| News

January 12, 2021 – Federal government update on the COVID-19 pandemic

Here is an update on recent decisions and actions by the Canadian government in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic

20 million people vaccinated by this summer

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Canadian government now has an agreement with Pfizer for the purchase of 20 million additional vaccine doses against COVID-19 to enable the vaccination of as many people by mid-spring.

The federal leader stated that with this new agreement, Canada will receive a guaranteed supply of 80 million units of vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna in 2021.

Mr. Trudeau said that this supply will ensure enough doses to vaccinate 40 million people by September. Canada’s population is 38 million.

“Our government will continue to work tirelessly with the provinces and territories to ensure that the vaccines are delivered and that people are immunized as quickly and effectively as possible,” said the prime minister.

Prolonging the closure of the land border

With an eye to ensuring the health and safety of Canadians, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that the land border will remain closed to non-essential travel until February 21.

Since March 21, 2020, only essential travel has been permitted at the Canada-U.S. land border.