Top Liberal staffers debated removal of webpage recommending essential workers wear COVID masks

Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office complained it was "totally unacceptable" for the Public Health Agency to offer medical advice without first checking with political aides.

Internal emails from 2020 found staff debated whether to request a web page's removal recommending essential workers wear COVID masks when federal agencies knew masks were in short supply.

"None of us were aware," Sabrina Kim, then an advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office, wrote in an April 20, 2020 email. Kim said aides "should try to take it down and put it back up after we’ve given a heads-up to stakeholders."

"We should try to get our ducks in a row first," wrote Kim.

"I have made it clear to Health Canada that it is unacceptable this has happened," replied a colleague.

"Have relayed displeasure," wrote a third.

Aides cautioned that it was improper to remove web pages of the Public Health Agency. "We can’t take down public health advice," wrote Samantha Khalil, deputy director of issues management. "Let’s work on dealing with it."

The Public Health Agency recommended essential private-sector workers such as cross-border truck drivers wear non-medical masks though federal authorities had failed to stockpile adequate supplies.

Health Minister Patricia Hajdu, as early as April 1, 2020, told reporters the Agency was not prepared.

"Did we have enough in the stockpile?" asked a reporter.

"To your question about whether we had enough, no," replied Hajdu.

The Department of Public Safety on April 3 compiled a list of essential private-sector workers it said should remain on the job despite pandemic stay-home orders.

The Guidance On Essential Services And Functions In Canada listed scores of trades and professions from airline personnel to bridge inspectors, farmers, fuel distributors, marine shippers, meatpackers, postal workers, railway crew, tow truck operators and veterinarians.

"These services and functions are considered essential to preserving life, health and basic social functioning," said Guidance. "Employers of these workers should take all possible steps to protect their health and safety."

Aides in the Prime Minister’s Office complained that health authorities should not have recommended that essential workers wear masks if they had no masks to provide. "They’re not ready," wrote Shannon Zimmerman, director of operations.

"We’re now telling non-healthcare workers they need personal protective equipment, although not the highest quality, with no finalized plan on what personal protective equipment the federal government will help provide if necessary because it still hasn’t been approved by cabinet," she wrote.

"I agree this can’t be taken down, but I’d think at the very least the Public Health Agency should have to consult some industry, so they know what’s expected of them, or the Agency can hear the challenges, no?"

In a February 10, 2020 memo to Health Minister Patricia Hajdu, the Agency cautioned against sending any "signal to Canadians that the government believes the risk within Canada is changing and other measures are necessary," wrote staff.

"It will be important to underscore that this is not the case."

"Many felt the government should have closed the borders sooner than it did," wrote researchers. "Many also felt any travel in and out of the country should have been more limited."

As late as March 9, 2020, the health minister was given Question Period notes claiming a pandemic outbreak in Canada was unlikely. "The risk of spread of this virus within Canada continues to remain low at this time," wrote the Agency. "We continue to believe that Canada’s public health system is well equipped to contain cases coming from abroad, limiting the spread in Canada."

A global pandemic was declared on March 11. Cabinet invoked the Quarantine Act on March 26. Cabinet did not issue its first mandatory mask order until April 20.