Students latest beneficiary of Canada’s COVID-19 help

 

High school students leave Beal Secondary School in London, Ontario on March 13, 2020 on their last day of classes before a break imposed by the Ontario government to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Geoff Robins / AFP

By Thomas I. Likness
EBC Edmonton Bureau

EDMONTON (Eagle News) — The latest group of people to receive help from the Canadian government is postsecondary students.

Prime Minister Trudeau broke open the government piggy bank and pulled out $9 billion dollars to support students across the country.

The government says it will provide money directly to students through the Canada Emergency Student Benefit. As well Trudeau says the government will create new student jobs and double student grants.

“COVID-19 has meant that there aren’t as many jobs out there for students,” said Trudeau. “And without a job it can be hard to pay for tuition or the day-to-day basics.”

The student benefit will give students immediate help, said Trudeau.

“With this benefit, you will get $1,250 a month from May to August,” Trudeau explained. “And if you take care of someone else or have a disability, that amount will go up to $1,750 each month.”

The benefit is available to current postsecondary students, those planning to go to college or university this fall and those who graduated in December 2019.

(Eagle News Service)