Ontario purchases $90M in medical supplies from converted local producers

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the province has purchased $90 million worth of much-needed medical supplies from local businesses that have converted their facilities to produce personal protective equipment.

At a press conference on Saturday, Ford said more than 14,000 businesses submitted applications to the Ontario Together portal that asks citizens and businesses to donate or produce to supplied to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“At a time when this equipment is in short supply all around the world, we can’t count on other countries,” Ford said. “But we can count on each other.”

The province will distribute the PPE they’ve acquired to frontline healthcare workers. So far, the government has procured the following locally:

• 5.1 million surgical gloves
• 20 million surgical masks
• 250,000 face shields
• 50,000 units of hand sanitizer for police officers

Ford gave the example of one automotive company in Tillbury, Ontario, that usually makes airbags for cars. It’s now gotten approval from Health Canada to manufacture surgical gowns for healthcare workers.

“These are private citizens stepping up to get desperately needed equipment to the men and women on our front lines,” Ford said.

• See also:
  • Ontario announces $50M for companies to retool, make medical supplies
  • Ontario government calling on businesses to manufacture medical supplies
  • Police to enforce Canadians who aren’t complying with quarantine measures: RCMP

He ended his remarks by saying he’s “so proud of everyone for doing the right thing” by staying home over the long weekend.

Later, Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott faced questions from reporters about working conditions for personal support workers (PSW’s) at long-term care facilities in the province. They have not yet mandated PSWs only work at one home, as BC has, and also do not plan to raise pay for PSWs, despite long-term care homes reportedly facing staff shortages.