We announced an investment of more than $19 billion to help provinces and territories safely restart their economies and make our country more resilient to possible future waves of the virus.
are not in receipt of the CERB, the EI Emergency Response Benefit (ERB), the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit, short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, or any EI benefits or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits in respect of the same week. Financial support is available to Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, including new benefits and credits and changes to existing ones. The funding will allow for short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, which offer financing and business support services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses. We will work with tourism operators in national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas to defer payments on commercial leases and licences of occupation without interest until September 1, 2020. supporting for vulnerable Canadians, including those in long-term care, home care, and palliative care. We are investing up to $53 million to develop and implement the National Ecosystem Fund to support Black-led business organizations across the country.
adapt products to respond to changing requirements and new market demands. We are making available $15 million in non-repayable support for businesses in the territories to help address the impacts of COVID-19. The 11.9 million Canadian families who qualify for the credit will get their regular quarterly payment on April 3, with additional 100 per cent top up coming a week later. The federal government pledged to double the tax credit for the 2019-20 tax year, putting $400 in financial assistance for single people and $600 for couples. This support will also cover expanding accessible online training opportunities and helping connect Canadians with disabilities working from home with employers. Through the Business Credit Availability Program, Export Development Canada (EDC) is working with financial institutions to guarantee 80% of new operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The funding will be delivered in one payment in June will help communities quickly move forward with infrastructure projects that will improve our quality of life and help restart local economies. Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) We are providing a taxable benefit of $1,250 every 4 weeks to eligible students or $2,000 to eligible students with dependents or with disability who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or Employment Insurance or unable to work due to COVID-19. We are providing $100 million to the Canadian Red Cross to enhance their response capacity and to support public health efforts.
It has been brought to our attention that the special GST/HST Credit (GSTC) payment has been applied against 2019 personal tax owing for some taxpayers. Direct deposit is the quickest and most reliable way to get benefit and credit payments. The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The payment due date for current year individual, corporate, and trust income tax returns, including instalment payments has been extended to September 30, 2020.
A boost to the GST/HST credit for low-income earners that was supposed to be delivered the second week of May will find its way into the hands of Canadians a month early. These measures, delivered as part of the Government of Canad… This initiative is part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program, in which we are investing up to nearly $93 million. We are providing $306.8 million in funding to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that offer financing to these businesses. This support is available until October 31. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions announced it is lowering the Domestic Stability Buffer by 1.25% of risk-weighted assets.
We are creating up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training opportunities to help students find employment and develop valuable skills this summer and over the coming months. We are providing $285.1 million to fund community-led responses to the pandemic and provide targeted increases in primary health care resources for First Nations communities. investing in health care to respond to the pandemic, including support for Canadians experiencing challenges with substance use, mental health, or homelessness. COVID-19 – GST/HST credit payments information Due to the extended tax filing date, it was announced that eligible Canadians, who are presently receiving the Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit, will continue to receive these payments until the end of September 2020.
COVID-19: Extended benefit payments.