Today’s announcement of critical importance to the millions facing the end of #CERB. CERB will be extended for one month before EI reforms and 3 new emergency response programs come into effect on Sept 27th. Find the govt backgrounder here: https://bit.ly/3iXPQgf  1/9

Right now, roughly 40% of CERB eligible workers meet the qualifications for EI. Another 60% effectively have no other support. With the reforms, the govt is estimating that 3M workers will transition from CERB to EI in a month + 2M will have access to new benefits. 2/9

After Sept 27th, for a year, the number of hours needed to qualify for regular and special benefits (e.g., parental) will drop to 120 hrs. People will be eligible for a min of 26 wks of support and a new minimum benefit of $400/wk (or $240/wk for extended parental benefits). 3/9

ESDC estimates that 400K more people will be eligible for EI and related benefits, including training. These proposals strengthen EI and provide support to the many who have paid into the system for yrs but been unable to meet steep qualifying rules or receive paltry benefits 4/9

CRA will offer 3 new recovery benefits over the next yr. The Canada Recovery Benefit will pay $400/wk for up to 26 wks for those who don’t qualify for EI. People can earn income while receiving the CRB, some or all of which will be clawed back at annual net incomes above $38K 5/9

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit will provide $500/wk for up to two wks, for one year, for employed and self-employed workers who are unable to work because they are sick or must self-isolate due to COVID-19. No medical certificate to qualify for the benefit. 6/9

Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit will provide $500/wk for up to 26 weeks per hhld.This will cover people taking care of family because their childcare/school/day program is closed, they can’t attend for medical reasons, or their caregiver is not available because of COVID-19 7/9

The package in total will cost $37B over the next year: $8B for one month of CERB; $22B for the new income proposals; and $7B to support EI system change. 8/9

The EI program wasn’t prepared in any way when COVID-19 hit. There have been lots of short-term fixes in the past. Let’s hope these reforms signal that permanent and fundamental change is at hand. The AFB Recovery Plan includes a long term plan here: https://bit.ly/3ghhEKO  9/9