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Liberals looking to extend COVID-19 benefits ahead of parliamentary showdown

OTTAWA — The Liberals are putting together a plan to extend one of the key COVID-19 benefits ahead of a parliamentary showdown on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’ll detail later this week how the Canada Emergency Response Benefit may remain in place for people who still can’t return to work.

Canadians were able to access the $2,000-a-month benefit for 16 weeks, and millions are about to hit the maximum number of weeks they can claim, but still don’t have jobs.

The New Democrats say a plan to extend the CERB is a must for them to support a massive government spending proposal due in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

A vote on the spending plans, representing about $87 billion, is a confidence motion so in theory the opposition parties could bring down the government.

The NDP’s Jagmeet Singh said earlier today he thinks negotiations between the parties will avert a potential non-confidence vote.