Tuesday, December 30, 2025
ADVT 
National

Groups seek specific COVID help in throne speech

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Sep, 2020 06:37 PM
  • Groups seek specific COVID help in throne speech

The head of a group that represents small businesses countrywide says he's hoping tomorrow's throne speech throws a lifeline to some of his members who are barely hanging on.

Dan Kelly of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says he's hoping the government focuses its throne speech tomorrow on navigating the pandemic.

Non-essential businesses were forced to close during lockdowns earlier this year to slow the spread of COVID-19, but have reopened since as restrictions have eased.

Kelly says it could be years before thousands of small businesses in the country have revenues equal to what they made before the pandemic.

His group is hoping to see a rejigging of commercial rent assistance that has fallen short of expectations, among other aid to businesses.

The speech is expected to lay out promises on child care and health care as part of the Liberal government's short-term and long-term vision for the country.

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada

Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada
Federal scientists are predicting a higher than average wildfire hazard for almost the entire country this summer. Their annual forecast says the risk will be highest in early summer in Western Canada.

Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada

Americans trust Canadians more than they trust themselves, poll suggests

Americans trust Canadians more than they trust themselves, poll suggests
A new online poll suggests COVID-19 has damaged the trust Canadians have in their American neighbours, while U.S. residents have more faith in their northern counterparts than they do in themselves. The poll from Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies finds only 34 per cent of respondents expressed trust in Americans, compared with 58 per cent from a similar survey in November of last year.    

Americans trust Canadians more than they trust themselves, poll suggests

PM deflects questions about military's delayed confirmation of helicopter crash

PM deflects questions about military's delayed confirmation of helicopter crash
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau deflected questions Tuesday about why it took more than 12 hours for the Canadian Armed Forces to confirm a military helicopter had crashed and when he found out that horrified crew members on board a Halifax-class frigate had watched it go down.

PM deflects questions about military's delayed confirmation of helicopter crash

Scientists concerned focus on COVID-19 disrupting regular health research funds

Scientists concerned focus on COVID-19 disrupting regular health research funds
Canada's health research granting agency has postponed its usual funding competition due to COVID-19, sparking concern the lack of money could disrupt regular health research. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research put off its regular $275 million competition this spring to focus on delivering federal grants related to the novel coronavirus.

Scientists concerned focus on COVID-19 disrupting regular health research funds

Qualtrough tells MPs Moms-to-be to get CERB Friday, Liberals say

Qualtrough tells MPs Moms-to-be to get CERB Friday, Liberals say
Expecting mothers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 in March, and have since been unable to access emergency federal aid, will receive a key benefit once a fix comes into effect on Friday. Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough told MPs in an email today that changes to the system would be in place May 8 so some pregnant women can finally receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

Qualtrough tells MPs Moms-to-be to get CERB Friday, Liberals say

Canada's COVID-19 death toll passes 4,000; feds announce help for farmers

Canada's COVID-19 death toll passes 4,000; feds announce help for farmers
The number of people in Canada killed by COVID-19 passed the 4,000 mark on Tuesday, as provinces eased anti-pandemic restrictions and the government announced new aid for farmers. The grim fatality milestone came as the country's two largest provinces each reported a jump in novel coronavirus-related deaths, although the overall increase in new cases was relatively modest. 

Canada's COVID-19 death toll passes 4,000; feds announce help for farmers