(Ottawa) Merchants at 50% of their usual capacity will be able to get a financial boost from the federal government due to the meteoric transmission of COVID-19. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged people to limit their contacts as Christmas approaches. Six members of his bodyguard recently tested positive for COVID-19.
These are three workers from his office and three members of his security team, he revealed in a virtual press conference, adding that they have taken appropriate measures to avoid infecting d ‘other people.
“It is a reminder that the virus is everywhere, that it is a threat and that we must remain vigilant,” he said. The Prime Minister said he had several rapid screening tests which, so far, have all been negative. He said he still limits his contacts without being in complete isolation and remains on the lookout for any symptoms that may appear.
This is the reason why the press conference took place virtually and not in person.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced the expansion of two new aid programs created with the passage of Bill C-2 last week to address the pandemic. It will be in effect from December 19 to February 12, 2022.
Merchants who must reduce their reception capacity to 50%, as is the case in Quebec, will therefore be able to access the Support Program in the event of local containment if they can demonstrate that their revenues have decreased by at least 25% from 2019. They will be entitled to wage subsidies and rent subsidies of 25% to 75%, depending on their loss of income.
People who suddenly found themselves out of work due to the new restrictions will also have access to the Canada Workers Benefit in the event of a lockdown. They could get $ 300 a week if they lost at least 50% of their income.
“Last week in the economic and budget update we set aside $ 4.5 billion in anticipation of Omicron’s impact,” Mr.me Freeland. The cost of expanding support programs is estimated at $ 4 billion and will be fully covered by the amount provided in the update. ”
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and Restaurants Canada had called for immediate help the day before for small entrepreneurs facing new restrictions. Nearly a quarter of small and medium-sized businesses in the country believe they could go bankrupt within the next six months, they argued in an open letter. This was before the wave caused by Omicron.
“It was the right thing to do under the circumstances,” said CFIB Vice-President of National Affairs Jasmin Guénette. All Canadian provinces are announcing restrictions. It ranges from full closures to capacity restrictions. ”
However, he urges the federal government to help other types of businesses affected by COVID-19 as well, such as hospitality suppliers who have lost contracts or dry cleaners whose service is less required due to telecommuting.
The Omicron variant is spreading rapidly across the country. Federal Public Health has indicated that it is now the dominant variant in several regions and has accelerated community transmission. More than 2,360 cases caused by Omicron have been confirmed to date in Canada.
Last week, more than 5,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported daily across the country, but that number more than doubled with 11,300 new cases reported for Tuesday alone. Federal Public Health estimates that the official number of cases detected by the provinces is likely lower than reality due to high community transmission and pressure on screening capacity.