Ontario is kicking in some cash to help manufacturers ramp up production of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The government announced 2.8 million in funding for homegrown manufacturers to ramp up production of PPE.
"Our entrepreneurs, businesses and workers are stepping up and unleashing the full strength of Ontario's manufacturing might, sometimes doubling or tripling their output and working modern-day miracles in the fight against COVID-19. Our government is proud to partner with our champions in the business community to establish 'made-in-Ontario' as the gold-standard for medical supplies and equipment here in Canada and around the world." said Premier Doug Ford.
The government says Southmedic in Barrie will double its output of oxygen masks, triple its output of ETCO2 masks, which are specialty masks used to monitor breathing prior to ventilator use, and quadruple its output of eye and face shields to help meet the province's need for PPE.
The funding will also allow the company to reorganize its production facility to allow for physical distancing.
Sterling Industries in Concord, will increase its output of face shields from 200,000 per week to more than a million per week.
This increased capacity will help Sterling Industries deliver 10 million face shields to Ontario Health more quickly.
And SRB Technologies in Pembroke, will convert a portion of its production from emergency lighting solutions for the nuclear, aerospace, construction and defence sectors to manufacturing medical-grade face shields, which will be supplied to regional hospitals and long-term care facilities.