Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program, meant to subsidize wages in companies hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic until December.

He says the extension of the program – which covers 75 per cent of an employee’s wages at eligible companies and non-profits up to a weekly maximum of $847 – will lead to ‘greater certainty and support to businesses.’

The program is the heart of the government’s promise to help Canadians get back to work, even if has to be at a slower pace, as the pandemic drags on.

As of last Monday, the program has paid out $18.01 billion in payroll help to 252,370 companies. The government’s fiscal ‘snapshot’ last week boosted the budget of the program to $82.3 billion.

No word yet today from Trudeau on if and how the government will reshape the rules for the program after critics have called it a barrier to receiving the aid.

WE Charity Controversy

Trudeau also says he’s very sorry he did not recuse himself from the government’s decision to award a contract to ‘WE’ to manage a major student-volunteering program.

“I made a mistake in not recusing myself from this decision. I sincerely apologize,” Trudeau said this morning, noting that gover

The charity has since withdrawn itself from managing Canada Student Service Grant.

Trudeau says he should have stayed out of the discussions given his family’s longtime involvement with the WE organization. He adds he’s particularly sorry that the delay will harm students looking for ways to help in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Conservatives are calling for both the RCMP and the House of Commons Ethics Committee to investigate.