The Manitoba government is making more money available in the wake of COVID-19.
Premier Brian Pallister announced new funding for three areas April 3, committing over $100 million to acquire more medical equipment faster. The province also plans on relaxing monetary interest and penalties related to institutions like Manitoba Public Insurance and Manitoba Hydro.
“We've been looking to help as many people as we can through these uncertain times and looking to do it in as many ways as we can,” he said.
“While remembering that we have to have a province to come back to the end of this and that we will lead the country in rebounding.”
The announcement also included moving provincial tax deadlines to be in line with new federal guidlines.
Pallister said the province will spend $1.2 million to add 140 new shelter beds to help homeless people in Winnipeg stay safe from the disease. No announcements for aid for homeless people outside Winnipeg were announced, but Pallister said more support around the rest of the province could be on the way.
“We'll continue to take a look at as needs arise,” he said.
“Right now, the needs are greatest in the city of Winnipeg. We're addressing the needs of those people first.”
Pallister said the province is acting on phone tips about people breaking social distancing rules.
“I can only tell you that we've been acting on the complaints we've received,” he said.
“We'll continue to do that. I have very little patience for those who are so thoughtless and stupid as to ignore the well being of themselves and others.”
Pallister said he plans to release some provincial modelling on COVID-19's potential spread through the province next week. Ontario released similar data April 3, with other jurisdictions, including Saskatchewan, slated to do the same soon.
“I would hope all Manitobans would understand this is guesswork,” he said.
“The real work is being done on the frontlines of our healthcare system right now - and it's being done in the homes of people in Manitoba who are washing their hands, covering their mouth when they cough, observing the social distancing guidelines and making sure they're the front line and preventing the problem in the first place.”
The province will give an update on testing and COVID-19 cases later today.
