Minister of Seniors HUMA appearance on Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic - May 15, 2020

Support for seniors in the community

• On March 20, I authorized a new $9 million agreement with the United Way Centraide Canada to support local organizations that provide essential services to seniors. These services could include the delivery of groceries, medications, or personal outreach to assess individuals’ needs and connect them to community supports
• Furthermore, I implemented new flexibilities under the community stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program to allow organizations across the country to use previously approved project funding, approximately $50 million, for essential services to seniors affected by COVID-19. Organizations that were approved for funding for the 2019-20 call for proposals can now use their funding for activities such as helping seniors stay connected to their community and family, and supporting the delivery of food and medication to seniors at home
• On May 12, the Government of Canada also announced that it is expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program with an additional investment of $20 million to support organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network
• In addition, on April 21, the Government announced an investment of $350 million to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need, including seniors. The Emergency Community Support Fund will provide funding to national intermediaries with networks across the country, including United Way Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and Community Foundations of Canada
• This investment will support a variety of activities, such as: increasing volunteer-based home deliveries of groceries and medications; providing transportation services; scaling up help lines that provide information and support; helping vulnerable Canadians access government benefits; providing training, supplies and other supports to volunteers so they can continue to make their invaluable contributions to the COVID-19 response; and supporting virtual contact through phone calls, texts, teleconferences, or the Internet

Support for NGOs

• To assist not-for-profit organizations and charities that are under stress because of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has introduced a 75 per cent wage subsidy for qualifying organizations, for up to three months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This subsidy would be available to eligible employers that see a drop of at least 15 per cent of their revenue in March 2020 and 30 per cent for the following months. Charities have the choice to include or exclude government funding when calculating their loss in revenue

Seniors' financial security

• Seniors’ financial security is also an ongoing priority. On May 12, the Government of Canada announced that we will be providing additional financial support through a one-time payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) and $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). This measure would give a total of $500 to individuals who receive both the OAS and the GIS, and will help them cover increased costs caused by COVID-19
• The Government of Canada also is committed to maintaining the timely, continued delivery of seniors’ benefits including the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement
• As well, a special top-up payment under the Goods and Service Tax Credit provided about $400 for low- and modest-income single seniors and about $600 for low- and modest- income senior couples
• To help protect seniors’ assets during a volatile market, we reduced the minimum withdrawals required from Registered Retirement Income Funds by 25 percent for 2020
• We also extended the deadline for filing federal tax returns until June 1, 2020 and the deadline for paying any 2019 income tax amounts until September 1, 2020
• To ensure Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments to low-income seniors are not affected by the deferral of the 2019 tax filing deadline, we have put measures in place to ensure that GIS payments will continue without interruption if a person's 2019 federal income information has not been received. This measure will guarantee that the most vulnerable seniors will continue to receive their benefits when they need them the most. Allowance payment to 60-64 year olds will also be similarly continued without interruption
• In addition, seniors and other workers who meet the eligibility requirements may receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a taxable benefit of $500 per week for up to 16 weeks. The Benefit is available to those who stop working, including if they are sick, quarantined or taking care of someone who is ill with COVID-19. They can collect the CERB regardless of whether or not they receive the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security or the Guaranteed Income Supplement

Long-term care facilities

• The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada worked together with provincial and territorial Chief Public Health Officers to finalize a guidance document on the prevention of COVID-19 transmission in long-term care facilities. The document is available on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website
• The Government is providing up to $3 billion in support to increase the wages of low-income essential workers. These Canadians are providing us with essential services, so we can continue to keep our families safe and healthy. We are relying on them now more than ever. The Prime Minister announced last week that all provinces and territories have confirmed, or are in the process of confirming, plans to cost share wage top-ups for their essential workers. Each province and territory will determine which workers would be eligible for support, and how much support they will receive
• Some provinces are also looking to leverage foreign students to address human resource challenges. Officials are working to expedite the processing of these permits so international graduates can start working right away as soon as they complete their studies. Normally, those enrolled full-time in designated post-secondary institutions can work off-campus for 20 hours/week during school terms and full-time during regularly scheduled breaks. After graduation, most can apply for a permit to work full-time for up to three years. The Government of Canada is temporarily allowing international students to work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods
• In addition, the Government deployed members of the Canadian Armed Forces in long-term care facilities in Quebec and Ontario, as agreed with the provincial governments. They are working collaboratively with their provincial partners and with medical staff in the homes to maintain staffing levels and help with infection control and prevention. They are providing assistance with the day-to-day operations, helping with the coordination and provision of medical care, and providing general support at the identified facilities

Personal protective equipment, testing and health system capacity

• To leverage our collective buying power, the Government of Canada is working hand-in-hand with provinces and territories on the bulk purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers. These include N95 masks, surgical masks, testing kits, swabs, gloves, gowns and hand sanitizers. On March 11, an initial $50 million was announced for the procurement of personal protective equipment to address federal, provincial, and territorial needs. On March 31, a further $2 billion was committed to support diagnostic testing and to purchase ventilators and more protective personal equipment
• The Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and Public Services and Procurement Canada are working around the clock to identify suppliers and secure delivery. Health Canada is providing daily updates to provincial and territorial partners on the status of these orders
• Health Canada is also working to speed up the regulatory process to ensure that critically needed products are available. They are expediting approvals of licence applications related to personal protective equipment products, sanitizers, disinfectants and facilitating expedited access through interim measures
• Given the importance of the PPE issue, the federal government has created a Subcommittee of the Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee on COVID-19, to focus specifically on PPE for essential services. As a member of the Subcommittee, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to work in this area
• The Conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Deputy Ministers of Health has been having focussed discussions on health services’ preparedness for COVID-19. In particular, it has been examining modelling and conducting a stock take of key assets such as ventilators, intensive care units beds, and health human resources to define needs and management strategies
• In addition, the federal government is ramping up Canada’s domestic industrial capacity to meet the needs of frontline healthcare workers. Across Canada, approximately 5,000 companies have answered the federal call for proposals to supply emergency equipment to fight COVID-19
• On April 5, the Government of Canada announced a National Recruitment Campaign to seek volunteers to assist with case tracking and contact tracing, case data collection and reporting; and health system surge capacity through building an inventory

Support for vulnerable seniors

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EI-eligible individuals who become ill with COVID 19

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All Canadians

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Current TFW eligible businesses

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Vulnerable Canadians

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Families

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Seniors

1. GIS renewal

a. What was announced on May 12?

The Government of Canada is announcing that the deferred tax filing deadline will not have an impact on Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits. This means that low-income seniors will continue to receive their payments without interruption if their 2019 income information is not available to reassess their entitlement. This new measure will ensure that GIS recipients continue to receive their benefits during this difficult time.

b. What does this new measure change for Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) recipients?

GIS recipients normally need to file their income taxes or declare their income to Service Canada to avoid interruptions in payments. GIS benefits are renewed annually in July and are calculated based the income information from the previous year. This new measure will now allow beneficiaries to receive in July 2020 the same amount of GIS they received in June 2020, if their 2019 income is not yet available.

Benefits will be adjusted retroactively to July 2020 once Service Canada has received the 2019 income information from the Canada Revenue Agency, or directly from the recipients.

Seniors are encouraged to file their tax return as soon as possible and no later than

October 1, 2020, as it is the best way to ensure that they receive all the benefits to which they are entitled.

c. Why is the Government of Canada taking this new measure?

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the delivery of crucial services to low-income seniors across Canada, including free tax clinics. As per the eligibility requirements of the program, GIS recipients need to file their income taxes every year, or provide their income information directly to Service Canada, in order to avoid interruptions in payments.

To ensure that this vulnerable group continues to receive GIS payments during this difficult time, the Government of Canada will authorize that their GIS payments continue uninterrupted if their 2019 income information is not available to reassess their benefits.

d. How long will this interim measure last? Will clients be cut off at any point?

This measure is a temporary one to address the potential impact of the pandemic crisis in the spring and summer of 2020 on the ability of beneficiaries to report their income or file their income tax return. GIS beneficiaries will still need to provide their 2019 income to Service Canada or file their income tax return. To avoid an interruption in payment in January 2021, seniors are encouraged to file their tax return as soon as possible and no later than October 1, 2020.

e. How and when will the GIS benefits be adjusted?

GIS benefits will be adjusted retroactively to July 2020 once Service Canada has received the 2019 income information from the Canada Revenue Agency, or directly from the recipient.

f. Were seniors at risk of not receiving their GIS benefits before this measure was introduced?

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada recently deferred the 2019 tax filing deadline from May 1, 2020 to June 1, 2020.

The service standard to process tax returns at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is two weeks for electronic tax returns and eight weeks for paper tax returns. Many seniors use paper tax-filing when filing their tax returns. In addition, self-isolation or illness among seniors, and the lack of availability of free tax filing services on which many low-income seniors rely, could affect their ability to file their tax returns.

In light of these factors, some clients’ income information may not be available to reassess the GIS entitlement for July. GIS recipients who don’t provide their income information to Service Canada by that date would have typically seen their benefits suspended.

By ensuring that GIS benefits continue to be paid without interruption, the Government of Canada is taking a proactive approach to ensure the financial security of low-income seniors during these difficult times.

2. Interaction with CERB and GIS

a. Will income from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit be used in the calculation of Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits?

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is intended to replace income that has been lost due to COVID-19. It is considered to be taxable income and must be considered when determining entitlement to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and the Allowances.

This being said, this will not affect the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and the Allowances for about a year. Income received from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit in 2020 will only affect GIS and Allowances benefit amounts beginning in July 2021, as those benefits will be based on 2020 income.

To provide support during the pandemic, the Government of Canada provided more than 4 million low and modest-income seniors an average of $375 for singles and $510 for couples through a one-time special payment of the Goods and Services Tax Credit.

3. New horizons for seniors program (NHSP) – additional funding

a. How do you intend to spend the $20 million incremental investment in NHSP?

The NHSP supports the social participation and inclusion of seniors by funding activities that make a difference in the lives of seniors and their communities. At this time when COVID-19 is affecting our communities, our seniors need our support to overcome the impact of the pandemic. $20 million in new funding will go towards projects that assist seniors impacted by COVID-19 as well as broader recovery efforts to safely reduce social isolation and promote social participation of seniors in their communities. Priorities will include a focus on seniors’ mental health, supporting virtual connections and other activities. The funding would be invested through projects submitted through a call for proposals as well as unfunded eligible projects from previous calls.

1. Service delivery

a. How is the Government of Canada supporting Canadians affected by COVID-19?

The Government established the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a taxable benefit that provides $500 per week for up to sixteen weeks to workers who stop working as as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and do not have more than $1000 in employment and self-employment income for a period of at least 14 consecutive days in their first benefit period and for the entire 4-weeks of any subsequent benefit period. Individuals eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits as of March 15th as well as those who have exhausted their Employment insurance regular or fishing benefits as of December 29th are also eligible.

The Government of Canada’s priority is to ensure that Canadians receive the money they are entitled to as quickly as possible. That is why the CERB is being jointly administered by Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency.

Eligible workers apply through a simple portal. There is no waiting period and direct deposit payments will be delivered into accounts within three business days of applicants being eligible to receive it, and cheques within 10 days.

b. What are you doing to address wait times?

As of May 11, 2020, CRA and Service Canada have received 11.38M applications, and processed more than 11.29M of them.

The Department is putting in place strategies to ensure the timely delivery of benefits.

1. Service Canada has recently redeployed almost 3,000 additional staff from other less critical activities to focus on supporting the delivery of EI and the new CERB. We are continuing to work on accelerating and increasing our hiring plans for the remainder of the year and are on track to increase the network to a total of 2500 agents by March 2021. This will represent a 250% increase
2. We are focused on processing new claims and leaving adjustments aside
3. We are deploying strategies to further increase automation and increase self-service opportunities for clients

Taken together these measures will ensure we get Canadians the benefits they need when they need them most.

We have been able to get payments out to the overwhelming majority of applicants ahead of our EI service standard of 28 days.

c. I have been advised not to visit or enter a Service Canada Centre if I am experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever or difficulty breathing; in self-isolation or quarantine; or have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days. If this applies to me, how can I access services?

As an alternative to in-person service, Service Canada programs and services are available online at Canada.ca/service-canada-home or by telephone at: 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) - TTY: 1-800-926-9105.

You are encouraged to apply online for benefits and/or to mail your applications or supporting document to us. Service Canada services and mailing instructions are available online at Canada.ca/service-canada-home.

Additionally, you can contact our specialized call centres for program specific support:

Employment Insurance: Toll-Free: 1-800-206-7218, TTY: 1-800-529-3742

Canada Pension and Old Age Security: Toll-Free: 1-800-277-9914, TTY: 1-800-255-4786

If you are applying for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and you require additional support, you can reach an agent at 1-833-699-0299.

Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday

Please Note: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. We encourage you to use self-serve options to access our programs and services online, and to avoid calling Service Canada if your request is not urgent.

We ask Canadians for their patience at this time so that we can focus our efforts on the most vulnerable Canadian population.

d. How are we reaching Indigenous communities; how can they apply if they don’t have internet access or access to a Service Canada Office?

Service Canada delivers critical services to Canadians and continues to work hard to ensure that Canadians have access to these services during the COVID-19 situation.

Even though our doors are closed, our services to Canadians continue.

Service Canada launched the e-Service Canada channel at the end of March 2020. It is designed to protect the health and safety of our staff while ensuring continued access to service by Canadians. These activities mirror the service provided by clients who come into Service Canada Centres for application support.

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 or they can scan the QR code provided on posters outside of Service Canada Centres. Once clients fill out the service request form, a Service Canada Centre employee will call clients within two (2) business days. Service Canada employees will provide personalized service support for EI and pension applications for clients with internet access.

In addition, Outreach staff have contacted communities and trusted partners across the country to make them aware of eServiceCanada, and to encourage them to share the contact information with their members and clients.

To supplement the new eServiceCanada approach, Service Canada launched a new Outreach Support Centre on April 14. This is a toll-free service for Indigenous communities and other vulnerable clients facing barriers to accessing ESDC’s critical programs and benefits. As of May 1, 5,054 calls have been received.

As of May 1, 2020, 4,015 contacts have been made to Service Delivery Partners and Indigenous, Northern and remote communities.

2. Employment Insurance

a. Will foreign students and persons with work permits be able to apply for CERB?

Foreign students and persons with work permits may qualify for CERB if they meet the eligibility requirements, which includes, for instance, residing in Canada and having a valid Social Insurance Number.

b. Will we adjust EI so persons with fewer hours be able to obtain EI?

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit was designed to address the needs of most workers affected by COVID-19 as quickly as possible while having a system in place that would hold up to an unprecedented high volume of individuals applying for financial support. It was therefore essential, at the onset, to have simple eligibility rules in place.

We are aware that due to COVID-19, some workers may not have accumulated sufficient hours to qualify for EI benefits after receiving the CERB. The Government is continuing to explore ways for Canadians to get the support they need in these challenging and unprecedented times.

c. Will we eliminate the one-week waiting period on regular EI?

For anyone who became eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits on March 15, 2020 or later, the Employment Insurance claim will be automatically processed through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which has no waiting period.

d. Will parents receiving maternity/parental benefit, or parents that are expecting a child, be able to obtain the Canada Emergency Response Benefit?

The Government of Canada is committed to addressing the situation experienced by some expectant mothers applying for the CERB and receiving regular EI benefits when they should have been receiving the CERB. Anyone entitled to the CERB should be getting the CERB

• We are also committed that being on the CERB will not affect an expectant mother’s ability to collect EI maternity and parental benefits. We have come up with a way that will not negatively impact any expectant mother who should have been receiving the CERB
• Service Canada asks CERB applicants if they are pregnant and anticipating going on maternity/parental benefits to ensure that the claims are properly established with all the necessary information to allow the client to transition over to maternity / parental at the appropriate time without having to reapply
• There was a limitation with the CERB system when expectant mothers disclosed they were pregnant, and women were being immediately put on EI benefits rather than the CERB. This was happening regardless of whether the expectant mother became eligible for EI before or after March 15th
• March 15th is an important date as it determines whether a claim will be processed through the regular EI system or through the CERB system. The triggering date is not the date of application
• Expectant mothers who lost their job and are eligible for EI prior to March 15th, should have received EI regular benefits, and when eligible, transition to EI maternity and parental benefits following the birth of their child
  • The benefits will be paid at the rate established under EI rules
• Expectant mothers who lost their job and are eligible for EI after March 15th should receive the CERB (to a maximum of 16 weeks) and when eligible, transition to EI maternity and parental benefits following the birth of their child
  • CERB benefits will be paid out at the rate of $500/week
  • An expectant mother could potentially claim EI regular benefits in between the end of CERB and the beginning of EI maternity and parental benefits
• Scheduled to start as of May 8th, women who should have been receiving the CERB will have their claims converted retroactively to the CERB
  • Those who had been receiving less than the $500 per week will receive a payment to get them up to the $500
  • Those who had been receiving more than the $500 per week will not have any money clawed back, but will receive the $500 per week flat rate from the time their claim is converted going forward
  • The weeks for which they collect the CERB will not impact the number of weeks of maternity and parental benefits they may receive
• The maximum number of weeks of EI regular and maternity and standard parental benefits any claimant can receive is 50 weeks, or over a longer period for claimants who choose the extended parental benefits
  • Whereas EI regular benefits count towards this 50-week maximum, CERB benefits do not
  • In all cases, maternity and parental benefits will be paid at the rate established under EI rules

e. Can employers keep their employees on payroll and top up their CERB without the employees being penalized?

In order to meet the CERB requirements, employees do not need to be laid off, the employer-employee relationship can be maintained. Employers may provide support to their employees provided that it does not exceed the $1000 income threshold.

f. Will we extend EI Regular benefits for those who are currently on them and are soon going to run out? I.e. Seasonal Workers

The government has extended the CERB to workers, including seasonal workers, who exhaust their EI regular or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 and are unable to return to work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

g. Is there a way for employees to receive financial support without having to be laid off first? 

Workers do not need to be laid off to qualify. The employer-employee relationship can be maintained. In addition, to help more Canadians benefit from the CERB, the government has changed the eligibility rules to allow people to earn up to $1,000 in employment/self-employment income within the benefit period.

3. Work Sharing

a. Are we able to streamline the work-sharing program?

• The Government of Canada has taken steps to reduce the time to put an agreement in place from 30 days to just 10 days
• The Government of Canada has also taken concrete steps to significantly simplify mandatory requirements. Such actions include: broadening eligibility requirements for businesses, easing recovery plan requirements, removing the requirement to provide detailed financial information and reducing the time required for processing and approving applications
• These temporary changes are allowing more employers and workers across various sectors and industries to access the program when they need it most
• The COVID-19 special Work-Sharing measures are in effect until March 14, 2021

b. What other changes have been made to the work-sharing program?

• In addition to streamlining mandatory requirements of the work-sharing program, temporary special measures have been introduced that extend the duration of agreements from 38 to 76 weeks
• The mandatory cooling-off period between agreements has also been waived, allowing employers with recently expired agreements to immediately apply for a new one
• Eligibility has also been broadened temporarily to allow more employers access to the program. For example, Government Business Enterprises (e.g., Crown Corporations, other public corporations that run as profit-oriented entities and/or do not rely solely on public funds to operate) and essential staff who are typically not included

4. Emergency benefits

a. What is the eligibility criteria for these new benefits?

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is available to individuals residing in Canada who are age 15 and over and who are employees or self-employed. To be eligible, individuals must:

• 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 or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020
• have had 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; and
• have not quit their job voluntarily

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

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

b. Will self-employed, contractors, gig economy workers, seasonal workers, etcetera. be eligible?

Yes, the benefit is available to workers, regardless of the nature of their employment, provided that they meet the eligibility criteria.

c. If someone who is Canadian earned income abroad, is he/she eligible? Are international students eligible? Can they earn the income outside of Canada or does it have to be income earned on Canadian soil?

The intent is to support workers in the Canadian labour force who stopped working as a result of COVID-19.

• The income does not have to be earned in Canada
• The person does have to be residing in Canada
• The person needs to have to have a SIN

A Canadian who earned income abroad and who is now residing here is eligible as long as the other conditions are met (if they ceased working due to COVID-19, etcetera.)

An international student with a SIN and currently residing in Canada is eligible if other conditions are met (if they ceased working due to COVID-19, etcetera.)

A Canadian currently residing abroad is not eligible (even if he/she worked in Canada last year).

d. Is someone self-isolating and not in quarantine eligible for the emergency benefits?

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is available to those who stop working for reasons related to COVID-19 but do not voluntarily quit their job.

An applicant who chooses to stop working because of concerns regarding COVID-19 would not be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit as they would have stopped working voluntarily.

However, an applicant who is placed in quarantine or directed to self-isolate by a public health official, a medical doctor, or a nurse as a result of COVID-19 would not be considered to have stopped working voluntarily and therefore, would be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

e. Does someone have to have been without work for 14 days (is there a waiting period) before they can apply for the Benefit?

Applicants will be asked to certify that they have stopped or will stop working for reasons related to COVID-19, have not quit their job and will be earning no more than $1,000 as employment/self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days within the initial four-week claim period and for the entire four weeks in subsequent benefit periods.

f. Does someone have to be laid off to access the new Benefit?

No.

Workers do not need to be laid off to qualify. The employer-employee relationship can be maintained.

g. How much will people receive?

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides a flat $500 weekly amount for up to 16 weeks.

h. How will the new benefits be administered?

Applicants are able to receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for up to 16 weeks. The design of the measure has been kept as simple as possible to make the measure accessible and ensure that payments are issued quickly. The measure is being delivered through both Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency.

5. Service Canada

a. What are we doing to address wait times?

Since March 16, 2020, the Department has received 3.74 million applications for EI (including Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) for EI eligible applicants) and 3.66M of those applications have already been processed.

The Department is putting in place strategies to ensure the timely delivery of benefits.

• Service Canada has recently redeployed almost 3,000 additional staff from other less critical activities to focus on supporting the delivery of EI and the new CERB
• We are focused on processing new claims and leaving adjustments aside
• We are deploying strategies to increase automation and increase self-service opportunities for clients. Clients can resolve their enquiry through our CERB informational automated service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is 100% accessible to clients
• To support the CERB and to increase the capacity of our call centres, a New Virtual Call Centre was established on April 6 within Service Canada
• This virtual call centre, which serves clients who have already applied through EI for CERB, has shortened wait times

Taken together these measures will ensure we get Canadians the benefits they need when they need them most.

We have been able to get payments out to the overwhelming majority of applicants ahead of our service standard of 28 days.

b. Will there be higher IT capacity?

The Department has been working with Shared Services Canada to increase its IT network and system capacity to address the significant increase in EI applications. Measures taken to-date include enhancing the IT infrastructure to enable more staff to telework, ensuring stakeholders are able to access online services and improving processing capacity.

6. Temporary Foreign Workers

a. What flexibilities has the Government introduced to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to ensure employers have access to workers?

Recognizing the continued importance of foreign workers to ensuring Canada’s food security, on a temporary basis, we have streamlined requirements for employers hiring workers in occupations related to agriculture and food processing, and are prioritizing those applications.

Given the persistent need for foreign workers in full-time/full-year positions under the low-wage stream of the program, which include occupations related to meat, fish and seafood processing, we have introduced a pilot to increase the maximum duration of a Labour Market Impact Assessment from one to two years. This initiative is expected to reduce processing times and costs for employers and the Government.

We have also implemented additional administrative flexibilities to enable employers to adapt to the COVID-19 situation, such as expediting the process for employers wishing the change the name of an already identified foreign worker, and eliminating the requirement for an employer to advise us of minor administrative changes.

b. With so many Canadians unemployed, why can’t we require employers to hire them rather than foreign workers?

I share this concern, and acknowledge that there may be cases where a temporary foreign worker fills a position that could have been filled by a Canadian. That being said, these are extraordinary circumstances, the situation is evolving rapidly, and it is critical that we ensure continued trade, commerce and food security.

With respect to agriculture, temporary foreign workers have been integral to Canada’s food production since the 1960s. Last year, approximately 60,000 temporary foreign workers came to Canada to work in agriculture and food processing jobs.

The agriculture and agri-food sectors have traditionally had difficulty in recruiting and hiring Canadians, despite the requirement that they advertise to Canadians first. The jobs are seasonal, often located outside of major urban centers, and based on recruitment efforts to date, do not appear to be attractive to many Canadians.

In the current context, especially where many farms have already started planting for the season, pivoting quickly to an all-Canadian agriculture workforce would pose significant challenges. At the same time, it is likely that fewer temporary foreign workers will come to Canada this year, putting additional pressure on the sector.

We continue to encourage employers to hire Canadians, and jobs are posted – and continue to be available – for Canadians who are interested. In addition, we are exploring additional ways to shore up our domestic labour supply.

c. Given the rapid rise in unemployment due to COVID-19, how is ESDC assessing employer applications for temporary foreign workers?

Applications to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program involve an extensive assessment of a number of factors, including labour market need, with a view to ensuring that Canadians and Permanent Residents are considered first for available jobs. This includes an assessment of labour market information.

While the rapidly evolving situation has reduced the usefulness of current labour market information to make objective assessments of labour shortages, the Program’s assessment of employer requests includes a number of criteria that take into account the state of the labour market.

For example, most employers must prove that they have made credible efforts to hire Canadians or Permanent residents, and will have their Employment Insurance history reviewed to ensure that they have not recently laid off Canadians.

Further, the Program has strengthened its assessment criteria to ensure that a potential employer has a genuine need for the foreign worker, particularly if the work is not considered an essential service by the federal or provincial and territorial governments.

Given the current context, demand for workers has also decreased, and as a result, the Program has observed a corresponding decrease in applications.

We are also exploring other potential adjustments to enable the program to adapt to the evolving context more quickly.

d. What is the role of employers of temporary foreign workers in safeguarding public health during this pandemic?

Like all travellers to Canada, temporary foreign workers are responsible for complying with orders made under the Quarantine Act, including the current requirement for mandatory quarantine or isolation. Contravening these requirements could lead to fines or imprisonment, and under proposed regulations, foreign workers could be deemed inadmissible to Canada and face removal.

Employers have an important role to play in helping to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19. Like all Canadians, employers are expected to follow the latest public health and safety requirements and guidance from the Government of Canada and their provincial/territorial and local authorities.

Amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which entered into force on April 20, 2020, compel employers of temporary foreign workers to meet additional requirements, including:

• Paying workers for the initial quarantine/isolation period upon entry into Canada, regardless of whether they can work
• Not prevent a worker from meeting their requirements under orders made under the Quarantine Act and/or the Emergencies Act, as well as provincial/territorial public health laws related to COVID-19; and
• Additional requirements for employers who provide accommodations to workers

Employers who do not comply with the requirements could be subject to penalties of up to $1 million and a ban from hiring foreign workers, depending on the seriousness of the situation and number of workers affected.

e. How will you enforce employer compliance with the new requirements?

Communication has been the cornerstone of our approach to ensuring employers understand and comply with the new requirements related to COVID-19.

The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and the Minister of Health outlined the Government’s expectations of employers regarding COVID-19 in a letter shared with all employers of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and posted online on April 3.

Additional guidance to employers, informed by the expertise of public health officials, as well as extensive stakeholder engagement at the officials’ level, have also taken place.

Amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations now enable enforcement of the new requirements through inspections and the application of penalties for non-compliance under the existing administrative monetary penalties framework.

Given the critical importance of protecting public health, these amendments include the ability for enforcement officers to conduct inspections regarding COVID-19 early, quickly, and make final determinations faster. Inspections would be initiated proactively, but also reactively, such as through tips, or reports of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at a worksite.

The Government will continue to work with provinces/territories, partner countries, employer associations, worker support organizations, and other stakeholders to address issues and questions, and communicate additional information on requirements for inspections in the coming days.

f. Why doesn’t the Government take responsibility for quarantining workers?

Together, we all have an important role to play in protecting public health throughout this pandemic, and we share a key objective – to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Government of Canada has implemented a number of measures to screen travellers, including temporary foreign workers, before they leave for Canada, and upon arrival.

In addition, I understand that some provinces are imposing additional requirements for foreign workers upon arrival.

Under current program rules, many employers of temporary foreign workers, especially those in agriculture, provide housing to workers. We have been engaging with employer groups, and communicating with employers directly, to ensure that this housing enables workers to meet the requirements of quarantine. New regulatory amendments enable enforcement of these requirements.

We are also offering compensation to employers in key sectors to defray some of the additional costs they may incur as a result of the new requirements.

Importantly, this approach will help to ensure the health of the public, including foreign workers, is protected not just for their first two weeks in Canada, but throughout their entire period of employment.

7. Canada Summer Jobs Program

a. How is CSJ changing for summer 2020 to respond to COVID-19?

When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, the implementation of CSJ was well underway. The program will continue to serve the same client group (youth aged 15-30) and the Department will work with employers which have already submitted applications in order to roll out CSJ 2020.

However, there may be some employers that may now have to withdraw while at the same time there may be other areas of the country where employers are able to hire and where CSJ could make a significant impact in addressing the economic challenges posed by COVID-19.

To encourage job creation through additional flexibilities are supports, CSJ 2020 will:

Increase the wage subsidy from 50% to 100% of the provincial/territorial minimum wage for small businesses and public sector employers;

• Allow for part-time work placements
• Allow for job placements to be offered beyond the summer months, until the end of February 2021
• Allow employers approved for funding to amend the activities to support the delivery of essential services

MPs were also invited to identify local organizations that support the delivery of essential services but have not applied for funding and could provide youth a job placement.

Interested job seekers can search and apply for CSJ jobs in their community starting May 15, 2020.

b. What program adjustments have been put in place to better support the delivery of essential services?

All employers approved for funding will be provided with the flexibility to amend project and job activities to support the delivery of critical services.

MPs were also invited to work with the Department to identify local organizations that provide critical services that have not applied for CSJ funding but could be solicited to submit an application to offer job placements.

Interested job seekers can search and apply for CSJ jobs in their community starting May 15, 2020.

c. How is role of MPs changing for CSJ 2020 to respond to COVID-19?

CSJ is delivered through a constituency‑based funding model and MPs play an important role in CSJ.

Typically, MPs participate by promoting the program to potential employers in their constituency, identifying local priorities, providing input on project lists, and ensuring that local circumstances are reflected. MPs also notify employers when their project is approved for funding.

It is expected that even with the temporary flexibilities for CSJ 2020, there will be employers who will not be able to hire youth this year amid the current pandemic and the withdrawal rate of employers will be higher than previous years.

In order to maximize opportunities for employers to hire youth, MPs were being asked to play a larger role than usual.

MP engagement started earlier than previously planned (April 9) to help identify local organizations that provide essential services but may not have applied for CSJ funding.

This allowed the department to take advantage of MP’s real time understanding of the current situation in their area given how quickly things are changing.

These organizations will be solicited to submit applications to offer job placements.

In order to be approved for funding, organizations would need to meet the eligibility criteria for CSJ 2020 (i.e., quality job placements in safe, healthy and inclusive work environments).

d. How much funding is being provided to the CSJ Program in 2020?

The Government of Canada is investing $263 million in funding for the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2020 to support the creation of 70,000 youth jobs with an average duration of 8 weeks, 35 hours.

8. Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

a. What changes are being introduced under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) program in response to COVID-19?

Additional investments in the YESS program will increase employment opportunities and supports for youth across the country who are impacted by the pandemic by:

• Funding employers and not-for-profit organizations to create youth employment opportunities in critical sectors and services supporting vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19
• Offering additional training opportunities for youth to increase job readiness and employability; and
• Provide relevant supports, such as mentorship, access to computers, access to mental health supports, to ensure youth, including those who face barriers, can benefit from these new employment opportunities

b. How many jobs for youth will be created in emergency sectors through additional investments?

With approximately $153.7 million in funding, the Government will support the creation of at least 6,000 jobs in critical sectors.

c. What youth will benefit? Will these changes support youth facing barriers?

YESS programming is available to all youth aged 15 to 30.

Additional supports, such as mentorship, access to computers, access to mental health supports, are aimed at ensuring youth facing barriers to the labour market can benefit from these new opportunities.

These enhancements to YESS complement other measures introduced to support youth and students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, including the enhancements to Canada Summer Jobs Program.

d. Which critical sectors will these additional job placements help? What type of jobs are being created?

These youth jobs will begin quickly to support critical sectors including, but not restricted to: agriculture and agri-food; biosciences and research; transport; environment; and, community services.

These critical service jobs will protect the health and safety of youth. Examples of jobs include: telephone and online health and social support services, research and administrative roles, supporting roles for services to vulnerable populations, etcetera.

9. Student Work Placement Program

a. What changes are being made to the Student Work Placement Program in response to COVID-19?

An additional investment of $80M will be made in 2020-21 to help post-secondary students access paid work integrated learning opportunities in their fields of study through the creation of up to 20,000 student work placements, including in critical sectors such as health-care.

10. Financial support for students

a. How is the Government of Canada supporting students facing financial challenges as a result of COVID-19?

The Government of Canada has introduced a new Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), which will provide financial relief to students and recent graduates who are unable to find work because of COVID-19. The benefit will provide financial support for up to four months, with an additional support for students with disabilities, as well as those with dependants.

The Government has also increased the value of Canada Student Grants and Loans and relaxed their eligibility criteria to support new and returning students for the 2020-2021 academic year. The value of Canada Student Grants will be doubled, the expected contributions from students and spouses will be exempted from the calculation of a student’s financial need, and the cap on Canada Student Loans will be increased from $210 to $350 per week of study.

These measures are in addition to the recent pause on repayment and interest for student loans for the period of March 30 to September 30.

b. Who is eligible to receive the CESB?

The CESB is available to post-secondary students and recent graduates who ended their studies in December 2019 or later. It is also available to high school students graduating in 2020 and who have applied for enrolment in a PSE program that will start before February 1, 2021.

It is available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, registered Indians and protected persons, including Canadians studying abroad. In order to receive CESB, a student must attest that:

• for COVID-19 related reasons, they are unable to work, or are seeking work but are unable to find it; or
• they are working but do not expect to earn more than $1,000 (before taxes) over the four-week period for which they are applying; and
• they are not receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or Employment Insurance benefits for the same four-week period as their current application

c. Do students need to do anything to receive this benefit?

Students must apply for each monthly period through their myCRA account and meet the eligibility criteria. They must attest that the information they are providing is accurate.

d. Why is the government increasing the student loan burden for students?

The Government has increased the Canada Student Grants amount from $2,000 in 2015 to $6,000 and expanded their eligibility. To ensure that students are not left with ‘unmet need’ in light of increasing educational cost, the Government will increase the cap on student loans, which has not changed since 2005. Any increase in student debt is expected to be mitigated by recent lowering of interest rate on Canada Student Loans and enhancements to the Repayment Assistance Plan such that no student has to repay their student loans until they are making at least $25,000.

11. Supports for Student Learning Program

a. What supports are being provided for vulnerable young learners in response to COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on children, youth, and their families, particularly as they adapt to school closures and disconnection from the social networks. These families now face challenges supporting their students in the transition to online learning. Traditionally, youth-serving organizations have been an anchor to help families through periods of transition. However, the current environment requires these organizations to accelerate access to digitized mentoring and tutoring supports so that no child in Canada is left further behind because of COVID-19.

This is why the Government will invest $15 million to help organizations working in the after-school space to reach approximately 14,700 children and youth through the delivery of online wraparound supports and increase the connectivity for these young learners and their families.

b. How will these new supports for digitized services help students during this pandemic?

Many of ESDC’s existing partner organizations have established trusted relationships with vulnerable children and youth facing barriers to education, and who need critical supports such as tutoring and mentoring. To maintain continuity of the supports and services they provide, and to ensure that approximately 14,700 vulnerable children and youth do not become further marginalized as a result of COVID-19, this investment will help organizations to migrate their programming and supports online.

In addition, given that a significant digital divide exists in terms of connectivity and access to technology, particularly for low-income and rural and remote families, this investment will help organizations ensure that youth have access to internet and adequate technologies at home. By making sure that youth do not disengage from their academics and important social outlets, this will help to prevent a negative impact on high school graduation rates, post-secondary enrolment and persistence, and employment readiness for years to come.

c. Which organizations will deliver this new funding?

This investment will leverage existing relationships with youth-serving organizations that have established, trusted relationships with vulnerable children and youth facing barriers to education.

In addition to collaborating with these organizations, the department will also look to quickly establish new partnerships that could support additional vulnerable children and youth, including students with disabilities, and students in rural, Northern, and remote communities.

Target population

EI-eligible individuals who become ill with COVID 19

Target population

Business

Target population

EI-eligible individuals

Target population

All Canadians

Target population

Business, workers

Target population

Business

Target population

Low income Canadians

Target population

Small business

Target population

Current TFW eligible businesses

Target population

Students

Target population

Vulnerable populations

Target population

Vulnerable Canadians

Target population

Children and families

Target population

Low and modest income Canadians

Target population

Northern communities

Target population

First Nations, Inuit and Metis Nation communities

Target population

Indigenous

Target population

Indigenous

Target population

Youth

Target population

Vulnerable women and children

Target population

Vulnerable Canadians

Target population

Seniors

Target population

Seniors

Target population

Seniors

Target population

Seniors

Target population

Seniors

Target population

Homeowners

Target population

All Canadian taxpayers

Target population

Students

Target population

Students

Target population

Students

Target population

Students

Target population

Students

Target population

Students

Target population

Students

Target population

Students

Target population

Students

Target population

Business

Target population

Business

Target population

Business

Target population

Business

Target population

Business

Target population

Business

Target population

Facilitate liquidity to consumers and businesses

Target population

Economic stability

Target population

Farmers, Fishers, food producers

Target population

Airports, airlines

Target population

Northern air carriers

Target population

Broadcasters

Target population

Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon

Target population

Tourism Operators

Target population

Taxes and Tariffs

Target population

Relief for federally regulated pension plan sponsors

Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)

On April 22nd, the Government announced the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) which will provide financial support to Canadian students enrolled in post-secondary programs that lead to a degree, diploma or certificate who depend on summer employment to help pay for their tuition and living costs. Recent post-secondary graduates are also entitled to the benefit as they may have difficulty finding a job after they graduate due to COVID-19 impacts on the workforce.

Beginning May 2020, eligible students and recent graduates can receive the financial support they need for the period of May to August 2020. Students living with dependants or who have disabilities will receive additional support. These measures will provide relief to approximately 1 million students and recent graduates at a cost of $5.2 billion.

It is available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, registered Indians and protected persons, including Canadians studying abroad. In order to receive CESB, a student must attest that:

• for COVID-19 related reasons, they are unable to work, or are seeking work but are unable to find it; or
• they are working but do not expect to earn more than $1,000 (before taxes) over the four-week period for which they are applying; and
• they are not receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or Employment Insurance benefits for the same four-week period as their current application

Canada Student Loans and Grants

Canada Student Loan (CSL) borrowers in repayment may experience a loss of income due to the impact of COVID19, and should not have to worry about making their loan repayments during this stressful time.

For a period of six months, beginning March 30 2020, CSL borrowers in repayment are not required to make their monthly payments, and the Government will cover interests on these loans during this time.

At a cost of $186 million, these measures will provide relief to nearly 1 million CSL borrowers in repayment. All provinces and territories have aligned with this measure and are offering similar relief to the provincial/territorial portion of student loans.

To help students continue their studies in the fall, the government will be introducing a series of enhancements to Canada Student Loans and Grants. Pending Parliamentary approval, these measures would come into effect starting August 1, 2020 and be available to students for one year.

First, the Government will double the Canada Student Grants for all eligible full-time students to up to $6,000 and up to $3,600 for part-time students. The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependants would also be doubled.

Second, the Government will broaden eligibility for student financial assistance by removing the expected student’s and spouse’s contributions, in recognition that many students and families will struggle to save for school this year.

Third, the Government will enhance the Canada Student Loans Program by raising the maximum weekly amount that can be provided to a student in 2020-21 from $210 to $350.

Approximately 765,000 returning and prospective students are expected to benefit from these measures, for an estimated value of $1.9 billion.

Prepared by

Name: Milena Gulia

Title: Director, CSLP

Key contact

Name: Agata Frankowicz

Title: Director, Canada Emergency Student Benefit

Phone number: 613-618-4780

Name: Milena Gulia

Title: Director, Canada Student Loans Program

Phone number: 819-654-3670/613-897-0840

Approved by

Name: Atiq Rahman

Title: Director General, Canada Student Loans Program

Phone number: 613-898-5995

Date May 11, 2020

Date approved in ADMO:

April 23, 2020

CSJ 2020

Canada Summer Jobs provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers, and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create quality job placements for youth in safe, inclusive and healthy work environments.

The Canada Summer Jobs 2020 call for applications was open from January 30, 2020 to February 28, 2020. The Department received approximately 37,000 applications to support the creation of over 147,000 jobs representing approximately $897M in funding. Jobs could start as early as May 11, 2020.

The Budget for Canada Summer Jobs in 2020-2021 is $263M in order to create 70,000 jobs with an average duration of 8 weeks, 35 hours.

MPs can participate in the CSJ program by promoting it to potential employers, identifying local priorities, providing input on project lists and notifying selected employers.

MPs were also invited to identify local organizations that provide critical services that had not applied for CSJ funding but could be solicited to submit an application to offer job placement and provide feedback on eligible projects received through the call for applications held in February 2020.

All funded employers will be provided with flexibility to amend project and job activities to support the delivery of critical services. This recognizes that many CSJ-funded positions occur in sectors and industries currently being impacted by COVID-19, and that the job activities initially proposed may no longer be possible.

Additional investments to expand youth and student programming

The Department is leveraging the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy and Student Work Placement Program to increase youth employment and skills development activities and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the offer of work placements for students and youth over the coming months, by focusing on addressing needs in critical sectors.

YESS

The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) is a horizontal Government of Canada initiative led by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and delivered in collaboration with 10 federal departments and agencies.

Additional investments of $153.7M (for ESDC and other YESS federal partners) will increase employment opportunities and supports for youth across the country who are impacted by the pandemic by:

• funding employers and not-for-profit organizations to create youth employment opportunities in critical sectors and services supporting vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19; and
• providing additional training to increase job readiness and employability; and relevant supports, such as mentorship, access to computers, access to mental health supports

Additional YESS funding will support the creation of 6,000 jobs in critical sectors.

Student Work Placement Program

A one-year additional investment of $80M will be made, and temporary measures introduced, to increase access to the Student Work Placement Program for students and businesses impacted by COVID-19.

This includes:

• $50M to create an additional 3,000 student placements in the health-care sector; and
• 2,000 placements in other critical sectors in 2020-21, like agriculture, food processing, transportation and retail

In addition, $30M will support program flexibilities to address the impacts of COVID-19 on student hiring. This includes increasing the wage subsidy to up to 75% of the student's wages (up to a maximum of $7,500 per placement), and waiving the requirement for employers to offer more placements than they did in previous years.

These measures are expected to support the creation of up 20,000 placements in this fiscal year.

Supports for Student Learning Program

Organizations that have established and trusted relationships with vulnerable children and youth will receive support to migrate their programming and supports online in order to ensure continuity to their critical supports. The measures are two-fold:

• Support for the transition to, and implementation of, digitized services (e.g., tutoring, mentoring); and
• Support the connectivity of vulnerable children, youth, and their families, in partnership with other federal government and private sector partners

Canada Service Corps Micro-Grants & Canada Student Service Grant

• Through the Canada Service Corps program, the Government has committed to increasing the number of available micro-grants from 1,800 to 15,000. These micro-grants will enable young people to design and put into action projects that make a positive difference in the community during this extraordinary time
• These micro-grants are available in amounts of $250, $750, and $1,500 and available to youth aged 15 to 30. Participants may also be eligible to receive additional support of $1,250/month to cover basic living expenses while they deliver their project

To encourage students to participate in the COVID-19 response, the Government will also launch a new Canada Student Service Grant which will provide up to $5,000 to support student's post-secondary education costs in the fall

More details will be made available on the I Want to Help platform over the coming weeks

Prepared by/ Key contact

Name: Sarah Plouffe

Student Work Placement Program

Skills and Employment Branch

Phone number: 819-635-4572

Myra Latendresse-Drapeau

Title: Director, Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Name: Kelly Campbell

Title: A/Director, Learning Branch (SSLP)

Phone number: 873-353-4612

Approved by

Name: Catherine Demers

Director General Skills and Employment Branch

Phone number: 613-697-7917

Name: Ritu Banerjee

Director General, Canada Service Corp

Phone number:

Name: Patricia Wilson

Title: Director General, Program Operations Branch

Phone number:

Date

Date approved in ADMO / COO:

Description

A taxable flat-rate benefit for four months, from April 2020 to July 2020.

Amount (to Individuals)

$2,000/month

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Those eligible are:

Worker has earned $5000 in previous year

has stopped working for reasons related to COVID-19 but did not quit their job, not receiving EI, not receiving employment income

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit will be accessible through a secure web portal starting in early April. Applicants will also be able to apply via an automated telephone line or via a toll-free number.

Implications for PWDs

Workers with disabilities more likely to have precarious employment, they would be more likely to be laid off and less likely to have EI coverage.

Workers who are caregivers of children and adults with disabilities provided they meet the earnings threshold and are not receiving EI benefits would be more likely than other workers to receive the CERB. The loss of support services due to the pandemic would make it necessary for many of these caregivers to stay at home.

Description

Changing the eligibility rules to:

• Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting CERB
• Extend CERB to seasonal workers who exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their usual seasonal work due to COVID-19
• Extend CERB to workers who recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19

Amount (to Individuals)

Can now earn up to $1, 000 per month while collecting CERB.

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Eligibility criteria made more flexible:

• Workers and seasonal workers who recently exhausted their regular EI benefits and cannot find employment due to COVID-19 are entitled
• Workers earning up to $1,000 a month can still collect CERB

Implications for PWDs

Similar to original CERB announcement: rate of low- and modest-income is higher among Canadians with disabilities, and workers with disabilities are more likely to have precarious employment (thus more likely to be laid off and less likely to have EI coverage).

As a result of the above, the exemption for $1,000 in earnings per month and continued aid for those who exhausted EI will help many PWDs.

Description

One-time special payment to individuals eligible for the Goods and Services Tax credit (based on 2018 filing data). To be available for early May.

Amount (to Individuals)

Approx. $400 for single individuals, $600 for couples

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Available to those currently receiving the GST credit, no application required.

GST credit is available to any low and middle income Canadian resident age 19 and over (credit phases out at $49,649 in net family income for individuals with no children)

Implications for PWDs

Rate of low- and modest-income is higher among Canadians with disabilities than among their peers without disabilities. As a result, persons with disabilities and, in particular those with severe disabilities, are likely to disproportionately benefit from this measure. Finance estimates about 85 percent of single DTC eligible individuals will qualify for this payment as well as about 50 percent of DTC eligible individuals who are coupled.

Description

The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits is waived for new claimants who are sick, quarantined or directed to self-isolate. Medical certificates are not required for these claims.

Claimants struggling to apply due to quarantine can also apply later and have their claim backdated to cover the period of delay. Claimants can also apply online or call to access services.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Available to EI eligible individuals

Implications for PWDs

Rate of low- and modest-income higher among PWDs, so immediate access to income support will be of significant help to PWDs. Persons with disabilities are more likely to need to self-isolate due to pre-existing conditions.

On the other hand, persons with disabilities are somewhat less likely than their peers without disabilities to be EI eligible (due to more tenuous labour market attachment).

Alternative means of access to EI services provides more options for PWDs who require accommodations for transportation/delivery. Waiving medical certificate requirement also supports PWDs who would require accommodation for accessing medical support and preparing documentation during quarantine.

Description

This will provide an extra amount per child through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20. This benefit will be delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May.

Amount (to Individuals)

$300/child

Eligible Individuals/Actors

The CCB is paid to parents or others primarily responsible for the care of a child under 18. It is an income-tested benefit based on family net income. Because it is phased out gradually most Canadian parents/guardians receive at least some CCB.

Families currently receiving the CCB will receive the additional $300 amount. No additional application is required.

Implications for PWDs

This measure will assist parents/guardians of children with disabilities and parents/guardians who have disabilities themselves in the same way as others, but there is no special provision for their additional expenses. There is no increase to the Child Disability Benefit.

Description

Provide support to students and new graduates who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

Available from May to August 2020.

• Note: On April 29, 2020, Parliament passed Bill C-15 to establish CERB, which includes an additional $250 for students with disabilities and students with dependents, bringing the total to $2,000

Amount (to Individuals)

$1,250 per month for eligible students

$2,000 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Students and new graduates who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

Implications for PWDs

Research by the National Educational Association of Disabled Students shows that students with disabilities are less likely to find employment throughout their studies, including summer employment and part-time work during the school year. This additional income is even more vital during COVID-19, where there are less employment opportunities and access to campus services, which can include accommodative housing, assistive technology, and course material in alternative formats at a reasonable prices.

Description

Double Canada Student Grants for all eligible full-time and part-time students in 2020-21.

The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependents would also be doubled.

Amount (to Individuals)

Up to $6,000 for full-time students in 2020-21.

Up to $3,600 for part-time students in 2020-21.

Up to $4,000 (currently $2,000) for Students with Permanent Disabilities

Up to $400 per month (currently $200) for Students with Dependents

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Full- and part-time students eligible for the Canada Students Grants in 2020-21 academic year.

PWDs who are eligible for Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities.

Caregivers of PWDS who are eligible for Canada Student Grants for Students with Dependents.

Implications for PWDs

Coupled with the Canada Emergency Student Benefit and other eligible grants and loans, students with disabilities are receiving a lot of targeted financial support to help them in their post-secondary studies during COVID-19.

On average, students with disabilities are less likely to find employment opportunities throughout their PSE career. COVID-19 presents additional costs for this demographic, as there are now less employment opportunities and access to campus accommodative services.

Description

$350 million to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need.

Replacing in-person, one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through phone calls, texts, teleconferences, or the Internet.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Funding is earmarked for the following:

• increasing volunteer-based home deliveries (for example delivery of groceries or medications)
• increasing volunteer-based transportation services (for example accompanying or driving seniors or persons with disabilities to appointments)
• scaling up help lines that provide information and support
• providing training, supplies and other required supports so volunteers can continue to make their invaluable contributions to the COVID-19 response; and
• replacing in-person, one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through means such as phone calls, texts, teleconferences or the Internet (for example seniors centres without walls)

Implications for PWDs

Persons with disabilities are identified as a target beneficiary.

Persons with disabilities are expected to disproportionately benefit from all eligible activities that receive funding, as they largely involve reducing barriers for people who otherwise cannot access essential supplies and services.

In addition, this funding responds directly to needs identified by the disability community to develop training for volunteers and to develop virtual contact measures to replace in person services.

Description

A portal dedicated to mental wellness on Canada.ca/coronavirus. The service will connect Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls, and will make it easier to find credible information and help address mental health and substance use issues.

Investment of $25 million, announced April 15, 2020

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Free, accessible support for anyone reaching out via phone, text, mobile app or online website.

Implications for PWDs

PWDs at all stages in life have less access to credible services and resources as a result of COVID-19. Loss of access to peer networks and the need for physical distancing also exacerbates symptoms for people with stress disorders, depression, and many other conditions.

This service is also particularly helpful for young people with disabilities, as mental-health related disabilities are the most prevalent type of disability among young Canadians.

Description

$240.5 million to develop, expand, and launch virtual care and mental health tools to support Canadians.

Funding will also support the previously announced Wellness Together Canada online portal.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

• Funding to help Canadians engage with healthcare providers and health services via phone, text, or video-conferencing
• Support access to mental health supports/reliable info in safe manner
• Support F-P/T initiatives to expand virtual services

Implications for PWDs

This funding will help PWDs regain access to credible, timely, and helpful services for mental health and well-being.

Description

Continue to support people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak by providing $157.5M in funding to the Reaching Home initiative. The funding could be used for a range of needs such as purchasing beds and physical barriers for social distancing and securing accommodation to reduce overcrowding in shelters.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to urban, Indigenous, rural and remote communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.

Implications for PWDs

Persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions, especially mental health-related, are generally reported to be over-represented in the homeless population, although limited data is available. Some research suggests that persons with disabilities are more at risk of hidden homelessness which could be a particular at risk group during this crisis.

Description

$7.5 million in funding to support counsellors and trained volunteers working at Kids Help Phone—an e-mental health service phone line that offers counseling to children in need in both official languages.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Free, accessible support to any young person reaching out via phone, text, mobile app or online website.

Implications for PWDs

Mental-health related disabilities are the most prevalent type of disability among young Canadians. This funding could also increase professional services tailored to particular disabilities and mental health conditions.

Description

The Local Food Infrastructure Fund is investing $100 million to organizations that support people and communities experiencing food insecurity:

• $50 million to Food Banks Canada
• $20 million divided evenly between Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada
• $30 million for local-level organizations who serve people experiencing food insecurity

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Eligible activities for this funding include the purchase of food, support for the transportation and distribution of food, hiring temporary help to fill volunteer shortages, and activities to implement biosecurity measures, such as the purchase of personal protective equipment, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among volunteers and clients.

Implications for PWDs

Food Banks Canada estimates that about 1 in 5 of those accessing food banks are on provincial disability supports.

Access to food banks and local food organizations is more difficult during COVID due to (1) increased demand and (2) self-isolation measures. Part of the funding is to find innovative ways to overcome these access barriers, and PWDs are disproportionately affected by these barriers.

Description

$50 million fund designed to help redistribute existing and unsold inventories to vulnerable Canadians.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Existing and unsold inventories of food product, including potatoes and poultry, to local food organizations who are serving vulnerable Canadians.

Implications for PWDs

This initial investment will complement the $100 million funding for local food organizations, which was intended to help food banks find innovative ways to overcome barriers presented by self-isolation. PWDs are disproportionately impacted by the loss of access to local support networks.

The redistribution of unused food stock to vulnerable groups will disproportionately benefit PWDs. As mentioned, Food Banks Canada estimates that about 1 in 5 of those accessing food banks are on provincial disability supports. Correspondence from PWDs suggests that access to and inability to afford groceries is a very common barrier during COVID-19.

Description

$305 million for a new, distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. This funding will also provide support to regional, urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

The Indigenous Community Support Fund will be distributed as follows:

• $215 for First Nations
• $45 million for Inuit
• $30 million for Métis Nations
• $15 million for regional and urban Indigenous organizations

Implications for PWDs

About a third of the Indigenous population in Canada identifies as having a disability. The extent to which Indigenous persons with disabilities will benefit will depend upon specific initiatives and projects and how individual communities choose to allocate resources.

Description

$72.6 million to Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut to support their COVID-19 health and social services.

Up to $17.3 million to support northern air carriers.

$15 million in non-repayable support for businesses in the territories to help address the impacts of COVID-19.

$25 million to Nutrition North Canada to increase subsidies so families can afford much-needed nutritious food and personal hygiene products.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

$72.6 million to help territories address critical priorities to minimize outbreak.

$17.3 million for aircraft carriers to ensure supply of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services to remote communities.

$15 million in non-repayable support to help businesses with costs not covered by other Federal measures.

Funding for Nutrition North Canada will subsidize a list of foods and essential items, such as cleaning and personal hygiene products.

Implications for PWDs

21.2% of the population of the territories identify as having a disability with a slightly higher prevalence among women. As such persons with disabilities are likely to disproportionately benefit from these measures. Persons with disabilities living in isolated, northern communities face additional barriers and risks to accessing essential services, including food, hygiene products, medication, etcetera.

This funding is intended to aid many Indigenous communities in northern communities. About a third of the Indigenous population in Canada identifies as having a disability.

Description

$9 million in funding to United Way Canada for local organizations to support services to Canadian seniors (delivery of groceries, medications, and other needed items and personal outreach to assess individual needs).

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Senior citizens and local community organizations for senior citizens that are supported by United Way.

Implications for PWDs

37.8 percent of Canadians 65 and older identify as having a disability. Among those over 75 years of age this rises to 47.4 percent. Seniors disproportionately experience more barriers due to disabilities, and they are more likely to lose access to vital support services due to self-isolation and quarantine. This funding should help ensure that support services continue.

Description

Supporting women and children fleeing violence, by providing $40M in funding to Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), $30M of which will address immediate needs of shelters and sexual assault centres.

Up to $26M to Women’s Shelters Canada for roughly 575 violence against women shelters across the country.

Up to $4M to the Canadian Women’s Foundation for sexual assault centres across the country.

10M to Indigenous Services Canada’s shelters on reserves and in Yukon.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Women’s shelters and sexual assault centres

Implications for PWDs

Women with disabilities are much more likely than other women to be victims of abuse and violence. According to a DAWN study on violence against women 60% of women with disabilities are likely to experience some form of violence in Canada. Women with disabilities are also more prone to be victims of abuse by caregivers which could escalate during the crisis. Research suggests that women with disabilities are less likely to get the support they need at women’s shelters for accessibility reasons. The funding announced does not provide any conditions for accessibility of services.

Description

Six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans. No payment will be required and interest will not accrue during this time.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Available to all student loan borrowers. No application required.

Implications for PWDs

Would be of benefit to those persons with disabilities currently participating in PSE and those who entered the labour market.

Persons with disabilities are less likely than their peers without disabilities to be participating in post-secondary education. Those that are participating in PSE, however, are more likely to have lower household incomes and to rely on financial aid (including student loans). Those with severe and permanent disabilities who are the least likely to be able to work would already have access to loan forgiveness through other mechanisms in the student loan program (e.g., Severe and Permanent Disability Benefit).

Description

Wage subsidies of up to 75 per cent for qualifying employers, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020.

Amount (to Individuals)

Up to $847/week

(75 per cent of a salary on the first $58,700)

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Available to any employer (private or non-profit) who experiences a decrease in revenues of at least 30 per cent. Size of employer does not matter.

No employee-specific eligibility requirements

Implications for PWDs

Persons with disabilities are more likely to work in some of the more heavily affected sectors (Accommodations and Food Services; Retail Trade; and, Not-For-Profit)

Description

Over $1.7 billion for targeted measures, including:

• $675 million for small and medium-sized businesses that cannot access existing COVID-19 support measure
• $287 million for rural businesses and communities, including access to capital
• $500 million to set up COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations to help organizations support artists and athletes

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Funding for businesses that face unique barriers.

This includes small and medium-sized business that cannot access existing COVID-19 support measures and rural businesses/ communities that need access to capital during the outbreak.

Funding for Cultural, Heritage, and Sport Organizations will help artists and athletes.

Implications for PWDs

PWDs are more likely to work in some of the more heavily affected sectors (Accommodations and Food Services; Retail Trade; and, Not-For-Profit). They also face additional barriers while living in remote communities that rely heavily on fewer businesses and organizations.

A large amount of cultural, heritage, and sport organizations assist artists and athletes who face unique barriers, like discrimination: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding.html

Description

Increase to wage subsidy: private & public sector employers receive up to 100% of the provincial/territorial minimum wage for each employee.

Extension to end date for employment to February 28, 2021.

Allow employers to adapt projects & job activities to support essential services.

Allow employers to hire staff on part-time basis.

Help create up to 70,000 jobs for youth aged between 15 and 30.

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Competitive process. Eligible employers (private, public, & non-profit) who submit application for wage subsidies are assessed based on 3 criteria:

• Provide quality work experiences for youth
• Provide youth with opportunity to develop and improve their skills
• Respond to national/local priorities to improve access to labour market for youth facing unique barriers

Implications for PWDs

Expanding this program encourages more employers to hire and assist PWDs.

Employers who accommodate employees with disabilities are eligible for additional funding and flexible work schedules options.

Under assessment criteria, points are awarded to employers who provide services to PWDs or intend to hire youth with disabilities.

Description

Extend the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks. The Work-Sharing program is offered to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers. Their lost earnings are then offset by Employment Insurance payments.

Amount (to Individuals)

Varies

Eligible Individuals/Actors

Available to EI-eligible, core employees (year round permanent full-time or part-time employees who are required to carry out the everyday functions of normal business activity)

Implications for PWDs

Would benefit those persons with disabilities currently working for an employer who must scale-back operations. It ensures that they retain their employment and all corresponding benefits (including any health benefits).

Canadians with disabilities may be somewhat less likely than those without disabilities to qualify for this measure given that they are somewhat less likely to qualify for EI and to qualify as ‘core employees’ (due to more part-time or temporary work).

Description

The Public Health Agency has released guidance on a range of public health issues related to coronavirus including:

Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19: Interim Guidance for Home Care Settings provides guidance to home care providers (formal and informal) with the aim of preventing the transmission of COVID-19 in home care settings; and,

COVID-19 and people with disabilities in Canada which provides an overview of how persons with disabilities are at risk for COVID 19 and how to protect them in various health care and community settings

Amount (to Individuals)

N/A

Eligible Individuals/Actors

N/A

Implications for PWDs

Some people with disabilities are at higher risk of infection or severe illness from COVID-19 because of their age, underlying medical conditions or the nature of their disability which may put them more at risk of being exposed or acquiring the infection.

Guidelines specific to persons with disabilities and the settings in which they live help to raise awareness of the specific care needs of persons with disabilities during the pandemic and reduce the risk of exposure and infection.