OTTAWA – In order to help those affected by the measures imposed to cope with the spread of the Covid-19 variant Omicron, the federal government has temporarily expanded eligibility for two economic aid programs. This was announced today by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “We will be there for the most affected regions, for specific sectors such as art and culture, hospitality and tourism – said Trudeau during a virtual press conference – we will be present to protect you and your families”. 

Last week Parliament approved the new Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB), a program that grants $300 a week to anyone who cannot work due to a lockdown caused by Covid-19.

The law also includes targeted aid for businesses that have been ordered to close as part of a local lockdown. The government website states that the “easiest way” to apply for the CWLB is online, via “CRA My Account”.

The government has called a lockdown when a health authority orders the closure of non-essential businesses and non-essential workers to stay at home.

As a result, since no part of the country was officially in lockdown, these benefits remained out of people’s reach even as companies closed their doors and workers were sent home. “We announce our decision to temporarily expand the definition of lockdown so that these wage and rent support programs can support workers and businesses that see capacity limited by 50% or more,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said during the briefing.

The temporary policy will be retroactive to December 19 and will remain in effect until February 12.

Trudeau’s announcement came after provinces across the country hit bars, restaurants and other workplaces with new restrictions — but no lockdowns — to try to contain the spread of the Omicron variant. Last Thursday, there were more than 43,000 active cases of Covid-19 across Canada, just six days later, infections rose to more than 72,000.

Provinces have put in place a number of new restrictions in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron strain. On Friday, Ontario imposed a 50 percent capacity limit on bars and restaurants, as well as a new 10-person limit for indoor social gatherings, among a number of other new measures. Then, on Monday, Quebec announced the closure of bars, cinemas, concert halls and gyms. On Tuesday, British Columbia followed suit, closing its bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centers and dance schools across the province. “These federal support measures will ensure that provinces and public health authorities across the country can continue to make the right difficult decisions they need to make to save lives,” said Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

However, Freeland made it clear that these funds must be used to support employees and businesses to stay afloat, not to fill the pockets of executives and investors.