Liberals move forward with more support for hard-hit businesses

August 16, 2021

Longueuil, Quebec – A re-elected Liberal government will extend and introduce new emergency supports for businesses and workers to make sure we all move forward and build back better – for everyone.

Canadian businesses power our economy. They create good, middle class jobs for Canadians and their workers drive our communities. That’s why Justin Trudeau and the Liberal team have had their backs through the COVID-19 pandemic, and why they will continue to support those that are still struggling from the impacts of this crisis.

“Supporting businesses and their workers is at the heart of our plan to create jobs, strengthen the middle class, and grow the economy,” said Justin Trudeau, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. “We’ve always been there for them, and the pandemic has been no different. We stepped-up to help them keep their lights on, employees on the payroll, and communities safe – and we’re going to continue to support them for as long as it takes.”

To provide more help to businesses that have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to support the creation of one million jobs, a re-elected Liberal government will:

  • Extend the Canada Recovery Hiring Program to March 31, 2022, so businesses can hire more workers and Canadians can get back on the job;
  • Provide Canada’s hard-hit tourism industry with temporary wage and rent support of up to 75% of their expenses to help them get through the winter;
  • Launch the Arts and Culture Recovery Program that will match ticket sales for performing arts, live theatres, and other cultural venues to compensate for reduced capacity;
  • Extend COVID-related insurance coverage for media production stoppages to support 150,000 Canadian jobs; and
  • Implement a transitional support program to help bridge workers from the creative industry who continue to be impacted by the pandemic.

This plan builds on previous support that the Liberal government introduced during the pandemic, including:

  • Protecting over 5 million jobs with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy;
  • Helping over 150,000 organizations with support for their rent, mortgage, and other expenses;
  • Providing additional support to businesses that were forced to close due to public health guidelines;
  • Supporting Canada’s hardest-hit industries, including the tourism and hospitality sectors, with low-interest loans; and
  • Providing businesses with up to $60,000 in partially forgivable, interest free loans so they could meet their daily expenses.

“When we support Canada’s businesses, we support the workers, families, and communities that rely on them,” said Mr. Trudeau. “We stood with Canadian businesses through this tough time, but Erin O’Toole’s Conservatives tried to stand in our way. Only our Liberal team will keep fighting for our businesses and our workers, and build a better Canada for everyone.”

Backgrounder: Supporting our Businesses and Hardest Hit Sectors

For more information, please contact:
media@liberal.ca
613-627-2384