Trudeau health minister says gov't 'actively reviewing measures in place' at borders

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos held a press conference on Friday where he announced that the government would be reviewing measures in place at the border.

The press conference comes as the freedom convoy in the country's capital enters its third weekend, and as tensions increase at the Ambassador Bridge, where protestors are blocking trucks from entering Canada.

Duclos addressed the press conference held by Joel Lightbound, who was the first of several Liberal MPs that called for a clear roadmap out of the pandemic from his own party.

"I have a considerable level of affection and esteem for my dear friend Joel," said Duclos. "... With the worst of omicron now behind us, our government is actively reviewing the measures in place at our borders, and we should be able to communicate changes on this next week with the support and the advise with the team of Doctor Tam."

"After two years of this pandemic, we know that this virus will always find a way to surprise us," said Duclos, adding that future waves and variants were a certainty.

Duclos discussed living with the virus, saying that we all agree that we have to learn to live with the virus, but asked what that means.

Duclos then laid out five pillars of what it means to "live with the virus."

"Firstly, I will say that living with the virus means that people have to stop dying because of it in such large numbers.

"Secondly, living with the virus and our healthcare system must be able to co-exist without the latter being paralyzed," he said, noting that delays in life saving surgeries could not continue.

"Thirdly, living with the virus means we must individually and collectively optimize the entire use of our tools in our toolbox... to limit transmission and the severity of infections.

"Fourthly, living with the virus also means we must be honest with each other, and recognize that it's not only possible, but very likely that the coming months will hold other unpleasant surprises.

"Fifthly, living with the virus means that we must remember that we are not powerless in that situation. We have power. We can help ourselves, and we must keep helping each other."