Some thoughts on the recently announced Critical Worker Benefit. Grab a coffee #ableg cause this is going to be a thread.

First, let me say that I'm glad @jkenney is finally spending the money @JustinTrudeau sent AB. Overall, this is a good thing. But I have...questions
1/9

First, let's temper our praise here... The Fed Govt sent $$ to every province in MAY 2020 earmarked for critical workers.
This money was always destined for Albertans and Kenney sat on it while other provinces got it out to the workers that needed it. 2/9 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/federal-top-up-pay-for-alberta-essential-workers-remains-in-limbo-1.5708499

Why do private sector employees have to rely on their employer to apply and distribute Gov't funds? That seems like a...strange...decision.

What if an employer doesn't know or doesn't bother? What if they don't distribute it properly? Is there any recourse? Just...strange. 3/9

Do employers have to deduct tax? CPP? EI?
What if somebody worked 300 hours during the qualifying period but no longer works for the employer?

Are payroll departments expected to set up a new earnings code just for a one time payment in Alberta? 4/9

What counts to the 300 hours worked between Oct-Jan? Vacation? Sick time? Disability? Leaves of absence?

Or is it strictly hours physically at work?

What if your employer reduced hours or even worse, laid people off? You're outta luck when you need it most? Neat! 5/9

Employees have to earn less than $25 hour if they work in the private sector to be eligible....

What counts for earnings? Just base pay? Bonuses? Tips? Commissions? 6/9

Is it just me or are restaurant staff just COMPLETELY MISSING from the list of eligible workers? I don't see servers, bartenders, kitchen staff, etc on the list of eligible workers.

Over in the public sector - nurses are eligible but teachers aren't? That's...odd. 7/9

How about workers in the "gig economy" (I hate that term). Folks that are delivering for Amazon, Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, etc aren't eligible?

And they're usually "contractors" so their "employer" isn't going to apply on their behalf...guess they'll slip thru the cracks. 8/9

So yeah, the program seems...problematic.

Don't get me wrong, better than nothing but it sure seems like the program wasn't completely thought through.

To be fair @ucpcaucus was working at the speed of business(!) and they've only had since MAY to figure something out. 9/9

Oh, and then there's this. Yikes.
Nice catch @Tommy_Slick https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1359937959588372480