Canada PM Justin Trudeau works from home / COURTESY
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose wife, Sophie, tested positive for coronavirus, has announced plans to cushion Canadians during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Trudeau told Canadians no matter who they are, they should be focused on their health – and not about whether they will lose jobs or run out of money for consumables such as groceries or medicine.
“ If you do not qualify for Employment Insurance and do not have access to paid sick leave but have to self-isolate or quarantine, or if you need to take care of a family member who has Covid-19, you can receive an Emergency Care Benefit every two weeks for 14 weeks,” Trudeau said in a statement
Those with children will have their Canada Child Benefit boosted to help cushion parents with childcare costs, as schools remain closed.
Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years.
“And in the coming months, we will add more to your GST Credit – every adult who qualifies will get up to $300, [Sh30,00] and every child up to $150 [Sh15,000].
Students with loans will have repayment paused for six months, interest-free, while the homeless will be catered for and shelters increased.
Small businesspersons will be provided with a temporary wage subsidy for three months so that they can keep their employees on the payroll “because no one should feel like they have to lay off a worker due to Covid-19”.
For farmers and primary food producers will have Farm Credit Canada boosted.
“The spread of COVID-19 is forcing all of us to change our ways, and we know it’s a big adjustment. But we have your back, and together we will get through this,” the PM said.
