Federal government to provide $2000 a month to workers impacted by COVID-19
Published March 25, 2020 at 4:48 pm
Speaking from his home in Ottawa today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which will aim to provide $2000 a month for the next four months for workers impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Trudeau says this new benefit will be there for those who have lost their job as a direct result of COVID-19 — whether they’re full-time workers, part-time, or self-employed — as well as those who are still employed but unable to receive income at this time.
“Far too many Canadians are having these tough conversations about finances and their future,” said Trudeau, who emphasized that this new benefit will be there to support those who are currently struggling financially.
“The hard truth is that people are out of work because of this crisis and worried about what comes next. So I want you to know that we’ll be there to help you.”
According to Trudeau, an online application system will be launching as soon as possible and residents can expect to receive money within 10 days of applying.
The target date for this benefit to launch is April 6.
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The CERB will replace the two benefits announced last week — the Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit — in an attempt to streamline the process of getting money to residents who need it.
“Like I said from the start, we will adapt our approach wherever needed,” the prime minister said.
The government is also planning to provide financial support to journalists and media organizations to help them continue reporting on the pandemic.
“To ensure that journalists can continue to do this vital work, our government is announcing new measures to support them,” said Trudeau. “I want to take a moment to thank our journalists and media for everything they do, today and everyday.”
Trudeau says the government is continuing to do all it can to fight COVID-19 and is now testing roughly 10,000 people a day, a number that is steadily increasing.
More information about the CERB and media benefit will be announced in the coming days.
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