Feds to cover ‘top ups’ for essential workers on minimum wage
Posted May 7, 2020 8:14 am.
Last Updated May 7, 2020 10:08 am.
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will send the provinces and territories $4 billion to increase the wages of essential workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.
He says the details are still to be finalized with some provinces, which will be expected to add their own money to the program as well.
“Three quarters from the federal government, one quarter from the provincial government, on helping those workers right across the country,” Trudeau said on Thursday. “If you’re risking your health to keep this country moving and you’re making minimum wage, you deserve a raise.”
The Prime Minister says the federal government has reached a deal with all provinces for a wage top up for essential workers. Says we're relying on these workers now more than ever, and we will be there to support them #cdnpoli #COVID19
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) May 7, 2020
He said the goal is to encourage these critical workers to stay on the job, despite the risks they may face.
“We’re relying on these workers now more than ever, and we will be there to support them,” he added.
While the prime minister highlighted the work of frontline health care workers, especially those at long term care facilities who earn less than $2,500 a month, Trudeau added the premiers will make the final call on which workers count as “essential” and will get a top-up, and how the money will be spent.
No definition of who an essential worker is was provided.
Trudeau says the details of who deserves this wage top up and how they receive it, will be determined by the provinces. #cdnpoli #COVID19
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) May 7, 2020
Meanwhile, after receiving requests from provincial governments, Federal Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said that as of Thursday, 1,020 members of the military have been deployed to 20 long term care facilities in Quebec, with another 300 coming in the next week. There are 265 members of the Armed Forces at five long term care facilities in Ontario.
Outbreaks at long term care homes have made up 60 per cent of the deaths during the coronavirus pandemic.