COVID-19: Supporting those who need it most

April 3, 2020

Today, Justin Trudeau announced our Liberal government’s latest step to support Canadians impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The government will provide $100 million to food banks and food organizations across Canada to help meet the urgent food needs of vulnerable Canadians, including:

• $50 million to Food Banks Canada
• $20 million divided evenly between Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada
• $30 million for local-level organizations who serve people experiencing food insecurity

As many Canadians turn to these vital organizations to feed their families, and with fewer donations and volunteers to count on, it’s more important than ever to make sure they have the necessary resources to keep helping people in our communities.

This new funding, delivered through the Government of Canada’s Local Food Infrastructure Fund, will provide more of the support these organizations need to bring food and other necessities to the people and communities experiencing food insecurity. That includes support for the purchasing, transportation, and distribution of food, hiring temporary help to fill volunteer shortages, and steps such as the purchase of personal protective equipment to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among volunteers and clients.

This new announcement builds on the Liberal government’s continued commitment to supporting the most vulnerable, including crucial funding announced earlier this week for Canadians experiencing homelessness, children and young people, and seniors impacted by COVID-19.

For more details, please see the Prime Minister’s full news release.

From coast to coast to coast, Canadians like you have also stepped up to help keep your family, friends, and community safe and healthy. To those of you who have supported organizations that provide relief for the many Canadians facing food insecurity: thank you — and thank you to all frontline workers stepping up at this important moment.

If you have not yet given to a food bank, and have the capacity to do so, please consider giving today. Your support can make a big difference! You can visit FoodBanksCanada.ca as one option for more information on how to help.

Last week, our government also announced that it will be covering 75% of wages for qualifying businesses and non-profits, as well as providing $2,000 a month for the next 4 months to Canadians who lose their income because of COVID-19, through the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

Here you can find a summary of the latest measures to help ensure that you and your loved ones are supported through this difficult time.

FAQs: Supporting Canadians and responding to COVID-19

Thank you from all of us, and all my best.

Braeden Caley
Senior Director, Communications
Liberal Party of Canada

P.S. 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.