Hello everyone.

From coast to coast to coast, there are Canadians working long hours to keep each other safe and keep our country moving. 

But for everyone putting in an extra shift right now – there’s someone else who wants to work but can’t. Maybe you’ve been laid off because of the pandemic. Maybe you still have a job, but aren’t sure if your employer is going to keep you around next month.

Whatever your situation may be, we’re in your corner.

Earlier this month, we introduced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to help protect your job, or help you get back to work.

And as of this morning, applications for this program have opened.

Employers can now submit a claim for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy through the Canada Revenue Agency.

To access the 75% wage subsidy for your employees, go online through Canada.ca to reach this portal.

Whether you’re a charity that employs 200 people, or a fast-growing start-up that employs just 20 – you will be eligible to up to $847 per week per employee.

And you can expect to see this money soon.

The CRA has partnered with financial institutions, so make sure you register for direct deposit to get your money quickly.

The first payments should begin to arrive on May the 7^th.

For organizations like Focus on Nature, who sent me a letter last week, that’s huge.

Because of COVID-19, this charity from Guelph would have been forced to lay off all of their staff.

But thanks to the wage subsidy, they can now keep their employees on the payroll, and keep teaching kids about nature.

And there are so many more stories just like this one.

There have been over 300,000 views of the online calculator we launched last week to help businesses prepare a claim.

And since the portal opened at 6 a.m. this morning, almost 10,000 businesses have already applied for it.

That gives you a sense of just how many people this program will help.

Right across the country, it’s going to keep businesses and workers connected.

And that gives people certainty that they’ll have a job now, and in the months to come, to support themselves and their family and it means employers will not just have the help to stay afloat through the tough time, but they’ll be ready to gear back up when things get better.

We all know a local salon or a gym that’s had to close, a neighbourhood restaurant or shop that’s really struggling.

And more importantly, we all know people who work there.

They deserve a hand to get through this.

And that’s what the wage subsidy is for.

As of this morning, employers can submit an application online to receive the Emergency Wage Subsidy through the Canada Revenue Agency website.

You will find the online portal on the Canada.ca site, where you can claim this 75% subsidy.

Whether you’re a charity that employs 200 people, or a start-up that employs 20, you could receive up to $847 per week per employee. And this is money you’ll receive quickly.

The Canada Revenue Agency has worked with the financial institutions to ensure that you can receive your payments quickly if you sign up for direct deposit, with the first payments starting on  May 7.

As of six o’clock this morning, nearly 10,000 businesses had already applied.  

The subsidy is going to help a lot of people keep their jobs during this crisis.

And it will also help employers get back up and running quickly once the crisis is over.

We all have a hair salon or gym close by that’s had to shut down, a local restaurant or small shop that’s struggling.

And most importantly, we all know people who work in those places.

They deserve a hand to get through this.

And that’s what the wage subsidy is for.

But, of course, a single program can’t help everyone.

If your employer can’t rehire you, if you're a seasonal worker, if you can't find a job right now - we'll help you.

You’ve probably already received your first monthly cheque for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

If you need it for the upcoming month, you just need to go online and confirm that you’re still eligible.

But remember, you can’t keep the wage subsidy and the emergency benefit.

It’s one or the other. Not both.

As for students, we’re working with the other parties on a bill that will allow us to implement the measures we’ve developed for you.

We’ll continue this work in Parliament.

Our first virtual sitting will be tomorrow, and there will be an in-person sitting on Wednesday.

At the same time, we’re also giving the provinces and territories funding to increase the wages of essential workers.

They’re doing an incredible job and they deserve to be paid properly.

People are facing different challenges right now, and no single program can reach everyone.

So we’re coming at this from every angle.

If your employer can’t hire you back, if you’re a seasonal worker, if you can’t find a job right now – the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is there for you.

You’ve probably already received your first cheque.

And if you need the help again for the coming month, go online and re-confirm that you’re still eligible.

I want to remind everyone – you won’t be able to keep both the wage subsidy and the CERB.

It’s one or the other, not both.

If you’re a student, there’s support for you, too.

Right now, we’re working with the other parties on legislation to get this help flowing.

Parliament will have its first virtual sitting tomorrow, and an in-person sitting on Wednesday.

And if you’re an essential worker, you deserve to be paid properly for your incredible work.

Our government is doing its part to make that happen.

Ontario came out with their plan over the weekend, and we’re working with them to provide the support they need to deliver results.

And we’re currently in discussion with all the other provinces and territories to get their plans for essential workers in place.

I’ll have more updates for across the country in the coming days.

As I said Saturday, we’re also collaborating on shared guidelines for re-opening the economy, once the time comes.

Different provinces and territories will be able to move at a different pace.

But we need clear, coordinated efforts from coast to coast to coast.

And no matter where you live, you need to continue following the recommendations from public health officials that will keep everyone safe.

As I said, we’re also working with the provinces and territories on gradually reopening the economy.

Each province and territory has its own unique realities, but we have to keep working together to ensure the safety of all Canadians.  

We’re all anxious to get back to a normal life.

But we have to do it properly. Otherwise we run the risk of reversing all the progress we’ve made so far.

So you know what to do.

Stay at home.

Keep washing your hands frequently.  

And if you have to go out, stay two metres apart.  

Every day, we get closer to the time when we can put all of this behind us.

We get closer to the time when we can all celebrate together. But we’re not there yet.

Let’s persevere together, my friends.

Thank you.