Since the pandemic started in Canada, the federal government has handed out more than $289 billion in Covid-support to Canadians who were affected by the lockdowns and restrictions. There were also income support programs for employers as well as rent subsidies to help affected businesses impacted. 

Now the federal government is pivoting to two new, more targeted programs to get Canada across the pandemic finish line. Will it be enough? 

The previous support programs are being replaced by two new programs, the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program which applies to those sectors hit by health restrictions. The other, Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, for those businesses that can show a 50% decline in revenue from the beginning of the pandemic. The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit would come into effect if lockdowns return. 

Our Unpublished.vote question asks: 

Should the federal government wind down the Canada Recovery Benefit?

Our audience responded: 

Yes = 76%No = 21.8%Unsure= 2.2%

However, you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—I would like to remind you that you can “cast your vote” on this topic at Unpublished.vote, and then email your MP to tell them why.

Guests: 

James Rilett, VP Restaurants Canada | Twitter: @RestaurantsONMBDavid Macdonald, Sr. Economist CCPA |Twitter: @DavidMacCdnRyan Mallough, Sr. Dir Prov. Affairs Ontario CFIB | Twitter: @R_MalloughMikal Skuterud, Professor Dept. of Economics at the University of Waterloo | Twitter: @mikalskuterud