Charities hope Liberals’ budget lends helping hand as sector eyes long recovery

Apr 15, 2021 | 8:43 AM

OTTAWA — Canada’s charities are hoping the Liberals extend them a helping hand in net week’s budget as the sector faces the possibility of a prolonged road to recovery, even after the economy reopens.

Charities and non-profits have been hit hard during the pandemic as donations have dried up while demand for their services spiked.

Imagine Canada, a charity that promotes the work of the sector, says groups have on average seen just over two-fifths of their earnings disappear due to the pandemic.

The organization’s CEO, Bruce MacDonald, says charities and non-profits are hoping the government extends and expands access to the rent and wage subsidies set to end in June.