Type of Intervention: Financial and Economic
Sectors Involved: Private Sector and Businesses, Supply Chains
Intervention Categories: Finance policy and financial aid; Stimulus packages and financial support; Financial aid to health services
Level of Jurisdiction: Ontario
Lead People/Agency: Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health and Deputy Premier Christine Elliot, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli
Overview: The Ontario government implemented a new $50 million “Ontario Together Fund” that aims to provide funding for Ontario businesses to develop innovative solutions to manufacture essential medical supplies. The Fund aims to ensure that companies have necessary resources and support to develop and produce emergency supplies quickly and efficiently. Along with this, the “Ontario Together Portal” was developed. This online portal allows companies to submit proposals for innovative solutions to creating/providing critical goods and services to Ontarians.
Full details here: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/ontario-joins-forces-with-the-private-sector-to-fight-covid-19.html
Type of Justification: Perception of an increased threat
Evidence/Justification: There is no evidence provided that supports the launching of the Fund or Portal. The justification for the Fund/Portal is to provide companies with funding and means to develop solutions that can facilitate Ontario’s COVID-19 response and also support the needs for medical supplies and equipment across Canada.