HUMA committee binder: Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion - November 4, 2020

A. Voted appropriations

1. Funding for retroactive compensation (reprofile) – $23.5 million
2. Funding for personal support worker training and measures to address labour shortages in long-term and home care (COVID-19) – $15 million
3. Funding to address the outbreak of COVID-19 among temporary foreign workers on farms (COVID-19) – $6.9 million
4. Funding for Investing in Early Learning and Child Care (reprofile) – $1.8 million
5. Funding for Benefits Delivery Modernization (reprofile) – $1.3 million
6. Funding related to government advertising programs (horizontal item) – $1.2 million
7. Funding to support business resumption for federally regulated employers (COVID-19) (horizontal item) – $0.4 million; and
8. Funding for Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy (reprofile) – $0.4 million

B. Transfers

1. Transfer From the Department of Indigenous Services and Public Health Agency of Canada to the Department of Employment and Social Development for the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative – $6.4 million
2. Transfer from Privy Council Office to Employment and Social Development for COVID-19 Communications Strategy funding related to Essential Services Jobs/Job Bank advertising campaign – $0.9 million
3. Transfer from the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Employment and Social Development for the Kativik Regional Government to streamline delivery of youth programming – $0.5 million
4. Internal reallocation of resources from Vote 5 Contributions ($600,000) to Vote 1 Operating expenditures for the National Campaign of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy; and
5. Transfer to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to support the knowledge transfer and mobilization purposes of the Healthy and Productive Work research initiative – $(14,902)

C. Statutory budgetary authorities

1. Payments pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act (PHENCPA) – $29.1 billion
2. Adjustment to Canada Student Loans Programs – $1,355.0 million
3. Payment to support Persons with Disabilities one-time payment under An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures – $848.6 million; and
4. Adjustment to Contributions to employee benefit plans (EBP) – $1.4 million

D. Statutory non-budgetary items

1. Loans disbursed under Canada Student Financial Assistance Act – $9 billion
2. Loans disbursed under the Apprentice Loan Act – $(0) million

Background

1. Voted appropriation

1. Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $23.5 million in funding for retroactive compensation in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Through Budget 2019, ESDC received funds to enable the Department to meet obligations from a longstanding grievance concerning the Program and Service Delivery Clerk job description, which resulted in a reclassification. However, given the significant work entailed by the case-by-case review, some of the retroactive payments will be completed in 2020 to 2021

ESDC is requesting authority to include $23,454,022 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures) as part of the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B).

2. Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $12.5 million for personal support worker training and measures to address labour shortages in long-term and home care (COVID-19) in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the acute need for additional workers in long-term care facilities, home care and assisted living services. It has also exacerbated workforce challenges in the supportive care sector, especially in long-term care facilities, which experienced the tragic impacts of COVID-19.

ESDC has requested funding to provide surge capacity in supportive care by recruiting up to 4,000 new Personal Support Worker interns through an accelerated online training and work placement project. Post-surge, new interns will be encouraged to pursue long-term careers in supportive care, and to seek full certification at educational institutions that will recognize their accelerated training and work experience. This investment will further support improvements to the quality and consistency of training for these workers across the country.

ESDC is requesting authority to include $973,190 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures, excluding employee benefit plan (EBP) costs of $176,810) and $11,500,000 in Vote 5 (Contributions) for Personal Support Worker Training and Measures to Address Labour Shortages in Long-Term and Home Care as part of the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B). This is planned spending after the December 31st repeal date of the Public Events of National Concern Payments Act.

3. Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $6.9 million related to address the outbreak of COVID-19 among temporary foreign workers on farms (COVID-19) in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Since the very beginning of this pandemic, the Government of Canada has taken a number of important steps to ensure the safe arrival of farm workers, who play a vital role in preserving Canada’s food security. To protect the health and safety of Canadian and migrant farm workers, the Government has been working with municipal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as farmers, support groups, workers and other employers who participate in the TFW Program.

Despite these efforts, there have been COVID-19 outbreaks on a number of Canadian farms that have significantly impacted the health and safety of workers. This is why on July 31, 2020 the Government announced action to strengthen the TFW Program and make further investments to safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19.

ESDC is requesting authority to include $6,934,442 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures, excluding employee benefit plan (EBP) costs of $1,186,801) to address the outbreak of COVID-19 among temporary foreign workers on farms as part of the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B). This is planned spending after the December 31st repeal date of the Public Events of National Concern Payments Act.

4. Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $1.8 million related for Investing in Early Learning and Child Care in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

To help Canadian children get the best start in life and better Canadian families, Budgets 2016 and 2017 announced an investment of $7.5 billion over 11 years in Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) of which $100 million over 10 years is dedicated to innovation.

While 26 projects were funded from the 2018 Call for Concepts, delays in the project implementation resulted in an inability to fully use the approved funding for 2019 to 2020. Implementation delays resulted in ESDC being unable to allocate all funds in 2019 to 2020 and is requesting to have $1.8M available in 2020 to 2021. These funds will be used to maximize innovation practices to increase high-quality, accessible, affordable, and inclusive early learning and child care across Canada.

ESDC is requesting authority to include $1,780,515 in Vote 5 (Contributions) for Investing in Early Learning and Child Care as part of the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B).

5. Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $1.3 million related to the Benefits Delivery Modernization in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

The Benefits Delivery Modernization programme (BDM) will ensure ESDC can continue to reliably and accurately provide Canadians with Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. The BDM program is modernizing IT systems to enable service improvements which will expand self-service options, reduce wait times, streamline application processes and enable resolution at first point of contact. This funding will continue to advance critical work required to progress the BDM Program Definition Phase.

ESDC is requesting authority to include $1,292,875 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures) for the Benefits Delivery Modernization as part of the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B).

6. Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $1.2 million related to government advertising programs (horizontal item) in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

This funding will support two advertising campaigns, for Services for Seniors $1.0 million and Inclusive Workplaces $0.2 million.

The Services for Seniors campaign is a continuation of the 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020 Services for Seniors advertising campaigns. The first two waves of the Services for Seniors campaign were very successful, however, the second wave was cut short as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore a third wave of the campaign is proposed to raise awareness of Government of Canada programs and services that either directly or indirectly benefit seniors. In addition, the Inclusive Workplaces campaign builds on the initial success and lessons learned from the pilot campaign to support accessibility in the workplace for people with disabilities.

ESDC is requesting authority to include $1,200,000 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures) to government advertising programs (horizontal item) as part of the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B).

7. Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $0.4 million related to support business resumption for federally regulated employers (COVID-19) (horizontal item) in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

COVID-19 has created challenges on many fronts for workers and employers in Canada. Effective business resumption requires focused occupational health and safety (OHS) support for federally regulated entities, including an increased emphasis on workplace prevention measures. Additional support and guidance for employers and workplaces to protect the health and safety of workers during the pandemic will benefit both employers and about 1.2 million employees in the federal jurisdiction, in addition to reaching a broader workforce in provinces and territories. The Labour Program will increase proactive Occupational Health and Safety activities, outreach and guidance, as well as technical expertise to adequately support business resumption in the federally regulated sector.

ESDC is requesting authority to include $446,688 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures, excluding employee benefit plan (EBP) costs of $77,188) to support business resumption for federally regulated employers (COVID-19) (horizontal item) as part of the Supplementary Estimates (B) 2020 to 2021.

8. Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $0.4 million related for Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategyin the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

ESDC is requested that a total of $382,938 from 2019 to 2020 be reprofiled. This funding is for the regionally-delivered streams be reprofiled to 2020 to 2021. Communities and regions will use these funds to support local homelessness projects and priorities, including sustaining and expanding local responses to COVID-19.

Given the current context of COVID-19, the Department will need to re-engage with Indigenous partners to determine their current priorities and project capacity. Reprofiling funds across years three, four and five of Reaching Home will ensure there is sufficient time to support these discussions. This approach will also enable the Department to sequence its remaining negotiations with Indigenous partners and achieve full expenditure. Relationships that were developed in 2019 to 2020 will be leveraged to effectively support the expenditure of funds.

ESDC is requesting authority to include $382,938 in Vote 5 (Contributions) for Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy as part of the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B).

Measure

Waive the one - week waiting period for EI sickness: for workers in quarantine.

This measure came into force on March 15, 2020 and was overtaken by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

• CERB provisions came into force retroactively as of March 15, 2020.
• New claims for EI sickness benefits with an effective date on or after March 15, 2020 are processed for the CERB that has no waiting period.

Claimants are benefitting from the CERB rather than the waiver of the waiting period at the moment.

Measure

Work-Sharing Program: extending eligibility from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19 and other measures including:

• The mandatory waiting period (up to 38 weeks) between agreements was waived for eligible employers.
• The previous requirements for a recovery plan was reduced to a single line of text in the application form.
• Employers who have been in business for 1 year (rather than 2) are now deemed eligible to apply to the program.
• Eligibility was expanded to Government Business Enterprises, public corporations (such asTransit Authorities/Universities) and not-for-profit organization employers.
• An enquiry unit (email) for clients affected by COVID-19 was created, providing responses to employer enquiries within 24 hours

This measure will provide income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers.

Since the special measures were introduced, over 3,525 Work-Sharing agreements have been approved representing over 108,769 workers now supported by this benefit. The cost of these agreements is over $1.3 Billion.

Measure

Waive the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness, family caregiving and compassionate care benefits: those who are applying for EI regular or sickness benefits, a medical certificate is no longer required for EI claims beginning March 15, 2020 or later.

This was put in place to reduce the burden on the healthcare system in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. New claimants for family caregiving and compassionate care benefits are relieved from the requirement to provide a medical certificate. Data is not available on the take-up of this measure.

Measure

Changes to EI for self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons: We will allow EI fishing benefits for self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons to be calculated using either their actual fishing earnings for their current claim, or their fishing earnings from their claim for the same season from the previous year, whichever is higher.

Measure

Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Ended

We provided a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 28 weeks to eligible workers who stopped working or whose work hours were reduced due to COVID-19.

We are continuing to accept and process retroactive applications until December 2, 2020.

If you continue to need financial support, find out if you are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI)

Measure

Employment Insurance (EI) program

We made temporary changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program to better support Canadians looking for work.

As of September 27, you may be eligible for EI if you:

• Were employed for at least 120 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks.
• Received the CERB, the 52 week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended.
• Stopped working through no fault of your own.
• Have not quit your job voluntarily.
• Are ready, willing and capable of working each day (EI regular benefits).
• Are temporarily unable to work while you care for someone else or yourself (EI maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits).

If you are eligible for EI benefits, you will receive a minimum taxable benefit at a rate of $500 per week, or $300 per week for extended parental benefits.

If you are not eligible for EI, you may be eligible for the new benefits:

• Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
• Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

Measure

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

The CRB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Measure

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

The CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who:

• are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
• are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
• have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19

Measure

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

The CRCB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:

• unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19
• because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19

Measure

Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program:

Key actions taken:

• Exempted TFWs from entry restrictions into Canada (March 26)
• Implemented flexibilities to enable timely access to foreign workers (March 26)
• Developed and communicated new requirements for employers to safeguard the health of Canadians and foreign workers (April 3)
• Announced $50 million to offset costs of new requirements on employers related to COVID-19 in key sectors (April 13)
• Implemented regulatory amendments and launched inspections of employers on new requirements related to COVID-19 (April 20 and 24, respectively)
• The Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP) provides support of $1,500 for each temporary foreign worker, to employers or those working with them to ensure requirements are fully met. The funding is conditional on employers not being found in violation of the mandatory isolation
• Strengthened assessment criteria for all new and existing applications under review to help ensure Canadians have the first opportunity for available jobs
• Agriculture and Agri-food Canada launched “Step up to the Plate – Help Feed Canadians” initiative to encourage careers in the agri-food sector, and help match Canadians with jobs (April 21)
• Service Canada inspectors have begun collaborative assessments with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and local health units to assess the living and working conditions on some farms where outbreaks have occurred (June 24)
• Established a Mexico-Canada Contact Group to collaboratively and effectively respond to COVID-19 outbreaks (June 25)

These measures ensure Canadians have first available opportunity at jobs and that Service Canada is currently prioritizing occupations that directly support and ensure the safety of the Canadian food supply chain.

Measure

Protecting the health and safety of farm workers

We are providing $35 million through the Emergency On-Farm Support Fund to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19. The funding will provide support to farmers for:

• Direct infrastructure improvements to living quarters and work stations, temporary or emergency housing
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitary stations, and any other health and safety measures to safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19

Measure

Double the Canada Student Grants: to up to $6,000 for full-time students and up to $3,600 for part-time students in 2020-21.The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependants will also be doubled.

No student or spousal contribution expected in 2020-21, in recognition that many students and families will struggle to save for school this year.

Increase the maximum weekly amount of Canada Student Loans from $210 to $350 for the 2020-21 school year.

Taken together, these measures are expected to benefit more than 760,000 students in loan year 2020-21 at an estimated cost of $1.9 billion.

Measure

Creating new jobs and opportunities for youth

We are creating up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training opportunities to help students find employment and develop valuable skills this summer and over the coming months.

• Canada Summer Jobs program (Calls for applications closed)

• Canada Summer Jobs is an initiative of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to provide flexible, holistic services to support all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition in the labour market. The call for applications for the 2020 season is now closed

• Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (Calls for proposals closed)

• The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) builds on programming delivered under the previous Youth Employment Strategy. This modernized strategy, which is delivered by 11 departments and agencies across the Government of Canada, aims to provide more flexible employment services and enhanced supports to support all young Canadians. The strategy aims to help youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to successfully transition into the labour market. The call for proposals is currently closed

• Student Work Placement Program

• The Student Work Placement Program gives post-secondary students across Canada paid work experience related to their field of study
• ESDC works with Employer Delivery Partners, who work with businesses and post-secondary education institutions to provide wage subsidies to employers that offer quality student work placements; and create partnerships with colleges, universities, polytechnics and CEGEPs to recruit students for these placements.

Measure

Changes to the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy's Canada Summer Jobs program: changes include increased wage subsidies, expanded eligibility and new flexibilities for employers, to ensure it can continue to support up to 70,000 student job placements in 2020-21. These new measures are being supported by a reallocation of existing resources.

On June 25, an additional $61.7M in funding was announced for CSJ 2020 to support the creation of 10,000 additional jobs, expanding the CSJ 2020 work placement target from 70,000 to 80,000 jobs.

We also made temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program to allow employers to:

• receive an increased wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee;
• extend the end date for employment to February 28, 2021;
• adapt their projects and job activities;
• hire staff on a part-time basis.

Measure

Extension of lay-off periods: We have extended time periods for temporary layoffs by up to six months in the Canada Labour Standards Regulations to allow employers more time to recall laid-off employees. The temporary changes will help protect the jobs of federally regulated private-sector employees and support employers facing economic hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Measure

Delivering Essential Services to those in need:

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

Measure

Increasing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB): $300 per child through the CCB for families currently receiving the CCB. This will mean approximately $550 on average per family.

This benefit was delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May.

Measure

Supporting people experiencing homelessness: support to people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak by providing $157.5 million 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.

Reaching Home provides communities with significant flexibility in how funding can be used to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. For example, communities can use Reaching Home funding to place individuals in temporary, transitional, or permanent housing accommodations for the purposes of self-isolation; purchase supplies and materials to reduce the risk of transmission, such as personal protective equipment; and, hire additional staff to support the response.

Measure

Helping address urgent housing needs of vulnerable individuals (CMHC)

We are introducing the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians by rapidly creating new affordable housing. This $1 billion initiative will cover the construction of modular housing, as well as the acquisition of land, and the conversion of existing buildings to affordable housing.

It is expected to enable the rapid creation of up to 3,000 new affordable housing units across the country and will help stimulate the economy.

Measure

Special one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment): We are providing a one-time-, tax-free, non-reportable payment of $600 to help Canadians with disabilities who are recipients of any of the following programs or benefits:

• holders of a valid Disability Tax Credit
• beneficiaries as at July 1, 2020 of:

• Canada Pension Plan Disability
• Quebec Pension Plan Disability Pension; and
• Disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada

If you are eligible but never applied for the Disability Tax Credit or your certificate expired in 2019, you must do so by September 25, 2020.

Measure

One-time payment for Seniors:

Seniors who are eligible for the one-time payment for persons with disabilities would receive a total of $600 in special payments. The one-time payment to persons with disabilities would be adjusted to provide a top-up for eligible seniors, including:

• $300 for Canadians who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and who received the one-time seniors payment of $300; or
• $100 for Canadians with who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowances and who received the one-time seniors payment of $500

Eligible clients will start receiving payments on October 30, 2020

Measure

Providing resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs: A new investment of $15 million in 2020-21 will provide community organizations with resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs in response to COVID-19, including by helping employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home arrangements. This support will also cover expanding accessible online training opportunities and helping connect Canadians with disabilities working from home with employers.

Measure

Supporting organizations that provide essential services to seniors: We are contributing $9 million through United Way Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors. These services could include the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals' needs and connect them to community supports.

Measure

New flexibilities under the New Horizons for Seniors Program: We are 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.

For all organizations who received funding under the 2019 to 2020 New Horizons for Seniors Program community-based stream, funding can be used to provide immediate and essential services to seniors impacted by COVID-19.

Measure

Extending GIS and Allowance payments: Temporarily extending GIS and Allowance payments if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been received. This will ensure that the most vulnerable seniors continue to receive their benefits when they need them the most. Seniors are encouraged to submit their 2019 income information as soon as possible and no later than by October 1, 2020.

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) estimating a reduction of $269.2 million, for Payments to support students and youth impacted by COVID-19 pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act (PHENCPA), in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Context

• Payments to support students and youth impacted by COVI-19 pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payment Act (PHENCPA) was first presented in 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates A with an estimate of $728M. The $728M estimate represented the planned spending on this measure for all department, not just ESDC's portion.
• In Supplementary Estimates B, ESDC's planned spending for Students and Youth is $458.8M out of the $1B to be spent by the Government of Canada. In order to reflect the new proposed authorities of $458.8M for ESDC an adjustment of ($269.2M) is required from what was presented in Supplementary Estimates A.
• ESDC's planned spending for Students and Youth comprises several programs: Student Work Placement Program ($266.1M); Canada Service Corps Microgrants ($74M); Canada Summer Jobs ($61.7M); Youth Employment and Skills Strategy ($40M); Supports for Students ($15M); I Want to Help Platform ($2M).

Response

• The adjustment of ($269.2M) for Students and Youth in Supplementary Estimates B is required to reflect ESDC's portion of these initiatives. The previous estimate represented the government-wide planned spending on this Covid-19 measure.

Background

The Student and Youth measures for ESDC consist of the following programs:

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $15 million for Support for Persons with Disabilities Opportunities Fund (National Workforce Accessibility) in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

• Persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to the labour market. According to the 2017 Canada Survey on Disability, core working age (25-64) persons with disabilities are less likely to be employed (59%) than persons without disabilities (80%)
• Additionally, economic downturns disproportionately affect persons with disabilities as they are at a higher risk of job and income loss and experience a slower recovery compared to those without disabilities
• A recent StatsCan survey on the impacts of COVID-19 on persons with disabilities found that over one-third of respondents reported experiencing a temporary or permanent job loss or reduced hours during the pandemic

Response

• The Government of Canada recognizes that persons with disabilities are significantly and disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
• To support the skills training and employment of persons with disabilities in response to COVID-19, on June 5, 2020, the Government of Canada announced a $15 million investment in 2020 to 2021 to create a new National Workplace Accessibility Stream under the Opportunities Fund
• This new funding will provide community organizations with resources to improve workplace accessibility, increase job opportunities for persons with disabilities and expand accessible online training opportunities
• The funding authority for the National Workplace Accessibility Stream under the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act ends on December 31, 2020
• ESDC is seeking Parliamentary authority of $15.0 million to continue to support projects under the National Workplace Accessibility Stream after September 30, 2020 and ensure that persons with disabilities benefit from enhanced job and training opportunities
• To date, ESDC has entered into agreements worth $11 million with 9 organizations to deliver programming under this stream

Background

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (OF) program provides $40 million per year to third party service providers to assist persons with disabilities (PWD) prepare for, obtain and maintain employment or self-employment, thus increasing labour market participation and independence. The program assists over 5,000 individuals each year.

The Opportunities Fund supports a wide range of programs and services, including pre-employability services, job placements and wrap-around services to help PWDs increase their labour market participation and independence.

Since 1997, the program has helped approximately 110,000 PWDs across Canada. In 2019 to 2020, 4,242 people with disabilities were served with 1,554 participants finding employment, 294 returning to school and 2,804 enhancing their employability.

On June 5, 2020, the Government of Canada announced a new investment of $15 million in 2020 to 2021 to create a National Workplace Accessibility Stream (NWAS) under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities program (Opportunities Fund). This program is supporting community organizations with resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs in response to COVID-19.

Under this stream, third-party organizations will: help employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home measures including supports and accommodations; support expanding online training opportunities for PWDs; help connect PWDs who are set up to work from home with employers; provide/extend wage subsidies to encourage the hiring of PWDs; provide training to PWDs for jobs that are currently in demand; and provide employer-focused support to create inclusive workplaces, whether virtual or physical

These employer-focused activities will help support the economic recovery by complementing the current suite of active projects, which mostly focus on participant activities such as skills training, job placements, wage subsidies and employment assistance services.

The Opportunities Fund is currently supporting 16 national projects and 72 regional projects across Canada that serve some 4,500 clients annually. Additionally, 9 new projects are being funded under the National Workplace Accessibility Stream (NWAS) in 2020 to 2021, which will serve approximately 1,220 clients and over 6,000 employers across Canada.

Key quotes

"To make it through this difficult time, we need to look out for one another. Canadians with disabilities are facing significant challenges because of COVID-19, as they work to access essential services and care, and provide for their families. In creating the National Workplace Accessibility Stream under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities program we are helping to make sure they have the support they need to make it through this crisis."

— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"We know this pandemic has deeply affected the lives and health of all Canadians, and disproportionately affected Canadians with disabilities in particular. We have listened to the concerns of Canadians with disabilities and received advice from the COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group on how to best provide support during this difficult time. I am confident that this program will greatly benefit Canadians with disabilities across the country."

— The Hon. Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.

Funding (in millions of dollars)

Mains Estimates - Voted Appropriation Vote 5 Grants and contributions - Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities: $43.5M

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2020 to 2021 - Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act – 2020 to 2021: $15.0M

Prepared by

Name: Jennifer Moorehead

Title: Senior Director, Planning and Expenditure Management, CFOB

Phone number: 613-793-3084

Key contact

Name: Eppo Maertens

Title: Director - Employment Programs and Policy Directorate

Phone number: 613-853-2781

Approved by

Name: Alan Bulley

Title: Director General, SEB

Phone number: 613-654-1655

and

Name: Mark Perlman

Title: Chief Financial Officer, CFOB, ESDC

Phone number: 819-654-6634

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

Issue

What is the Government of Canada doing to address COVID-19’s impact on vulnerable Canadians?

Key facts

• COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations less prepared to deal with the health, social and economic impacts of the pandemic. Risks of stress, hardship and abuse rise as isolation increases and gaps emerge in the social supports on which these Canadians rely. In-person and often in-home contact as well as group activities play a key role in supporting vulnerable populations
• Demands on community support programs are growing rapidly at a time when the number of volunteers is falling. Significant challenges are emerging as front-line staff work to adapt and deliver essential services while minimizing social contact

Response

• One of the most important roles of our Government during this pandemic is to support vulnerable Canadians, including seniors, children and youth at risk, people with disabilities, women, people experiencing homelessness, and members of the LGBTQ2 community
• The need to reduce social contact to limit the spread of COVID-19 has opened gaps in programs for vulnerable people. It has led to:
  • New challenges in connecting vulnerable persons such as seniors with the supplies or services they need (for example too few volunteers to deliver meals or take seniors to medical appointments)
  • Elimination of in-person, one-on-one support for vulnerable persons (for example cancellation of friendly visits to elderly people or in-home supports for isolated seniors); and
  • Cancellation of group programs (for example cancellation of day programs for seniors)

Background

Community organizations are on the frontlines, serving critical community needs both in times of stability and crisis. Many vulnerable Canadians, such as seniors, children and youth at risk, people with disabilities, women, racialized communities such as Black Canadians, people experiencing homelessness, and members of the LGBTQ2 community rely on these organizations, and that reliance often rises in times of hardship. They provide meals to isolated seniors, services to children and youth at risk, shelter for the homeless, support for those fleeing domestic abuse, addiction counselling, settlement services for recent immigrants, and countless other contributions.

To-date, the Government of Canada has announced a number of initiatives that support charitable and non-profit organizations in addressing COVID-19-related issues. Examples include: $100M for Food Banks and Local Food Organizations; $9M to United Way Canada through the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support isolated seniors in all regions across Canada; over $400M in additional funding to the Reaching Home-funded communities to support people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak; $50 million to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres to help with their capacity to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities; and $350 million for the Emergency Community Support Fund to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program is the single largest funder of programming to combat social isolation among seniors in Canada with an annual budget of $70 million. While it is well-known for its small grants that support social participation and inclusion, the Program also funds volunteer services that are essential to seniors’ quality of life and ability to live independently, such as Meals on Wheels and supports for seniors who are caregivers.

The Government response to the COVID-19 pandemic recognizes that older persons are particularly affected by the crisis and is increasing supports to seniors in various ways. The Government of Canada is providing support to voluntary and service organizations who are working to provide necessary services to seniors, and has introduced several new measures to protect seniors’ financial security.

New flexibilities under the community-based stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program allowed 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 to 2020 call for proposals could 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. The additional investment of $20 million to the New Horizons for Seniors Program, supported organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network.

As well, the NHSP provided $9 million in funding to the United Way Centraide Canada to work with communities in each province and territory to support isolated, vulnerable seniors cope with the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund complemented these investments and supported community organizations serving vulnerable populations to adapt and reorient their services in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Emergency Community Support Fund was delivered through the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) of ESDC. SDPP is a flexible and responsive program focused on supporting children and families, including seniors, persons with disabilities and Black Canadians. ESDC has pioneered innovations in federal funding to charities and non-profits, and has found the intermediary model to be an efficient mechanism that can rapidly distribute funds in a manner that is responsive to community needs.

To support a wide range of community organizations serving vulnerable populations, the Emergency Community Support Fund relied on 3 main intermediaries, the United Way Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and the Community Foundations of Canada.

Those 3 intermediaries:

• Flowed funding quickly to local organizations that needed it the most
• Conducted fair and transparent assessment processes
• Minimized duplication through national and local coordination; and
• Were accountable for the use of the funds and its results

From May 19, 2020 to October 30, 2020, community-based organizations from across the country could apply for funding through the Emergency Community Support Fund to support a variety of activities that addressed a pressing social inclusion or well-being need caused by COVID-19.

In addition, ESDC worked with the Canadian Red Cross to train and equip the volunteers and staff of community organizations to safely provide services; and the United Way to enhance the social services helpline 211.

To address the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, the Government invested an additional $409 million in Reaching Home. The Program began providing additional funding as of April 1, 2020 to 58 Designated Communities (including in Quebec), 30 communities receiving funding directly under the Indigenous Homelessness stream, and the three territorial capitals; and recipients of the Rural and Remote Homelessness stream and for Indigenous Homelessness stream investments not allocated to specific communities. Later rounds of funding extended support to six additional Designated Communities and several Modern Treaty Holders.

Prepared by

Name: Suzanne Allen

Title: Program Manager

Key contact

Name: Susan MacPhee

Title: Director, Social Programs Division

Phone number: 613-567-3607

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $1.2 million related to government advertising programs in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Suggested response

• For the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B), the Department requested $1.2 million for advertising campaigns
• A budget of $1 million will be allocated for the ‘’Services for Seniors’’ campaign. This campaign will promote programs and services related to Seniors
• A budget of $200,000 will be allocated for the ‘’Inclusive Workplace’’ campaign. This campaign will increase awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities

Key facts

• In line with the 2020 Speech from the Throne of addressing the gaps in our social system and build back better to create a stronger, more resilient Canada, the Government of Canada offers numerous programs and services designed to help older Canadians prepare for and live in retirement and improve the life outcomes of persons with disabilities
• The Government communicates with the public in both official languages to inform Canadians of policies, programs, services and initiatives, and of Canadians’ rights and responsibilities under the law

Background

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $0.5 million in funding to support in Business Resumption (COVID-19) for federal jurisdiction employers in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

[One paragraph redacted]

• Additional support and guidance for employers and workplaces to protect the health and safety of workers during the pandemic will benefit both employers and about 1.2 million employees in the federal jurisdiction, in addition to reaching a broader workforce in provinces and territories

Response

• COVID-19 has created challenges on many fronts for workers and employers in Canada
• The Government of Canada is taking action to protect Canadians and ensure our economy continues to stay as strong as possible through and beyond the COVID‑19 pandemic
• Every Canadian has the right to a healthy and safe workplace. That is why ESDC sought funding of $3.5 million for two fiscal years (FY2020-21 and FY2021-22) to support business resumption activities across the country related to the COVID-19 pandemic
• The funding for the COVID-19 Response Coordination Team includes $2.5 million for the Labour Program, and $1.0 million for Transport Canada to increase proactive occupational health and safety (OHS) activities, outreach and guidance, as well as technical expertise
• As a complementary approach to ESDC’s, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety will receive funding of $2.5 million over two fiscal years (FY2020 to 2021 and FY2021 to 2022), to develop a comprehensive program to provide credible, informative and clear language resources, guidance, knowledge transfer documents and e-learning materials to enable Canadians to safely return to work during an active and/or post-pandemic environment with minimal risk

Background

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $0.9 million for a Transfer from Privy Council Office to Employment and Social Development for COVID-19 Communications Strategy funding related to Essential Services Jobs/Job Bank advertising campaign in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Suggested response

• The Privy Council Office will transfer $900,000 from the COVID-19 Communications Strategy Funding to ESDC for the ‘’Essential Services Jobs / Job Bank’’ advertising campaign
• In support to the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan and efforts to support workers and businesses during the pandemic, this campaign will bring job seekers and employers together on the Job Bank job search platform

Key Facts

• As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic many businesses are closing in Canada and unemployment rates are high. The unemployment rate reached the highest rate recorded in May 2020 at 13.7% since comparable data became available in 1976 (Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, May 2020). The unemployment rate decreased in August to 10.2%, but is still as high as in 1985 (Statistic Canada, Unemployment rates in Canada and the United States, 1976 to 2016). There are, however, many sectors and industries still seeking employees
• In line with the 2020 Speech of the Throne of supporting people and businesses through this crisis and build back better to create a stronger, more resilient Canada, the Government of Canada offers numerous programs and services designed to help job seekers in their job search and make it easier for employers to hire
• The Government communicates with the public in both official languages to inform Canadians of policies, programs, services and initiatives, and of Canadians’ rights and responsibilities under the law

Background

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $0.6 million for an Internal reallocation of resources from Vote 5 (Contributions) to Vote 1 (Operating expenditures) for the National Campaign of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

There is persistent low awareness and poor perceptions of the skilled trades as a promising career choice amongst youth and their key influencers (for example, parents, guidance counsellors).

Budget 2019 announced six million dollars over two years, starting in 2019 to 2020, for a National Campaign to promote the skilled trades as a first-choice career for young people.

Response

• In Budget 2019, the Government committed to creating a National Campaign to promote the skilled trades as first-choice careers to youth.
• The internal reallocation of funding from Contributions to Operating expenditure votes sought in Supplementary Estimates B will enable Employment and Social Development Canada to lead the Campaign design and delivery.
• ESDC will work to support the Campaign's objective of enhancing the perception of apprenticeship and the skilled trades as a path to well-paying, rewarding jobs.

Background

Budget 2019 announced the Government of Canada's commitment to invest six million dollars over two years to create a National Campaign to promote the skilled trades as a first-choice career for young people. [One sentence redacted]

In August 2019, the Prime Minister announced an Advisory Committee to provide advice to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion on what a successful Campaign would require.

On February 27, 2020, the Advisory Committee Co-Chairs presented their final report to the Minister. With little time left before the end of March, the funds allocated in 2019 to 2020 for the National Campaign could not be fully spent before the end of the fiscal year. [One sentence redacted]

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted departmental priorities and delayed work on the National campaign.

The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion recently approved an approach whereby ESDC would lead on the next phases of the Campaign's design and delivery. A department-led approach would leverage ESDC's networks and could be an opportunity to demonstrate federal leadership on apprenticeship and the skilled trades.

As a consequence of this recent decision, ESDC is requesting that funding for both 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 move from Vote 5 Grants and Contributions to Vote 1 Operating expenditures. This will facilitate a Department-led approach, rather than the originally envisioned third-party-led approach. Supplementary Estimates B will move the funding for 2020 to 2021. A further reallocation of $4.4 million will be sought under ARLU 2021 to 2022 to move unspent funds from this fiscal year to the next, and from Vote 5 to Vote 1, to support the ongoing development and delivery of the Campaign by ESDC.

Funding ($000’s) and FTE

FTE

• Existing FTEs – 0
• Supps B – 2020 to 2021 FTEs – 0
• Total FTEs – 0

Salary

• Existing Funding $0
• Supps B – 2020 to 2021 $0
• Total Funding $0

O and M

• Existing Funding $0
• Supps B – 2020 to 2021 $600
• Total Funding $600

Total operating

• Existing Funding $0
• Supps B – 2020 to 2021 $600
• Total Funding $600

EBP

• Existing Funding $0
• Supps B – 2020 to 2021 $0
• Total Funding $0

Sub-total

• Existing Funding $0
• Supps B – 2020 to 2021 $600
• Total Funding $600

Vote 5 G and C

• Existing Funding $0
• Supps B – 2020 to 2021 $(600)
• Total Funding $(600)

Total

• Existing Funding $0
• Supps B – 2020 to 2021 $0
• Total Funding $0

Prepared by

Name: Caroline Lamirande

Title: Senior Policy Analyst, Trades and Apprenticeship Division

No phone number: 613-262-2855

Key contact

Name: Kendra Thayer

Title: Manager, Trades and Apprenticeship Division

Phone number: 873-353-5123

Approved by

Name: Elisha Ram

Title: Associate ADM SEB

Phone number: 819-654-5212

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $28.5 billion for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2021?

Context

• Planned spending for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) in Supplementary Estimates A was $60B. The $28.5B adjustment in Supplementary Estimates B brings the Proposed Authorities to $88.5B, matching the funding decision for CERB
• CERB's $88.5B proposed authorities include the initial program and the two extension periods. They are comprised of benefits and operational costs for both CERB and EI-ERB

Response

• The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working for reasons related to COVID-19
• The funding authority for the CERB under the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act ends on December 31, 2020
• The CERB is available from March 15, 2020, to October 3, 2020. Eligible workers can make retrospective benefit applications with respect to that period until December 2, 2020

Background

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $1.5 billion for Supporting Provincial and Territorial Job Training Efforts (Workforce Development Agreements) in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

• The impacts of the pandemic have been significant. Over 3 million Canadian workers lost their jobs from February to April 2020. Unemployment reached a record high of 13.7% in May 2020, up from 5.6% this past February
• The August labour force survey figures indicated that 1.8 million Canadian workers are still affected by the COVID-19 economic shutdown, with an unemployment rate of 10.2%
• Evidence shows that early participation in training enhances employment outcomes. Ensuring that Canadian workers have access to, and are aware of, the training and employment supports they need to prepare them to re-enter the labour market is key to an inclusive economic recovery
• The skills training and employment supports delivered by provinces and territories are a critical part of Canada's skills training infrastructure

Response

• ESDC is requesting to provide $1.5B in additional funding to provinces and territories in 2020 to 2021 through the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs). The additional funding will provide timely support so provinces and territories can respond to the unprecedented increase in unemployed Canadians seeking skills training and employment supports. Provinces and territories can draw on their existing service delivery infrastructure to reach the broadest range of Canadians in the fastest manner possible
• This immediate support will reach workers and employers in sectors hardest-hit by COVID-19, as well as groups particularly disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic. This is in addition to the $3.4 billion already being provided to provinces and territories under the Labour Market Development Agreements and Workforce Development Agreements in 2020 to 2021
• Funding will also help enable PTs to respond to adjust their services models to comply with public health requirements during Covid-19 and serve more clients
• PT supports are key to supporting Canadians gain skills they need to gain or retain more stable employment. The WDAs reach vulnerable and underrepresented groups, in providing new funding that will support the provinces and territories in delivering targeted supports to groups particularly disadvantaged by the pandemic

Background

In response to the COVID19 pandemic, the Government of Canada will provide an additional $1.5 billion to provinces and territories in 2020 to 2021 through provinces and territories, through the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs). This immediate support will respond to the increased number of Canadians looking to re-enter the workforce, and targets workers and employers in sectors hardest-hit by COVID-19, as well as groups particularly disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic. This is in addition to the $3.4 billion already being provided to provinces and territories under the Labour Market Development Agreements and Workforce Development Agreements in 2020 to 2021.

Provinces and territories have strong service delivery networks in place that are already adapting to social distancing requirements. Providing this investment through the Workforce Development Agreement will ensure quick access to training for Canadian workers, including gig-workers and the self-employed. Canadians will have access to programs such as skills training, wage subsidies, job search assistance and career counselling.

The funding has been allocated among provinces and territories based on two equally-weighted variables: 50% of the funding has been allocated based on their share of total employment losses in their ten most affected sectors; and, 50% has been allocated based on their share of the Canadian population. To ensure equity, a 0.2% funding floor was established for each of the territories.

The Government of Canada is committed to fostering an inclusive labour market that strengthens and grows the middle class. As Canada’s population ages, technology advances, and the labour market experiences increasing volatility, the Government is taking steps to ensure that all workers get the skills they need to find good jobs, and that no one is left behind. That is why the Government of Canada has entered into Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) with all provinces and territories (PTs).

Programs delivered under the WDAs provide skills training and employment programming with a focus on those further removed from the labour market and those wishing to upskill, including those who may not be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). The WDAs can assist individuals regardless of their employment status. Those who are unemployed, underemployed, employed or self-employed can receive supports for upskilling, career reorientation and on-the-job-training, to ultimately find and maintain good jobs.

The WDAs also include specific funding targeted for persons with disabilities, and can also be used to support members of underrepresented groups such as visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, youth, older workers, and newcomers to Canada. The WDAs can also support employers seeking to train current or future employees to fill available jobs or enhance the skills of their workforce.

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting a $912 million adjustment to Payments for the Canada Student Service Grant pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Context

• The Government of Canada allocated up to $912 million for the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) to implement and deliver the program through the establishment of a Contribution Agreement with a total value of up to $543.5 million, with additional funding upon necessity
• The CSSG was launched on June 25, 2020, to provide support to students and recent graduates during the COVID-19 pandemic
• On July 3, 2020, the Government of Canada and the WE Charity Foundation announced that the CSSG Contribution Agreement would be terminated
• Given the cancellation of the CSSG and the return of funds allocated to the WE Charity Foundation, the Supplementary Estimates B total is $0

Suggested response

• The Government of Canada allocated up to $912 million for the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG). In order to implement and deliver the program, a Contribution Agreement was established with the WE Charity Foundation for a total value of up to $543.5 million to administer cash awards directly to up to 100,000 eligible students and recent graduates.
• This amount was commensurate with program activities and tied to the expected uptake of the program. If demand exceeded the number of grants funded in the original Contribution Agreement, additional funding would have been available for the program.
• Of the $543.5 million allocated through the Contribution Agreement, $500 million was earmarked for cash award funding to be disbursed directly to eligible students and recent graduates.
• Up to $43.5 million was earmarked for the design and delivery of the Canada Student Service Grant. This included $19.5 million to support program delivery costs for the first 20,000 placements, $13.53 million for an additional 20,000 placements, and $10.5 million for the disbursement of the cash awards beyond 40,000 project participants.
• The program delivery costs represent approximately 8% of the total project amount.
• On July 3, 2020, the Government of Canada and the WE Charity Foundation announced that the agreement for the CSSG would be terminated.
• Supplementary Estimates (A) was $912 million to reflect the total funding that could have been allocated for the CSSG. Given the cancellation of the CSSG, this total has been adjusted and Supplementary Estimates (B) is $0.

Background

On April 22, 2020, the Government of Canada announced $9 billion to assist students and youth impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada allocated up to $912 million for the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG).

In order to implement and deliver the program, a contribution agreement (CA) was established with the WE Charity Foundation for a total value of up to $543.5 million to administer cash awards directly to up to 100,000 eligible students and recent graduates. This amount was commensurate with program activities and was tied to the expected uptake of the program. If demand exceeded the number of grants funded in the original CA, additional funding would have still been available for the program.

The funding breakdown is as follows:

• $500 million earmarked for cash award funding, to be disbursed directly to eligible students and recent graduates; and
• Up for $43.5 million for the design and delivery of the CSSG. This included:

• $19.5 million to support program delivery costs for an initial 20,000 service placements, including $5 million to be redistributed to not-for-profit partners to support the creation of service placements, and $300,000 to support project participants who did not have access to technology required to participate in virtual service placements
• $13.53 million to be subsequently used to support program delivery costs for an additional 20,000 service placements (should there have been demand), including $3.75 million to be redistributed to not-for-profit partners to support the creation of service placements, and $300,000 to support project participants that did not have access to technology; and
• $10.5 million to support the disbursement of the cash awards to eligible students beyond the 40,000 project participants (via the I Want to Help platform). Activities undertaken by I Want to Help included reviewing and posting service placements; ensuring that participants met and understood eligibility criteria; facilitating the completion of the registration process; verifying hours; and disbursing the cash award

In the CA, the Government set the funding parameters, including policy and program objectives, desired outcomes, eligible expenditures, and performance measurement.

The CSSG CA was signed on June 23, 2020. However, on July 3, the WE Charity Foundation stepped away from delivering the CSSG following political and public backlash. The program was cancelled, and the CSSG did not move forward as planned. The Contribution Agreement with WE Charity Foundation has been terminated and all funds that were advanced have been returned to the Government of Canada.

Supplementary Estimates (A) was $912 million to reflect the total funding that could have been allocated for the CSSG. Given that funding is not currently being used as originally intended, it is subject to the Supplementary Estimates process in order to reallocate all or part of it for other initiatives. This is why the Supplementary Estimates (B) total is $0.

Prepared by

Name: Emily Nickel

Title: Advisor

Phone number: 613-809-2159

Key contact

Name: Ritu Banerjee

Title: Executive Director, Canada Service Corps

Phone number: 613-220-2300

Approved by

Name: Alexis Conrad

Title: ADM

Phone number: 819-654-8448

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $1,347.7 million for adjustments to Canada Student Loans Programs in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

Canada Student Grants are disbursed under the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act (CSFAA). The amount of grants for 2019 to 2020 was $1.58 billion.

Suggested response

• The projection for grants has been increased by $1.6 billion to take into consideration the temporary COVID measure on doubling the grant amounts for loan year 2020 to 2021.
• The total estimate for transfer payments has been reduced to reflect the impact of the temporary 6 month moratorium on loan repayments, which deferred the cost of the repayment assistance program Repayment Assistance Plan, and also the expected alternative payment to non-participating jurisdictions.

Background

The Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) promotes accessibility to post-secondary education for students who require financial support to undertake their studies. By reducing financial barriers for these students through the provision of loans and grants, the CSLP enables Canadians to gain knowledge, skills and qualifications required for successful participation in the economy and society.

Changes to Canada Student Grants and Loans have been introduced so students facing financial challenges from COVID-19 can access and afford post-secondary education.

In response to increased need for the coming 2020 to 2021 school year, the maximum amount of Canada Student Grants has been doubled. The Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students was increased up to a maximum of $6,000 and the grant for part-time studies to $3,600. The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependants was also doubled.

Also, due to the pandemic, a 6 month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans, effective until September 30, 2020, is providing relief to nearly 1 million CSLP borrowers currently in repayment. This is reducing the expected cost of the repayment assistance program Repayment Assistance Plan for the current fiscal year as well as the estimated alternative payment to non-participating jurisdictions.

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $848.5 million for adjustments to Payment to support Persons with Disabilities one-time payment under An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures in Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting an adjustment of $1.4 million in funding to the statutory item "Contributions to employee benefit plans" in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

• Changes to statutory items are presented in the Supplementary Estimates for information purposes only as Parliament has already approved the purpose of the statutory expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made through other legislation (other than Appropriation Acts)
• Contributions to employee benefit plans include costs to the government for the employer’s matching contributions and payments to the Public Service Superannuation Plan, the Canada and the Quebec Pension Plans, death benefits, and the Employment Insurance Operating Account

Response

An adjustment of $1,440,799 to EBP costs related to 3 items requested in these Supplementary Estimates is being included in the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B). The 3 items are:

• Funding to address the outbreak of COVID-19 among temporary foreign workers on farms ($1,186,801)
• Funding for Training for Personal Support Worker Interns; and Other Measures to Address Labour Shortages in Long-Term and Home Care ($176,810); and
• Funding to support Business Resumption for federally regulated employers ($77,188)

Prepared by

Name: Jennifer Moorehead

Title: Senior Director

Phone number: 819-654-6402

Key contact

Name: Jason Won

Title: Deputy Chief Financial Officer

Phone number: 819-654-6583

Approved by

Name: Mark Perlman

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Phone number: 819-654-6634

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $6.9 million (excluding employee benefit plan costs) in Vote 1 and $15.5 million in Statutory funding to address the outbreak of COVID-19 among temporary foreign workers on farms (COVID-19) in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Context

• To protect the health and safety of Canadian and migrant farm workers, on July 31, 2020 the Government announced action to address COVID-19 outbreaks on farms including $7.4 million to increase support to temporary foreign workers (TFWs), and $16.2 to strengthen the TFW Program compliance regime
• This funding will not be fully dispersed by December 31, 2020, the repeal date of the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act (PHENCPA), therefore an appropriation of $6.9 million is requested for payments made between January and March 2021

Response

• Since the very beginning of this pandemic, the Government of Canada has taken a number of important steps to ensure the safe arrival of farm workers, who play a vital role in preserving Canada’s food security. To protect the health and safety of Canadian and migrant farm workers, the Government has been working with municipal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as farmers, support groups, workers and other employers who participate in the TFW Program
• Despite these efforts, there have been COVID-19 outbreaks on a number of Canadian farms that have significantly impacted the health and safety of workers. This is why on July 31, 2020 the Government announced action to strengthen the TFW Program and make further investments to safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19
• An investment of $16.2M is underway to strengthen the employer inspections regime, particularly on farms, and making improvements to how tips and allegations of employer non-compliance are addressed. $7.9M has since been invested to ensure that an additional 3,000 inspections will be conducted prior to the fiscal year end, with a portion completed by September 30. The majority of inspections will be in the Agriculture sector. Funds have been allocated to ensure the hiring of more FTEs, and other resources are in place to meet these targets. Remaining funds have been allocated for activities to make improvements to the Tip-Line, including for translation services.
• Substantial work is underway on these commitments, and will continue beyond December 31, 2020; $7.4M in additional funding to increase supports to temporary foreign workers is expected to be dispersed by fiscal year end. This includes $6.0M in funding to assist migrant worker organizations to directly reach TFWs affected by COVID-19 and provide them with information, resources and services to exercise their rights. This also includes an investment of $500K in the Job Bank platform, to assist temporary foreign workers in Canada with finding new jobs, thereby helping address the power imbalance between workers and employers, and mitigating the risk of abuse by unscrupulous recruiters

Background

• On July 31, 2020 Minister Qualtrough and Minister Bibeau announced $58.6 million to strengthen the TFW Program and safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19. It included:

• Investing $7.4M to increase supports to temporary foreign workers, including $6M for direct outreach to workers delivered through migrant worker support organizations. Recommended recipients have been identified and the $6 million allocation of funds is expected to be dispersed by March 31, 2021, pending Ministerial approval. $900K will be dedicated to associated internal administrative and oversight costs and will be dispersed by fiscal year end, with the remaining $500K being invested in the Job Bank platform to assist worker in finding new jobs
• Strengthening the employer inspections regime, particularly on farms, and making improvements to how tips and allegations of employer non-compliance are addressed (such as by initiating an inspection) through an investment of $16.2 million. Approximately $1.5M has been spent on integrity activities to date, with the remaining to be dispersed by fiscal year end
• Investing $35 million to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19. This will go toward direct infrastructure improvements to living quarters, temporary or emergency housing (on- or off-farm), as well as PPE, sanitary stations, and any other health and safety measures. This funding will be delivered by Agriculture and Agrifood Canada (AAFC) and is expected to be rolled out in Fall 2020

• AAFC has been holding bilateral and group consultations with provincial/territorial governments related to the delivery of the Emergency On-Farm Support Fund (EOFSF). Six provinces have expressed their willingness to deliver the EOFSF and were asked to submit proposals to deliver their programs. AAFC officials continue to work with P/Ts to negotiate agreements and timing of their respective program launches. For those jurisdictions that do not have the capacity to deliver the program, the program will be delivered by the Farm Income Programs Directorate (FIPD)
• The Government will continue to develop mandatory requirements to improve employer-provided accommodations, focusing on ensuring better living conditions for workers

Funding (in millions of dollars)

Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act – 2020 to 2021: $15.5M

Voted Appropriation Vote 1 Operating expenditures: $6.9M

Prepared by

Name: Jennifer Moorehead

Title: Director general, Planning and Expenditure Management

Phone number: 613-793-3084

Key contact

Name: Philippe Massé

Title: Director General, Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Phone number: 613-793-5673

Approved by

Name: Philippe Massé

Title: Director General, Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Phone number: 613-793-5673

and

Name: Mark Perlman

Title: Chief Financial Officer, CFOB, ESDC

Phone number: 819-654-6634

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

Mains estimates

Voted Appropriation Vote 5 Grants and contributions - Sectoral Initiative Program (SIP): $5.7M

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2020 to 2021

Voted Appropriation Vote 1 Operating expenditures: $1.0M

Voted Appropriation Vote 5 Grants and contributions - Sectoral Initiative Program (SIP): $11.5M

Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act – 2020 to 2021: $13.0M

Prepared by

Name: Jennifer Moorehead

Title: Senior Director, Planning and Expenditure Management, CFOB

Phone number: 613-793-3084

Key contact

Name: Jacinthe Arsenault

Title: Director, Sectoral Initiatives Program

Phone number: 613-240-7116

Approved by

Name: Chris Bates

Title: Director General, Apprenticeship and Sectoral Initiatives Directorate

Phone number: 613-868-6517

and

Name: Mark Perlman

Title: Chief Financial Officer, CFOB, ESDC

Phone number: 819-654-6634

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

Allocation of funds

Loan Disbursements: Represents the forecasted value of loans issued to students. There was an increase of $467.875 million from the Main Estimates amount of $3,743 million in the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B).

Repayments of principal: Represents the forecasted reimbursement from borrowers on the principal portion of their loans, including payment amounts received by the Canada Revenue Agency on defaulted loans. There was a reduction of $702.985 million from the Main Estimates amount of $2,454 million in the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B).

Other Adjustments: Represents the principal portion forecasted write-offs and loans forgiven, net of capitalized grace period interest. There was a reduction of $58.764 million from the Main Estimates amount of $295.349 million in the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B).

Allocation of funds

Loan Disbursed: Represents the forecasted value of loans issued to students. There was a decrease of $9.925 million from the Main Estimates amount of $55.346 million in the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B).

Repayments or principal: Represents the forecasted reimbursement from borrowers on the principal portion of their loans, including payment amounts received by the Canada Revenue Agency on defaulted loans. There was a decrease of $7.910 million from the Main Estimates amount of $30.905 million in the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B).

Other Adjustments: Represents the principal portion forecasted write-offs and loans forgiven, net of capitalized grace period interest. There was no adjustment made for the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B).

The debate over basic income

The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased calls from a range of stakeholders and experts to introduce a basic income, with the goals of reducing poverty and inequality, addressing the changing nature of work (including automation and increases in precarious employment), and improving population health and well-being.

In April 2020, fifty senators signed a letter that advocated building on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to establish a “crisis minimum income” for the short-term and then pursue further social and economic reforms.

In a May 2020 brief to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, Basic Income Canada Network says that in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, “a basic income provides a foundation of stability, security, a measure of confidence and a level of trust in government that will make good outcomes possible.”

Critics of basic income express concerns about the anticipated costs and disincentives to work, and many oppose payments without requirements to work or seek employment. As well, some critics suggest that, rather than a basic income, governments should increase expenditures on social services such as Pharmacare, dental coverage, childcare, housing, and public transit.

Ontario pilot project

In April 2017, the Ontario Government launched a 3-year basic income pilot project. The 4,000 participants were low-income people aged 18 to 64 in selected communities. Payments were based on 75 % of Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Measure (LIM). A single individual received $16,989 annually, less 50% of earned income, while couples received $24,027 less 50% of any combined earned income. People with disability received an additional $500 per month. Participants were also eligible to receive certain benefits including the CCB.

The Ontario Basic Income pilot tested a potential new approach to income support that would replace social assistance, and possibly other programming, if it were fully implemented.

The Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services announced in July 2018 that the basic income pilot would be cancelled. Payments to participants continued only until March 2019.

Legal action to overturn the Ontario government’s cancellation of the pilot was pursued. The Ontario Superior Court ruled against the challenge on February 14, 2019.

A separate class action lawsuit was launched against the Ontario government seeking damages due to the cancellation of its pilot. The plaintiffs, participants in the pilot, are seeking damages on various grounds, including breach of contract, negligence, breach of public law duty, and violation of section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (life, liberty, and security of the person).

On March 5, 2019, Basic Income Canada Network reported on a non-random survey of 424 participants in the Ontario pilot. Key findings include:

34% of participants found that the basic income supported employment by enabling transportation, childcare, or the ability to start or expand a business.

74% of respondents said they were able to make healthy food choices.

However, when the cancellation of the pilot was announced, 80% of respondents experienced previous problems returning, and 61% had to alter future plans.

In March 2020, economist Wayne Lewchuk of McMaster University and colleagues released a separate report, based on surveys and interviews with 217 former pilot participants in the Hamilton area. Findings of the study include for some participants, basic income was “transformational, fundamentally reshaping their living standards as well as their sense of self-worth and hope for a better future”; and a majority of respondents who were employed before the pilot continued to work while receiving a basic income. Some moved to better paid jobs.

Other provinces

Ernie Hudson, P.E.I.’s Minister of Social Development and Housing, has asked the federal government “to consider additional partnership, such as funding support” for a BI pilot project. The P.E.I. government also plans a “secure income” pilot with means-tested benefits for individuals with severe barriers to entering the workforce (it is narrower in scope than a basic income proposal).

The PEI Legislature’s Special Committee on Poverty has been examining BI. Committee members, including Minister Hudson, have shown an interest in BI and chair Trish Altass affirmed that the committee “will be putting forward recommendations around a fully costed basic income.”

The B.C. government is examining the concept of BI in the context of its poverty reduction efforts. An expert committee has been established and its report was scheduled to be issued at the end of December 2020. There is also a plan to issue a set of research papers.

In June 2016, the Experts Committee on Guaranteed Minimum Income was set up by the then-Government of Quebec to make recommendations on matters pertaining to income support, with the goal of exploring new approaches through which to fight poverty more effectively, promote social inclusion, and move toward introducing a guaranteed minimum income. In November 2017, the Committee released its final report which included a recommendation that the province establish a guaranteed minimum income.

In May 2018, An Act mainly to introduce a targeted income support program for persons with a severely limited capacity for employment was introduced and received assent. The initiative serves this group through the Social Solidarity Program.

The federal government has offered to share available data with provinces and territories interested in implementing BI pilots or programs within their jurisdictions, including tax, administrative, and survey data.

Other provincial and territorial governments have had little to say about basic income.

Cost of a national basic income

In 2018, the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) estimated the gross annual cost of a basic income modelled on Ontario’s pilot project and implemented across Canada: $76B for the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year. The PBO also calculated that $32B of existing federal support could be eliminated, leaving a net cost of $44B. As well, economist Evelyn Forget builds on the PBO’s estimate and calculates that if provincial income assistance expenditures could be reallocated and directed towards basic income expenses, the annual cost of a BI program could be cut to $23B. In any case, to offset costs, a basic income would almost certainly require modification or elimination of some programs and/or taxation changes.

On July 7, 2020, the PBO issued a separate report, which estimated the gross cost of a BI program for 6 months, starting in October 2020, at $47.5B if designed following the model of the Ontario pilot. The PBO also showed that lower phase-out rates, with more generous treatment of earned income to reduce disincentives to work, would lead to substantially higher gross costs (potentially as high as $98.1B for 6 months). The projected cost at this time is greater because of the high rates of unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ESDC COVID response

ESDC has played a significant role in developing innovative measures to help Canadians financially through the pandemic. In general, these measures received support from opposition parties as they recognized the urgency in helping Canadians through this difficult situation. The NDP qualified the situation as unfair and unacceptable. Some NDP MPs may also revisit allegations of CERB fraud seeking assurance that the Government is moving forward on its promise to punish those who knowingly and wrongfully claimed CERB while ensuring those who made honest mistakes would not be penalized disproportionately.

Opposition members may ask the Minister to comment on media articles to the effect that the Canada Recovery Benefit is a “tax increase” for the self-employed, which can result in a disincentive to work.

Furthermore, opposition members may raise the issue of Basic Income as an alternative to the creation of new benefits, citing greater cost efficiencies.

Students

During the pandemic, the Government made a number of announcements to help students, including the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) and the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG), which were designed to provide assistance to students affected by the COVID-19 crisis. MPs from the CPC and the BQ argued at the time that the CESB could create a disincentive for students to look for summer employment while the CSSG was cancelled. In the context of HUMA appearance, it is expected that MPs from all opposition parties will question the Minister on government strategies to help student employment, seek details on the 2021 Canada Summer Job program, and probe on the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) and the awarding of a contribution agreement to the WE charity. Of note, the CSSG and WE are the focus of discussions at several standing committees. Motions for the Production of Papers on this issue and other related to COVID measures were also discussed at length at committees.

Temporary Foreign Worker program (TFW)

The TFW Program is currently in the media following the Report released on October 28 by the Caregivers Action Centre. The Report, which documents the experiences of hundreds of migrant workers during the pandemic, includes information regarding abuse suffered by these individuals. . The NDP may question the Minister on the pace of virtual inspections on migrant working conditions. In the Hill Times dated October 28, NDP MP Jenny Kwan said she took issue with ESDC’s description of wage problems and spacing of bunk-beds as a minor issue, given social distancing is the top public health recommendation to limit the spread of COVID virus. The NDP is an advocate of the principle “good enough to work, good enough to stay” and has advocated to provide foreign workers with permanent resident status.

C-220, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (compassionate care leave)

CPC MP Matt Jeneroux is scheduled to debate his Private Member’s Bill C-220 on Compassionate Care Leave in the House of Commons on November 6. It is possible that the CPC members may seek Government‘s support on the proposed Bill.

C-220 would be studied at HUMA if adopted at Second Reading. This bill is under the purview of Minister Tassi.

Sean Casey, Liberal Party, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Wayne Long, Liberal Party, Saint John — Rothesay, New Brunswick

Han Dong, Liberal Party, Don Valley North, Ontario

Ryan Turnbull, Liberal Party, Whitby, Ontario

Adam Vaughn, Liberal Party, Spadina—Fort York, Ontario

Kate Young, Liberal Party, London West, Ontario

Rosemarie Falk, Conservative Party, Seniors Critic, Battlefords — Lloydminster, Saskatchewan

Peter Kent, Conservative Party, Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic, Thornhill, Ontario

Jamie Schmale, Conservative Party, Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Ontario

Brad Vis, Conservative Party, Housing Critic, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, British Columbia

Leah Gazan, New Democratic Party, Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba

Louise Chabot, Bloc Québecois, Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic, Thérèse-De Blainville, Quebec