Federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada explained

Short Title:COVID-19 Emergency Response Act
Long Title:An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19
Citation:S.C. 2020, c. 5
Enacted By:Parliament of Canada
Royal Assent:March 25, 2020
Status:current

The Government of Canada introduced multiple temporary social security and financial aid programs in response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. The initial CA$82-billion aid package was announced on March 18, 2020 by Justin Trudeau.[1]

The first measures were implemented when the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act received royal assent from Governor General Julie Payette on March 25, 2020.[2]

Modifications to existing programs

Existing federal social security programs were modified to provide additional financial support to their recipients. Canada Child Benefit payments were given a one-time increase of $300 per child,[3] the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit for the 2019 tax year was doubled,[4] and personal income tax deadlines for 2019 were extended.

Catherine McKenna, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, also announced on April 16 that the federal government was seeking "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects to receive stimulus funding.[5]

Income support programs

CERB (March – September 2020)

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB; French: Prestation canadienne d'urgence) was a program that provided a taxable benefit of per month for Canadian residents facing unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] [7] [8]

Initially announced as providing a maximum of four months' financial support, the federal government announced a further two months of support in June 2020[9] and another month in August 2020.[10] The benefit is jointly administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), with eligible persons either applying through ESDC's Service Canada online portal or through the CRA online portal. To be eligible, applicants must attest they: did not quit their job voluntarily, earned at least in the 2019 tax year or the preceding 12 months, have stopped working or are working reduced hours due to COVID-19, and are earning less than in employment or self-employment income.[11]

Within one week of the CERB program's launch in April 2020, nearly 3.5 million Canadians applied for this benefit;[12] this grew to 7.12 million by April 24.[13] On April 15, eligibility for CERB was expanded to include seasonal workers, persons who had exhausted their Employment Insurance (EI) regular or sickness benefits, and those who have returned to work but still earn less than per month due to reduced hours or lower demand.[14]

Employment minister Carla Qualtrough announced on July 31, 2020 that the CERB would be wound down following a final extension of one month. CERB recipients who are still unemployed will be transitioned to the regular EI system and those who do not qualify for EI will be transitioned into one of three new recovery benefit programs.[15] CERB was ended on September 26, 2020, and a revamped EI program was implemented.[16] Approximately 8.9 million Canadians applied for CERB by its end date.[17] In 2022 the Auditor General of Canada, Karen Hogan, conducted a review into the CERB fund and concluded that "the federal government effectively delivered emergency COVID-19 benefits during the pandemic"[18] but that "deciding to not front-end verification resulted in $4.6 billion in overpayments to ineligible individuals."[19] There are reports of mismanagement,[20] fraud[21] and a number of scams related to CERB.[22] [23] [24] [25]

CERB repayment

In late 2020, the CRA sent out 441,000[26] letters asking for full or partial repayment of the CERB to Canadians, due to ineligibility. These individuals were urged to repay the benefit by December 31, 2020 to avoid tax issues.[27] Confusion on eligibility arose from language used to describe who could receive the CERB with the requirement being $5,000 in net income vs. $5,000 gross income.[27] [26] The CRA later admitted the semantics were 'unclear'.[26]

CESB (May – August 2020)

Due to the lack of summer employment available for post-secondary students or graduating high school students, the Canadian government introduced the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB; French: Prestation canadienne d'urgence pour les étudiants) as a counterpart to CERB to help students.[28] Students who cannot find employment or are unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for CA$1,250 per month from May through August 2020.[29] CESB applicants with a disability or caring for dependents receive an additional $750, increasing their monthly amount to the equivalent of a CERB payment.

Recovery Benefits (September 2020 – October 2021)

CRB

On October 12, 2020, the federal government rolled out a new income support program, the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), designed to support those who do not normally qualify for EI (for example, the self-employed).[30] The benefit paid a pre-taxed (at 10%) $500 per week for up to 38 weeks;[31] over 240,000 Canadians applied to the program on its first day of launching.[32] To be eligible Canadians must have been unemployed or have had a 50% reduction in average weekly income compared to the previous year due to COVID-19.[33] If a participant made more than $38,000 annual salary, $0.50 of every dollar earned on the CRB would have to paid back if the participant was still taking it.[34]

The CRB was available for eligible individuals for an allocated amount of time between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.[35] Individuals who have travelled internationally were not eligible to receive the benefit for any period where they were not working due to mandatory quarantine requirements.[35]

In March 2021, the government extended the CRB benefit to 50 weeks (25 periods).[36] The first 42 weeks (21 periods) provided $1000 ($900 pre-taxed) every two-week period, and the final eight weeks (four periods) provided $600 ($540 pre-taxed).[36] The program was scheduled to end on September 25, 2021.[37] In August 2021, the government extended the program again to 54 weeks (27 periods) in October 2021.[38]

CRSB

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) provides $500 per week (2 weeks maximum) for workers who: (a) "are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19;" (b) "are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19;" or (c) "have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19."[39] Individuals who have travelled internationally are not eligible to receive the benefit for any period where they are not working due to mandatory quarantine requirements.[40]

CRCB

Another program, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) supports Canadians that have been working but have to take a break to care for dependents (a child below 12 years of age or a disabled family member). The benefit only applies if schools and care centres are closed, or the dependent fell sick, or contracted COVID-19.[41] Individuals who have travelled internationally are not eligible to receive the benefit for any period where they are not working due to mandatory quarantine requirements.[42]

Worker lockdown benefits (October 2021 – May 2022)

In October 2021, the federal government created the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB). The programs planned to provide 300 dollars per month for workers who cannot work because their workplace faced a local lockdown. The program is set to run from 24 October 2021 to 7 May 2022.[43] The program was expanded on 22 December to also cover workplaces whose capacity was reduced by 50% due to provincial restrictions.[44] However, these workers were required to prove that they also lost at least 50% of their revenue because of these measures.[45] The program closed for applications on 18 May 2022.[46]

Employer/business support

Canada Emergency Business Account

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA; French: Compte d'urgence pour les entreprises canadiennes) provides emergency interest-free loans to small businesses and nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.[47] The aim of this program is to ensure that these businesses have access to sufficient capital to remain solvent during the pandemic. CEBA was implemented in the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2 which was introduced by Finance Minister Bill Morneau and passed in Parliament on April 11, 2020.[48]

The budget for the program was set for, offering loans of financed by Export Development Canada.[47] Businesses apply for CEBA loans through their current financial institution, which administer the loan and submit required information to EDC.[49] [50] Businesses that repay at least 75% of the loan balance by December 31, 2022 will have any remaining balance forgiven.[47] The size of the loans could be increased, along with the amount forgivable.[47] The due date could also be moved into 2024 if need be.[47]

In November 2023, Ottawa accountant Moe Tabesh initiated a petition with over 17,000 signatures to urge the Canadian government to forgive pandemic loans from the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), reflecting the financial hardships of nearly 900,000 other small businesses and non-profits.[51] The move underscored the widespread difficulty in repaying the $49 billion distributed, as many businesses continued grappling with post-pandemic economic challenges.[51]

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS; French: Subvention salariale d'urgence du Canada) is a program created by the Government of Canada to provide financial support for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent large layoffs. CEWS allows eligible employers to receive a 75% subsidy on each of their employees' wages (up to their first $58,700) for 12 weeks retroactive to March 15.[52] The CEWS is targeted "at businesses with revenue declines of at least 15 per cent in March, and 30 per cent in May and June."

The program was announced on 1 April 2020, as an expanded version of a previously proposed temporary wage subsidy. The Parliament of Canada reconvened on 11 April 2020 to pass the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2 . Several large employers which had laid off employees due to the economic effects of the pandemic announced they would re-hire workers in response to CEWS. Air Canada announced because of the CEWS it would rehire (backdated to 15 March) 16,000 airline staff that were laid off due to the pandemic.

Business Credit Availability Program

The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP), which was announced on 11 May 2020, consists of guaranteed loans at commercial rates of between CA$6–80 million. It had seen as of mid-June 2020 only 400 applications.[53] Administered by Export Development Canada[54] [55] and Business Development Canada,[56] the program is the responsibility of the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, Mary Ng.

The program is available at various banks and credit unions until June 2021.

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy

The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides rent and mortgage support for qualifying businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities, affected by COVID-19.[57]

Available from September 27, 2020 until June 2021, the subsidy helps qualifying organizations who have experienced a drop in revenue due to the pandemic, paying for part of their commercial rent or property expenses. CERS provides payments directly to renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of a landlord.

Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility

The Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF; French: Crédit d’urgence pour les grands employeurs) provides government-backed bridge financing to large Canadian employers through the Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation (CEEFC)—which was formed as a subsidiary of the Canada Development Investment Corporation (CDEV) specifically to administer the LEEFF.[58]

On 11 May 2020, Trudeau, Morneau and Bains in a press conference said that "a bridge financing facility for large employers that need help to get through the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus." One stated goal was "to avoid bankruptcies of otherwise viable firms wherever possible... Companies that use the lending facility will have to commit to respect collective bargaining agreements, protecting workers’ pensions, and support national climate goals. Rules on access to the money will place limits on dividends, share buy-backs and executive pay."[59] The LEEFF will only target companies with annual revenues in excess of $300 million, and only if they request $60 million or more from the LEEFF.[60]

Under the LEEFF companies must also: limit executive salaries to $1 million per annum; provide a share in their business to CDEV through stock warrants; and prohibit dividends and share buybacks until they pay back their LEEFF.[61]

Other support for businesses

Sector-specific support

Other aid

Proposed Canada Student Service Grant

See also: WE Charity scandal. The Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG; French: Bourse canadienne pour le bénévolat étudiants) was a proposed program to provide paid service opportunities for young adults (ages 30 and under) to assist with charities and non-profit organizations. Participation would be limited to recent post-secondary graduates (December 2019 or later) or students enrolled in spring, summer or fall 2020 semesters. Participants would receive $1000 per 100 hours of volunteer work, up to a maximum of $5000.[69] The decision to contract administration of the program to WE Charity was controversial, leading to a political scandal and ultimately the cancellation of the program.[70] 35,000 students and recent graduates had applied for the program.[71]

One-time payment for people with disabilities

The Government of Canada gave a special one-time, tax-free non-reportable payment of $600 for people with disabilities on October 30. The money would be available for those who already possessed a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, those receiving Canada Pension Disability or Quebec Disability Pension benefits, or those receiving disability support from Veterans Affairs Canada.[72]

Enforcement

On June 2, 2020, the Canada Revenue Agency announced a tip line for reporting suspected fraudulent CERB recipients.[73] As of June 3, the CRA announced it had received 600 tips and had received 190,000 voluntary repayments of CERB from Canadians who were not entitled to receive them.[74] On June 8, legislation was proposed by the Liberal government that would allow persons found to have received CERB payments fraudulently be subject to fines or imprisonment.[75] The proposed legislation was not supported by any of the opposition parties in the minority Parliament and did not move ahead to second reading.[76]

Financial impacts of aid programs

Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux issued a report on April 30, 2020 projecting the federal deficit for fiscal year 2020 could be in excess of $252 billion, based on nearly $146 billion in spending on federal aid measures.[77] In a fiscal update tabled on July 8, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau projected that the deficit for the 2020 fiscal year will reach $343.2 billion.[78]

Most federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic came in the form of taxable benefits. As a consequence, some provincial governments (including Ontario and British Columbia) experienced a dramatic surge in revenue. This windfall has been referred to as a "secret provincial bailout" by some commentators.[79] [80]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Harris . Kathleen . Trudeau unveils $82B COVID-19 emergency response package for Canadians, businesses . June 13, 2020 . CBC News . March 19, 2020.
  2. News: Trudeau's $82B coronavirus support package gets royal assent, officially passes. Global News. March 25, 2020. Connoly. Amanda.
  3. News: Lum . Zi-Ann . Canada Child Benefit Increases $300 Per Child For May . June 13, 2020 . HuffPost Canada . May 4, 2020 . en.
  4. News: Golombek . Jamie . The GST/HST credit has been boosted due to COVID-19 — here's what you need to know . June 13, 2020 . Financial Post . Postmedia Network . April 17, 2020 . en-CA.
  5. News: Morning Brief: Feds seek 'shovel-ready' projects for post-COVID-19 stimulus . iPolitics. Torstar . April 16, 2020.
  6. Web site: Government introduces Canada Emergency Response Benefit to help workers and businesses . Department of Finance Canada . Government of Canada . March 25, 2020.
  7. Web site: Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan . Department of Finance Canada . 14 September 2020 . Government of Canada . 31 May 2020 . 8 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230108090458/https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#new_canada_emergency_response_benefit . dead .
  8. News: Harris . Kathleen . What you need to know about the new COVID-19 benefits program . CBC News . March 25, 2020.
  9. Web site: 'Long journey ahead': PM extends CERB by 8 weeks. ctvnews.ca. June 16, 2020.
  10. News: Ballingall . Alex . Liberal government commits to extending CERB, boosting EI . September 1, 2020 . Toronto Star . August 20, 2020 . en.
  11. Web site: Who can apply: Applying for CERB with CRA. 2020-05-04. Canada Revenue Agency. 2020-05-04.
  12. Web site: Nearly 5.4 million receiving emergency federal aid. CTV News. April 13, 2020.
  13. News: Press. Jordan. Expectant mothers left out of key COVID-19 emergency-aid program will receive financial help, Qualtrough says. 2020-04-24. The Globe and Mail. 2020-04-25. The Canadian Press.
  14. News: Harris. Kathleen. Part-time, contract and seasonal workers now qualify for COVID-19 emergency benefits. 2020-04-15. CBC News. 2020-04-15.
  15. News: Harris . Kathleen . New $37B COVID-19 aid package extends CERB, expands EI and adds 'recovery' benefits . September 1, 2020 . CBC News . August 20, 2020.
  16. Web site: CERB ends Sept. 26 — here's how to find out whether you'll get EI, and how much you'll get. thestar.com. September 24, 2020.
  17. Web site: Federal figures in COVID-19 aid provide window into who needed the help. ctvnews.ca. November 19, 2020.
  18. Web site: 2021-03-25 . 2021 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada—The Canada Emergency Response Benefit prioritized speedy payments . 2024-08-01 . www.oag-bvg.gc.ca.
  19. Web site: 2022-12-06 . $4.6B in COVID-19 financial aid went to ineligible recipients, audit finds . 2024-08-01 . CTVNews . en.
  20. Feds mum on who's to blame for $8B in fraudulent CERB payments: Report, https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/topstories/feds-mum-on-whos-to-blame-for-8b-in-fraudulent-cerb-payments-report/ar-BB1q2kGR?ocid=BingNewsSerp Accessed 28 July 2024
  21. Web site: CRA investigating or firing employees who received CERB benefits while employed at tax department . 2024-08-01.
  22. Web site: CERB Scam . 2024-08-01 . cornwallpolice.ca . en.
  23. Web site: 2020-08-14 . Scammers are stealing identities to redirect CERB payments, experts warn . 2024-08-01 . Toronto . en.
  24. Web site: Organized crime 'knowingly and actively' exploited federal pandemic benefits: intelligence reports . 2024-08-01.
  25. Web site: Victims of fraudulent CERB claims left with higher tax bill until CRA can investigate . 2024-08-01.
  26. Web site: CRA admits 'unclear' CERB communications led to mistaken applications. Graham. Slaughter. December 18, 2020. CTVNews.
  27. Web site: Trudeau says CERB recipients shouldn't worry about repayments right now . December 18, 2020 . December 17, 2020 . John Paul . Tasker . Rosemary . Barton . CBC News.
  28. News: Nardi. Christopher. 'Why would he pick a fight with us?' COVID-19 raises tensions between Trudeau government and Quebec . National Post . Postmedia Network . May 8, 2020.
  29. Web site: Support for Students and Recent Graduates Impacted by COVID-19. 2020-04-22. Department of Finance Canada . Government of Canada. 2020-05-04.
  30. Web site: CRA $2,000 CRB: Are You Eligible for This Payment?. Christopher. Liew. December 5, 2020. The Motley Fool Canada.
  31. Web site: Attention! The CRA Is Extending the $2,000/Month CRB to 38 Weeks. ca.finance.yahoo.com. 23 March 2021 .
  32. Web site: Coronavirus: Trudeau says over 240,000 Canadians applied for new CRB. globalnews.ca. October 13, 2020.
  33. Web site: CRA Emergency Measures: CRB or EI – Which Is Best for You?. Christopher. Liew. December 26, 2020. The Motley Fool Canada.
  34. News: Here's everything you need to know about the CRB — including how it will affect your taxes. Financial Post. 16 October 2020 . Golombek . Jamie .
  35. Web site: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) . Canada.ca . 2021-01-11 . 2021-01-27.
  36. Web site: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB). Canada Revenue. Agency. October 2, 2020. www.canada.ca.
  37. Web site: Canadian government extends EI and COVID-19 emergency benefits | News. dailyhive.com.
  38. Web site: Feds extend CEWS, other benefits. www.hrreporter.com.
  39. Web site: Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan . 14 September 2020 . Canada.ca . 2021-01-27 . 2023-01-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230108090458/https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html . dead .
  40. Web site: Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) . Canada.ca . 2021-01-11 . 2021-01-27.
  41. Web site: Canada Revenue Agency: How to Extend Your Recovery Benefits Beyond 26 Weeks. yahoo.com. September 28, 2020.
  42. Web site: Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) . Canada.ca . 2021-01-11 . 2021-01-27.
  43. Web site: 2021-11-10. The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit. 2021-12-27. Debt.ca. en-CA.
  44. Web site: Raycraft . Richard . 2021-12-30 . Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit now open for applications . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316152302/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-worker-lockdown-benefit-pandemic-covid-1.6300925 . 2023-03-16 . 2023-03-16 . CBC News.
  45. Web site: Messier. François. 23 December 2021. Des milliers de Canadiens de plus admissibles à une aide de 300 $ par semaine. 2021-12-27. ici.radio-canada.ca. fr-CA.
  46. Web site: . 2021-12-20 . Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315195512/https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/worker-lockdown-benefit.html . 2023-03-15 . 2023-03-16 . Government of Canada.
  47. News: The three bridges Canada needs to get us across the economic chasm . The Globe and Mail . 13 April 2020.
  48. Web site: Government Introduces COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2 to Help Businesses Keep Canadians in their Jobs. Canada. Department of Finance. 2020-04-11. gcnws. 2020-04-29.
  49. Web site: CEBA Term Loan Agreement . TD Canada Trust . Toronto-Dominion Bank . June 13, 2020 . You acknowledge that... the Loan is made in accordance with the Canada Emergency Business Account Program (the "Program") and is being instituted and administered by the Bank at the request of and on behalf of Export Development Canada, on behalf of Her Majesty in Right of Canada.
  50. News: Burke . Ashley . Small businesses fear banks are freezing them out of a government-backed pandemic loan program . June 13, 2020 . CBC News . April 24, 2020.
  51. Web site: Forgive federal pandemic business loans, says accountant behind petition . 2024-08-01.
  52. Web site: Coronavirus: Parliament adopts COVID-19 wage subsidy bill. Global News. en. April 20, 2020.
  53. News: Ivison . John . Was the government's large employer emergency package designed to fail? . National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc . 15 June 2020.
  54. Web site: EDC Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) Guarantee . Export Development Canada . 16 June 2020.
  55. Web site: Export Development Canada (EDC) Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) . Scotiabank . 16 June 2020.
  56. News: BDC to provide new support for medium-sized companies to help navigate COVID-19 as part of Government of Canada's Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) . newswire.ca . Business Development Bank of Canada . 11 May 2020.
  57. Web site: Agency. Canada Revenue. 2020-11-23. Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). 2021-01-27. aem.
  58. Web site: CEEFC Canada Development Investment Corporation. 2021-01-27. en-CA. 2021-01-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121012729/https://www.cdev.gc.ca/home-ceefc/. dead.
  59. News: Scherer . Steve . Ottawa to create bridge financing for big companies, including airlines and energy, that need help in crisis . Reuters . Financial Post . Postmedia Network . May 11, 2020.
  60. News: Harris . Kathleen . Federal government offers bridge loans – not 'bailouts' – for big businesses hit by COVID-19 . CBC News . May 11, 2020.
  61. News: Jackson . Emily . Air Canada to stop emergency wage subsidy; thousands of job cuts will leave workers out in the cold: union . Financial Post. Postmedia Network . February 21, 2020.
  62. "Regional Relief and Recovery Fund: Overview." Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
  63. "Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19) | Customs Notice 20-19." CBSA. May 6, 2020.
  64. Web site: From: Employment and Social Development Canada . Work-Sharing Program – COVID-19 . Canada.ca . 2021-01-27.
  65. Web site: Government of Canada. 2020-08-01. Infrastructure Canada – Canada Healthy Communities Initiative. 2021-01-27. www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
  66. Web site: Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund. 2021-01-27. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. en.
  67. Web site: Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada;Government of. 2020-05-07. Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program. 2021-01-27. www.agr.gc.ca.
  68. Web site: Short-Term Compensation Fund for Canadian Audiovisual Productions (STCF). 2021-01-27. Telefilm Canada. en.
  69. Web site: 2020-06-30. Becoming a volunteer – I want to Help. 2020-07-12. Government of Canada.
  70. News: How the WE Charity scandal led to the cancellation of the Canadian Student Service Grant program . The Peak. 2020-11-21. en-CA.
  71. News: Cullen. Catherine. Volunteer placements on pause as Liberals try to restart troubled student grant program. CBC News.
  72. News: Disability advocates applaud federal pandemic aid, but say payment should be higher CBC News. en-US. CBC. 2020-11-21.
  73. Web site: CRA snitch line now open to report fraudulent CERB claims. CTV News. June 2, 2020. Jonathan. Forani.
  74. News: Canadians have made 190,000 repayments on CERB claims, says CRA. CBC News. June 10, 2020. Kathleen. Harris.
  75. News: CERB fraudsters could face fines or jail time, draft bill shows. CTV News. June 8, 2020. Rachel. Aiello.
  76. News: CERB bill stalls as Liberals find no opposition support for moving legislation through House. National Post. Ryan. Tumilty. June 10, 2020. live. June 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200612153516/https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/cerb-bill-liberals-find-no-opposition-support-for-moving-legislation-through-house.
  77. News: Federal deficit could top $252 billion, says budget officer . CBC News . The Canadian Press . Press . Jordan . April 30, 2020.
  78. News: Tasker . John Paul . Ottawa to post $343B deficit as spending hits levels not seen since Second World War . July 8, 2020 . CBC News . July 8, 2020.
  79. News: Brethour. Patrick. Ottawa's secret provincial bailout. The Globe and Mail. 2021-09-27. 2021-09-27.
  80. News: Brethour. Patrick. Ottawa's pandemic spending spurs tax-revenue windfall in Ontario. The Globe and Mail. 2021-09-27. 2021-09-26.

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