Federal government announce economic plan for COVID-19
Posted Mar 11, 2020 7:23 am.
Last Updated Mar 12, 2020 1:42 pm.
OTTAWA – The federal government is spending $1 billion to help provinces respond to the novel coronavirus.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the aid in Ottawa this morning.
Trudeau says this package will include funding to make sure items like surgical masks and face shields are well stocked for health authorities.
The government will also wave the one week waiting period to access employment insurance benefits.
BREAKING NEWS: Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau announces a billion dollar fund to fight the coronavirus outbreak and mitigate the risks to Canadians #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/OdABFep1Mw
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) March 11, 2020
This would also make it easier for people with more precarious jobs to stay home and avoid infecting others, by quickly getting them money so there isn’t a disruption in income.
Trudeau says the government is already preparing to do more if need be to provide the right kind of support to Canadians as the situation progresses.
He adds Canada is well-positioned to deal with this outbreak, adding “we will get through what comes next”.
He says Canada has been fortunate so far but the country needs to be prepared for all scenarios.
The illness has sickened more than 100,000 people around the world and led to mass quarantines and restrictions on public gatherings.
-with files from The Canadian Press and Cormac Mac Sweeney
