The Canadian Response to the Covid-19 Outbreak
The novel corona virus broke out as an epidemic and later a pandemic in the late 2019, which at this point has affected the entire globe. This has of course led to a many health and economic challenges everywhere with different strategies adopted by different governments. Canada has also fallen victim to the viruses’ spread. The decentralized government structure of Canada is often seen as it’s weakness along with extensive government healthcare systems having to bear the strain of the cases in the country many look on as to how the nation would tackle this Outbreak.
The response from the provinces and territories of Canada have been overwhelmingly positive as wealthier semi-autonomous regions have willingly made contributions and donations of facilities and equipment to those in need on an Inter-Canadian government level. The central government from Ottawa has not enforced its regulations rather has given guidelines and support to the provinces that retain their autonomy over their healthcare systems and plans. Canada has now started building make shift or permanent facilities for detection and rehabilitation of corona virus affected patients. That being said what Canada has done so far is not nearly enough nor is it what should be expected from a Nation such as herself.
Canada although showed cohesion and cooperation it was largely caught off guard, with some provinces having surplus of equipment while others scrambled to attend to the matter. The Canadian Nursing homes, an obvious weak link were not preemptively prepared and hence were among the worst affected. The financial aspect of the virus has also not been met with proper preparation as the plummeting oil prices along with global economic downfall continues, Canada seems to be trying to play catch up. The Canadian job market is said to have lost 2 million jobs in April alone when the cases peaked in the country. The pay outs for the affected workers are again territorial matters and have seen varied responses. The loan sharks in this case will and have swooped in which in the long run cripple the working-class economy. Canada did announce a C$82 billion-dollar stimulus package that grants direct and immediate assistance to Canadians and businesses in an effort to minimize COVID-19’s disruption to the economy. However given the layoffs, inflation and global economic recession this does not seem sufficient as the unemployment rate of the country has jumped to nearly 15% since the pandemic hit the nation.
Canada’s action on the social distancing is also not well enforced rather it seems to give off more of a suggestive tone rather than a national action plan. Canada has also failed to close off entry and exit from the country not only to the neighboring nation USA but has also unrestricted international travel with intervals. Given the population of Canada this is far too large a number for a first world western country. The Canadian response has been so unassertive that compulsion on quarantine has not been places even after foreign travel rather the health department merely suggests self-isolation measures. Canada’s policy makers have also received criticism for over reliance on WHO guidelines as opposed to self-research and according measures as seen in New Zealand or Taiwan. For Canada to take effective measures the government especially the center has to be more assertive and authoritative, they need to form concrete policies and then enforce them else they will be caught in a far harsher second wave later this year as experts suggest.
Canada as a nation has shown solidarity and conformity however they have still somehow failed to take precautions rather were too late to do so. If Canada is to “flatten the Curve” mere construction and functioning of facilities will not do the Canadian authorities have to take assertive decisions and enforce measures such as lockdowns and restrictions on domestic and international travel as many other countries around the world have, to success might I add. Canada also has to rethink its economic policies as the world is moving towards an economic recession which on its current path Canada will feel the brunt force of in the near future. The policy making and implementation for the Covid-19 outbreak from Canada has not been satisfactory in the least and if Canada is to come out of this strong they must rethink their current trajectory and change course.
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