Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a new $9 billion support program for students who may not be eligible for current federal aid packages, or be able to find summer jobs. The Canada Emergency Student Benefit provides $1,250 per month from May to August. If the student takes care of someone else or has a disability, the amount rises to $1,750.
Trudeau also announced student volunteers involved in the fight against COVID-19 will be eligible for $1000 to $5000, depending on your hours, through the Canada Student Service Grant.
Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough says, in addition to the Student Benefit program, the federal government will fund the eligibility for the Canada Student Loans program for September. They will double the value of Canada student grants, and increase the cap on student loans, from $210 to $350 per week of study.

The Prime Minister says his government will be watching Saskatchewan’s plan to ease some COVID-19 restrictions to get the economy started again. Trudeau says he wants to make sure we are basing ourselves on shared values, principals, and scientific approaches across the country.

Muslims around the world, are getting ready to celebrate Ramadan. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is asking celebrants to please stay home due to the pandemic. She says virtual gatherings can still take place and many groups in the country are working together to bring about a virtual community.

There are 38,422 coronavirus cases in Canada, with 1,834 deaths.
At the daily update in Ottawa, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says, while progress is being made on the virus, there have been bumps in the road. She says they have to work quickly on weak points to make sure the virus doesn’t jump ahead of them. One of their first lessons was to see how one or two cases in a long-term care setting could quickly escalate to larger outbreaks with devastating consequences.
[cjgx april 22 2020]