A summary of the day's activities of Wednesday, September 2, follows.

Federal Government Relief Measures

There were no new announcements today.

Statement of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not hold a press briefing on COVID-19 today.

Federal Government Briefing

Dr. Tam gave an update on COVID-19 in Canada.

There have been 129,425 cases of COVID-19 in Canada, including 9,132 deaths. 88.5 per cent of people have now recovered. Labs across Canada tested an average of 46,000 people daily over the past week with 0.9 per cent testing positive. An average of over 490 new cases have been reported daily during the most recent seven days.

Dr. Tam's statement mentions that sex can be complicated in the time of COVID-19, especially for those without an intimate partner in their household or whose sexual partner is at higher risk for COVID-19. Like other activities during COVID-19 that involve physical closeness, there are some things that can minimize the risk of getting infected and spreading the virus.

For those who choose to engage in a sexual encounter with someone outside of their household or close contacts bubble, there are some measures that can reduce risk, such as monitoring for symptoms, avoiding face-to-face contact or closeness, etc.

Current evidence indicates there is a very low likelihood of contracting the novel coronavirus through semen or vaginal fluids. However, even if the people involved do not have symptoms, sexual activity with new partners does increase your risk of getting or passing COVID-19 through close contact.

Statement of Ontario Premier Doug Ford

At a news conference in Whitby, Ontario Premier Doug Ford provided an update on his government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Caroline Mulroney, the province's Minister of Transportation, and Kinga Surma, the Associate Minister of Transportation joined the Premier.

The provincial government stated that it is working hard to assure a safe public transportation experience which is critically important now that people are returning to work and kids are returning to school. Transit providers across Ontario are also working hard to protect staff and passengers.

Furthermore, the government is working closely with Metrolinx to be a leader in public safety as they prepare to add more Go buses and train services beginning September 5th.

Pertaining to the government's back-to-school plan, Ontario's New Democrats are asking the province's Ombudsman to review it. When questioned about this issue, Caroline Mulroney stated that it is for the Ombudsman to decide whether he wants to investigate or not.

Statement of Quebec Premier François Legault

Dr. Horacio Arruda, National Public Health Director, participated in a press conference in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean accompanied by Dr. Donald Aubin, Regional Director of Public Health for this region.

The province of Quebec and the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region are currently experiencing a decline in the circulation of the virus. However, the danger would be to think that the virus is no longer present. Indeed, any decrease in vigilance could lead to a resurgence of the disease within the province of Quebec and a second wave.

Dr. Horacio stated that the particularities of the virus are now better known, fragile areas are now identified and resources are being put in place to better respond to a possible second wave.

Over the next few months, the provincial government will be closely monitoring what is happening and wants to avoid a total re-confinement. Dr. Arruda has asked for everyone's' collaboration to achieve this goal. The population must continue to respect the health measures if they want to remain in de-confinement status. In the event of a second wave, the government does not plan to close all businesses at once. It will take a much more targeted approach that will vary from one region to another in order to avoid ending up in situations that will create adverse effects due to confinement and closures.

Asked about the reliability of the tests, Dr. Arruda replied that the tests are not perfect and the more you test in a population where there are fewer cases, the greater the proportion of false positives there will be.

Elsewhere in Canada

Alberta

Yesterday, Alberta Health Services announced 164 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths.

British Columbia

Yesterday, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia's Provincial Health Officer, announced 58 new cases of COVID-19 and one death. Currently, 31 individuals are hospitalized, with ten in intensive care. There are currently 1,124 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,761 people are under public health monitoring as a result of exposure to known cases.

The British Columbia government has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the province's COVID-19 pandemic response. The state of emergency is extended through the end of day on September 15, 2020.

Minister Dix announced that the progress made in the early weeks of British Columbia's Surgical Renewal Commitment to patients is continuing, with further gains in getting patients the surgeries they need. The government is now working with staff, unions and the Health Employers Association of BC to determine how best to extend daily, and initiate Saturday and Sunday, operating room hours. Minister Dix stated, "We are almost back to our regular timelines for surgeries, with more British Columbians getting the needed surgeries to resume their lives".

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, announced funding for 11 projects to help British Columbia communities save energy and reduce pollution. These projects will create jobs, strengthen local economies, promote sustainable development and address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding from the CleanBC Communities Fund will be used to install 28 EV charging stations on Vancouver Island. 55 EV charging stations will also be installed in the northern and central regions of the province. George Heyman, British Columbia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy stated, "Through CleanBC and its partnerships, we're increasing clean transportation options, supporting local economies and making life affordable for people as we build back a stronger, better B.C. for everyone following COVID-19".

Carole James, Minister of Finance, confirmed the economic impacts of COVID-19 in British Columbia. While the first three quarters of 2019-20 reflected a modest surplus and economic growth, COVID-19 led to lower tax revenues and losses at ICBC in the fourth quarter. Minister James stated, "Despite the impacts of COVID-19, I am encouraged that B.C. continues to show positive signs, including improving employment numbers, robust capital spending and the best debt affordability in Canada".

Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, issued a statement regarding the release of a report reviewing BC's unionized hotel sector as a result of COVID-19. The report was completed by Sandra Banister, QC, and was an independent review of layoff and recall rights in British Columbia's unionized hotel sector. Minister Bains stated that, "Ms. Banister's analysis leaves no doubt that the current situation is serious and unprecedented for both workers and employers". The full report can be accessed here.

Judy Darcy, British Columbia's Minster of Mental Health and Addictions, issued a statement for International Overdose Awareness Day, emphasizing the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic have had on individuals who use drugs. Since January, 909 people have lost their lives due to overdoses in the province. Minister Darcy stated, "The unintended consequences of COVID-19 measures have been particularly hard on people who use drugs. Many are facing isolation and loneliness, disconnection from usual in-person supports, financial strain and mental-health challenges - all contributing to unprecedented levels of stress and pain".

Sheila Malcolmson, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, announced the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative Fund, to help small ship tour operators, Indigenous Nations, local communities and others participate in a $3.5 million cleanup of the shores of British Columbia's central coast. This cleanup also creates jobs and supports coastal communities as they recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn and its impacts on tourism.

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