PM Trudeau to issue a directive to CRA not to go after vulnerable people who received CERB: Jagmeet Singh

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he wants the government to tell the Canada Revenue Agency not to go after vulnerable people who received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told The Canadian Press that no one will be forced to pay back money if they aren't able, or applied in good faith for the aid.

But Singh says that's not going far enough.

He wants Trudeau to issue a directive right away to tell the CRA not to go after artists and young people that are vulnerable.

New Democrats have spoken with Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough's officials, but Singh says he didn't have any responses that gave him evidence for optimism.

Similarly, child-welfare groups have quietly raised concerns to federal cabinet ministers, but left meetings without any hint something would be done.

Some 441,000 people have received letters in recent weeks from the CRA, questioning their eligibility for the CERB, and warning they may owe back some of the payments.