BREAKING: Trudeau discusses pandemic tracking app, says Canadians put value on data and privacy

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed media outside Rideau Cottage on Wednesday, speaking directly to students and addressing new modeling figures released yesterday, as well as privacy concerns of Canadians.

Trudeau announced that through the new Canada Student Service Grant, students volunteering in the fight against COVID-19 could be eligible for $1,000 to $5,000.

This doubles student grants for 2020-2021, and is part of a 9 billion plan to help students and recent graduates through the pandemic.

To help parents, Trudeau said the Canada Child Benefit payment would be boosted in May, as well.

Trudeau then addressed the latest modeling figures provided by Dr. Tam yesterday, saying that progress was being made because of the actions of Canadians by following public health policies.

Trudeau said that work was being done with premiers across the provinces to find targets and guidelines for provinces to reopen. Trudeau noted that different provinces were facing different timelines, due to a variety of factors such as population and density.

Trudeau gave credit to the work being done between the provinces and the federal government, saying that both were working towards a common interest.

The prime minister also touched on the supply chain. Recently, the United States mandated meat producers to stay open using their Defense Production Act, as more shutdowns continue throughout the country.

Trudeau emphasized that the supply chain was vital, saying the focus was to ensure that chains remained open, and that those working in the plants worked in safe environments.

Previously, Trudeau had stated that the supply chain would not be a concern, a threat that is looming now more than ever. With companies such as McDonald's having to shift their supply chain to the United States, Trudeau said he recognized the need for healthy supply chains, and that Agricultural Canada was "very much on this issue."

Smartphone tracking not off the table

The prime minister was then asked about the potential for contact tracing measures that could impede on Canadian's privacy rights. Certain countries around the world, particularly in Asia, have used smartphone apps that are able to track the sick, and notify government workers if isolation measures are not being upheld.

Trudeau acknowledged the potential for a voluntary application, but put an emphasis on Canadian values surrounding privacy and data.

"This is a reflection that is continuing," said Trudeau. "I think Canadians would be open to the idea of providing some information that would normally not be provided, simply because of this pandemic. But where do we draw the line?" Trudeau responded, in French.

Trudeau acknowledged that while some foreign solutions may be fitting for their own country, that similar measures may not be suitable for Canadians. "There are a number of companies in different countries, that are working on different approaches that are appropriate for their countries, and we are looking at various options. But I know that even in a crisis, Canadians want to protect their privacy and their information. And as a government, we share that concern," the prime minister said.

"There are possibility around using voluntary measures, but every step of the way, we will hold true to the values around privacy and security," said Trudeau.