The Canadian military is looking at hazard pay for personnel working in long-term care homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic but still doesn’t know when that might happen.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed May 15 that the Canadian Forces was considering hazard pay for the troops helping staff at care facilities where COVID-19 had spread.
So far 28 military personnel have been infected with COVID-19. There are around 1,700 military personnel working in 30 care homes. They do a variety of jobs, from cleaning and taking care of residents’ needs to providing medical assistance.
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jon Vance confirmed Friday that Canadian military personnel working in long-term care facilities will eventually receive hazard pay. “To recognize this uniquely hazardous environment, I have tasked my staff to pursue Hazard Allowance for those directly engaged inside the facilities,” Vance wrote on social media.
The general noted he would provide further information sometime in the future but gave no timelines on when that might happen.
Earlier Friday, Trudeau said the hazard pay issue is still being ironed out. “These are discussions that are ongoing within the military,” Trudeau told reporters.
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