With COVID-19 causing layoffs and cutbacks to work hours, some pregnant Canadians worry they won't meet the 600 hours needed to qualify for EI maternity and parental benefits.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit helps Canadians who lost income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, concerns are being raised that the program may be serving as a disincentive to work for some.

A total of 246,440 Manitobans have used CERB since the program was introduced in early April. Just over 45 per cent were under the age of 35.

Wednesday's fiscal snapshot will be the first public assessment of the country's economic and financial situation since the pandemic started in earnest in March.

A rally at the Province House in Nova Scotia was calling on the government to extend the COVID-19 eviction ban as it’s set to expire at midnight.

Nova Scotia community groups fear thousands will be forced into homelessness once the residential tenants eviction ban expires.

The report this morning from budget officer Yves Giroux says that would bring the total cost of the benefit program to $71.3 billion.

'You will not receive a payment when you complete your next report,' the email reads.

Experts say it is still unclear how, or when the government could transition from the CERB program.

Trudeau assured the support of New Democrat MPs by announcing Tuesday that his government is extending the $2,000-a-month Canada Emergency Response Benefit for another eight weeks.