Legislation to strengthen the emergency response plan to help ensure Canadians receive the support they need during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was adopted in the Senate on Monday.

Among other elements, Bill C-20 extends and improves the emergency wage subsidy program, based on consultations with businesses and employers.

The legislation also facilitates a one-time payment of $600 to persons with disabilities, who are facing additional expenses as a result of the pandemic.

Additionally, the legislation proposes to suspend time limits set out in federal laws and regulations that many Canadians, businesses and organizations are struggling to meet during the pandemic, including those for civil court cases and other regulatory requirements.

The Government Representative in the Senate, Senator Marc Gold, thanked Senator Lucie Moncion for her leadership as sponsor of the bill.

The Senate is set to return on September 22; however, the Senate could be recalled sooner should the need arise, as it has been over the course of the pandemic.

Emergency recalls

The Senate was recalled several times during the pandemic to adopt measures to help ensure Canadians get the support they need amid widespread shutdowns and related job losses.

• On March 25, the Senate adopted Bill C-13, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, to help ensure Canadians get the support they need during the pandemic.
• On April 11, the Senate adopted Bill C-14, which implemented an emergency wage subsidy for businesses, among other measures.
• On May 1, the Senate adopted Bill C-15, the Canada Emergency Student Benefit Act, to assist students who lost work and income opportunities due to the virus.
• On May 15, the Senate adopted Bill C-16, to give the Canadian dairy sector a financial boost to help weather pandemic-related losses.