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A Carleton University professor has created a plain language guide to help those trying to access government programs in the time of coronavirus.

Jennifer Robson has studied how government communicates in her academic work as an associate professor in political management. Robson, who spent six years on Parliament Hill as a staff member to MPs, then worked in the non-profit sector before joining the university, says governments are poor communicators.

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“The people who are experts on these programs inside government, see the information they’re putting out and they think it’s clear. But they are seeing it as experts as opposed to lay people who don’t normally have to think about these things and who are stressed,” she said.

“The way that government communicates information is not usually the way that Canadians can understand it. They talk different languages.”

Robson’s posted a Google Document online with straightforward instructions on how to apply for things like Employment Insurance, Caregiver Benefits, rent subsidies and others. She answers questions like: “I’m self-employed. What benefits can I get?” and “I am at home because my kids cannot go to school or daycare. I need money to make ends meet.”