Students and new graduates to receive support
- EFN Staff | April 23, 2020
Students and new graduates will now receive support due to COVID-19. On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced nearly $9 billion for post-secondary students and recent graduates to provide the financial support they need this summer so they can continue their studies in the fall.
“The future of our economy and our country relies on the opportunities and support we provide to Canadian students today. To promote a sustainable economic recovery, we need a strong workforce and good job opportunities for young people,” said PM Trudeau in a media release. “That means giving them the support they need to continue their studies and encouraging them to serve their communities. Together, we will get through this difficult time.”
According to the Prime Minister’s prepared statement, the new benefit includes:
- the proposed Canada Emergency Student Benefit will be available to students and new graduates who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.
- $1,250 per month for eligible students or $1,750 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities from May to August 2020.
- for students who choose to do national service and serve their communities, the new Canada Student Service Grant will provide up to $5,000 for their education in the fall.
- Federal student grants for eligible students are also being doubled and $75 million in additional supports for Indigenous post-secondary students was also announced.
This announcement was commended by Indigenous leadership across the nation.
“It’s definitely a good start. We must continue to work together to build upon this momentum moving forward to ensure that our First Nations students continue to exercise their Inherent and Treaty Right to Education,” stated FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in a prepared statement. “This funding will help a lot of our students but there are still a lot of them that are on waiting lists and others that have been denied their Inherent and Treaty Right to educational funding altogether.”
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde added the recent announcement is an important investment in First Nations students and an investment in a stronger Canada for everyone.
“As National Chief I have been pushing Canada to ensure the First Nations inherent and Treaty right to education is implemented and that our students are supported,” said AFN National Chief Bellegarde. “Investing in First Nations – the youngest, fastest-growing population in Canada – is good for all of us.”
Métis National Council Spokesperson David Chartrand is also pleased with the announcement.
“Again, the Prime Minister has responded to the pressing needs of our people in a distinctions-based manner and we appreciate that,” stated Chartrand. “I am pleased to announce after discussions with Minister Miller that the Métis Nation will receive $7 million of this funding to be administered by the MNC Governing Members.”