Proceed with caution: Trudeau
Provinces begin to unveil reopening plans; federal wage subsidy applications now open
The arrival of warmer weather to many parts of Canada coincides with some provinces’ plans to start reopening sectors of the economy and relax restrictions as the national conversation turns to life after COVID-19.
Last week, New Brunswick, following a number of days with no new cases, announced a four-step recovery plan that begins with two-household gatherings and the opening of outdoor spaces, while Saskatchewan announced plans to reopen medical services such as dentists as well as retail stores and salons, and ease restrictions on some outdoor recreation starting in May.
On Monday, Quebec revealed plans to open elementary schools and daycares starting May 11.
In Ontario officials are being more cautious, and on Monday the government released a new framework for reopening that says they must see a consistent two- to four-week decrease in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases before any restrictions can begin to be loosened.
Other provinces have not released official reopening plans, but many say they are working on them behind the scenes.
During his daily news conference on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government is also collaborating with the provinces on shared guidelines for reopening the economy once the time comes.
“Different provinces and territories will be able to move at a different pace, but we need clear, co-ordinated efforts from coast to coast to coast,” he said.
These guidelines will not be federally mandated, but will be something provinces will agree on together to inform the decision-makers in each region, Trudeau said.
The guidelines will include things like ensuring there is enough medical capacity to handle a potential surge of COVID-19 cases and that the level of testing is sufficient.
Trudeau said the conversations that have already occurred between different levels of government have been taken into account by the provinces in the decisions that have already been made.
When asked if he thinks some of the plans announced are premature, Trudeau said provinces have the authority to determine what is in their best interest, and it’s not up to the federal government to approve or oversee their decisions.
“They have the responsibility to do what is right for their citizens,” he said.
“We have tremendous confidence in the provinces, who very much want to make sure that this happens the right way and that we don’t fall back into another phase like we are in this time as we gradually open up.”
Trudeau said while the easing of some restrictions will allow things to get back to a little more like normal, until there is a vaccine for COVID19, which is expected to take 12 to 18 months, or a system of treatments that are equivalent to a vaccine, people will have to continue to exercise caution.
“We know that there is still a lot of uncertainty around the science of immunity, whether or not someone who has contracted COVID-19 is protected from contracting it again a few months later,” he said.
“That’s why we have to be very, very careful and cautious every step of the way … because nobody wants to have gone through all this for nothing.”
WAGE SUBSIDY
Applications for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), a program that will cover 75 per cent of wages for eligible employers up to $847 per employee per week, opened Monday.
Mary Ng, minister of small business, said businesses of any size or non-profit organizations that have seen a drop in revenue for March, April or May can apply through their My Business account or on the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) online portal. The benefit is retroactive to March 15 and is available for 12 weeks, or until June 6.
“We have worked hard to make this process as simple and efficient as possible,” Ng said.
“Small claims will be approved through the CRA’s automated verification system, and your payment will be sent to you on May 5. We have partnered with banks and financial institutions to enrol payroll accounts for direct deposit, which means that businesses should begin to see money in their accounts as of May 7.”
For applications that require additional checks or more information from the employer, a secondary verification should take no more than three days to complete, Ng said.
“This wage subsidy will not only help save Canadian jobs,” Ng said.
“It's about keeping your teams together, which we know will be key to your success once we are on the other side of this.”
Also on Monday, Trudeau said talks are continuing with the provinces and territories about a pay boost for essential workers, and more information will to be announced in the coming days.
Parliament had its first virtual sitting Tuesday and is having an in-person sitting today, where parties will work on specifics on the new Canada Emergency Student Benefit, Trudeau said.
The new benefit, announced last week, would offer $1,250 per month for eligible students or $1,750 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities, and would be available from May 1 to August 2020 through the Canada Revenue Agency.