Trudeau: House of Commons to reconvene to pass “largest economic measures since World War 2”
Published April 10, 2020 at 4:44 pm
In his first address to the nation during the holiday weekend, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated that the country will continue to provide financial aid to residents and businesses in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Trudeau, the federal government is getting closer to implementing a $71 billion wage subsidy program for companies that have lost 30 per cent of their revenues because of the ongoing crisis.
“Tomorrow, we’re bringing back the House of Commons to pass the largest economic measures Canada has seen since World War 2,” Trudeau said.
Due to the efforts to implement the wage subsidy, the prime minister noted that his regular address to the nation will happen at a later time tomorrow (Saturday, April 11) and from the floor of the House of Commons, rather than from his Ottawa home.
The wage subsidy is in addition to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (which Trudeau says is already delivering the $2000 benefit to millions of Canadians) and the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), which was launched on April 9 to help small business owners who are struggling to pay the bills or pay their staff.
Through the CEBA, business owners can apply for a $40,000 interest-free loan. If the loan is repaid within two years, 25% of it (up to $10,000) is forgivable, Trudeau says.
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“It’s really important despite a time of crisis — in fact, because of a time of crisis — that our institutions remain strong and our democratic principles continue,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau says the government is also letting companies join in the effort to keep Canadians safe and ensure front-line workers have the support they need.
One such company is Fluid Energy Group Ltd. from Alberta, which will reportedly produce over a million litres of hand sanitizer each month, with shipments starting as early as next week.
“We’ve invested in this large-scale production as part of our plan to have enough vital supplies produced right here at home,” the prime minister said. “When Canadians work together, we get things done.”
Trudeau is reminding residents who have not yet applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit that they can do so at canada.ca or by calling 1-800-959-2041.
Throughout the remainder of the holiday weekend, the prime minister is urging residents to continue social distancing and adjust their holiday events to reflect that, such as having family dinners over video call and keeping events for the kids, such as Easter egg hunts, limited to the home rather than the neighbourhood.
Tomorrow will be Trudeau’s last address to the nation this weekend, and he is expected to return on Tuesday.
For more information on Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan and what types of financial aid residents can apply for, visit canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.
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