The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. manages the national housing strategy, which totals some $40 billion in federal and provincial spending, and billions more to help first-time home buyers and others applying for mortgages.

In a letter sent Wednesday to his fellow ministers, Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos says being open during the COVID-19 pandemic is key to ensuring public confidence.

The one-time special payment will see eligible seniors get up to $500 to help deal with the economic effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

President of the Treasury Board, Jean-Yves Duclos says he has 'a good degree of confidence' in Canada's ability to exit the recession created by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Documents provided to Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos late last year warned about how a detailed review could drum up "significant expectations" on the Liberals to enact very costly changes to the program, tailored to each group's priorities.

The federal government committed $28.4 million to affordable housing in Calgary on Wednesday.

The process to bring in a third shipyard to the National Shipbuilding Strategy is expected to start next month.

The decision to simplify the application form comes after the minister in charge was briefed about mounting concerns that eligibility rules and the application itself may be barriers for some "at-risk" families.

Despite billions of dollars in new spending over the last four years, Jean-Yves Duclos concedes that seniors and families seeking housing and child care are still facing serious cost crunches.

Gimme Shelter: A CKNW Housing Special Airs on Friday, June 28