Late last week, Bill C-24 received Royal Assent.
The new regulations increase the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Benefits. This includes an increase in the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) by 12 weeks, extending the maximum duration of the benefits from 26 weeks to 38 weeks. It also includes an increase in the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.
As for EI; workers claiming EI regular benefits can now access up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27, 2020, to September 25, 2021.
In addition, self-employed workers who have opted in to the EI program to access special benefits are now able to use a 2020 earnings threshold of $5,000, compared to the previous threshold of $7,555. This change is retroactive for claims established as of January 3, 2021 and applies until September 25, 2021.
This increased on-going support helps Canadian workers through the next phase of the pandemic recovery.
