0.96°C Vancouver

May 8, 2020 4:27 PM -

Wage-subsidy program to be extended as steep job losses continue : Trudeau

Share On
wage-subsidy-program-to-be-extended-as-steep-job-losses-continue-trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference at Rideau Cottage during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Thursday, May 7, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government's emergency wage-subsidy program will be extended beyond its early-June endpoint.

The program covers 75 percent of worker pay up to $847 a week to try to help employers keep employees on the job in the face of steep declines in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an announcement in Ottawa, Trudeau says more details on the extension will come next week.

The Canadian economy lost almost two million jobs in April, a record high, as the closure of non-essential services to slow the spread of COVID-19 forced businesses to shutter temporarily.

The loss comes on top of more than one million jobs lost in March, and millions more having their hours and incomes slashed.


Latest news

man-arrested-after-alleged-vehicle-thefts-and-fire-in-east-vancouver
BCFeb 13, 2026

Man arrested after alleged vehicle thefts and fire in East Vancouver

Vancouver Police say a 41-year-old man is in custody following a series of incidents in East Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon that involved a stolen motorcycle, a damaged work truck, and a small vehicle fire. According to investigators, the sequence began shortly before 1:50 p.m. on February 12, when a motorcycle was reported stolen near Main Street and Industrial Avenue. About an hour later, the motorcycle was found abandoned near Mountain View Cemetery, in the area of Fraser Street and East 41st Avenue. Police allege the suspect then entered a work truck parked inside the cemetery grounds, d
BCFeb 13, 2026

Coordinated Police Operation on Vancouver Island Targets Gang-Linked Drug Networks

A four-day coordinated enforcement operation on Vancouver Island has led to multiple arrests, drug seizures and the removal of weapons, as police agencies worked together to disrupt organized crime activity in the region. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia conducted the deployment from January 29 to February 1, partnering with West Shore RCMP, Saanich Police Department and Victoria Police Department. The initiative focused on gang-related activity and intelligence-led enforcement aimed at reducing the availability of illegal drugs and preventing violence. During t
ed-officer-transferred-after-summons-issued-to-former-punjab-cm-amarinder-singh-son
IndiaFeb 13, 2026

ED officer transferred after summons issued to former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, son

A senior Enforcement Directorate officer posted in Punjab has been transferred days after summons were issued to former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and his son Raninder Singh in connection with an ongoing investigation. Official sources confirmed that Additional Director Ravi Tiwari has been reassigned to Chennai as part of an administrative transfer. The move has drawn attention in political circles, where it is being viewed in the context of the recent summons sent to the former chief minister and his son. The Enforcement Directorate had asked Raninder Singh to appear on Fe
alberta-premier-says-she-has-not-signed-separation-petition-as-referendum-effort-continues
AlbertaFeb 13, 2026

Alberta premier says she has not signed separation petition as referendum effort continues

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has not signed any citizen petitions currently circulating in the province, including one calling for a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada. Speaking alongside Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, Smith said the citizen initiative process is designed for members of the public and not elected officials. She added that her government is monitoring several petition efforts underway but is not directly participating in them. A group advocating for Alberta to become an independent country is working to gather the required signatures to trigger a
bangladesh-nationalist-party-secures-majority-in-general-election-regional-leaders-extend-congratulations
WorldFeb 13, 2026

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secures majority in general election, regional leaders extend congratulations

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has won a clear majority in Bangladesh’s general election, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape after nearly two decades. According to preliminary results, the BNP-led alliance secured 212 of the 299 parliamentary seats contested nationwide. An 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami won 77 seats, positioning it as the main opposition bloc in the new parliament. The outcome paves the way for BNP president Tarique Rahman to assume the office of prime minister. Rahman contested from two constituencies and was declared elected in b

Related News