COVID-19 Update for May 8, 2020 – 12:10pm

At his media briefing today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will be extended beyond June. He also commented on the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey released this morning, which reported two million jobs lost in April – bringing the total jobs lost in Canada since the COVID-19 shutdown to three million. Trudeau noted that the numbers confirm what was already apparent, and that his government will continue to focus on programs to provide aid to those out of work.

CEWS Extended

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will be extended beyond June, with more details to be announced next week. Trudeau said that “Canadians want to work” and urged employers to use the subsidy to keep employees on the payroll or re-hire them.

Industry Strategy Council

The Prime Minister also announced that Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Navdeep Bains will be leading a new Industry Strategy Council, which will “will take a deeper dive into how the pandemic is affecting specific sectors and how to best support them.” More details are expected in the near future.

Details Coming on Art, Culture and Amateur Athlete Aid

Trudeau teed-up Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault to provide more details today about how the government’s $500 million package to support art, culture and amateur sports is being rolled out. The Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations was announced in April and is being administered by Canadian Heritage and its partners.


We hope you are finding these COVID-19 updates useful. In addition to trying to keep on top of the fast-changing situation, Enterprise is also working to support local charities during these challenging times. If you are able, your contributions to this effort would be deeply appreciated.

To donate, please click on the organization below:

Many thanks.

Stay safe. Stay healthy.

The Enterprise Team

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