Trudeau says government working to reduce ‘gaps’ in benefit program, and on allowing temporary foreign farm workers to Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians impacted by the Covid-19 crisis to start applying for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) as of tomorrow.
“If you’ve lost your job or your pay cheque, starting tomorrow you’ll be able to sign to receive this support at canada.ca. If you choose to direct deposit, you will get a payment within 3 to 5 days If you choose to receive your benefit by mail, you’ll get money within the next ten days,” Trudeau said during his national address on Sunday.
Meantime, Trudeau said the government is working on ways to encourage essential workers to stay on the job, despite some part time workers being able to stay at home and make more from the CERB than actually working.
“We recognize anytime we’re doing big measures like this there will be gaps, there will be challenges in implementation, and that is why we’re working very carefully to ensure people working in essential industries, who are perhaps facing choices to work or take the CERB, are able to make the right decision, not just for them, but for our community and country. These are things we’re working on and will have more to say in the coming days,” Trudeau told the media.
Trudeau was also asked about how the country will handle the temporary foreign workers programs to help farmers grow their crops.
Trudeau said the government is looking to ensure the workers can come to Canada.
“They will be property quarantined for two weeks before they start doing their work which is so necessary. At the same time, we see many Canadians who are out of work who want to help out, students who are looking at opportunities for summer jobs they might not otherwise have, and we know there are many people interested in helping out in terms of feeding the country.”
Trudeau said he would have more to say on those programs in the coming days and weeks.
Canada has 14,426 cases of Covid-19 and 258 deaths as of 9 a.m. PT Sunday.
B.C. has 1,203 cases and 38 deaths as of Saturday at noon.
As for U.S. President Donald Trump’s pressure on U.S.-based 3M to not export face masks, Trudeau said talks continue with the US administration in terms of finding a resolution.
“I am confident we’re going to be able to solve this and I look forward to speaking to the president in the coming days,” stated Trudeau.
As for his daily addresses to the nation, Trudeau said he has no plans to end those anytime soon.
“I have very much enjoyed my opportunity to speak directly with Canadians every day and will continue to try and doit almost every day in the near future.”
Trudeau added its extremely important people doing important jobs to take time to make sure they’re getting the support they need and are pacing themselves.
“We do know the situation is going to last a number of weeks or months, therefore we have to make sure we’re all supporting essential workers, particularly our health care workers, our truck drivers, our food delivery people, and it counts for government officials as well,” said the PM.