Liberals announce extension of the CEBA until October 31

The Liberals have announced an extension of the Canada Emergency Business Account until the end of October.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the government is also working with financial institutions to expand eligibility to companies that have been shut out of the program.

That would include those who use personal rather than business bank accounts.

The government had said in mid-May that it was working to address that particular issue.

Freeland says details about eligibility changes will be released in the coming days.

The business loan program has provided more than 29 billion dollars in credit through more than 7,30,000 loans.

Eligible businesses can receive interest-free loans of up to 40 thousand dollars through the program, and have one-quarter of the outstanding amount forgiven if the balance is repaid by the end of 2022.