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Covid-19: Trudeau promises a million jobs to get out of the crisis

2020-09-23T22:37:57.112Z


The Canadian government of Justin Trudeau on Wednesday promised a series of measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic, as a second wave looms, as well as the creation of a million jobs to get out of the crisis. "Like a reed in high winds, we will be shaken, but we will not give in" , promised the minority government of Justin Trudeau by presenting at the opening of Parliament its post-pandemic pl


The Canadian government of Justin Trudeau on Wednesday promised a series of measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic, as a second wave looms, as well as the creation of a million jobs to get out of the crisis.

"Like a reed in high winds, we will be shaken, but we will not give in"

, promised the minority government of Justin Trudeau by presenting at the opening of Parliament its post-pandemic plan in the

"speech from the throne"

, a document general policy.

"Our generation is at a crossroads

,

"

and the fight against the pandemic remains the

"top priority"

of the government, underlines the solemn speech read in parliament by Governor General Julie Payette, representative of Queen Elizabeth II, head of State of Canada.

Prime Minister Trudeau sat beside him in the Senate, wearing a black mask.

In its plan, the Trudeau government notably commits to supporting

"people and businesses as long as the crisis lasts"

and plans to extend a wage subsidy program until next summer.

"Now is not the time for austerity,"

proclaims the government.

Read also: Justin Trudeau at the heart of a new political storm

Ottawa has already injected more than 300 billion dollars (193 billion euros) to support the economy since the spring.

The government announces a plethora of new spending not quantified, but assures that the economic recovery is

"well underway"

and that its action will remain guided by

"the values ​​of viability and prudence"

.

In particular, Ottawa is committed to creating

"more than a million jobs"

to bring the unemployment rate back to pre-crisis levels, around 5.5%.

Direct investments in the social sector and infrastructure are notably planned and

“climate measures will form the cornerstone”

of this plan, assures the government.

The government promises to put in place

"a plan that will surpass Canada's climate goals for 2030"

by supporting the construction of

"zero-emission vehicles and batteries"

.

The government is committed to legislating to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

The Prime Minister was to address

"the nation" a

few hours later, in a rare televised address in which he would again call on Canadians to redouble their efforts in the face of the pandemic.

Canada has been facing an increase in the number of new coronavirus cases

"at an accelerating rate"

in recent weeks, which has raised fears of a second wave arriving this fall.

The pandemic has killed more than 9,000 people there.

Read also: Coronavirus: the pandemic "far from over", Canada is preparing "for a second wave"

The

"throne speech"

will be submitted in the coming weeks to a vote of confidence by deputies, which could theoretically cause the fall of the government and the holding of new elections.

This vote will be held on a

“hybrid” basis

, with MPs present in Ottawa and others voting from a distance.

To overthrow the government, the three main opposition parties would have no choice but to unite.

Two of them immediately announced that they would vote against the speech.

Quebec independence activist Yves-François Blanchet, positive for Covid-19 like Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, accused Ottawa of not having

"listened to the urgent and legitimate demands"

of the provinces, which called in particular for transfers of federal money for health.

“There is absolutely nothing that provides for spending control

,

for his part blasted Gérard Deltell, parliamentary leader of the Conservative Party, who indicated that his party would vote against.

Read also: Coronavirus: Canada releases $ 37 billion in social assistance

The survival of the minority government of Justin Trudeau is therefore dependent on the vote of the New Democratic Party (NDP, left).

Its leader Jagmeet Singh reserved his decision, in particular conditioning his support for the Trudeau government on maintaining the Canadian Emergency Benefit, financial assistance to employees affected by Covid-19 that the government wants to abolish.

"If you want my support, then you have to give up on proposing to cut aid to Canadians who cannot return to work,"

he told Justin Trudeau.

He also demanded the establishment of a specific sick leave system for employees who contracted the virus.

If an election were held these days, Justin Trudeau's Liberals would be returned to power but still without a majority, according to an Abacus poll released Wednesday.

Source: lefigaro

All business articles on 2020-09-23

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