Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have established a number of mechanisms to enable us to monitor and to engage with the various segments of the sectors, in terms of addressing specific situations, because the situations may vary from one sector to another. For example, immediately when the crisis started, we had the first closure of a meat processing plant—Olymel—in Quebec in late March. We established plans with CFIA, with AAFC, with the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture as well as with public health authorities in Quebec to have a crisis cell able to manage the situation associated with such a plant being shut down.
We had similar situations where there were outbreaks of COVID-19 among staff in large poultry plants in southwestern Ontario.
It is definitely about acting quickly in dealing with specific situations. So far, we have indications that the sector appreciated these quick responses. They had access immediately to senior officials in the government and to ministers to address these concerns.