It was one year ago Thursday, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic.

In the House of Commons, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off a national day of observance saying, we remember the people we’ve lost. The Prime Minister says COVID-19 became one of the most used words in our country and around the world. He says we also began using other words frequently: Sacrifice and solidarity; compassion and community.

Federal Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, says its a sombre anniversary with more than 22 thousand Canadians having died from the pandemic. Hundreds of thousands more have fallen ill and millions have lost jobs or had their work severely cut back.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says everyone in Canada has felt the impact in some way. He says when we think about who bore the brunt of the pandemic, we realize it was our seniors; particularly those in long-term care.

The government has asked Canadians to think about those whose lives were claimed by the pandemic, as well as the health-care and other essential workers who have been on the front lines.

[cjgx]