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Acadia Ontario (CJUK)

LuminUltra

Company Expanding To Test 500,000+ Weekly

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A vast amount of tests for COVID-19 will be supplied by a New Brunswick company for Canada.

LuminUltra Technologies is a biotech company based in Fredericton, and its president Pat Whalen says they quickly responded to the federal government’s call for business to assist in the fight against the coronavirus.

He said they were quickly connected with the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“They had a need for a domestic supply of tests to be used in the diagnostic testing chain across Canada. And that just so happened to be our core area of expertise from our international business of environmental monitoring for the last 20 years,” Whalen said.

He adds the Public Health Agency of Canada was very responsive even with all the stresses they are dealing with daily.

“It’s been a very fast process in pulling all of this together in being able to start supplying these tests so quickly. I can’t say enough about their team and our team in how everyone rallied and came together,” Whalen said.

Whalen said while they can meet the demand for 500,000 tests a week, they are expanding their operation in the case that need grows.

“So, we are actually in the process of acquiring additional equipment, additional facilities and we are advertising for some new roles that you can find right on our website. Everything from production scientists to supply chain professionals to sales support personnel,” Whalen said.

He said they are proud and honoured to be able to play this role in combating the pandemic across Canada.

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Funding Announced For Multiple Sectors

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The prime minister announced more funding for the energy sector and for arts, culture and sports on Friday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $1.7 billion in funding to clean up orphan oil and inactive wells in Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C.

“Both the devastating effects of the pandemic and the price war driven by foreign interests, are a challenge. As a result, companies have had to slow down or pause their operations, leaving too many people out of work,” he said.

Trudeau said these unused wells can be detrimental to the environment and people’s health and cleaning them will bring people back to work.

He said the goal is to create immediate jobs while helping companies avoid bankruptcy and maintain environmental goals.

Trudeau also announced $750 million for an emissions reduction fund including $75 million for Newfoundland and Labrador to reduce emissions from offshore production.

In the small business sector, the prime minister announced $962 million would be sent to regional development agencies to help those businesses still falling through the cracks.

“This funding will help ensure that more businesses especially smaller employees based in more rural parts of the country or those who don’t have a relationship with a traditional financial institution are getting the support that they need,” he said.

Trudeau also announced that funding of $270 million will be sent to Futurpreneur and the industrial research assistance program.

He said this funding will support innovators and other early-stage development firms that don’t qualify for the wage subsidy but still need help.

A funding announcement of $500 million is to be sent to support artists, creators and rising sports stars through Heritage Canada.

Trudeau said artists have been bringing comfort, laughs, and happiness into our lives while athletes continue to inspire us while we’re all isolated at home.

“People and businesses in these sectors do not have access to some of the help we’ve announced because of how the companies operate, or how revenues are generated.”

Trudeau said those who work in the areas of arts, culture, and sports are sharing their passion with us and make us dream.

He said thanks to these funds, these people will receive wage support if they have cash flow problems.

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Trudeau & Trump Differ On Border Reopening

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It appears Canada’s message to the United States is “not so fast” when it comes to easing travel restrictions along the Canada-US border.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday our border will be one of the early ones to be released, something Prime Minister Justin Trudeau isn’t fully committing to just yet.

“There’s a recognition of as we move forward there will be special thought given to our special relationship but at the same time we know that there is a significant amount of time still before we can talk about loosening said restrictions,” Trudeau said.

Currently, all non-essential travel between the two countries is banned.

The Prime Minister also spoke recently with G7 country leaders about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Trudeau didn’t specify if they spoke about President Trump’s decision to withdraw funding to the World Health Organization.

“There is a need for international coordination and the WHO is an important part of that collaboration. We recognize that there have been questions asked but at the same time it is important we stay coordinated as we move through this,” Trudeau said.

Today, the Prime Minister announced they would expand the Canada Emergency Business Account so more businesses could access it for loans during the pandemic.

The Government of Canada is:

  • Expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to businesses that paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. This new range will replace the previous one of between $50,000 and $1 million and will help address the challenges faced by small businesses to cover non-deferrable operating costs. Since the launch of the CEBA on April 9, 2020, more than 195,000 loans have been approved by financial institutions, extending more than $7.5 billion in credit to small businesses.
  • Announcing its intent to introduce the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. The program will seek to provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who in turn will lower or forgo the rent of small businesses for the months of April (retroactive), May, and June. Implementation of the program will require a partnership between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments, which are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships. We are working with the provinces and territories to increase rent support for businesses that are most impacted by the pandemic and we will have more details to share soon.
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Ontario Putting All Efforts Into Protecting LTC Homes

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The provincial government is providing more support to long term care homes across the province.
Premier Doug Ford says they are providing more funding in case of an outbreak.
“Emergency funding for hiring more staff, restricting non-essential visitors, 24/7 screening of staff and residents and stepping up cleaning measures. Last night we passed an emergency order that allows staff to only work in one home to help stop the spread of the virus,” Ford said.
The measure that bans workers from working at a second location is temporary and is in place for 14 days.
The Premier says ensuring long term care staff only work in one home during the pandemic will help stop the spread of the virus.
“My heart breaks for those families with loved ones in a home, I’m facing a similar situation myself, this new plan is not the first thing we’ve done for long term care homes, this is just added support during the pandemic,” Ford said.
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Canada Working With Provinces On Economic Plans

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Although there’s no exact date for when things can return to normal, the Prime Minister is meeting this week with provincial leaders on how they can bring the economy back online.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there is no one size fits all solution for our country and the economy.

“We know regardless of where you are in the country we need to get through this first wave before we can start releasing some of the rules around physical distancing and staying at home. How that release works will vary from region to region, from industry to industry,” Trudeau said.

The Prime Minister also announced a wage boost for essential workers who are making under $2,500 a month. Trudeau also relaxed some of the eligibility rules around the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. The CERB will now be available for those who saw their hours reduced, or anyone who makes a thousand dollars a month or less.

To help more Canadians benefit from the CERB, the government will be changing the eligibility rules to:

  • Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
  • Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their usual seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Extend the CERB to workers who recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.