Let me start by saying that we're trying to make sure the programs we put in place are responsive to the challenges we're facing right now. That's why we've done multiple things that are helping in many ways.
Obviously, we've had many people, including many small business owners, who have decided to go on the Canada emergency response benefit. In the case of Sam, I suppose there would be many family members who might be able to actually go on that emergency response benefit. It could be multiplied many times over if they meet those criteria.
Additionally, as you know, we did change the criteria for the Canada emergency business account, and now there will be more than a million businesses that will be able to apply for that loan. What has happened so far—I have the most up-to-date numbers—is that we've now hit 220,000 businesses that have applied for it. That represents about $8.8 billion in financing that has been realized and, of course, 25% of that will be forgivable if they pay it back by the end of 2022.
We are constantly looking at making sure our measures are responsive. You've seen that today. I hope there are other measures that are supported for that business. We'll continue to look at that.