Two-hundred members of the Canadian Armed Forces are being deployed to Quebec to help with vaccine clinics in that province.

It’s one of a number of ways in which Ottawa is offering assistance to the provinces hardest hit by the COVID surge.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says many financial supports for people affected by the virus and lockdown measures are being extended from December 19 through to February 12.

Applications are now open for the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit. Workers who have had their employment affected by lockdown or reduced capacity measures, and who have lost 50 per cent of their income or more due to those restrictions, are eligible for up to $300 dollars a week.

Supports are also available to small businesses.

The Local Lockdown Program will provide wage and rent subsidy support of up to 75 per cent for businesses that have had to reduce their capacity by at least 50 per cent.