Speed up vaccines, Trudeau to tell provinces

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he shares the frustrations of Canadians with those who've chosen to travel abroad over the holiday season. Trudeau says changes are coming to a new federal benefit that was intended to provide paid sick leave to those forced into quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure.

It’s a new year, but the pandemic isn’t over yet and we need to remain vigilant. Tune in now for my Tuesday update on the COVID-19 situation in Canada and what we’re doing to help you and your family get through this: https://t.co/SgPiqDCgtK

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 5, 2021

Concerns have emerged, however, that the payment of up to $1,000 is being claimed by people who are quarantining because they travelled outside the country.

Trudeau says the government never imagined or intended the benefit to be used for that purpose and stressed that nobody ought to be travelling for non-essential reasons.

The prime minister says he also shares people's impatience with the pace of vaccine rollouts. He says he intends to raise the issue with premiers of the provinces and territories at a meeting on Thursday to see where the federal government can help.