The federal government continues to tweak its emergency response programs.

Today, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that 195,000 loans under the Canada Emergency Business Account have been approved.

The CEBA is being expanded by lowering and increasing thresholds to allow more companies in. It means that more companies that fell under or over the original thresholds now qualify. The loan program will now be open to businesses that had payrolls last year between $20,000 and $1.5-million.

The Canada Emergency Business Account previously offered up to $40,000 in loans to business with payrolls between $50,000 and $1-million.

In addition, Ottawa is going to help small businesses with their rent for April, May, and June. Details have to be worked out with the provinces as that particular aspect of business falls under provincial jurisdiction.