With one of the most successful vaccination campaigns in the world, restrictions are carefully being eased in our communities and at our border. Businesses across the country are safely reopening, the economy is rebounding, over a million jobs have been created, and employment is back to pre-pandemic levels. That’s why, last month, the government announced it is pivoting from broad-based economic support to targeted measures that provide support where it is needed, in order to create jobs and growth and prudently manage government spending.

“As our recovery has begun to take hold, we have moved past the darkest days of the pandemic to a new phase. We have recovered over a million jobs, borders are reopening, businesses are getting back up to speed, vaccination rates are high – and will get higher as our children are protected by their doses. That is why we are adapting our income and business support measures to target support to those who continue to need it the most. With today’s legislation, we are pivoting to what we hope will be the final stage of recovery. I hope Parliament will pass this legislation expeditiously so that Canadians can get the support they need and without undue delay.”

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

“From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our government has been there for workers and provided them with the support they need to stay healthy and safe, and to stay afloat. With many job vacancies currently and a more positive outlook in terms of the unemployment rate, it is time to transition away from broad economic measures to more targeted supports for businesses and workers. We want to ensure that if a decision is taken to impose a temporary lockdown to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19, workers who are impacted will have access to the help they need.”

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

“We promised our tourism sector that we would deliver targeted support to get them through the end of this pandemic. We have delivered. We know that our economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers. If passed, this legislation, alongside other supports we have made available, would ensure our sector gets the help it needs.”

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

• The total cost of these measures, from October 24, 2021, through May 7, 2022, is estimated at $7.4 billion. This compares to the $289 billion the Government of Canada has spent on direct income and business supports since the start of the pandemic.

• Budget 2021 introduced the Canada Recovery Hiring Program to help employers hire the workers they need to recover and grow, with a subsidy of up to 50% of additional eligible salary or wages. This support gives employers the certainty they need to rehire and expand operations. 

• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy has helped more than 5.3 million Canadians keep their jobs, with over $97 billion in support already paid out through the program to help employers re-hire workers and avoid layoffs. 

• The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support have helped more than 215,000 organizations with over $7 billion in support for rent, mortgage, and other expenses.

• The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit has delivered $3.74 billion to 486,910 Canadians. The benefit provides income support to employed and self-employed people who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. It applies if their school, regular program, or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19.

• The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit has delivered over $829 million to 758,670 Canadians. The benefit provides income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19.

• Projected GDP growth for Canada in 2021 is 5.7% according to the IMF and 5.4% according to the OECD. 

• Canada has now recovered more than 100% of the jobs lost during the pandemic, compared to 81% in the U.S.

• On August 9, 2021, Canada opened its borders, for non-essential travel, to those American citizens and permanent residents who are currently residing in the United States who are fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. On September 7, 2021, Canada opened its borders to any fully vaccinated traveler who has completed a full course of vaccination at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements. 

Related products

• Backgrounder: Types of business eligible for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
• BILL C-2 (First Reading) An Act to provide further support in response to COVID-19
• COVID-19 Subsidies – Explanatory Notes Relating to the Income Tax Act and Income Tax Regulations

Associated links

• Government announces targeted COVID-19 support measures to create jobs and growth
• Backgrounder: Targeting COVID-19 Support Measures
• Backgrounder: The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit
• Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

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