Canadian Government Announces New Support Measures for Students and Recent Graduates Affected by COVID-19

On April 22, 2020, Prime Minister Trudeau announced new proposed measures intended to assist post-secondary students, including continuing students facing challenges in securing summer employment and recent graduates entering the job market.

The announced measures for this summer include:

• A proposed Canada Emergency Student Benefit, which would provide eligible students with $1,250 per month, and eligible students with dependents or disabilities with $1,750 per month. The Prime Minister also indicated that it is intended that students with earnings below $1,000 per month would remain eligible for this new benefit.
• The Canada Student Service Grant which will provide students volunteering in their communities in national service related to COVID-19 up to $5,000 for their education in the fall.
• Expansions to existing federal employment, skills development, and youth programming to create jobs and training opportunities.

Further planned assistance for students in the fall was announced as well, and the government has stated it will include increased Canada Student Grants, broadened eligibility for student financial assistance, increased weekly maximum amounts under the Canada Student Loans Program, increased distinctions-based support for First Nations, Inuit and Metis students, and extensions to expiring federal research scholarships.

Please check back for further updates as legislation is created in furtherance of this announcement.

For more information on this article, please contact Ilan Burkes, Sari Wiens, Nicole Toye or Jessica Fairbairn.

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