“As we begin to safely reopen our economies, we are supporting Canadians by making changes to the EI program, introducing new income support benefits, & extending CERB by an additional 4 weeks”, Freeland said via Twitter on Thursday.
As we begin to safely reopen our economies, we are supporting Canadians by making changes to the EI program, introducing new income support benefits, & extending CERB by an additional 4 weeks. Together, we will get through this, & build a stronger Canada. https://t.co/7ngEmdQcYY
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) August 20, 2020
The program is being extended as the government works to move those affected by the ongoing pandemic from the emergency response program to a revamped employment insurance program.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is a $1,400 benefit for workers who have had their income streams affected by the pandemic.
The move is Freeland’s first after being sworn in as the country’s new Minister of Finance on Tuesday. Outgoing Finance Minister Bill Morneau stepped down on Monday after weeks of scrutiny for his role in a charity scandal that has plagued the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
