Trudeau introduced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) today to help all Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. In short, the proposed benefit includes:
- The taxable benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The CERB would cover Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures. The CERB would apply to wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). Workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income because of disruptions to their work situation due to COVID-19, would also qualify for the CERB. This would help businesses keep their employees.
- All Canadians who have ceased working due to COVID-19, whether they are EI-eligible or not, would be able to receive the CERB.
- The portal for accessing the CERB would be available in early April.
- CERB payments would be made within 10 days of application. The CERB would be paid every four weeks and be available from March 15, 2020, until October 3, 2020.
To read the press release from the government click here.
