The COVID-19 fiscal snapshot: By the numbers

OTTAWA — Estimated federal deficit for 2020-21: $343.2 billion

Direct federal aid to individuals and businesses as a result of COVID-19: $212 billion

Number of Canadians who were laid off or had their hours cut as a result of COVID-19 between February and April: 5.5 million

Number of Canadians who applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit: 8.16 million

Amount government paid out in Canada Emergency Response Benefit as of June 28: $53.53 billion

Number of students who applied for Canada Emergency Student Benefit: 601,356

Amount government paid out in Canada Emergency Student Benefit as of July 2: $1.42 billion

Number of Canadians whose jobs were supported by the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: 3 million

Number of small businesses that received interest-free loans: 688,000

Number of small businesses that received help from the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program: 29,000

Expected unemployment rate by the end of 2020: 9.8 per cent

Expected unemployment rate in 2021: 7.8 per cent

Number of times the government uses the word “unprecedented” in its fiscal snapshot documents: 29

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2020.

The Canadian Press