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(The Canadian Press)
april 3 update from the PM

PM Trudeau: GST top-up coming sooner, armed forces headed to Quebec

Apr 3, 2020 | 10:15 AM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed Friday morning that the federal government will be delivering additional aid to low-income people through the GST credit sooner than expected.

The government initially announced the money would be available in May, but Trudeau now says the money will be delivered this month.

Every qualifying adult will receive up to $300, plus $150 for each child.

The government will also donate $100 million to meet urgent food needs across the country, including in northern and Indigenous communities.

Trudeau says the money will help buy and deliver food to the people who need it most.

The organizations who will receive funding include Food Banks Canada, The Breakfast Club of Canada, The Salvation Army and others.

Trudeau also shared that the Canadian Forces are being sent to northern Quebec to help communities there prepare to respond to COVID-19.

He says the federal government is answering a call from the Quebec government.

Trudeau also says the federal government has an agreement with Amazon to use its distribution network to send medical supplies to meet provincial needs.

Lastly, Trudeau addressed a report Friday morning that U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered company 3M to stop sending personal protective equipment, including N95 masks and ventilators, to Canada.

The Prime Minister said that trade goes in both directions, adding that it would be a mistake for either country to limit trade access as it pertains to essential services.

The PM also announced $100 million for Canada’s food banks.

The latest numbers (as of Friday morning) for Canada show just about 12,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

There are 968 cases in Alberta, including 13 deaths and 174 recovered cases.

The Alberta Government’s daily briefing can be viewed on rdnewsNOW.com Friday afternoon at 4:30 (start time subject to change).

(With files from The Canadian Press)