Feds announce $9B aid package for post-secondary students
Posted April 22, 2020 8:29 am.
Last Updated April 22, 2020 2:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced new aid in the form of the Canada Emergency Student Benefit.
This benefit will offer $1,250 a month from May to August for those who qualify. Those who take care of someone or have a disability will receive more money under the CESB — $1,750.
The Prime Minister announces the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, of $1250 a month. Could be $1750 if the student is supporting someone or living with a disability. Total cost of the program will be $9-billion #cdnpoli #COVID19
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) April 22, 2020
The student benefit is aimed at helping those who were left out of Canada Emergency Response Benefit payments, with the goal of helping as many people as possible, as fast as possible.
The government is also creating 76,000 jobs for students in industries that need help at the moment, as well as a student service grant. Post-secondary students who volunteer to help fight COVID-19 will be eligible for a $1,00-$1,500 payment, Trudeau announced.
“We’re looking at help for contract tracing, we’re looking at sectors that need help,” he said, adding the jobs will help fill holes identified amid the pandemic.
The new student benefit and measures, like increased education grants and an expanded government-supported job program, will total $9 billion, the prime minister said.
Trudeau asked why not make the CERB a universal benefit? Trudeau says the government wanted to target the people who need the help, millions of Canadians. Adding there are many in the country who do not need the help, so that's why the benefit is not universal #cdnpoli #COVID19
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) April 22, 2020
Trudeau said he will be working with opposition parties to get legislation through.
Helping younger Canadians
The new measures announced Wednesday are in addition to some steps the federal government has already taken to specifically help young people weather the health crisis.
It has already put a six-month, interest-free moratorium on student loan repayments, and has already bolstered the Canada Summer Jobs program in a bid to encourage employers to hire young workers for essential jobs.
Employers this year will receive a subsidy of up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each youth employee — up from the usual wage subsidy of 50 per cent.
The government has also expanded the program to include part-time workers and extended the this year’s employment period to the end of February 2021.
More details on the new benefit are expected soon.
