UPDATED: Liberals detail changes to COVID-19 aid as they ask MPs to OK billions in new spending
The Liberals had expected the Canada Emergency Response Benefit to cost the federal purse about $35 billion this fiscal year, but revised that estimate in recent days after realizing more workers than expected were applying for aid.The most recent federal figures show that as of Monday, more than 8.3 million Canadians have applied for the relief program, which has paid out nearly $42.6 billion in combined benefits.
Parliamentarians only need to approve $6 billion in new money after granting the Liberals broad spending powers during the pandemic. Parliament's spending watchdog said last week that those four hours would not give MPs nearly enough time to properly scrutinize the government's plans.
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