Charities and non-profits get $350 million; wage subsidy applications start April 27

Apr 21, 2020 | 9:09 AM

The federal government is providing funding to help charities and community organizations deal with an increase in demand due to COVID-19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a 350 million dollar Emergency Community Support Fund which will flow mostly through national groups like the United Way, Community Foundations Canada, and the Red Cross to get funds into communities.

Smaller, independent organizations will also get a portion of the funds.

The money will be used for things like training volunteers, increasing at-home deliveries for seniors, and driving people with disabilities to appointments.

“With this fund, we’re giving more resources to charities and non profits so they can adapt to the new realities and difficulties brought on by this pandemic,” stated Trudeau.

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The PM also announced companies will be able to start applying for the wage subsidy program on Monday April 27, but he wasn’t able to say how long it might take for businesses to actually get the funds.

Employers will able to get up to 847 dollars a week per employee to allow them to keep workers on the payroll.

A calculator has been launched on the Canada Revenue Agency website to allow businesses to determine exactly what the wage subsidy will cover.

Trudeau said after spending the last six weeks at home, washing their hands and practicing social distancing, the efforts of Canadians are “bearing fruit” and “we’re moving in the right direction.”

“This is, in large part, thanks to you, so let’s all continue to follow the experts advice and we will get there,” concluded Trudeau.

by Pete McIntyre

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