Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a three-month extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Friday.
Under the program, the federal government is currently picking up the tab for 75 per cent of an eligible company's payroll, up to a maximum of $847 per week per employee.
Trudeau says the federal government will be working with business stakeholders and workers over the next month in order to assess the wage subsidy program for potential adjustments, including modifications to the elgibility threshold for businesses.
The $73-billion wage subsidy program was initially slated to run until June 6.
Trudeau also announced $450 million in financial aid for researchers and research institutions Friday in an effort to provide temporary wage support for researchers.
Although the federal government is asking Canadians to file tax returns by the June 1 deadline, the prime minister says those receiving the Canadian Child Benefit and GST/HST benefits will continue to receive those benefits until September if the tax return deadline is missed.
In provincial news, Ontario reported 428 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, but the province's health minister Christine Elliott says the uptick in cases is due to a glitch in the uploading of data.
Doctors say people at high risk of serious symptoms may be better off isolating until vaccines or treatments become available.
In local news, Algoma Public Health confirmed the 17th new case of COVID-19 in the Algoma District, marking the 13th positive case in the Sault Ste. Marie area.
SooToday's Darren Taylor talks with local school board directors about the possibility of education workers answering a call from Ontario to voluntarily redeploy to assist the healthcare sector in the fight against COVID-19.
Sault Ste. Marie native and Detroit Red Wings equipment manager Paul Boyer had a role in helping the Red Wings and General Motors produce personal protective equipment.
SooToday also spoke to nurses working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 crisis in honour of National Nursing Week in Canada.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health:
- 5,621 tested
- 17 positive
- 5,261 negative
- 343 pending
- 0 deceased
- 13 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 13 in Sault Ste. Marie and area, with evidence of community spread
- 1 in central and east Algoma
- 3 in Elliot Lake and area ***
- 0 in north Algoma
Algoma Public Health states, “these numbers now include testing that was completed at long-term care homes (LTCH) in the Algoma district as part of the province’s one-time surveillance testing initiative. Staff and residents of all Algoma LTCHs have completed one-time surveillance testing.”
*** Three positive cases in Elliot Lake and area have been confirmed by Elliot Lake Family Health Team
Click here for a SooToday list of what's still open in the Sault.
