As the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across Canada, some governments have declared a state of emergency. Premier Doug Ford formally declared a state of emergency for Ontario on Tuesday, and so did municipalities like Red Deer, Leduc and Blood Tribe in Alberta.
On the same day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a federal state of emergency was also being considered. According to Canada’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, an emergency is a present or imminent event that requires quick action to protect the health, safety and welfare of people and to limit damage to property or the environment.