By Chris Brown

Update from the PM

Eligibility for CEBA expands today

Jun 26, 2020 | 9:32 AM

At a craft brewery in Ontario, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reminded Canadians about the government’s recent expansion to the Canada Emergency Business Account, specifically mentioning farmers as one group included in the expansion

“As of today, this expanded CEBA will be available through the major banks,” said Trudeau, adding the government is working with other lenders such as credit unions.

The CEBA is to help small businesses get a loan to bridge to better times, Trudeau said.

It provides interest-free, partially forgivable loans of up to $40,000 and is intended to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trudeau said the government is working to find ways to support Royal Canadian Legions and other service organizations across the country that function largely on a volunteer basis and get revenues from renting out their halls.

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They are going through a difficult time, he said.

“We know that, we hear that and we are working with the minister of veterans’ affairs and other officials to try and ensure that we are supporting these organizations that are so important not just to veterans but to the communities as well.

Trudeau also praised the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have been helping to stabilize the situation in long-term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec.

And the prime minister had a message for those who in most years might have been attending Pride festivities this weekend.

He said such celebrations are a chance to take stock of how far we’ve come as a society and how far we still have to go to ensure greater rights, protection and inclusion for all LGBTQ2 people.

“And to the kids out there who are worried about not being accepted for who you are, I want you to know that we’re here for you, we support you and we will always stand by you,” he said.

As of Friday morning, Canada had 102,622 confirmed cases and 8,504 deaths. There have been 65,425 recovered cases in Canada and 2,558,363 Canadians tested.

In Alberta, there are 7,851 cases and 154 deaths. A total of 415,716 tests have been completed in Alberta. There are 506 active cases in Alberta.