CANADA’S COVID-19 SUPPORTS COME TO AN END. BUISNESSES SAY THEY STILL NEED GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

By Chandrayee Roy Choudhury, Canada: Canadian business owners and advocates say the expiry of federal COVID-19 benefit programs this weekend comes too soon. They argue uncertainty about future pandemic waves remains high.

As of Saturday, all of the most recent supports announced last fall, including the targeted wage and rent subsidy programs and the $300-per-week Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, are no longer available despite what owners say is still an urgent need.

The federal government was explicit when it launched the latest subsidy programs in October. They would expire on May 7.

Saturday was also the final day of other programs that were extended in October, including the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Hiring Program.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the office of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said the benefits are no longer needed due to Canada’s economic recovery.