The Latest

April 24, 2020

Here’s a quick update.

We are all adapting to big new changes in our daily lives to keep each other safe from COVID-19, and so many Canadian families, workers, and businesses face real concerns about making ends meet. That’s why Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government are taking strong action to ensure that you and your loved ones are supported through this difficult time.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the steps our Liberal government is taking to help Canadians get through this together:

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy:

  • A 75% wage subsidy available for businesses, big and small, that are not publicly funded and have seen a 30% or more decline in gross revenues. That includes everything from bars and restaurants, to charities and non-profits. Applications are now open through CRA.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit:

  • Providing $2,000 a month to workers who lose their income as a result of COVID-19. It doesn’t matter whether you worked full time, on contract, or were self-employed – you qualify. And as announced on April 15, Canadians who are earning less than $1000/month, were expecting seasonal work that now isn’t coming because of COVID-19, and those who have exhausted their EI benefits since January 1st, 2020 also qualify. Get all the details and apply for the benefit here.

Guaranteed loans available to support businesses of all sizes:

$2 billion to support diagnostic testing, and purchase ventilators and personal protective equipment:

  • Personal protective equipment includes things like more masks and face shields, gowns, and hand sanitizer.

Investing more than $1 billion in support of a national medical research strategy to fight COVID-19:

  • Including vaccine development, the production of treatments, and tracking of the virus. This funding builds on the $275 million investment for coronavirus research and medical countermeasures previously announced. Learn more about this significant investment here.

More support for Canadian seniors:

  • Investing $2.5 billion to provide a one-time tax-free payment of up to $500 for those eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
  • Expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program, and investing $20 million in financial support for organizations that offer community-based projects to create even more programs across Canada to help seniors maintain or improve their social support network.
  • Temporarily extending GIS and Allowance payments for qualifying seniors whose 2019 income has not been assessed.
  • Click here for more details.

New funding and measures to support our most vulnerable people and communities:

  • Including crucial funding for Canadians experiencing homelessness, children and young people, and seniors impacted by COVID-19.
  • $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund to support charities and non-profits in their important work and get vulnerable Canadians the resources they need. More details here.

Additional support for students and new grads:

  • Introducing the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, providing support to students and new graduates who are not eligible for the CERB. This benefit will provide $1,250 per month for eligible students or $2,000 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities and will be available from May to August 2020.
  • Introducing the Canada Student Service Grant, which will help students gain valuable work experience and skills while they help their communities during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
  • Doubling the Canada Student Grants, broadening eligibility for student financial assistance, enhancing the Canada Student Loans Program, and more. Get all the details here.

Targeted support for small and medium-sized businesses, and rural businesses:

  • $675 million to give financing support to small and medium-sized businesses that are not eligible for the measures already announced or that have specific needs, through Canada’s Regional Development Agencies
  • $287 million to support rural businesses and communities, including by providing them with much-needed access to capital through the Community Futures Program

And much more. See more of our updates here.

The health, safety, and well-being of Canadians is always our top priority. I’m deeply grateful for the sacrifices and hard work that so many of you are taking on to keep your families, neighbours, and communities safe.

It will take all of us doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 and support those in need, and I know that’s exactly how we will get through this – together.

And as always, for the latest details on stopping the spread of COVID-19 and Canada’s whole-of-government response, you can also check out Canada.ca/Coronavirus.

FAQs: Supporting Canadians and responding to COVID-19

* Please note: this page has been continually updated to reflect new announcements and additional information (first published: April 2, 2020).