Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government spend up to $82 billion to help every Canadian get through the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Public health should never hinge on financial considerations,” Trudeau said on March 18, 2020.
The unprecedented financial aid package will beef up Canada child benefit payments for families, provide a wage subsidy for small businesses to help them keep staff on the payroll during the slowdown, cause Canada student loan payments for six months and establish emergency benefits for people who don’t qualify for unemployment insurance.
The biggest single item is deferring tax payments until August, accounting for an estimated $55 billion dollars.
Trudeau said the government is focused on making sure Canadians have the money they need to support their families, buy groceries and pay the rent.
“No matter who you are or what you do, you should be focused on your health,” Trudeau said.
Prime Minister was speaking to Canadians outside his home in Ottawa, where he has been in self-isolation for nearly a week because his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, tested positive for COVID-19 on March 13, 2020 after a trip to England.
Also on March 18, 2020 Trudeau and US president Donald Trump announced the US-Canada border be temporarily closed to non-essential travel, but Trudeau said the critical supply chain between the two countries will continue.
Trudeau also thank Canadians are helping each other. “I know it’s hard time but that’s exactly why we need to keep supporting each other,” Trudeau said. “People need to be able to self-isolate, need to be able to stay home, need to be able to care for their families.”
The government is stressed that Canada has a strong financial position that will allow it to absorb the costs. The 82 billion is equivalent to about 3% of Canada’s gross domestic product.
Economic growth in Canada and around the world, already sluggish before the outbreak, has slowed to a crawl, with many economists predicting a global recession.
My opinion
I am taking a long look at the information provided by Mr. Trudeau and like what I see. Is offering $2000 a month per person for a four-month period no questions, well, almost no questions asked. He is also offering a $40,000 package for small businesses to help offset costs so we can pay employees to stay on the payroll and help us pay the rent.
HRS Group Inc. has one employee still on the payroll and would like to bring one more back but with no money coming in the bridge financing will go a long way in keeping our doors open until the all clear is given.
Thank God we live in Canada where this type of thing can happen and the money goes to the people that need it.
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259 We can also be reached at
Ensure your workplace is a safe place.
Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
Your article helped me a lot.
Thanks!