Students pushed out of residence, EI applications boom, Feds announce virus response for First Nations

Stories: Luca Caruso-Moro

Reporter: Shanellie Marie

STUDENTS PUSHED OUT OF RESIDENCES

Students in Concordia’s residencies are being pushed out of their dorms in an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19.

On March 18, students were given 4 days notice to pack up and leave.

According to the Civil Code of Quebec, students are entitled to stay in their residences as long as they are a full time student. 

University President Graham Carr has vowed to accommodate students with nowhere to go and provide meals to residents in need. 

The CSU has issued a statement saying, quote, “No one should be left behind in a health emergency,” and vowed to hold the university accountable. 

EI APPLICATIONS BOOM

In national news, the federal government has been flooded with applications for Employment Insurance. 

Prime Minister Trudeau says Ottawa has received about 500 thousand applications.

That’s compared to just 27 thousand,  this time last year. 

Rules for who is eligible for insurance were recently expanded to accommodate people out of work as a result of the virus.

FEDS ANNOUNCE VIRUS RESPONSE FOR FIRST NATIONS

The government has announced 305 million dollars for immediate response to limit the spread of COVID-19 to Indigenous and Inuit communities. 

Several officials including Trudeau recognize the need for aid specifically directed to those communities, which are more likely to lack access to medical

infrastructure. Another 100 million dollar fund has also been unveiled to pay for medical equipment.