The Safe Restart Agreement will offer $19 billion from the Federal government to help address 7 key priorities to support the reopening of Canada’s economy over the next six to eight months and to create resiliency for possible future waves of the virus. These funds will support measures to:

• enhance capacity for testing, contact tracing, data management and information sharing to mitigate future outbreaks
• invest in health care to respond to the pandemic, including support for Canadians experiencing challenges with substance use, mental health, or homelessness.
• support vulnerable Canadians – including those in long-term care, home care, and palliative care – who are at risk of more severe cases of COVID-19.
• secure a reliable source of personal protective equipment, and to recover some of the costs from previous investments made by provincial and territorial governments
• support to ensure that safe and sufficient child care spaces are available to support parents’ gradual return to work.
• joint funding with the provinces and territories to support municipalities on the front lines of restarting the economy, including by putting in place precautions for public spaces and essential services to reduce the spread of the virus, as well as a dedicated stream of funding for public transit
• a temporary income support program that will provide workers who do not have paid sick leave with access to 10 days of paid sick leave related to COVID-19

To access the funding, each province and territory will need to outline how they will invest these funds.

Quote

“This is a great example of a non-partisan agreement that directly supports the residents of Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury and Canadians across the country. I commend our government for their leadership in delivering resources and funding to those in need since the beginning of this pandemic and now with the Safe Restart Agreement. This will offer stability to regions well into the next phases of COVID-19. Looking forward to working with local businesses, residents, stakeholders and municipal governments in order to advocate for their priorities and how the Safe Restart Agreement can support them. Thank you to all who continue to follow best practices outlined by public health officials to keep everyone safe and to ensure we can continue to keep pace with the reopening our local economy.” – Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt

Quick Facts

• New federal investments for the safe restart of our economy are in addition to previous funding provided to provinces and territories and Canadians, as we deal with the impacts of COVID-19. This includes:
  • The Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which has helped more than 8 million Canadians pay their bills and put food on the table during the pandemic.
  • The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, which has kept about 3 million Canadians on the payroll.
  • $500 million to the provinces and territories for critical health care system needs and support for mitigation efforts, including access to testing, acquisition of equipment, and enhanced surveillance and monitoring.
  • Over $129 million to address health, economic, and transportation needs in the North.
  • Support to implement the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses, which has helped over 29,000 small businesses lower rent by 75 per cent.
  • Up to $3 billion to help provinces and territories increase wages of low-income essential workers.
  • Investments in AgriRecovery and AgriStability programs to support farmers and producers.

Related Product

• Priorities to safely restart Canada’s economy

Associated Links

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Prime Minister releases joint statement by First Ministers for restarting the economy

Contact
Kaylie Dudgeon
Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré MP Nickel Belt
705-897-2222
[email protected]