where the elderly and the weak were left abandoned by fleeing employees and left to suffer a tragic fate. As much as provincial governments have tried to alleviate the problem by recruiting, among others, Canadian army personnel, nursing homes continue to account for two-thirds of deaths across the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with the support of all the opposition parties, has launched massive, large-scale aid packages for those financially affected, which, along with with announced tax breaks and deferrals, amount to some $300 billion or 15% of GDP.
The government has been generous from the start, offering $2,000 monthly emergency wage replacement for workers, $40,000 loans to small and medium-sized businesses as well as rent relief and increased pension and child care benefits.
Everything was done quickly and hurriedly so that those in need would be able to cope. An emphasis was placed on strengthening small and medium-sized businesses that were shuttered as a result of the abrupt cessation of the flow of the economy. The country was bleeding and the government rushed to provide first aid and build a protective shield.
However, three months after the shutdown, Justin Trudeau's federal government and Canada’s provincial governments are still doling out public money on a daily basis (which will be added to the Canada's deficit tomorrow) with minimal control over where and how the funds are distributed.
Workers, including many who have the opportunity to return to work, continue to stay home as they have become accustomed to their government benefits. Still others, such as the country’s teachers, for example, have fiercely resisted returning to school, feigning the health risks involved while continuing to draw their normal salary.
The vast majority of airline flights have been suspended indefinitely with no planned restart given the worldwide situation. The border with the United States has been closed for months with the governments of Quebec and Ontario continuing to request it remain sealed.
From the outset, the restaurant sector has borne the brunt of this policy of inaction. The summer terraces that could offer Montreal and Toronto the beginnings of a restart of everyday life remain closed without any plan or perspective for reopening.
Restaurant owners in Montreal staged a demonstration last week demanding the opening of their eateries so they do not completely lose the summer season but to no avail. It should be noted that the vast majority are owned by Greek-Canadians with many facing dire consequences.
In general, the federal and local governments are taking a phobic stance when it comes to a resumption of the economy even though they are well aware that 2/3 of the victims were confined to nursing homes.
This stance is highly disappointing and, unfortunately, demonstrates that Canada, a great and prosperous country, has found itself:
1) completely “naked” in terms of its health system;
2) incapable of handling matters of nursing home operation;
3) led by officials with no strategy as how to reopen its economy.
Unfortunately, this crisis has proven and continues to prove that a lack of leadership exists at all levels. The country, which has been generous to its citizens but lacks any vision for a return to normalcy, will pay dearly, and very soon.
