Today, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, confirmed that the Government has approved a Request for Federal Assistance to provide surge capacity support to the Northwest Territories with infection prevention and control (IPC), contact tracing, and COVID-19 testing efforts.

“The federal government continues to provide support to provinces and territories as they need it. Protecting the health and safety of Canadians during the pandemic is our top priority, and we stand ready to help all provinces and territories when support is requested.”

- The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

“The Canadian Red Cross continues to work in support of Public Safety Canada and the Northwest Territories to help fellow Canadians battling a fourth wave of the pandemic. The Red Cross is ready and well-positioned to help with epidemic prevention and control expertise to help limit transmission of COVID-19 and will continue to strengthen its capacity in order to be ready to provide this and other vital assistance to communities most in need.”

- Mr. Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO, Canadian Red Cross

• To date, the Government has approved a total of nine Requests for Federal Assistance (including extensions) to support the Northwest Territories with their COVID-19 response, including:

  • Assistance of the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Red Cross to support local communities affected with COVID-19 outbreaks.
  • Canadian Red Cross support for vulnerable populations shelter in Yellowknife
  • A Mobile Health Unit oxygen concentrator package with generators for use at the Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife

• The Government Operations Centre is responsible for coordinating the Government of Canada's response to emergency events including the pandemic. It supports the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is the federal government lead for the response to COVID-19.

• In Canada, emergencies are managed first at the municipal level and if they need assistance, they request it from their province or territory. If the emergency escalates further, provinces or territories can get help from the federal government.

• A Request for Federal Assistance is initiated when an emergency event overwhelms or threatens to overwhelm the resources of a province or territory and federal government help is needed to effectively support the impacted region.

• Should a province or territory make an official Request for Federal Assistance, there is a well-established process in place for managing the request, through the Government Operations Centre, and includes provincial/territorial and interdepartmental consultation and coordination.

Related products

• Government of Canada provides $70 million in additional funding to the Red Cross for ongoing COVID-19 response

Associated links

• Government Operations Centre and Request for Federal Assistance
• COVID-19 Support to Provinces and Territories
• Fall Economic Statement 2020: Fighting COVID-19

James Cudmore
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-407-8515
james.cudmore@ps-sp.gc.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
psmediarelations@ps-sp.gc.ca

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Department of National Defence
613-904-3333
mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

Canadian Red Cross
English Media: 1-877-599-9602
French Media: 1-888-418-9111