Emergency response benefit to be expanded; credit card firms cut interest rates in half

More Canadians impacted by the Covid pandemic will be able to get the new federal emergency response benefit, according to Justin Trudeau.

The Prime Minister said at his national address today some workers are “falling through the cracks” and currently don’t quality for the $2,000 a month benefit.

He said the government is working to make people who have seen massive reductions in work hours eligible, along with essential workers — like at seniors care homes — to ensure they have the incentive to keep those jobs.

“In the coming days we will be announcing how those people can apply to receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit,” said Trudeau.

Trudeau says 240,000 people have already successfully applied for the new response benefit which rolled-out today.

The PM also announced that six major Canadian banks have agreed to cut their credit card interest rates in half to help Canadians in financial difficulty.

As for the move by more Americans to wear masks when outside, Trudeau said he wold leave decisions like that up to the health experts.

Trudeau said he plans to return to the office in the coming days but will work at home as much as possible, which he says many other Canadian are doing, with no clear end in sight.

“People should expect to continue to stay home for many weeks and perhaps many months We will have more specific answers once we complete our modeling and that will give people a better idea of what could happen,” said Trudeau.

The PM is recalling Parliament to consider legislation for the new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program where a limited number of MP’s will attend.