The move will likely ensure ongoing NDP support for the government.
With Canada’s economy slowly re-opening but many Canadians still out of work, PM Justin Trudeau is extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
The CERB will be extended by 8 weeks, giving Canadians a possible $4,000 in additional benefits.
The program – currently at about $60 billion – will be expanded by tens of billions more.
Extending the CERB has been seen as a condition for ongoing NDP support of the Liberals, even as the NDP voted to shut Parliament over the summer. Now, it is likely that the NDP will be supporting the Liberals going forward.
Meanwhile, this puts the Conservatives in a tough position.
The Conservatives have been raising concerns about the immense budget deficit, but the CERB is a very popular program, and the Conservatives – already trailing in the polls – risk losing even more support if they are seen as opposing it.
Also, if the Liberals continue extending the CERB, they could conceivably be doing so even during a possible fall election, a point noted by Alex Brown of the National Citizens Coalition:
“Consider this: It’s entirely possible that Trudeau, already one of the great ethically-bankrupt political operators in history, will still be paying Canadian voters $2000 a month to #stayinsideforever DURING a fall election call.
You’d almost have to tip your cap if he does.”
Consider this: It’s entirely possible that Trudeau, already one of the great ethically-bankrupt political operators in history, will still be paying Canadian voters $2000 a month to #stayinsideforever DURING a fall election call.
You’d almost have to tip your cap if he does. https://t.co/jskhVcd9NF
— Alex Brown (@alexbrown17) June 16, 2020
Spencer Fernando
Photo – YouTube
