Monday April 6, 2020 ~ NATIONAL
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
“Canadians need help now. Send direct assistance to everyone,” says NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh as the federal government’s constantly changing array of supports for individuals and businesses becomes more complicated by the day.
“Today, on the first day that Canadians can finally apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the Prime Minister has admitted that it doesn’t go far enough and leaves people behind,” says Singh.
Singh pointed out that a direct payment to everyone across the country would make sure that no one falls through the cracks. As New Democrats have been saying for weeks, direct payment of $2,000 – with an additional $250 per child – to everyone in Canada would make sure that people who have been left behind by the government’s announcements can get the help they need.
“People are telling us they need help now. They’re worried they’re not going to qualify for the government’s program and that if they do, they’re worried they’ll have to wait too long to get the money they need to pay their bills in time,” said Singh. “Let’s help people right away. Not in a few weeks or next month. The government should send direct assistance to everyone now.”
It’s unfortunate — but perhaps not surprising — that the federal government is not responding effectively or appropriately to the needs of a wide range of Canadians. Although it’s been stated often enough, most Canadians are one month or one paycheque away from not being able to make ends meet, and many carry very high levels of consumer debt (not from spending on wild extravagances but from plugging the holes in income when necessary expenditures come up).
In that light, it’s good that the NDP is explaining this, but astonishing that it needs to be articulated: “Rent was due last week, and many people throughout the country had to make the devastating decision between paying for rent or paying for food.”
The NDP state in a release that according to reports, one-third of people who need help will not qualify for the government’s program. Instead of coming up with new announcements to patch up the holes in their current plan, Singh argues the government should finally follow the lead of other countries and move forward with direct assistance for everyone.
“From physiotherapists to students and artists to people making less than $2000 per month, NDP offices have been flooded with people sharing their concerns about how they’ll make ends meet, while the government leaves them behind,” says the NDP statement.
“To get through this crisis, Canadians need money to pay their bills, a job to go back to, and a safe place to live. It is up to us to make sure people get the help they need to get through this,” added Singh. “New Democrats will continue to work to get help to everyone who needs it. We’re all in this together.”