Thank you for that clarification. That will make this question all the more pertinent.
My riding of Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte is the home of Southmedic Inc. Southmedic is a renowned medical supply business. For over 37 years, it has provided front-line health care workers with an extensive line of PPE and other essential products required when dealing with respiratory illnesses. This company specializes in respiratory illness equipment. Southmedic currently employs over 700 people, and it has been recognized as one of Canada's best-managed companies by Deloitte on numerous occasions.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, both I and the member for Barrie—Innisfil have been attempting to obtain some assistance for Southmedic from the federal government. Calls and emails were falling on deaf ears.
In early May, I wrote a letter to Minister Anand outlining the situation. I received a letter back from the minister dated May 27 indicating that this issue of Southmedic falls under the mandate of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. I have heard nothing more.
When will the federal government reach out and help this great Canadian company and therefore ensure that all front-line workers will have the proper PPE they require?