Government of Canada support for the Canadian Red Cross for COVID-19 response as well as floods and wildfires

Date: June 16, 2020

Classification: Unclassified
Branch / Agency: Public Safety Canada

Proposed Response:

Background:

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) is playing a critical role in Canada’s response to COVID-19. The organization is helping Canadians at quarantine sites, in long-term care facilities, and through its mobile field hospital. The CRC is facing an increased demand from Canadians for its services and added pressure from shortages in donations and volunteers. As such, the CRC needs support so that it may continue providing the expertise, services and relief efforts that Canadians rely upon during emergencies.

On May 16, 2020, the Government announced up to $100 million in funding to help the CRC meet increased demand due to COVID-19, and to support future flood and wildfire relief efforts this fiscal year. This funding includes up to $41 million to address immediate COVID-19 needs, with over $15 million committed to enhance the CRC’s response capacity and $25 million to support public health efforts.

With this funding, the CRC will:

In addition, up to $59 million of this funding is available to support additional relief and recovery efforts this year related to COVID-19, as well as for future floods and wildfires. This will help ensure that the CRC can continue to support Canadians as the situation evolves and new needs emerge, including by providing assistance to those who are evacuated from their homes because of floods or wildfires.

Public Safety is currently working with the CRC on a new proposal to strengthen emergency health support in long-term care facilities. This additional federal support aims to respond to the humanitarian crisis that is occurring in certain CHSLDs by providing additional human resources support and reinforcements on a temporary basis.

Federal support with the CRC would be provided in three phases:

The teams are structured based on the model used by the CAF and are scalable, depending on the specific needs of each CHSLD that the CRC will be serving.

Organizations like the CRC are working hard to adapt to the emerging needs of people, families, and communities, and to modify their existing services so they can continue to deliver the services Canadians rely on. The Government of Canada will continue to be there to support the CRC as they help Canadians get through this difficult time.

Contacts:

Prepared by: Benjamin Gallant, Policy Advisor (343-548-0653)
Approved by: Patrick Tanguy, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister (613-851-1481)

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