today to promote a federal wage subsidy program meant to help keep workers on the payroll during the pandemic crisis — but advocacy groups are pushing for changes to the program to help more businesses qualify as the economy reopens. Trudeau said the Biscotti & Cie restaurant, where today's event was held, was able to keep 75 workers employed with the assistance of the Canada emergency wage subsidy (CEWS). The government has been encouraging employers to apply for the wage subsidy program, which covers 75 per cent of an employee's pay, up to $847 a week. The government initially proposed a 10 per cent subsidy. Employers who already had laid off employees would have to pay them for four weeks before they could qualify for the wage subsidy.

Source: CBC News June 19, 2020 14:21 UTC