Trudeau gives updates on emergency funding for Canadians

Justin Trudeau addressed media again today from Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.

Trudeau started by wishing everyone a happy Sikh heritage month, commending the active Sikh community's actions in city's like Regina and Mississauga.

Trudeau discussed his government's three point economic plan to protect jobs and help people laid off and support businesses, first noting the 75 percent Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. (CEWS)

"[The CEWS] includes everything from bars and restaurants, to charities and restaraunts," Trudeau clarified after criticism from Calgary-Nosehill MP Michelle Rempel about the potential for businesses with liquor licenses to be excluded from the fund.

Regarding the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB), Trudeau clarified that those who are eligible for the wage subsidy from their employer are not eligible for the CERB. Applications can be completed online after April 6, with payments to be sent out in 3-5 days.

Those who have already applied for EI do not need to fill out any additional forms, he said.

Those who receive the benefits will be responsible for attesting that they are still not receiving pay cheques.

"I can assure you that everyone will get their money," he said.

Trudeau then reminded Canadians to stay at home whenever possible.

When asked why a production act wasn't implemented in Canada, he noted that Canadian companies' responses have been "overwhelming" and that forcing companies wasn't necessary due to Canadian companies "stepping up."

Trudeau also clarified that the US has no intention of putting troops at the US-Canada border, a proposition which was pitched earlier this month by the Americans.

When asked why the national emergency stockpile wasn't sufficient for the current pandemic, Trudeau said he "recognized the challenges" that front-line healthcare workers were facing.

"Countries around the world are trying to get more of these supplies, we are expecting to see more shipments coming in very shortly that will help in Canada... And we are also working on tooling up our own production... We are doing everything we can to meet the very real and pressing needs we have across this country... We need our healthcare systems and workers to have the protection they need as they keep the rest of us safe."