Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister has Justin Trudeau announced that more financial aid will go to Canadians and businesses to weather the COVID-19 pandemic after the Canadian parliament approved the emergency package of $82 billion.
The parliament passed the legislation of the emergency package of 82 billion Canadian dollars earlier on Wednesday.
Trudeau told a daily news conference on Wednesday that his government is aware of the uncertainty facing the country and has merged two public assistance measures into a single program to make it easier for Canadians who are out of or off work because ofk COVID-19 to apply and receive money, reported.
It combines the Emergency Care Benefit (10 billion Canadian dollars) and Emergency Support Benefit (5 billion Canadian dollars) into the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and will provide workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with 2,000 Canadian dollars (about $1,400) per month for the upcoming four months.
“If you lost your job because of COVID-19 but are full-time, contract or self-employed, this new benefit will be there for you. If you are sick or quarantined or looking after someone sick or taking care of your kids, it’s there for you. If you are still employed but not receiving income because of this crisis, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is there for you,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau said an application portal will be launched quickly and Canadians should be able to get money within 10 days of applying, noting though that money is unlikely to start flowing to people until April 6.
He also indicated his government is reviewing the demands of business groups to substantially increase the wage subsidy so employers can keep workers on the payroll even if they are off in self-isolation.
“We are absolutely looking at more direct help for businesses,” he said. “We are working with business groups. We are working with small business groups and hearing their concerns, looking very carefully at the models put forward in other parts of the world, like Denmark and Germany, and looking at how we could make that work and make an equivalency here in Canada,” he said.
More than 60 Canadian business groups have reportedly urged Trudeau government to provide direct funding for employees.
The prime minister said the government will provide financial aid to the media companies that have seen their advertising revenue dry up as corporations have had to close their doors because of the COVID-19 crisis.
As of 1:30 p.m. Canada’s Eastern Time on Wednesday, there were more than 3,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 30 deaths in Canada.
Meanwhile, Trudeanu has announced that his government will allot C$192 million on the development and production of vaccines and treatments against the novel coronavirus.
“We’re investing in a long-term solution to COVID-19,” news agency quoted Trudeau as saying on Monday at a press conference outside Rideau Cottage where he has been in self-isolation since his wife tested positive for the disease. “Once there are promising options, Canada needs the capacity to mass produce treatments as quickly as possible.”
The money is being made available to Canadian research and life-science companies and educational bodies across the country, including some who focus on antibody discovery and plant-based vaccines.
Trudeau also announced measures to help Canadian farmers and agri-food businesses amid impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are opening up C$5 billion in additional lending capacity. Starting today, farmers and producers can apply to Farm Credit Canada for the support they need to keep food growing and get it on to our tables,” said Trudeau.
He reiterated that physical distancing was vital.
“If you choose to ignore that advice, you’re not just putting yourself at risk, you’re putting others at risk,” Trudeau said.
“Enough is enough. Go home and stay home. This is what we all need to be doing and we’re going to make sure this happens.”
Trudeau said his government has not ruled out any enforcement options and he will have a conference call with the premiers and territorial leaders to discuss continued coordination on quarantine and self-isolation, including providing health equipment.
“The premiers and I will also talk about continuing to move forward with measures to support families and small businesses to ensure our economy rebounds,” he said.