‘Mandatory’ quarantine for returning travellers,

The Trudeau government’s COVID-19 rescue package is now enacted in law. Here are its major features:

Spending measures Creates the “Canada Emergency Response Benefit,” which provides payments of $2,000 per month over four months to those who can’t work because of the pandemic. Eligible recipients include self-employed workers, people who are laid off or stop getting paid because of the pandemic, and those who need to miss work because they are sick, ordered to quarantine or need to care for children.

Monthly parental payments — the Canada Child Benefit — are increased by up to $300.

Small businesses get subsidies to cover 10 per cent of their wage costs over three months, with a maximum of $25,000 per business.

Low-income earners receive a one-time increase of almost $400 to federal sales tax credits.

The law releases $500 million in promised funding for provincial and territorial healthcare systems, with almost $194 million for Ontario.

Collection of student loans is suspended until Sept. 30

New powers

Allows the federal government to borrow “any amount” and spend “all money” necessary to confront the pandemic. This provision expires Sept. 30.

Ottawa takes on the power to suspend patents so the government and others it chooses can make and sell products to address the emergency. The government also has the power to make “any regulations” it considers necessary to “prevent” or “alleviate” shortages in medical products.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau can choose to funnel money to the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation and Farm Credit Canada, and determine how much money Canada’s export credit agency can lend to businesses.

The government has the power to make “interim” changes to Employment Insurance, including to create new benefits.