Trudeau says federal government working to extend the CERB

At a June 15 press conference, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) could be extended for residents who cannot go back to work just yet.

“Things have started to look up, but far too many Canadians are still struggling. Right now we’re working to extend the CERB for people who can’t return to work yet,” Trudeau said, adding that details on a possible CERB extension will be unveiled in the coming days. 

Trudeau also encouraged employers to take advantage of the wage subsidy and Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to keep workers on the payroll as the country gradually reopens. 

The prime minister also announced that the federal government is opening applications for a surplus food rescue program that will allow farmers with extra food to sell their products to organizations that will give the food to families in need. 

Trudeau also said that Canada is one of 13 founding members of a new global partnership on Artificial Intelligence, adding that a new centre of expertise will be set up in Montreal. 

When asked how the federal government will encourage landlords to apply for support in order to avoid evicting tenants, Trudeau said that provinces are being pressed to freeze commercial evictions to ensure businesses are not forced to shutter. 

He said that while some provinces have already moved to halt commercial evictions, others need to “step up.”

Cover photo courtesy of The Canadian Press