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Government Extends CERB By Four Weeks

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Canadians expecting to exhaust their Canada Emergency Response Benefits at the end of August will now have more support.

Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough announced Thursday that the CERB will be extended by four more weeks to a maximum of 28 weeks.

“For Canadian families who rely on the CERB, this means that they’ll be supported as they figure out what’s happening with school and daycare for their kids in the fall,” said Qualtrough.

Most people who are still receiving the benefit as of Sept. 27 will be transitioned to a revamped Employment Insurance program.

Canadians with a minimum of 120 hours of insurable work will receive at least $400 a week for a minimum of 26 weeks.

To help people qualify with a minimum of 120 hours of work, EI claimants will receive a one-time credit of 300 insurable hours for regular benefit claims and 480 insurable hours for special benefit claims.

“Very simply, this means that most Canadians who’ve worked during the qualifying period will now be able to claim EI,” said Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

According to the federal government, 8.5 million individuals have benefitted from the CERB as of early August, and more than four million have transitioned off the CERB and returned to work.

The federal government is also proposing three new recovery benefits to help those who may not qualify for EI benefits and those who become sick with COVID-19.

The Canada Recovery Benefit would provide $400 per week for up to 26 weeks to workers who are not eligible for EI, mainly the self-employed and those working in the gig economy.

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit would provide $500 per week for up to two weeks for workers who are sick or must self-isolate for COVID-19-related reasons.

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit would provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for eligible Canadians unable to work because they must care for:

  • a child under age 12 due to the closures of schools or daycares because of COVID-19.
  • a family member with a disability or a dependent because their day program or care facility is closed due to COVID-19.
  • a child, a family member with a disability, or a dependent who is not attending school, daycare, or other care facilities under the advice of a medical professional due to being at high-risk if they contract COVID-19.

New legislation to support the new benefits is expected to be introduced when Parliament resumes in late September.

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CERB Recipients Will Move To EI: Trudeau

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Those receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit will soon be transitioned to the Employment Insurance program.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Friday, saying more details will be available before the end of August.

“But to people who need this program, don’t worry. No one will be left behind,” said Trudeau during a news conference.

More than 8.4 million Canadians have applied for the program as of July 26, according to figures from the federal government.

Trudeau said they will also create a transitional, parallel benefit for those who do not qualify for EI, such as gig or contract workers.

“It will include access to training and being able to work more hours and earn more money while receiving the benefit. That’s only appropriate as our economy reopens and brings back more jobs,” he said.

There will also be a sickness and caregivers benefit for Canadians not covered at work if they get COVID-19 or if their kids or parents get it and they have to take care of them, he said.

“We intend to cover every Canadian who is looking for work with a better, 21st century EI system. That is our goal,” he said, adding that there will not be an increase to EI premiums “during this challenging time.”

Trudeau also announced the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program will be extended through August.

“Over 700,000 employees have benefitted from the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance – people who’ve been able to keep their jobs because of the help businesses got through this program. We know there are even more people still to reach,” he said.

Also announced Friday was nearly $59 million to protect the health and safety of migrant workers on farms across the country.

The money will fund more farm inspections, provide emergency relief when needed, and improve the overall living conditions on farms, said Trudeau.