THUNDER BAY – As we face Covid-19 together, our plan to support Canadians continues to evolve. I have heard from people who are seniors struggling with rising costs, students left without summer jobs and business owners who don’t qualify for existing supports. As a government, we are making adjustments to our economic response plan and working to provide what Canadians need to get through this challenging time.
COVID-19 is affecting all of us — which is why we’re working quickly to provide as much support to as many Canadians as is possible. Recently, we announced a top-up to OAS and GIS programs for seniors, to help them with the added stress and challenges that this pandemic is causing our communities. We’ve also invested an additional $20 million through New Horizons for Seniors to make more funds available for seniors’ organizations and community programming.
Organizations in Northwestern Ontario are adjusting to public health recommendations and as a result many of the summer positions students rely on are no longer available.
Students depend on these positions to pay for tuition and living expenses while they study. We are helping students with adjustments to programs like Canada Summer Jobs that add flexibility for employers to create appropriate jobs, and with an emergency benefit to assist students who are unable to find employment.
The vast majority of Canadians are employed by small businesses across the country. In Northwestern Ontario, we have a wonderful and diverse culture of local small businesses.
Over the past two months, they have been faced with significant challenges, and required to adapt their operations to maintain physical distancing. Last week, our government launched the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to help businesses who do not qualify for existing supports get through this difficult economic reality; if your business needs support, and you haven’t been able to get it up until this point, go to FedNor.gc.ca to get in touch with an economic development officer in your area.
For more information on these and all the supports available to individuals and businesses, please visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
Canadians are working together like never before — and that’s why we’re going to get through this.
Patty Hajdu MP
Thunder Bay-Superior North
