Prime Minister says provinces will receive large shipments of rapid tests this month

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians will have to sacrifice for a couple of months but spring would be better for it.

In his first COVID-19 update of 2022, Trudeau called for people to get vaccinated and said there are enough vaccine doses for every Canadian to get a booster.

He added the government is ramping up the delivery of COVID-19 rapid tests to the provinces, with 140 million to be distributed this month.

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said that’s four times the number delivered in December and would allow every Canadian to have one test per week in January.

So far, each province is distributing the rapid tests differently and not everyone has the same access.

The pop-up model for free rapid tests at locations across Ontario has been widely criticized for having long lines and not enough tests.

Other provinces have experienced similar situations with no widespread way to get or purchase rapid tests.

Despite the concerns, Trudeau said distribution of the tests will remain up to the provinces.