The American group 3M will manufacture N95 protective masks in a factory canadian which will be enlarged to supply theand Canada and abroad, the Canadian government said on Friday.
The Canadian government and the Ontario government will each spend more than 23 million Canadian dollars (14.9 million euros) to expand the 3M plant in Brockville, Ontario.
3M has committed to manufacturing and delivering 50 million N95 masks in Canada each year and for five years to this factory, which is expected to begin deliveries in early 2021.
Global shortages
Canadian authorities have indicated that the investment was aimed at securing a supply of Canadian-made masks while the pandemic has resulted in increased demand and supply shortages around the world.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford recalled “The darkest days” of the pandemic, when “All countries of the world have found themselves searching for essential medical supplies and personal protective equipment”.
“There was a global shortage and Canada was left at the mercy of other countries”, he said at a press conference. “We were in a terrible situation”, he lamented.
Also present at the Brockville plant for this announcement, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that this investment would also allow the supply of masks abroad.
Masks will also be exported
“We will be able to cover domestic supplies”, said Trudeau, adding that Canada has “Never introduced limits or protectionist measures”, the masks will also be exported.
At the beginning of April, US President Donald Trump had invoked a law dating from the Korean War in order to mobilize as a priority, in an exceptional way, the production of 3M masks for the needs of the security of the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau then pleaded for the continuation of cross-border trade.
The 3M group, which had defended its export policy, then concluded an agreement with the United States for the delivery of millions of masks.
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