Hi, my name is Kinshuk Chadha, I am a second-year international student at Saint Mary’s University (SMU) and currently residing in Canada, a country which in my belief truly takes care of its people.
Today I would like to address the impact caused by Covid-19 and how the Canadian government and SMU is helping the international students in every possible way it can.
Starting with program of CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) in which the workers who have been laid off are been provided with temporary income support of $8,000 over the duration of 4 months.
Moreover, there is a Temporary wage top-up program of $3 billion for low-income essential workers which means people are earning more then they used to.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program has been launched by the government which enables employers to re-hire employees who were previously laid off because of COVID-19 and to help prevent further job losses.
SMU has temporarily shifted to virtual operations in order to protect our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, students are also supported with Emergency bursaries to provide some relief during this challenging time and interest charges have been waived off for late fee submission. Moreover, there is a dedicated Covid-19 and mental health counselling helpline available for student where they can discuss their problems to make sure there is always someone to look out for them. Food banks Canada and SMU are constantly reaching out to the ones who have been impacted so that they always have adequate food.
As a wise man once said, “And this, too, shall pass”, I desire this to get over soon so that we can rejoice and enjoy the beautiful spring season of Canada.