Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is touting the benefits of an expanded financial package to help Canadians cope with the impact of COVID-19 — while warning them about a “text scam” that’s trying to exploit the government program.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is touting the benefits of an expanded financial package to help Canadians cope with the impact of COVID-19 — while warning them about a “text scam” that’s trying to exploit the government program.
Holding a news conference at his residence at Rideau Cottage this morning, Trudeau said some people are preying on the vulnerable during the pandemic.
“I’m sorry to say, there appears to be a text scam going around on the new emergency response benefit,” he said. “I want to remind everyone that the government’s website is the best place to find reliable information on everything we’re doing.”
On Wednesday, the federal government announced it had streamlined and expanded the COVID-19 emergency benefits program and said Canadians struggling financially could expect payments within weeks.
The application process is scheduled to open in early April, with individual income support payments amounting to about $2,000 a month expected to flow about 10 days later. The benefits will be available for four months.
The demand is expected to be significant, as nearly a million people filed claims for Employment Insurance in the last week due to business closures amid the global pandemic.
During a news conference Thursday, Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough said Canadians can be assured the sys