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Finance Minister Bill Morneau has indicated that the government is “preparing a significant stimulus program” to help businesses and households facing economic hardship due to the coronavirus epidemic. Many expect that we will learn more about the government’s plan in the next day or so.

Economists broadly agree on the need for action. The goal of short-term, extraordinary public spending isn’t to “stimulate” business and consumer demand. Doing so would run at cross-purposes with the public health goal of minimizing the spread of the virus. Instead, the imperative here is to provide temporary, immediate relief to those who have been adversely affected by the economic costs of the new and evolving public health diktats we all find ourselves living under. Think of the businesses that are required to close and individuals who in turn are laid off.

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It’s important, however, that the government thinks comprehensively about who will need support. Most of the discussion thus far has understandably focused on businesses and households. But other parts of Canadian society will also face financial challenges due to mandated closures, declining household spending and ongoing uncertainty.