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Tag: CERB

On October 2, 2020, Bill C-4, An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19 received Royal Assent. Bill C-4 enacts the Canada Response Benefits Act, which creates three new benefits to replace the CERB, which is no longer available as of September 26, 2020. Bill C-4 also amends the Canada Labour Code to provide for job-protected leaves for employees in federally-regulated workplaces who cannot work for reasons related to COVID-19.

The Canada Response Benefits Act creates three new benefits, which will be in place for one year beginning September 27, 2020:

  • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (“CRSB”): $500.00 per week for up to two weeks for workers who are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19, self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19, or have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments, or have contracted other sicknesses that would make them more susceptible to COVID-19. Canadians can apply for the CRSB through the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) starting October 5, 2020.
  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (“CRCB”): $500.00 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because they are sick and/or required to quarantine, are at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19, or because schools, daycares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19. Canadians can apply for the CRCB through the CRA starting October 5, 2020.
  • Canada Recovery Benefit (“CRB”): $500.00 per week for up to 26 weeks for people who have stopped working and are not eligible for Employment Insurance, or had their employment income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19. Canadians can apply for the CRB through the CRA starting October 12, 2020.

Bill C-4 also amends the Canada Labour Code to provide employees in federally-regulated workplaces with job-protected leaves of absence which correspond to the above benefits, including:

  • Up to two weeks’ leave if the employee is unable to work because they contracted COVID-19, have self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19, or have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments, or have contracted other sicknesses that would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
  • Up to 26 weeks’ leave if the employee is unable to work because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or a family member because they are sick and/or required to quarantine, are at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19, or because schools, daycares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19.

If you have questions, please contact Sari Wiens, Ilan Burkes, Nicole Toye or Jessica Fairbairn.

Note to our Readers: Information regarding COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. We are working to bring you up-to-date articles as the legal issues develop and to keep our previous posts updated. Given that the legal issues related to COVID-19 are constantly changing, if you are looking for legal advice or are dealing with an issue in relation to COVID-19, please contact your Harris lawyer or a member of our COVID-19 response team: Sari Wiens, Ilan Burkes, Nicole Toye or Jessica Fairbairn.

To read our most recent articles and other updates on COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 Updates page.

New benefits to replace CERB

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On October 2, 2020, Bill C-4, An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19 received Royal Assent. Bill C-4 enacts the Canada Response Benefits Act, which creates three new benefits to replace the CERB, which is no longer available as of September 26, 2020. Bill C-4 also amends the Canada Labour Code to … Continued

CERB extension and EI changes now in effect

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On August 20, 2020, the federal government announced that it would be extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (“CERB”) a further four weeks to a maximum of 28 weeks, and would be making temporary changes to the Employment Insurance (“EI”) regime. The Regulations and Interim Orders associated with these changes are now in force. CERB … Continued

The Federal Government’s Canada Emergency Response Benefit

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On March 25th, the federal government passed emergency legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of particular note for all employers, the legislation introduces the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (the “CERB”) that replaces the Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit, which the government had announced last week. Eligibility for the CERB is broadly defined … Continued