Liberals considering whether to extend expiring pandemic supports for businesses, individuals

A number of the federal government's pandemic supports for individuals and businesses are set to come to an end this week. Most of them can still be extended for the short term without introducing new legislation.

Business and industry groups are acutely aware of the coming end to the pandemic supports they say are still needed to keep the economy afloat, and they say they want the federal government to take action now.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Thursday that while the reopening of the Canadian economy is going well, she is working with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, industry representatives, economists and others to determine a path forward.

"During the election campaign, Canadians were promised we would continue helping the businesses hardest hit," she said in French. "We are now discussing and analyzing ... what to do."

Five programs are scheduled to end on October 23. Three of them provide assistance to individuals while the other two provide targeted help to businesses.

The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) both expire on Sunday but can be extended by the federal cabinet until Nov. 30. Extending these programs beyond that date would require the introduction of new legislation.

While these two subsidies are set to expire on Oct. 23, the deadline to apply for each claim period is six months after the end of the claim period itself — so businesses can claim for wages paid out in the final week of the program up until April 21.