Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Carla Qualtrough unveiled legislation to implement new employment benefits to replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The program was originally announced on August 20, but today’s announcement provides details for increased benefit amounts.
If passed, the legislation would create:
Today’s announcement also changes the established minimum weekly benefit payment for all EI recipients to $500—the same level as the CRB.
Canadians will be able to apply for the CRB, CRSB, and CRCB through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for one year up until September 25, 2021.
Path Created for NDP Throne Speech Support
The NDP made their support for the Throne Speech contingent on the continuation of CERB and the extension of paid sick leave for all Canadian workers. The government’s decision to match the new benefit amounts to those being paid through CERB and include sick leave payments paves the way for the NDP to support the Throne Speech. This support means the Trudeau government is likely to survive its first critical confidence vote of the new session of Parliament.