Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday that the federal government will be expanding eligibility rules for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, and come up with a plan to top up pay for some essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CERB will now become available to Canadians who have uses EI benefits since January 1st, seasonal workers who can’t find jobs due to the pandemic, and those who earn $1,000 a month or less.
Trudeau added that he is going to work with provinces and territories to try ad provide financial help to essential workers, such as those employed in long-term care homes who earn less than $2,500 a month.
As it stands right now, the CERB provides $2,000 every four weeks for up to four months to Canadians who have lost their income due to COVID-19.
The Prime Minister also addressed where Canada stands when it comes to supporting the World Health Organization.
In his daily coronavirus update, Justin Trudeau was questioned about how the W-H-O has handled the pandemic, particularly on allegations China withheld vital information on the virus.
“What we need to remember is, the path through this pandemic is for us to base ourselves on science, on recommendations of scientists, on the data and the knowledge we have gathered from past pandemics and past health issues to apply to these situations,” said Trudeau.
Trudeau says that’s why they will always continue to work with experts worldwide, including the W-H-O
