Prime Minister Trudeau Announces COVID-19 Economic Action Plan
"Public health should never hinge on financial considerations." This morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $82 billion in aid -- $27B in direct support for families and business and $55B to meet household and business liquidity needs through tax deferrals and other measures. Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the government is hoping to roll out the direct economic aid within three weeks.
Representing 3% of Canada's GDP, this funding includes:
Support through Export Development Canada for affected businesses, and a boosted Farm Credit Canada for agricultural operations.
Enhancements for small businesses wanting to keep staff employed and paid (commitment to pay 10% of salary)
An emergency care benefit up to 14 weeks for workers who need to stay home due to illness or because of care duties for an ill loved one.
An emergency support benefit for the self-employed unable to work.
Delayed payments for income tax owing for 2019 tax year until August 2020.
More targeted funding for vulnerable populations: boosts to the Canada Child Benefit, GST payments, 6-month interest-free moratorium for student loans, additional support for homelessness and victims of gender-based violence , and specific funding for Indigenous communities.
To access the complete COVID-19 Economic Plan,
click here.
Border Closing to all Non-Essential Travel
The federal government also announced that the Canada-U.S. border will be closing to all non-essential travel. All essential travel will continue to ensure supply chains are intact, urgent requirements for border crossings will still continue. There is not yet a specific timeframe for the closure.
Today's Updates - Manitoba
As of March 17, 2020, there are 15 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province. More than 2,100 patients have been screened for COVID-19 at dedicated testing sites in Winnipeg, Thompson, Flin Flon, and The Pas in the past six days. The province's eighth dedicated testing site opened today at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, and additional locations throughout the province will be announced in the days ahead.
