Testing and screening, in combination with local public health measures and vaccination, are important tools to protect Canadians and limit the spread of COVID-19 and its variants of concern.
Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, introduced Bill C-10 - An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19 in Parliament to provide Health Canada with the statutory authority to purchase and distribute across the country up to $2.5 billion worth of COVID-19 rapid tests. With this funding, the Government of Canada would put in place critical contracts in a highly competitive global market, to purchase sufficient quantities of rapid tests to meet the continued demand across the country.
Bill C-10 - An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19 would:
- Build on the commitments in the December 14, 2021, Economic and Fiscal Update, in which the Government of Canada proposed $1.7 billion to increase access to COVID-19 rapid testing for everyone in Canada;
- Allow Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada to continue supporting provinces and territories by securing the COVID-19 rapid tests they need;
- Continue to partner with the Canadian Red Cross to deliver rapid tests - free of charge - to community organizations; and
- Continue to support small, medium and large businesses and organizations, as well as federal workplace screening programs through direct delivery and through partners such as Chambers of Commerce, and pharmacies.
