Feds look to extend Canada Emergency Response Benefit

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is looking to extend the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for people who are still unable to return to work.

The first wave of CERB recipients were set to see their $2,000-a-month benefit dry up in the next few weeks.

“In the last few weeks, things have started to look up for a lot of people,” he says. “But that said, we also know that far too many Canadians are still struggling. 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.”

Details on the possible extension are set to be revealed later this week.

“To all employers: please use to wage subsidy, if you haven’t already,” Trudeau says, adding those who need more help can also apply to the Canada Emergency Business Account.

Eligibility was recently expanded for the CEBA, he notes.

The extension of the CERB seems to meet a key demand from the federal New Democrats in the lead up to a confidence vote on Wednesday on a government supply bill. The Liberals need the support of one of the opposition parties to survive, however, the Conservatives have vowed not to support the Trudeau government unless regular sittings of Parliament resume. Meanwhile, the Bloc Quebecois has been increasingly expressing frustrations with the Liberals.

If they don’t pass this confidence vote, the minority government could topple and we could be headed to an election.

The prime minister has also announced applications are now open for the food buy-back program for farmers. The program buys surplus food from farmers and uses it to help people in need across the country.

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