Trudeau announces plans to extend Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced intentions to extend the amount of time people can continue to receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Whether it’s to cover the bills, to keep people on the payroll, or to make rent on a storefront, many Canadians need a hand right now,” said Trudeau on Monday.

“If you’re having troubles finding a job, you shouldn’t also be worrying about whether you’ll hit the limit of your CERB benefits.”

The PM stated that government is working on ways to extend the benefit, which currently provides eligible applicants with $500 per week for up to 16 weeks.

More details on what this extension will look like and who will be eligible are expected to be released later this week.

Trudeau’s address on Monday also focused on asking employers to use the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy if they have not done so already.

This financial supplement, which provides all small and medium-sized businesses whose revenue has decreased by 30 per cent or more with a 75 per cent wage subsidy to help them retain employees, was extended until the end of August 2020.

CERB and CEWS are two out of many new supplements and subsidies launched in Canada to combat the economic impacts of COVID-19.

A full list of the benefits available can be found at this website.