Canadians Overwhelming Approve of Justin Trudeau's Handling of COVID19 pandemic
In the first weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak, Canadians had been overwhelmingly supportive of PM Justin Trudeau handling of the pandemic and the federal government's response to the COVID19 crisis has increased the PM approval rating.
A large percentage of Canadians approve PM Justin Trudeau's government's handling of the crisis — a Nanos Ipsos Ried poll indicates that 93% approval rating and 71% view the federal governments response of the CERB plan as being crucial in the avoidance of a economic downturn.
Across Canada, both the federal and provincial governments have received consistently high marks on their management of the global health emergency. But Quebec is the only place where there has been a big difference between Canadians' evaluation of Ottawa's crisis management and their opinion of the provincial government's performance. Part-time and seasonal workers are now eligible to claim the $2,000 Canada Emergency Response Benefit, and new money is coming for front-line workers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday.
Now, workers who are earning up to $1,000 a month, such as contract or gig economy workers, or who have seasonal employment and can’t find a job due to COVID-19, as well as those who are running out of employment insurance, can now apply to collect the CERB for up to four months.
“Maybe you’re a volunteer firefighter, or a contractor who can pick up some shifts, or you have a part-time job in a grocery store. Even if you’re still working, or you want to start working again, you probably need help making ends meet,” Trudeau said.
Governments around the world are seeing their support increase during this health emergency, which is not unusual in the midst of a crisis or war. Quebec's reaction to Trudeau's performance was a notable exception — and one that was difficult for the Liberals to ignore, considering the importance of Quebec in their electoral coalition.
For the prime minister, the good news is that this potential problem appears to have gone away, at last for the time being. The bad news is that, like all leaders trying to stop the spread of a global pandemic, there are far bigger problems still on his plate.
The government is working to get money into the pockets of Canadians as quickly as possible. Canadians begin to receive their CERB payments within 10 days of application. Canadians will have to apply every four weeks, attesting that they continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the CERB payment, which will be available to individuals for a maximum of 16 weeks, until October 3, 2020.
The more accessible CERB and the top-up for low-income essential workers are part of the government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which committed $107 billion in support to Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of COVID-19.
The Government of Canada is taking significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
No Canadian should have to choose between protecting their health, putting food on the table, paying for their medication or caring for a family member.
No Canadian should have to choose between protecting their health, putting food on the table, paying for their medication or caring for a family member. This is why the government introduced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a taxable benefit of $2,000 every four weeks for up to four months for eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the government is stepping up to better support those who need help but don't qualify for the CERB, and Canadians working in essential jobs who make less than they would if they received the benefit.
To help more Canadians benefit from the CERB, the government will be changing the eligibility rules to:
Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their usual seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Extend the CERB to workers who recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed particular demands on low-income workers in certain sectors, including those on the front-line in hospitals and nursing homes, those ensuring the integrity of the food supply, or providing essential retail services to Canadians.
In recognition that these essential workers’ salaries are often less or similar than what they would receive from the CERB, the government will work with provinces and territories through a new transfer to cost-share a temporary top-up to the salaries of workers deemed essential in the fight against COVID-19, who make less than $2,500 a month. Details as to the application and delivery of this measure will be released shortly following further work with provinces and territories. This measure could help several million workers currently involved in the COVID-19 response. The government will continue to look for ways to better help all Canadians during this difficult time.
Icann W. Neustoo is an independent journalist currently on assignment in Zimbabwe
