The federal, provincial and territorial governments have reached a deal on billions of dollars in transfers to help reopen their economies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the deal reached, Ottawa will contribute $19 billion to the provinces and territories as part of the "Safe Restart Agreement." The money will help provinces fund things such as childcare, contact tracing and personal protective equipment.
The agreement also includes sick leave, fully funded by the federal government. And there is also money to bail out municipal governments that saw soaring expenses and plunging revenues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Municipal governments, which deliver many public services including transit, have been begging for aid for months. City revenue streams dried up during the pandemic, as recreational centres and programs closed, and transit riders stopped using buses and trains.
Toronto has reported that it's facing a $1.35-billion deficit this year. Montreal says it has a $500-million shortfall. Halifax expects to be short $85.4 million.
