Canadian government investing up to $29 million to support domestic production of respirators and surgical masks

The Canadian government is investing up to $29 million to support the domestic production of respirators and surgical masks in order to increase the country's capacity to deal with future pandemics.

The funding is part of a $38.7-million project with Montreal-based Meltech Innovation Canada Inc., which specializes in the production of safety products and personal protective equipment.

Minister of Innovation Francois-Philippe Champagne says the funding will help ensure Canadian front-line health-care workers continue to have a reliable supply of the equipment they need, while creating jobs in Quebec.

Champagne says Meltech Innovation will establish a new factory in the Montreal area to manufacture specialized fabric needed to produce respirators and surgical masks.