The Manitoba government says that $35 million earmarked for the wage support program has been distributed.

The program was designed to bump up wages by $5 per hour for those working as caregivers who were earning less than $25 per hour before the top-up. To be eligible workers had to be working in personal care homes or in disability services, child welfare services, homeless and family violence prevention shelters, and long-term care facilities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional demands on caregivers and they have risen to the challenge to protect our most vulnerable Manitobans,” said Families Minister Rochelle Squires. “I am pleased to announce that a total of more than $35 million has been distributed to support these exceptional Manitobans, who continue to provide care to those in need on the front lines of this pandemic.”

The program was funded by both the province ($18 million) and the federal government ($17 million).

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