Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has once again affirmed his government’s pledge to help fund charities and non-profit organizations hit financially by the coronavirus crisis.

During his daily pandemic update on Tuesday, Trudeau says a $350 million Emergency Community Support program is being set up.

“A portion of these funds will go directly to smaller, independent frontline organizations, and the rest will flow through national organizations like the United Way, Community Foundations Canada and the Red Cross that can get funds to local organizations and vulnerable people quickly,” states Trudeau.

Improvements are being made to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy where employers can get funds to top up employee wages.

Trudeau says the subsidy allows businesses to keep people on the payroll.

“We’re launching a new calculator on the Canada Revenue Agency website so businesses can determine the amount they can expect to claim through the wage subsidy program,” explains Trudeau.

“Employers will be able to apply as of this Monday, April 27.”

Trudeau also extended condolences to the families of the victims of this past weekend’s shootings in Nova Scotia.

He has asked if new gun control legislation will be introduced in the restricted version of parliament after the incident left 19 dead, including the gunman.

(CJGX)