It is not uncommon for the Government of Canada to work with third parties to deliver specialized programs, and working with third party delivery agents to deliver emergency funding throughout the pandemic has proven to be an effective approach.
We partnered with the United Way in May to deliver the emergency community support fund to support vulnerable populations. We partnered with Food Banks Canada to fight food insecurity. Officials recommended that we work with a third party to administer the CSSG and that the third party be WE Charity, given their extensive reach with students and their capacity as an organization to deliver this program within the timeline needed.
We've been acting and working very quickly to ensure that we're responding to the needs and challenges that Canadians are facing.