A small group of MPs will meet in person in the House of Commons in Ottawa today to debate legislation that would provide $9 billion in financial aid to post-secondary students taking a financial hit because of the global pandemic.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the measures last week.
Under the proposed new measures, students would be eligible for $1,250 a month from May through August. That sum can go up to $1,750 if the student is caring for a dependent or has a disability.
The benefit is also available to students who have jobs, but are making less than $1,000 a month.
Trudeau said today that the Canada Student Service Grant for volunteer hours would provide $1000-5000 dollars.
He also said there would be specific supports for First Nation students, extended scholarships for grads and the doubling of student grants for low-middle income students for the 2020-21 school year.
The new bill is titled “An Act respecting Canada emergency student benefits.”
The government needs unanimous consent to fast-track this latest aid bill through all stages and in order for the new student supports to come into effect.
The PM also announced that starting this weekend, the Snowbirds will be flying across the country, reminding Canadians that we are all in this together.
For more information on how Canada is responding to COVID-19, please click here.
I’m giving an update on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and talking about what our government will be focused on when MPs meet in the House of Commons again this afternoon. Tune in now for the details:
Je fais le point sur l’volution de la pandmie de la COVID-19 et des priorits de notre gouvernement lorsque les dputs se runiront la Chambre des communes de nouveau cet aprs-midi. Regardez maintenant pour obtenir les dtails :
Posted by Justin Trudeau on Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Watch live: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses Canadians on the #COVID19 situation from Rideau Cottage, in Ottawa. https://t.co/fxP5G5a3T3
— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) April 29, 2020
