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May 5th, 2020 COVID-19 committee Question Period notes

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Issue -The Canada Emergency Response Benefit and requirement for a Social Insurance Number

Context

A petition of elected officials across the country is requesting that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) be extended to undocumented migrant workers who provide essential work in their communities.

For privacy considerations, the Government cannot comment on the details of specific cases.

Suggested Response

Background

For privacy considerations, the Government cannot comment on the details of specific cases.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working related to COVID-19. The Benefit provides $500 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks, and is available to workers:

When submitting their first claim, workers cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the 4 week benefit period of their claim.

When submitting subsequent claims, workers cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for the entire 4 week benefit period of their new claim.

Applicants need to provide their personal contact information, Social Insurance Number, and confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements.

As of of April 22, 2020, we have received 9.44 million applications for support through the CERB and have processed 9.14 million claims.

Prepared by

Heather MacKinnon

Senior Policy Analyst

Key contact

Joel Reimer

Manager

Approved by

Andrew Brown

Director General

819-654-6849

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO

Issue - The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and refusal to work due to workplace health and safety concerns

Context

Public questions have been raised regarding eligibility for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit when a worker has concerns about workplace health and safety.

Suggested Response

Background

For privacy considerations, the Government cannot comment on the details of specific cases.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working related to COVID-19. The Benefit provides $500 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks, and is available to workers:       

When submitting their first claim, workers cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the 4 week benefit period of their claim.

When submitting subsequent claims, workers cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for the entire 4 week benefit period of their new claim.

Applicants need to provide their personal contact information, Social Insurance Number, and confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements.

As of of April 22, 2020, we have received 9.44 million applications for support through the CERB and have processed 9.14 million claims.

Workplace Health and Safety

(from Labour text on the CERB website)

If they are concerned about the safety of their working conditions, they should discuss the situation with their employer.

Prepared by

Heather MacKinnon

Senior Policy Analyst

Key contact

Joel Reimer

Manager

Approved by

Andrew Brown

Director General

819-639-3532

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO

Issue - The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) plans

Context

Public questions have been raised regarding the possibility for employers use a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) plan to increase their employee’s weekly earnings while receiving time-limited earnings from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Suggested Response

Background

Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) Plans

A SUB Plan is a document that governs the relationship between an employer, who wishes to top up their employees' EI Benefits, and Service Canada, which oversees the EI Benefit regime. 

In the ordinary course, subject to certain exceptions, an employee who has been laid off cannot simultaneously receive EI Benefit payments and income from their employer (or any other source). In the absence of a SUB Plan, if additional income is earned it will generally be deducted from an employee's EI Benefit payments. However, by registering a SUB Plan with Service Canada, an employer establishes certain parameters around the "top-up" payments and safeguards them from the ordinary offset rule. Generally, an employer could top up their workers’ EI benefit up to 95% of their normal earnings, without triggering a reduction in the employee’s EI entitlement.

Given the simplified design of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the provisions that exist under the Employment Insurance (EI) system for employers to make additional payments to workers through SUB plans do not apply to employees who are receiving the CERB.  Eligible individuals collecting the CERB receive $2000 for a 4-week period may earn up to $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income in each of their benefit periods from March 15, 2020 to October 3, 2020 while continuing to receive the CERB.  Amounts received by individuals from any employer in excess of the $1,000 threshold would create an obligation for the individuals to repay CERB amounts they received for the same benefit period.

Employers that wish to do so may continue to submit a SUB plan to Service Canada. By registering a plan, employers can make payments to employees who are currently receiving EI regular or sickness benefits, and will also be prepared should employees need EI benefits at a future time.

CERB

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working related to COVID-19. The Benefit provides $500 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks, and is available to workers:       

When submitting their first claim, workers cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the 4 week benefit period of their claim.

When submitting subsequent claims, workers cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for the entire 4 week benefit period of their new claim.

Applicants need to provide their personal contact information, Social Insurance Number, and confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements.

As of of April 22, 2020, we have received 9.44 million applications for support through the CERB and have processed 9.14 million claims.

Prepared by

Heather MacKinnon

Senior Policy Analyst

Key contact

Joel Reimer

Manager

Approved by

Andrew Brown

Director General

819-639-3532

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO

Issue - Canadians who have already received payment for the first 16 weeks of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Context

Global News recently published the story of a worker receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) who is concerned about the payment gap until additional weeks of CERB are available.

Suggested Response

Background

For privacy considerations, the Government cannot comment on the details of specific cases.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working related to COVID-19. The Benefit provides $500 per week, and is delivered through both Service canada and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). On June 16, 2020, the Government announced that the maximum number of weeks available would be extended from 16 weeks to 24 weeks, available between March 15 and october 3, 2020. The CERB is available to workers:

When submitting their first claim, workers cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the 4 week benefit period of their claim.

When submitting subsequent claims, workers cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for the entire 4 week benefit period of their new claim.

As of of June 4, 2020, we have received 15.44 million applications for support through the CERB.

The Government of Canada expects that workers will be seeking work opportunities or returning to work when their employer reaches out to them, provided they are able and it is reasonable to do so. We encourage Canadians to consult Job Bank, Canada’s national employment service, that offers tools to help with job searches.

Under the CERB, the maximum amount payable is $12,000 over 24 weeks, which equates to $2000 a month for 6 months.  All claimants receiving the CERB receive a $2000 initial payment. This payment ensures that, regardless of whether Canadians apply for assistance through the CRA or Service Canada, their initial payment will be the same.

The initial $2000 payment, paid in order to get money in claimants’ pockets as quickly as possible, is included in this $12,000 total. The $2000 is effectively an advance payment for a later 4 weeks of the CERB paid by Service Canada. This means that clients who have received the advanced payment and 12 weeks of ongoing payments, have received their entire entitlement for the first 16 weeks of the benefit period.

Following the initial $2000 payment, claimants who applied through Service Canada will continue to complete their bi-weekly report to demonstrate their ongoing entitlement to the benefit and will receive $1000 for each bi-weekly report completed.  Claimants are asked to continue to complete their reports to cover all the weeks for which they were paid the CERB, including the weeks covered by the advance payment.

Prepared by

Heather MacKinnon

Senior Policy Analyst

Key contact

Caroline Cantin

Manager

Approved by

Andrew Brown

Director General

819-654-6849

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO

Issue - Canada Emergency Response Benefit Application and Repayment

Context

Repayment of CERB Benefits Received In Error

Suggested Response

Background

Canadians should only apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) from either Service Canada or the CRA, not both. If they have already applied and received a benefit from Service Canada, they should continue to report to Service Canada via their bi-weekly reporting to receive their CERB. They should not re-attest monthly to the CRA if they are already reporting bi-weekly to Service Canada. This will ensure that the amount they are required to repay does not continue to grow.

Service Canada is also proactively working with the CRA to address situations in which clients may have mistakenly applied for the CERB twice.

While there will not be any penalty for Canadians if they have received a payment in error, they will be expected to repay the CERB benefits for which they are not entitled and will proactively receive a letter from the CRA providing them with further information about the repayment process.

Specifically, if they have received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit twice for the same benefit period, they will be requested to return one of the payments to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Claimants must repay the CERB if they no longer meet the eligibility requirements for the 4-week period in question. This could happen if:

Whether a claimant applied through CRA or Service Canada, they can find more information on repaying the CERB, including the conditions around paying back the first or subsequent payments and the deadline to submit repayment, can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra/return-payment.html

Current Status

CRA has now implemented a validation check at the application stage. If the applicant has already been approved for benefits with EI/Service Canada, they will be redirected to continue through the EI stream. They will not be able to continue further with the CRA-CERB application.

Prepared by

Name: Jonathan Larocque

Title: Director, Business Analysis

No phone number: 873-354-1312

Key contact

Name: Nisa Tummon

Title: Director General, Strategic Directions

Phone number: 613-218-4998

Approved by

Name: Cliff Groen

Title: Assistant Deputy Minister

Phone number: 819-654-6944

Date approved in SADMO / COO: May 14, 2020

Subject - One-time tax-free payment for Old Age Security pensioners

Issue

The Globe and Mail recently published an article which criticized the Government of Canada’s one-time tax-free payment for seniors. The article suggested that tens of thousands of seniors will not receive the payment because they have chosen to defer their Old Age Security (OAS) pensions.

Is it possible to extend the one-time payment to seniors who have opted to defer their OAS pension?

Key facts

Response

Background

On May 12, 2020, the Prime Minister announced a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). It is estimated that approximately 6.7 million seniors who are eligible for the OAS pension will benefit from the $300 payment, and 2.2 million of those seniors will receive the additional $200 payment due to their eligibility to the GIS.

Since July 2013, Canadians can defer receiving the OAS pension beyond age 65 for up to five years and receive, in exchange, a higher pension in the future. This voluntary deferral gives individuals the option to increase their pensions by 0.6% for every month it is delayed, or 7.2% per year, and up to 36% for those who take advantage of the full deferral until age 70.

It is not possible to extend the one-time payment to seniors who have chosen to defer their OAS pension because the Department cannot identify individuals who may be eligible for the pension but are choosing to defer it. The Department only has information on seniors who have already applied and been approved for the benefit.

Individuals who have decided to defer their OAS pension have effectively either not applied or have opted out of the automatic enrolment process. Therefore, it is not known who they are and if they would be eligible for the OAS pension.

Based on tax and OAS administrative data, about 4% of the first cohort of seniors who could defer their pensions for the maximum period of 5 years (for example from 2013 to 2018) opted to defer their pensions.

Seniors that have deferred their OAS pension and are now receiving their pension will receive the on-time supplementary payment.  Indeed, over 100,000 seniors that are now receiving a deferred OAS pension will receive the one-time supplementary payment.

The Old Age Security Act (OAS Act) includes an 11-month retroactive provision. Individuals who apply late, or after having deferred their OAS pension application, can benefit from this provision. As a result, eligible individuals who will apply retroactively to June 2020 or an earlier date will become entitled to the one-time payment for seniors. However, their application will need to have been processed by September 11, 2020 to receive the one-time payment. While those applications will be prioritized, those individuals should apply as soon as possible, and no later than mid July.

The choice to apply for an OAS pension now, rather than continuing to defer, is a personal choice that should be carefully considered by each individual. The deferral provides a permanent increase to the pension that will be received until the beneficiary dies.  For example, an individual who turned 65 in December 2019 and chose to defer their OAS pension until June 2020 would receive a $22 increase to their monthly OAS pension entitlement.  If that individual delayed until December 2020, they would receive a $44 increase to their monthly OAS pension entitlement.  A full 5 year deferral for that individual would result in a $221 increase to their monthly OAS pension entitlement.

Citations/Key quotes

Ministers quotes / Quotes by key stakeholders

Prepared by

Jorge Uriarte-Landa

Old Age Security Policy and Public Pension Statistics

819-654-3635

Key contact

Kevin Wagdin

Director 

Old Age Security Policy and Public Pension Statistics

819-654-1668

Approved by

Nancy Milroy-Swainson

DG, Seniors and Pensions Policy. Income Security and Social Development Branch

613 894-6033

Date

June 8, 2020

Issue - New parents are asking for additional parental leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Context     

CBC News reported that a mother from Prince Edward Island is petitioning the federal government to offer parents at home with their babies during the coronavirus pandemic an extra three months of paid leave. Petitioners state that some parents have struggled due to lack of support from friends and family during confinement, creating some anxiety. They also argue that an additional three months would provide parents with more time to find child care. 

Suggested Response

Background

EI Maternity and Parental Benefits

EI maternity benefits are provided for up to 15 weeks to eligible mothers who are pregnant or who have recently given birth in order to support their recovery.

Parental benefits provide temporary income support to parents who take a leave from work to care for their newborn or newly adopted child or children. Eligible parents, including adoptive and LGBTQ2 families, can choose between standard or extended parental benefits. When shared, standard parental benefits provide up to 40 weeks of benefits paid at 55% of average weekly earnings over 12 months. No parent can receive more than 35 weeks of benefits.

Parents selecting the extended parental benefits can receive up to 69 weeks of benefits paid at 33% of average weekly earnings over 18 months. No parent can receive more than 61 weeks of benefits.

EI maternity and parental benefits are available across Canada except Quebec, which provides maternity, parental, paternity, and adoption benefits to its residents since 2006.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working related to COVID-19. The Benefit provides $500 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks, and is available to workers:       

Parents who cannot return to work due to COVID-19 following their maternity/parental leave would be considered to have stopped working. If they meet the other eligibility requirements they may receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

The EI maternity and parental benefits and benefits from Quebec Parental Insurance Plan that were paid will count towards the $5,000 income requirement for those individuals receiving the CERB delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Prepared by

Magalie Brochu

Manager

819-654-3103

Key contact

Benoit Cadieux

Director

819-654-4069

Approved by

Andrew Brown

Director General

819-654-6849

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO

Issue - Reworking Employment Insurance to capture affected fishers

Context

New Brunswick’s Fédération régionale acadienne des pêcheurs professionnels have indicated that existing COVID-19 support progams announced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are not adequate and have asked for a reworking of employment insurance to capture affected workers.

Suggested Response

Background

For the purposes of employment insurance, a self-employed fisher is defined as a self-employed person engaged in fishing (other than for their own sport).

Employment circumstances of self-employed fishers emulate an employer/employee relationship.  For this reason the EI program provides benefits to self-employed fishers. 

Unlike regular EI benefits, fishers are able to make claims and receive benefits twice each year for up to 26 weeks each time.  This reflects the unique nature of the fishing industry, which has a summer and winter fishing season.

To be eligible for EI fishing benefits, a fisher must be self-employed and unable to qualify for EI regular benefits. Eligibility for fishing benefits is based on insured earnings from the value of the catch (rather than insured hours) and the regional unemployment rate. Under the earnings-based system, fishers can qualify for benefits with a minimum of between $2,500 and $4,200 in insured earnings from fishing, depending on the unemployment rate in their region, during their qualifying period (For example the 31-week period before making a claim, or since the start of their last claim if the latter is shorter).  Therefore, if a self-employed fisher does not earn any insured earnings in his or her qualifying period, he or she cannot be eligible for fishing benefits.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working related to COVID-19. The Benefit provides $500 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks, and is available to workers:       

Prepared by

Heather MacKinnon

Senior Policy Analyst

Key contact

Cara Scales

Director

Approved by

Andrew Brown

Director General

819-639-3532

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO

Issue - Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

Context

BC Premier John Horgan has called on the federal government to create a national sick-pay program so workers with any type of flu-like symptoms can take sick leave as recommended by public health officials without worrying about lost wages.

Suggested Response

Background

Sickness Benefit

The EI sickness benefit provides up to 15 weeks of income replacement for eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine. In 2017-2018, it provided $1.7 billion in support to 412,000 claimants. The average duration of sickness benefits was 10 weeks, however 36% of claimants exhausted EI benefits before they were able to return to work.

To qualify for EI special benefits, including sickness benefits, insured claimants require 600 insurable hours in the 52-week period preceding their claim. Self-employed individuals are required to opt in at least one full year prior to claiming EI special benefits and must have earned a minimum amount in self-employment earnings during the previous taxation year. For claims in 2020, claimants must have earned at least $7,279 in 2019, or for self-employed fishers, fishing earnings remain $ 3,760.

The maximum weekly EI benefit rate is $573 per week in 2020.

The EI program supports the delivery of sickness benefits through private sector employers through the Premium Reduction Program (PRP). The PRP offers participating employers a premium rate reduction when offering their employees short-term disability plans that meet or exceed EI requirements when the health plan is the first payer. 

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working related to COVID-19. The Benefit provides $500 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks, and is available to workers who have stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020. To be eligible workers, also had to have employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application.

Mandate Commitment

Expand the EI sickness benefit from 15 to 26 weeks.

Prepared by

Name: Lina Asfour

Title:  Manager, EI Policy

Key contact

Name: Andrew Brown

Title: Director General, EI Policy

Phone number: 819-654-6849

Approved by

Name: Elisha Ram

Title: AADM, Skills and Employment Branch

Phone number: 819-654-5212

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO:

March 3rd, 2020

Subject - New eService Canada Channel to serve Canadians during COVID-19

Issue

Service Canada closed its Service Canada Centres at the end of March because of COVID-19. At the same time, a new eService Canada channel was launched to ensure continued service to Canadians. Meanwhile, EI Specialized Call Centres are experiencing an unprecedented volume of calls, impacting accessibility and increasing wait times.

Key facts

Response

Background

We closed all Service Canada Centres to the public on March 27, so that we could better apply existing capacity to providing critical services for vulnerable clients.

At the same time, a new approach to service delivery was launched. Through eService Canada, clients can request help online and are then contacted by telephone by a Citizen Service Officer (CSO) within two business days. This online/callback service enables the continued delivery of critical services while protecting the health of clients and employees during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Clients with internet access who require assistance in applying for benefits are able to reach in person staff through an online service request form at canada.ca/service-canada-e-service. Once clients fill out the service request form, a Service Canada Centre employee will call clients within two business days. Service Canada employees will provide personalized service support for EI and pension applications for clients with internet access.

CSOs will provide personalized service support for EI and pensions applications.  This means that they will help a client with internet access to: find the website to make an application; walk through the application and the information required; and, help the client fill in the application.

In addition to the SCC closures, outreach services to communities have been suspended. Outreach staff have contacted 4,015 communities and trusted partners across the country to make them aware of eService Canada, and to encourage them to share the contact information with their members and clients.

Outreach staff are now also promoting a new outreach contact centre, which was launched on April 14, 2020. The Outreach Support Centre supplements the new e-Service Canada portal by giving communities without internet and clients with other barriers a way to connect directly with outreach officers, and access critical services and benefits. As of May 6, 5,808 calls have been received.

At the same time, the EI Call Centre is experiencing an unprecedented volume of calls, impacting accessibility and increasing wait times due to the COVID-19 crisis. Since March 15th, the call demand is significantly higher than what is expected during normal circumstances resulting in increased wait times. We are working hard to increase the capacity of this service. While the average wait time can vary depending on the time of day and day of the week, the current average wait time for the EI call centre is approximately two hours. We are continuing to onboard staff to improve timeliness and accessibility to the EI call centre. For clients who have already applied through EI for CERB, the CERB toll-free number has shortened wait times of under two minutes and 100% accessibility.

Prepared by

Name: Maren Delion    

Title: Manager, Benefits Delivery Services

No phone number:

Key contact

Name: Nisa Tummon

Title: Director General

Phone number:

Approved by

Name: Cliff Groen

Title: Assistant Deputy Minister

Phone number:

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: April 28, 2020

Issue - Labour force participation of older Canadians

Context

What is the Government doing to support the labour force participation of older Canadians?

Suggested Response

Background

The federal jobs report reveals that the unemployment rate of workers 55+ increased from 2.6% in February to 3.3% in March. These numbers do not reflect the job losses of the last few weeks. So, the rate of unemployment is expected to rise dramatically in next months’ reports.

For 50+ workers, the crisis highlights challenges – some of which are faced by all workers and others are unique to older workers. These challenges include limited emergency savings, the effects of age discrimination in the workplace, and lack of paid sick leave or extended paid family caregiving leave.

Each year, the Government of Canada provides provinces and territories (PTs) with approximately $3 billion in ongoing funding through the Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) and the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs). The Government of Canada is also investing an additional $2.7 billion ($1.8 billion for the LMDAs and $900 million for the WDAs) between 2017-2018 and 2022-2023. These agreements enable provincial and territorial governments to offer a range of skills training and employment supports to help Canadians improve their skills and find and keep good jobs. Under these agreements, PTs have the flexibility to design and deliver employment programming that meets the needs of their local labour markets.

As people age, there is an increased likelihood that some may develop a disability. Through funding provided under the WDAs, supports for persons with disabilities is increasing beyond what was provided through the former LMAPDs. This means that from 2017-2018 to 2022-2023, close to $2.7 billion in funding is being invested by federal ($1.43 billion) provincial and territorial ($1.23 billion) governments in targeted skills training and employment supports for persons with disabilities.

Through the work of the Forum of Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Ministers Responsible for Seniors, jurisdictions have identified Canadian and international promising practices to support extended the working life of older workers and are undertaking further work on this topic. This includes examining public policies that influence older workers’ decisions about labour force participation and identifying negative myths about older workers with a view to proposing ways to dispel those myths. 

Canadian employers whose business has been affected by COVID-19 may be eligible for a subsidy of 75% of employee wages for up to 24 weeks, retroactive from March 15, 2020, to August 29, 2020. This wage subsidy enables employers to re-hire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19, help prevent further job losses, and better position them to resume normal operations following the crisis.

Work-Sharing is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. To support employers and workers, including older workers, affected by COVID-19, several temporary special Work-Sharing measures have been announced as part of the Government’s response to the global pandemic. Changes include extending the maximum duration of agreements, waiving the mandatory waiting period, expanding eligibility criteria and streamlining the application process from 30 days to 10 days. These measures remain in effect until March 14, 2021

Prepared by

Khaddouj Souaid

Manager

Key contact

Eppo Maertens

Policy Director

819-853-2781

Approved by

Alan Bulley

Director General

613-316-3466

Date

2020-05-19

Subject - Collective bargaining at the port of Montréal between the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) and the Syndicat des Débardeurs, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), local 375 and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), local 1657

Issue

Current status of the collective bargaining negotiations at the Port of Montréal between the MEA and the Syndicat des Débardeurs, CUPE, Local 375, and the ILA, Local 1657

Response

Key facts

Background

The Maritime Employers Association (MEA) has as its mission to represent all maritime stakeholders in the Ports of Montréal, Trois-Rivières/Bécancour, Hamilton and Toronto. It negotiates and administers the collective agreements to its members which include ship owners and/or ship operators and/or ship agents and stevedoring companies.

The MEA is currently negotiating the renewal of 2 collective agreements, with 2 of the unions representing the employees working at the Port of Montréal:

Collective Bargaining between the MEA and the Syndicat des débardeurs, CUPE, Local 375

The parties are negotiating the renewal of their collective agreement which expired on December 31, 2018, covering all the employees (approximately 1,110) of all the employers engaged in the loading and unloading of vessels, and in other related work, in the territory of the Port of Montréal.

On September 4, 2018, the union served a notice to bargain to the employer and direct bargaining sessions took place on September 18 and October 18, 2018.

On October 9, 2018, 2019, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service received a notice of dispute from the union.

On October 11, 2018, a conciliation officer was appointed and meetings were held on October 18 and 19 and November 1 and 2, 13 to16 and 27, 2018.

No agreement on the maintenance of activities was reached by the parties in the event of a strike or lockout.

On October 23, 2018, the employer filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (Board), under subsection 87.4(4) of the Canada Labour Code (Code), requesting the Board to determine any question with respect to the maintenance of activities in the event of a work stoppage.

On October 24, 2018, the union filed a complaint of unfair labour practice with the Board under section 97(1) of the Code, alleging violation by the employer of sections 50(a) and (b) (duty to bargain and not to change terms and conditions) and 94(1)(a) (employer interference in trade unions) of the Code.

On December 11, 2018, 2 mediators were appointed.

On December 16, 2018, the union membership voted 99.49% in favour of strike action.

On December 21, 2018, the employer filed a complaint of unfair labour practice with the Board under section 97 (1) of the Code, alleging violation by the union of section 50 (a) and (b) of the Code (duty to bargain and not to change terms and conditions).

On January 1, 2019 at 00:01, the parties acquired the legal right to strike or lockout.

On August 21, 2019, the Board rendered a decision in which it rejected the employer’s application asking for the recusation of one of the Board members involved into the maintenance of activities application. On August 23, 2019, the employer filled an application for judicial review of this decision with the Federal Court of Appeal. On October 30, 2019, the Federal Court of Appeal issued a decision in which it considered as premature the employer’s application seeking an order staying proceedings before the Board in the context of ongoing Board hearings into the maintenance of activities application. The Court ruled to adjourn the application and invited the employer to make a request for a stay of the Board’s decision should the Board issue a decision unfavourable to the employer.

On December 5, 2019, the union membership voted 99.45% in favour of strike action. The mediators met with the parties on December 11, 12, 20, 21, 2018, and January 7, 9 and 10, 23 to 25, March 26, 29, April 8, 9, 10, 23, 24, 25, May 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, June 4, 5, 6, 19, 20, July 11, 12, September 23, 24, 26, October 9, 21, 23, 24, 25, November 18, December 18, 2019, and February 20, 2020.

On February 4, 2020, the union membership voted 99.41% in favour of strike action.

On June 5, 2020, the union membership voted 99.1% in favour of strike action.

On June 8, 2020, the CIRB rendered its decision with respect to the application filed by the employer pursuant to section 87.4(4) of the Code on the issue of maintenance of activities in the event of a work stoppage.

No 72-hour notice of strike or lockout has been received at this time. The mediators remain in contact with the parties and are available to assist them in their negotiations.

Collective Bargaining between the MEA and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), Local 1657

The parties are negotiating the renewal of their collective agreement which expired on December 31, 2018, covering 178 checkers and coopers working at the Port of Montreal.

On September 10, 2019, 2 conciliation officers were appointed. A third officer was added to the file on February 21, 2020. The conciliation period was extended until March 13, 2020. Conciliation meetings were held on November 7, 8, 27, 28, December 11, 12, 2019, and January 23, 24, 30, 31, and February 25, 27, 28, 2020.

On March 17, 2020, 2 mediators were appointed. Conference calls with the parties were held on April 17 and May 8 and 12, 2020.

On April 4, 2020 at 00:01, the parties acquired the legal right to strike or lockout.

The agreement reached between the parties to not use any pressure tactics expired on June 7, 2020.

No agreement on the maintenance of activities was reached by the parties in the event of a strike or lockout.

On June 5, 2020, the union membership voted 94% in favour of strike action.

No 72-hour notice of strike or lockout has been received at this time. The mediators remain in contact with the parties and are available to assist them in their negotiations.

Prepared by

Laurent Boisvert, Acting Manager, DRS, FMCS

819-360-8065

Key Contact

Kimberley Cunha Bellem

Senior Director, FMCS

613-219-3381

Approved by

Peter Simpson

Director General, FMCS

613-716-8354

Date

June 9, 2020

Issue - Uncashed and unclaimed cheques for OAS, CPP and EI are available to beneficiaries

Context

Canadians who believe they have not received a benefits cheque to which they are entitled can contact Service Canada for more information.

Suggested Response

Background

When Old Age Security (OAS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), or Employment Insurance (EI) cheques are returned to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada, the Department investigates the reason and reissues the cheques to our clients as soon as possible. 

In certain situations, the cheque payments will remain uncashed for reasons beyond the control of the Department. These payments remain available to the beneficiaries until information is received to enable the Department to release the payments.

There are many reasons Canadians may have an uncashed cheque from ESDC/Service Canada. For example, someone may have moved and not updated their address, believed the payment was issued to them in error, or the cheque may have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

If a person has an uncashed cheque, once their identity has been validated, the Department will take the necessary steps to investigate and reissue a cheque to them.

Meanwhile, clients that receive OAS, CPP or EI benefits by cheque, can easily sign up for direct deposit online through My Service Canada Account.

Should Canadians have reason to believe they have uncashed cheques, they can contact the appropriate Service Canada call centre, where EI and pension call centres agents can verify if a client has uncashed checks. Should a client have an uncashed cheque in their file, agents will review specific criteria to determine if a payment can be re-issued; and, if the criteria is met, the agent will take appropriate action to re-issue the payment.

For more information on uncashed or unclaimed CPP and OAS cheques, please contact the Pensions call centre at 1-800-277-9914.

For information on uncashed or unclaimed EI cheques, please contact the EI call centre at 1-800-206-7218.

Prepared by

Name: Maren Delion

Title: Manager, Benefits Delivery Services

Key contact

Name: Nisa Tummon

Title: Director General, Benefits Delivery Services

Phone number: 873-396-1062

Approved by

Name: Cliff Groen

Title: Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Benefits Delivery Services

Phone number: 819-654-6944

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: June 17, 2020

Temporary Foreign Worker Program: COVID-19

Context

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, some temporary foreign workers are facing delays in arriving in Canada.  Impacts are particularly acute in agriculture, adding additional pressure in the sector at the beginning of the planting season.

Suggested Response

Background

Approximately 50,000 to 60,000 foreign primary agricultural and food production workers come to work in Canada each year, which accounts for more than 60% of all foreign workers entering Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Canadian travel restrictions as well as widespread travel restrictions from major source countries, due to COVID-19, is affecting the timely arrival of agricultural workers and could negatively affect farmers, the industry and Canada’s domestic food supply.

In response, on March 20, 2020, the Government of Canada announced exemptions to the air travel restrictions to allow travel to Canada by temporary foreign workers. The exemptions became effective March 26, 2020. 

ESDC has also streamlined requirements for employers hiring workers in occupations related to agriculture and food processing, and Service Canada is prioritizing those applications.

Additional administrative flexibilities are now offered to all TFW employers to help them adapt to the COVID-19 situation, such as an expedited process for employers wishing the change the name of a worker on an application, and elimination of the requirement for an employer to advise Service Canada of minor administrative changes.

Note that in Quebec, under the Canada-Quebec accord on Immigration, applications to the TFW Program are jointly assessed by Service Canada and the Ministère de l'immigration, de la francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI). In addition, a temporary foreign worker in Quebec needs to detain a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) in order to obtain a work permit.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has launched a new temporary process to allow temporary workers to be re-employed swiftly.  This new temporary policy is in place to allow a worker who is already in Canada and has secured a new job offer, typically backed by a labour market test, to get approval to start working in their new job, even while their work permit application is being fully processed. This policy will reduce the process length time from upwards of 10 weeks processing down to 10 days or less. 

Canadians, especially those whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19, have been encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities and help serve their communities during these challenging times.

To ensure Canadians are able to take advantage of the many employment opportunities available in the agriculture and agri-food sector, Job Bank, Canada’s national employment service, currently has thousands of available jobs in this sector. The government recently made temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program to help small businesses, like farms and food processors, hire and keep the workers they need so they continue to deliver essential services. Additionally, an investment of up to $9.2 million has been made to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and fund up to 700 new positions for youth in the agriculture industry. We are also working with the provinces and territories to provide a wage boost to our essential workers making less than $2,500 a month and ensuring that part-time workers who make under $1,000 still receive the full Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

Prepared by

Name: Steven West

Title: Director, Temporary Foreign Worker Program

phone number: 613-889-6315

Key contact

Name: Philippe Massé

Title: Director General, Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Phone number: 613-793-5673

Approved by

Name:

Title:

Phone number:

Date: June 4, 2020

Date approved in SADMO / COO

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