Dear friends,
Let me begin by wishing you all a very happy International Women’s Day! Today, we celebrate the leadership of women in communities across Canada and commit ourselves to making gender equality a reality for all. This year’s IWD 2021 theme is a feminist response and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. To learn more about our government’s efforts on a feminist recovery, visit: https://bit.ly/38c2nJX.
Vaccines continue to be a top priority for our government. We share the urgency of Canadians for access to life-saving vaccines, and we are working around the clock to ensure deliveries are arriving in Canada. To date, we have distributed more than 2.9 million doses to provinces and territories, and hundreds of thousands of doses are arriving each week. As you’ll see in our updates below, with the exciting news of the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccine approvals, Canada will now receive 8 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines before the end of March!
Below you’ll find some recent updates of our government’s ongoing work.
Wishing you a safe week ahead.
Sincerely,
Terry Duguid
Member of Parliament
Winnipeg South
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UPDATES
Vaccine Procurement
With the recent announcement of Health Canada’s approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Janssen vaccine, Canada is now receiving more vaccines than originally announced. We are now on track to have 8 million Covid-19 vaccines available to Canadians by the end of March.
In addition to this, Pfizer is accelerating vaccine shipments, meaning that we will be receiving a cumulative total of 36.5 million doses by the end of June. This puts us well within our timeline to have enough vaccines for all Canadians by the end of September.
Extension of Wage and Rent Subsidies for Small Businesses and Organizations
Our government knows how hard small businesses and organizations are working to get by during the pandemic. To support them, we’re extending the current wage and rent subsidy amounts through to June.
The maximum wage subsidy rate for active employees will remain at 75% while the maximum rent subsidy rate will remain at 65%. Lockdown support will also be provided in addition to the rent subsidy program.
Further details on this announcement are available, here: https://bit.ly/2OrMsjB.
Launch of the Independent Net-Zero Advisory Body
As we take action on addressing climate change and growing a clean economy, we have committed to achieving net-zero emissions in Canada by 2050.
To help us deliver on this goal, Minister of Environment Jonathan Wilkinson has launched the Net Zero Advisory Body, an independent group of 14 experts from across Canada that will provide the federal government with advice on the best pathway to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Advisory Body will be engaging with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous Peoples, businesses, environmental groups and citizens to hear their thoughts on reaching net-zero.
Further details on this announcement available, here: https://bit.ly/3qbOuBK.
Supporting Workers in the Arts with $181.5 million in Federal Funding
The past year has been incredibly difficult for many Canadians who work in the arts sector. Across Canada, one out of four workers in the arts sector lost their job in 2020.
To support them, $181.5 million will be invested in 2021-2022 to provide work opportunities to artists and stabilize the sector. This funding will support the planning of Covid safe events in the arts and music sectors, support digital innovation and help organizations adapt their work so it can be shared with virtual audiences.
To learn more about this rollout of funding, visit: https://bit.ly/38a0Cgt.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
87 New Affordable Housing Units in Winnipeg
Last week, I joined Minister Ahmed Hussen, Mayor Brian Bowman and Edge Corp to announce our government’s investment of $22.5M for 87 affordable housing units in Winnipeg!
Another step forward in ensuring every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. For further info, visit: https://bit.ly/38br1dI.
Meeting with Canadian Nurses Association
I was pleased to speak with representatives from Manitoba and Saskatchewan involved with the Canadian Nurses Association. We discussed mental health support for nurses in our hospitals, support for long-term care as well as expanded, virtual healthcare in Manitoba.
Federal Funding for Market Lands project
Our government is investing $4 million towards the new Market Lands project, which will become a hub for three artist-run centres and multi-use spaces.
This funding will help transform what is now an empty space in the middle of the Exchange District to a beacon for Winnipeg’s artists and creators.
Read about this exciting new project, here: https://bit.ly/3uU4yvo.
Supporting Economic Development in Manitoba
Last week, I was able to meet with industry leaders from Northern Manitoba to discuss how a new Prairies Regional Development Agency can help spur economic growth in our region! Thanks to all who joined us for this important discussion.
Supporting local at St. Norbert Farmers Market
As the weather starts to warm up, the St. Norbert Farmers Market is a great option to pick up some locally sourced goods. My family loves shopping through the online market with drive-in pick up, available here: https://bit.ly/2O1orQK.
COVID-19 SUPPORT PROGRAMS
For Individuals
Canada Recovery Benefit provides income support to employed & self-employed individuals who have been impacted by Covid-19 and are not eligible for Employment Insurance. For eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the link, here.
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit provides income support to employed & self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to Covid-19. For eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the link here.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit provides income support employed & self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. For eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the link, here.
For Businesses, Charities and Non-profit Organizations
Canada Emergency Business Account provides eligible businesses with a $60,000 loan, with $20,000 being forgivable if repaid by December 31, 2022. For eligibility requirements and details on the CEBA, visit https://ceba-cuec.ca/ or call the CEBA Call Centre at 1-888-324-4201.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy provides eligible businesses and non-profit organizations with subsidies to cover part of their employees’ wages, retroactive to March 15, 2020. For further details on this program, visit the link, here.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy provides a direct rent and mortgage subsidy of up to 65% for qualifying businesses, charities and non-profits. An additional 25% in rent support is available for organizations that have been restricted by a mandatory public health order. For further details on the rent subsidy program, visit the link, here.
The Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program provides business heavily impacted by Covid-19 with access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. For further details on this program, visit the link, here.
LOCAL RESOURCES
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MORE INFORMATION
For all the latest news, please visit: canada.ca/coronavirus
