CERB extended

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday that eligibility for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which was launched to help Canadians make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended by 8 weeks.

CERB’s 16 week period was set to expire in the first week of July, for millions who applied when it was first introduced.

“So, if you’ve been getting the CERB and you still can’t work because you are unable to find a job or it’s just not possible, you will keep getting that $2,000 a month,” said Trudeau during his daily COVID-19 update.

The extension doesn’t come with further restrictions, but applicants will be asked to sign an attestation that they are looking for work.

“We’re still looking at ways of moving forward to encourage people to look for work and to make sure they are taking jobs that become available,” said Trudeau.

“But the reality is there are 3 million people out of work who are looking for work and even as our economy is reopening there are many many many more people out of work and willing to work than there are jobs available.”