Pallister addresses border reopening at Western Premiers' Conference
Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said the reopening of borders is “inseparably linked” with vaccination uptake.
Pallister was asked about interprovincial travel at the conclusion of the virtual Western Premiers’ Conference on Tuesday.
“Any discussion around reduction of border barriers has to also recognize the reality of the vaccine as the way out of this mess,” Pallister said.
Pallister said they didn’t have a lot of discussion surrounding vaccine cards for interprovincial travel, noting different provinces are at different levels of conversation of whether or not it would be a useful tool.
“The ultimate goal is, of course, to have no barriers as we once enjoyed without thinking about it,” Pallister said. “We can’t get there unless we have uptake on vaccine.”
Health care and mental health were among the topics of discussion at the virtual meeting.
Nunavut Premier Joe Savikataaq said COVID-19 has shown the limitations of the health care system --- both fiscally and with regards to human resources. The premiers are calling for reoccurring funding through the Canadian health care transfer.
After 16 months of lockdowns and the anticipated long-term effects, the premiers said they’ll need dedicated programs, services and funding to help address mental health and addictions issues.
They also discussed post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, and infrastructure during the meeting.
Pallister spoke about the value of developing resources --- notably hydroelectricity --- and stressed the importance of getting more goods to market.
“Whether it’s hydroelectric or other products, we’re ready to do go,” Pallister said, adding a focus on transportation of these products is vital.
Pallister also mentioned the need for partnerships in projects like the Lake Manitoba-Lake St. Martin outlet channel to prevent flooding.
“This is where work with the federal government is vitally important in order to help facilitate the development of certain projects,” Pallister said.
Pallister said these types of projects will help create jobs post-pandemic and the opportunity to create more wealth.
The premiers also addressed the need to do better for Indigenous and Muslim committees, stating, “hate has no place in Canada.”
Earlier Tuesday, the Ontario government announced $10 million to search former residential school sites for unmarked graves.
When asked if Manitoba will announce similar funding, Pallister said the province is already partnering with the federal government and First Nations communities on a number of projects.
“The real history and the real reality of our country needs to be looked at, scars and all, and it needs to be looked at together in a spirit of partnership,” Pallister said. “This is how we built this country, but we didn’t build it perfectly and we need to acknowledge that.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.