Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday that the previously promised COVID-19 seniors aid will be arriving in July, while suggesting that new coronavirus modelling data shows improvement.
During a routine press conference outside of Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Trudeau said the special one-time payment for seniors will be going out the week of July 6.
The COVID-19-related aid will come in the form of $300 payments to anyone who receives the old-age security (OAS) benefits and $200 for any seniors who receive the guaranteed income supplement (GIS).
“If you are one of the 2.2 million elders receiving both OAS and GIS, you’ll get an additional $500 to help you with everyday expenses,” said Trudeau.
Seniors who already receive benefits won’t have to apply for the special payment.
Eligible seniors who are currently living in Canada can expect to receive payment by direct deposits or cheques that week, said Trudeau. Anyone living outside the country should expect delays if they receive cheques in the mail given international postal disruptions.
“This COVID crisis is tough on seniors and that’s why these additional funds will make a difference,” Trudeau adds.
The parliamentary budget officer has estimated the overall cost of the measure at almost $2.5 billion this fiscal year.
Prime Minister Trudeau also referenced new federal modelling data during his June 4 press conference, pointing out that it shows that COVID-19 is in decline across Canada.
The prime minister added, however, that despite a decline, the country is not out of the woods just yet.
He said the continuing threat means that as more people start working out in public, adhering to physical distancing measures and wearing masks remains very important.
Trudeau also suggested that the country will have to do better at testing and tracing contacts of people who contract the novel coronavirus to stamp out flare-ups.
Graham Cox
