The Federal Government has announced new COVID-19 relief measures for the beleaguered fish industry.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says they are spending $469.4 million to support fish harvesters who have been ineligible for other aid packages.
Trudeau says the Fish Harvester Benefit will offer income support covering 75 per-cent of losses for harvesters losing 25 per-cent or more of their income this year.
He notes they are also introducing additional non-repayable grants of up to ten thousand dollars for self-employed harvesters.
Trudeau adds the government will change Employment Insurance rules so self-employed harvesters can apply for EI benefits based on earnings from previous years.
Trudeau stresses the financial help is needed.
“You can’t harvest lobster from inside your house. So that leaves you trying to figure out how to either space people out on a fishing boat or cancel your operations. It’s not an easy call to make.”
He adds that on top of that, prices and demand have gone down putting financial pressure on fishers and their families.