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Supporting Students

Dear Neighbour,

This past week was National Volunteer Week and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people in our community who have stepped up in support of our neighbours and community, despite challenges of COVID-19. There are countless people, organizations and businesses in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam that have shifted operations to answer the growing need for assistance. 

My team and I continue to work hard every day to respond to the needs and concerns of our community. We are still dealing with a high volume of urgent requests, but are committed to responding to every constituent. 

We are also focused on ensuring that everyone has the most up-to-date information and that it is accessible. For daily updates, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or visit my website.

 This week, our government announced new supports for students and recent graduates to ensure students have the resources they need during these difficult times 

Canada Student Loan Program

• Double the Canada Student Loans Grants
• Provide up $6,000 for all eligible full-time students and up to $3,000 for all eligible part-time students in 2020-2021
• Double Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependents
  

 Canada Emergency Student Benefit 

• This benefit is available to post-secondary students and recent graduates who are ineligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or for Employment Insurance and are unable to find full-time employment or unable to work due to COVID-19 
• The benefit would provide $1,250 per month for eligible students 
• The benefit would be available from May through August 
• For students with dependents and those with permanent disabilities the benefit amount will be $1,750 

More information will be provided as it becomes available!

Canada Student Service Grant 

• The Canada Student Service Grant provide up to $5,000 towards student’s post-secondary costs in the fall 
• Students who are interested in participating in the national COVID-19 response will be eligible to receive this grant 

More information about eligibility, funding, applications, and assessment will be available soon 

International Students 

• International students will no longer be limited to 20 hours per week of work during the school semester if they are working in an essential service or function 
• This temporary change will be in effect until August 31, 2020
  

Supporting Students through Expanded Students and Youth Programming

Our government has created new employment and services opportunities, which include: 

• Launching the “I Want to Help” Platform to provide helpful information about service opportunities and how to get more involved. 

• $153.7 million for the Youth Employment and Skill Strategy in order to assist youth in gaining the skills and experience needed in order to join the workforce and will support various measures in high-demand sectors (agriculture, technology, health and essential services) 

• Changes to Canada Summer Jobs program, including: increased wage subsidies, expanded eligibility, and new flexibilities for employers 

• $80 million for the Student Work Placement Program to help up to 20,000 post-secondary students Canada-wide in obtaining paid work experience in their field of study
  

• More support to the Canada Service Corps to further support youth service project in communities by increasing the number of microgrants from 1,800 to 15,000 as well as providing participants with stipends

• $291.6 million to support student researchers and post-doctoral fellows through the federal granting councils. Funding would include: support a one-semester extension for eligible students with research scholarships or fellowships end between March and August 2020 and intend to continue their studies, a 3-month extension in funding for federal research grant holders in order to support eligible trainees and staff who are paid from these awards.

Previously Announced Supports for Students 

Temporary Changes to the Canada Summer Jobs Program

The Canada Summer Jobs program has been temporarily changed in order to help support young Canadians looking for employment. The changes to the program will assist small businesses to hire and keep the workers they need, in order to administer essential services. 

These changes include: 

• An increase to the wage subsidy. Private and public sector employers can receive up to 100% of the provincial/territorial minimum wage for each employee
• Extend the end date for the period of work under the 2020 Canada Summer Jobs to February 28, 2021
• Allow employers to adapt their projects and job activities to support essential services
• Allow employers to hire staff on a part-time basis
   

Moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans

• Effective March 30, we are placing a six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans for all student loan borrowers 
• No payment will be required, and interest will not accrue during this time 
• Students do not need to apply for the repayment pause

Yours sincerely,

Ron McKinnon

Member of Parliament for Coquitlam - Port Coquitlam