The measures we are taking, so far
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/04/2020 (1142 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
I want to start by saying I hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. I also want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the essential services workers that are ensuring our safety.
To all the healthcare workers, pharmacists, police and first responders, grocery store employees, truckers, agricultural workers, early childhood educators, public servants — thank you.
These are unprecedented times and our government is working tirelessly to help Canadians get the help they need. Last week, we launched the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which supports Canadians by providing $2,000 a month to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19. We also announced $100 million for food banks and food organizations, as well as $207.5 million to help people experiencing homelessness and women fleeing gender-based violence.
For small and medium-sized businesses, we have launched the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, extended the work-sharing program, increased access to credit and provided more time to pay income taxes and sales tax remittances. We want to help businesses keep their employees so that, once we get through this, we can get our economy back on track as quickly as possible.
Due to the urgency of the situation, these programs were developed within a matter of days and weeks, whereas they would normally take a year or more. To get these programs off the ground, our government set-up criteria to start the application process. However, as we’ve stated often, we are listening and open to changes to make these programs more responsive.
With matters changing so quickly, it is likely that the situation has changed since I wrote this article. For the most up-to-date information on the measures our government is taking to keep you safe and to help you through this difficult period, please visit our COVID-19 response website: canada.ca/coronavirus.
Please also listen to Manitoba public health authorities’ directives to ensure that you are adhering to additional physical distancing measures taken within our province.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about any of the measures announced in Canada’s Emergency Response Plan, please contact my office at 204-983-3183 or dan.vandal@parl.gc.ca
Be well, stay safe and stay home if you can. Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other.
Dan Vandal
Saint Boniface-Saint Vital constituency report
Dan Vandal is the Liberal MP for Saint Boniface-Saint Vital.