The federal government is temporarily expanding eligibility for its key income support programs to more Canadians, in light of recent COVID-19 restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the Omicron variant. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the expansion of the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) and Local Lockdown Program during a virtual news conference on Dec. 22, accompanied by several ministers. “We are announcing our decision to temporarily expand the definition of a lockdown so that these wage and rent support programs can support workers and businesses that see capacity restricted by 50 percent or more,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. “It means that if you are an employer who has to reduce the capacity of your main business by 50 percent or more, you will be eligible for wage and rent subsidy support through the Local Lockdown Program.” The government also lowered the current …