Canada reaches an agreement of $4B with provinces & territories to boost essential workers' pay

According to the agreement, the federal government would contribute $3 billion while the rest would be contributed by the provinces.

Plans to cost-share wage top-ups by provinces and territories, have either been confirmed or are in the process of being confirmed, said Trudeau.

Trudeau added that each province or territory will decide which workers are eligible for support.

Some provinces have already moved ahead. Saskatchewan government, for example,  had recently announced an increase of $400 per month for 16 weeks for employees making less than $2,500 a month while working with vulnerable people. This includes people working in long-term care homes, daycares, and shelters.

Ontario announced an increase of a $4-per-hour for front-line workers at long-term care homes, retirement homes, emergency shelters, supportive housing, group homes, correctional institutions, and youth justice facilities, including those providing home and community care and some hospital staff.

Quebec had taken a step forward even before Trudeau's initial offer by announcing an increase of $4-per-hour in pay for essential workers in private long-term care homes and a $24.28-per-hour salary to attract new workers to fill in as attendants at the facilities.

A large number of Canada's pandemic deaths had been caused by residents in Canada's long-term care facilities and has brought into spotlight health and personal care workers' typically lower salaries.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

Image: Justin Trudeau: Official site