FEWO Appearance on Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the impacts on women July 8, 2020

Target population

EI-eligible individuals who become ill with COVID-19, including women.

Accessible to all.

Target population

Businesses and workers.

Target population

EI-eligible individuals, most individuals who will benefit are women.

Accessible to all.

Target population

EI-eligible individuals, including women.

Target population

All Canadians, including women.

Accessible to all.

Target population

Current TFW eligible businesses.

Target population

Students: The CSLP targets students from low- and middle-income households. Women make up about 60% of CSLP recipients, which is consistent with broader trends in post-secondary attainment (StatCan data shows that in 2016, 57% of PSE graduates were women).

Target population

Students with disabilities and with dependants receive an additional $750 per month, for a total of $2,000.

About 55% of all CESB recipients are women; for those with dependents, 82% are women.

Target population

Students from low- and middle-income households, students with permanent disabilities and students with dependants.

Women make up about 60% of CSLP recipients, which is consistent with broader trends in post-secondary attainment (StatCan data shows that in 2016, 57% of PSE graduates were women).

Target population

Students and youth, including women.

Target population

Youth, including women.

Canada Summer jobs 2020 National Priorities include organizations that provide services to or intend to hire youth who self-identify as being part of underrepresented groups or as having additional barriers to entering or staying in the labour market, and includes women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Target population

Vulnerable Canadians, including women.

Target population

Families, including women.

Target population

Individuals (both men and women) and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including women and children fleeing violence.

Preliminary analysis that in the first 6 months of Reaching Home, out of a total of 1,237 projects, communities supported at least 128 projects with organizations that primarily serve women for a total allocation of $23,159,581. This includes 11 Violence Against Women’s shelters, for a total of 19 projects and $1,215,020.

Target population

People with disabilities, including women.

Target population

Students, including women.

Target population

Seniors, including women.

Target population

Seniors, including women.

Target population

Seniors, including women.

Target population

Seniors, including women.

Problem statement

• The Government of Canada recognizes that students and recent graduates are being significantly affected by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Statistics Canada, in March 2020, the number of post-secondary working students, aged 15 to 29, dropped by 28% from February 2020
• As many post-secondary students adapt to the new reality brought on by COVID-19, they are concerned about the effect of the pandemic on their ability to continue their studies, secure and retain summer employment, pay their bills, and save for tuition in the fall. Additionally, students who are about to graduate might struggle to find employment, which may in turn, have a negative impact on the value of their education over the long term

Approach

• In response to the financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada introduced the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) to provide financial support to students and recent graduates who are facing challenges to find employment, pay their bills, and save for tuition in the fall
• Through the CESB, students who do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance (EI) benefits will receive $1,250 per month for up to four mounts (May to August 2020). Students with disabilities and students with dependants will receive an additional $750 per month. The CESB represents an investment of $5.2 billion and is expected to reach approximately 1 million students

4.1 Direct benefits

Gender identity and sexual orientation

• Women

Socio-economic, cultural and familial characteristics

• Parents

Health characteristics

• Persons with disabilities

Age and life stage

• Students

Please select, as applicable

These traits describe multiple groups, rather than one distinct group with intersecting characteristics. Please explain below:

• This temporary benefit will provide much-needed financial relief to post-secondary students, recent post-secondary graduates, and graduating high school students who are unable to find work as a result of COVID-19, looking for work but unable to find it or working but unable to earn more than $1,000 (before taxes) over the four-week period for which they are applying. It is intended to capture students who do not qualify for the CERB because they did not make the minimum amount of $5,000 in the past year. Special attention is paid to students with dependents and students with disabilities who will be facing financial challenges of their own, making it difficult for them to support their children’s education or to pursue their studies
• Approximately 1 million students and recent graduates are expected to receive over $5 billion in financial support through the CESB

4.2 Indirect benefits

The benefiting group has the following demographic characteristics that are predominantly relative to the population at large. Please select at least one option in the Gender Identity box and select all other characteristics that apply.

Gender identity and sexual orientation

• Women (60%-79%)

Socio-economic, cultural and familial characteristics

• Lower income
• Middle income

Geographic characteristics

• Rural or remote populations

Please select, as applicable:

These traits describe multiple groups, rather than one distinct group with intersecting characteristics. Please explain below.

4.3 Negative impacts

This proposal does not carry negative impacts.

Socio-economic, cultural and familial characteristics

• Lower income
• Middle income

These measures do not carry any direct negative impacts; however, they would result in students who do not have dependents or a disability receiving less income replacement than other workers, something stakeholders have criticized. There are concerns that the CESB—which is $750 less than the CERB amount—will be insufficient to allow lower-income and financially independent students (that is, who are not supported by their parents) to cover immediate expenses, ensure they can pursue their post-secondary education plans, or secure employment in the near future.

While an individual can be eligible for the CESB even if they earn up to $1,000 per month, the combined potential maximum of $2,250 per month could be insufficient for lower- and middle-income students and recent graduates facing significant financial pressures.

In addition, the CESB requires students to prove that they are looking for work, while the CERB does not. Critics have argued that this could put students in a position where they may need to accept work that could put them at risk of becoming infected or lose the benefit. However, as per CESB policy guidelines, students can accept a suitable job and they do not have to accept any job offered to them. Lower income students may be more likely to make this difficult decision out of financial necessity and would also be more likely to live with other people for financial reasons and in more crowded housing, which would put them at risk of spreading the virus to even more people.

That said, the recent and newly announced measures to support youth, post-secondary students, and recent graduates (for example, suspending repayment and interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans; doubling Canada Student Grants; raising the maximum weekly Canada Student Loan amount; expanding eligibility to student financial assistance; changes to the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy and the Canada Summer Jobs program; introducing of the Canada Student Service Grant; etcetra) should help mitigate the impacts of the crisis on Canada’s youth.

Moreover, those who do not meet the CESB eligibility criteria could still avail themselves of other Government of Canada supports available for youth, students and recent graduates, such as the existing federal employment, skills development, and youth programming; expanded supports available through the CSLP, the new Canada Student Service Grant.

4.4 Income distributional impacts

What are the overall expected impacts of this proposal from an income distributional perspective?

Somewhat benefits low income individuals (progressive)

• The CESB benefit is available to all eligible students, regardless of their personal / family circumstances. These supports are expected to be progressive and proportional seeing that this measure provides immediate support to students ($1,250 per month), in addition to providing increased support to students with disabilities and students with dependants ($2,000 per month)
• As noted above, students with disabilities and students with dependants face significant financial barriers and are more likely to be low- and middle-income

4.5 Generational impacts

Identify the generation that is expected to benefit most from the proposal.

Primarily benefits youth, children, or future generations

• The supports are targeted to post-secondary students, recent post-secondary graduates, and graduating high school students who have applied to a post-secondary educational program that begins before February 2021. Therefore, this measure will primarily support younger Canadians’ ability to pursue post-secondary education
• The average age of a post-secondary student receiving CSLP support was 24 in 2018 to 2019

4.6 Data sources

#10: Reduced inequalities

As with all supports provided in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this measure seeks to ensure that all Canadians continue to have equal access to the education and training they need for a fair chance at success. The CESB would ensure students are able to continue their studies, secure and retain summer employment, pay their bills, and save for tuition in the fall. As such, this proposal will help achieve the following targets:

• 10.2: by 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status; and
• 10.3: ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

EI Maternity and Parental Benefits

EI maternity benefits are provided for up to 15 weeks to eligible mothers who are pregnant or who have recently given birth in order to support their recovery.

EI Parental benefits provide temporary income support to parents who take a leave from work to care for their newborn or newly adopted child or children. Eligible parents, including adoptive and LGBTQ2 families, can choose between standard or extended parental benefits. When shared, standard parental benefits provide up to 40 weeks of benefits paid at 55% of average weekly earnings over 12 months. No parent can receive more than 35 weeks of benefits.

Parents selecting the extended parental benefits can receive up to 69 weeks of benefits paid at 33% of average weekly earnings over 18 months. No parent can receive more than 61 weeks of benefits.

In order to qualify for EI maternity or parental benefits, employed claimants require 600 insurable work hours in the 52-week period preceding their claim. Self-employed individuals may receive EI special benefits (including maternity and parental benefits) but are required to opt in at least one full year prior to claiming EI special benefits and must have earned a minimum amount in self-employment earnings during the previous taxation year. For claims in 2020, claimants must have earned at least $7,279 in 2019.

EI maternity and parental benefits are available across Canada except Quebec, which provides maternity, parental, paternity, and adoption benefits to its residents since 2006.

EI caregiving benefits

The EI family caregiver benefit and EI compassionate care benefit play an important role in assisting Canadians to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. They provide temporary income support to eligible workers and self-employed individuals participating in the program. Employees must have accumulated a minimum of 600 hours of insurable employment during their qualifying period. Self-employed persons may qualify if they opted into the EI program and meet the minimum self-employment eligibility.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is available to those who stop working for reasons related to COVID-19, for example:

• they have lost their job
• they are in quarantine or sick due to COVID-19
• they are taking care of others because they are in quarantine or sick due to COVID-19; and/or
• they are taking care of children or other dependents because their care facility is closed due to COVID-19

There may be other reasons related to COVID-19 beyond these examples why an individual may have stopped working. However, they cannot voluntarily quit their job.

Alternatively, they can apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit if:

• they are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits; or
• hey are a former Employment Insurance claimant who used up their entitlement to their Employment Insurance regular or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020

To get the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, they may not earn more than $1,000 for a period of at least 14 consecutive days within the initial four week period of their claim or $1,000 in total for each subsequent claim.

Prepared by

Ian Cote

Senior Policy Analyst, EI Special Benefits

873-354-5351

Key Contact

Andrew Brown

Director General

EI Policy

819-639-3532

Approved by

Andrew Brown

Director General

EI Policy

819-639-3532

Date

July 7, 2020

Labour market impacts of investing in early learning and child care

Affordable, high quality child care is critical to the labour force participation of many parents, especially mothers. The unequal sharing of family responsibilities, including child care, remains one of the main barriers to full female participation in the labour force.

While most women return to work once their children are older, many return to part-time positions or other flexible arrangements to be able to balance their work and family responsibilities. These jobs can put them on a career trajectory with fewer promotion opportunities and that is generally lower paid compared to men’s career trajectories. A growing body of evidence suggest that this “motherhood penalty” is the main factor behind the gender wage gap.

Overall, investments in high-quality child care can produce significant economic returns to governments in terms of increased GDP, reduced poverty, and improved intergenerational mobility. The impact of Quebec’s child care reform in the late 1990s shows how public investments in child care can increase women’s labour force participation and yield large economic benefits. A study found that the returns from Quebec’s child care reform outweigh public investments: Every $100 of child care subsidy paid by Quebec generates a return of $104 for the Province and $43 for the federal government.

Risks threatening the viability and sustainability of ELCC operators

A failure to restart activity in the ELCC sector at a capacity similar to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels would have cascading effects and create an important vulnerability for the economic recovery. A shortage of affordable, regulated childcare spaces resulting from reduced ELCC system capacity could create additional barriers for labour market participation of parents, especially women, during the recovery period, leading to sub‑optimal labour market outcomes and slower economic recovery.

Federal COVID-19 measures relevant to the ELCC sector

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will support employers and prevent further lay-offs, including in ELCC Centres, by providing up to 75 % subsidies of salaries for 3 months.

The Canada Revenue Agency is allowing private businesses, including ELCC operators, to defer the payment of income tax amounts. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during the deferment period.

Extending Work Sharing through the temporary Work Sharing (WS) measure can reduce the likelihood of layoffs of affected child care workers.

A new Indigenous Community Support Fund, totalling $305 million, is helping to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities, which could include child care services and other supports to parents.

More recently, the federal government has announced it is ready to contribute up to $14 billion to support provinces and territories as they reopen their economies. This contribution includes funding to support vulnerable people, securing personal protective equipment and work on child care.

1. Canada Emergency Response Benefit

General information

a. What are the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?

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

• have stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19 or be eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020
• have had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and, have not quit their job voluntarily

When submitting the first claim, an individual cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the 4-week benefit period of the claim.

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

On June 16, 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the government is extending CERB by eight weeks, for a total of 24 weeks of benefits, to ensure Canadians have the help they need as they transition back to work.

b. How much do people receive?

As per the June 16th announcement, the CERB provides a flat $500 weekly amount for up to 24 weeks, either through Service Canada if they are Employment Insurance (EI)-eligible or the Canada Revenue Agency. This means that people who are reaching the original maximum of 16 weeks in July will be able to receive 8 additional weeks provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

c. How is the maximum of 24 weeks calculated?

The calculation of the 24 weeks begins with the first week for which you are receiving the Benefit. However, the 24 weeks do not have to be taken consecutively. For example, you could receive the Benefit for 4 weeks beginning March 15th and reapply for your second benefit period a few months later based on your personal situation.

Please note that the 24 week count does not restart when you reapply for the CERB after taking a break because you found employment.

d. How will the CERB support workers as they transition back to work, now that the economy is starting to reopen?

As we begin to restart the economy and get people back on the job, Canadians receiving the benefit should be actively seeking work opportunities or planning to return to work, provided they are able and it is reasonable to do so.

We encourage Canadians receiving the benefit to find employment and consult Job Bank, Canada’s national employment service that offers tools to help with job searches.

Canadian workers collecting the CERB can earn up to $1000 over a 4-week period and still receive the CERB to encourage them to take available work.

Over the next few weeks, the government will monitor international best practices, the economy, and the progression of the virus and, if needed, make necessary changes to the program so more people can have the support they need. We will also look at ways to ensure all our supports, including the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and EI, are working effectively to help Canadians get back on their feet.

e. Why is the Government adding eight weeks of benefits under the CERB)?

While we are seeing positive progress in the number of people returning to the workforce, many Canadians continue to face real financial challenges.

Individuals who have collected the CERB continuously since March 15th received the former maximum $8,000 in benefits over 16 weeks, but will now be able to receive up to $4,000 more in benefits over 8 additional weeks if they remain eligible.

Extending the CERB will give workers greater confidence that they will continue to get the support they need as they face ongoing disruptions to their work and home situations due to COVID-19.

f. How can the Government extend CERB without legislation?

Under both the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act and the Employment Insurance Act, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion may change the maximum number of weeks of income support through regulations/interim orders to ensure the CERB continues to provide timely and efficient support to workers.

Specific Eligibilities

g. Is someone self-isolating and not in quarantine eligible for the CERB?

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

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

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

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

i. Can employers keep their employees on payroll and top up their CERB without the employees being penalized? Is there a way for employees to receive CERB without having to be laid off first? 

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

In addition, Canadians receiving the CERB can earn up to $1000 in employment/self-employment income within the benefit period.

j. Are self-employed, contractors, gig economy workers, seasonal workers, etc. eligible for the CERB?

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

k. Do you have to be Canadian and/or earning your income in Canada to be eligible?

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

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

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

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

Service Canada requests the work permit from international students and temporary foreign workers to validate the 900-series SIN. Applicants must also prove that they are legally allowed to work in Canada. This is evidenced by the conditions of their work permit.

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

Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

l. Are parents receiving EI maternity/parental benefits, or parents who are expecting a child, able to obtain the CERB?

You cannot receive maternity or parental benefits at the same time as the CERB.

If you cannot return to work due to COVID-19 following your maternity/parental leave, you would be considered to have stopped working due to COVID-19. If you meet the other eligibility requirements you may receive the CERB.

Expectant mothers who lost their job and are eligible for EI prior to March 15th, should have received EI regular benefits, and when eligible, transition to EI maternity and parental benefits following the birth of their child. The benefits will be paid at the rate and duration established under EI rules.

Expectant mothers who lost their job and are eligible for EI after March 15th should receive the CERB (to a maximum of 24 weeks) and when eligible, transition to EI maternity and parental benefits. The weeks for which the CERB was collected will not impact the number of weeks of maternity and parental benefits they may receive.

m. Are we adjusting EI so persons with fewer hours are be able to obtain EI?

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

Further, the CERB has been expanded to help more Canadians benefit from the program, including:

• allowing people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB
• extending the CERB to self-employed fishers who have exhausted their EI fishing benefits and are unable to work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak
• extending the CERB to workers who exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job because of COVID-19

The Government recently extended CERB eligibility for 8 additional weeks.

The Government is considering next steps, once this extension ends.

n. Are we eliminating the one-week waiting period on regular EI?

For anyone who became eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits on March 15, 2020 or later, their EI claim was automatically processed through the CERB, which has no waiting period.

o. Are we extending EI Regular benefits for those who are currently on them and are soon going to run out (for example Seasonal Workers)?

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

p. What is the Government doing about fraud?

The CERB Act includes provisions to support the verification of compliance with program rules. These provisions are being used to prevent the payment of CERB to ineligible applicants whenever possible.

People who unknowingly made errors in their application are required to repay any CERB payments they received for which they were ineligible, but would not be subject to additional penalties.

2. Temporary Foreign Workers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In response to COVID-19, the Government has strengthened its assessment criteria for all new and existing applications under review:

• the program is refusing to process applications for certain positions in the accommodation and food services and retail trade sectors in any region of Canada
• the program is strengthening its assessment of the legitimacy of the employer’s business and job offer by assessing whether they are essential according to relevant authorities
• with the exception of key occupations, such as those related to ensuring Canada’s food security, employers must demonstrate that they have taken efforts to recruit Canadians after March 15, 2020

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

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

Like all travellers to Canada, temporary foreign workers are responsible for complying with orders made under the Quarantine Act, including the current requirement for mandatory quarantine or isolation.

Employers are expected to follow the latest public health and safety requirements and guidance from the Government of Canada and their provincial/territorial and local authorities.

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

• pay workers for the initial quarantine/isolation period upon entry into Canada, regardless of whether they can work
• not prevent a worker from meeting their requirements under orders made under the QuarantineIncomeand/or the Emergencies Act, as well as provincial/territorial public health laws related to COVID-19; and
• comply with additional requirements for employers who provide accommodations to workers, such as space to allow for physical distancing and access to cleaning supplies

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

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

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

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

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

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

Given the critical importance of protecting public health, these amendments include the ability for enforcement officers to conduct inspections regarding COVID-19 early, quickly, and make final determinations faster. Inspections are being initiated proactively, but also reactively, such as through tips, or reports of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at a worksite. To date, over 1100 inspections have been initiated.

The Government will continue to work with provinces/territories, partner countries, employer associations, worker support organizations, and other stakeholders to address issues and questions, and make adjustments as the situation evolves.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

g. What is the Government of Canada doing to address COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths amongst Temporary Foreign Workers?

The Government of Canada takes the health and safety of foreign workers very seriously, and expresses its deepest condolences to the families of Mr. Santos, Mr. Romero and Mr. Chapparo.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has worked with provincial and territorial governments, employers, community service and migrant worker organizations as well as source country governments on actions to protect the health and safety of the temporary foreign workers and communities.

Like all travellers to Canada, temporary foreign workers must follow orders made under the Quarantine Act, including the current requirement to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival into Canada.

The Government has implemented new regulations, which compel employers to meet the new requirements. This includes not preventing a worker from meeting their requirements under the Quarantine Act, as well as provincial and territorial public health laws related to COVID-19. Employers who provide accommodations to workers as part of the requirements of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program must also meet new requirements to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.

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

In addition, the Government is communicating directly with employers and workers and producing multilingual guidance to facilitate understanding of these requirements.

While provinces and territories are responsible for establishing and enforcing health and safety rules for most workplaces, the Government of Canada works with the appropriate provincial and territorial governments and other partners when outbreaks occur to safeguard the health and safety of workers and mitigate the risk to public health.

The Government of Canada is looking at ways to strengthen current approaches to ensure the rights and health of migrant workers are protected in collaboration with provinces and territories and organizations that support migrant workers.

3. Service Delivery

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

The Government established the CERB, a taxable benefit that provides $500 per week for up to 24 weeks to workers who stop working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and do not have more than $1000 in employment and self-employment income for a period of at least 14 consecutive days in their first 4-week period and for the entire 4-weeks of any subsequent period. Individuals eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits as of March 15th as well as those who have exhausted their EI regular or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 are also eligible.

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

There is no waiting period and direct deposit payments will be delivered into accounts within three to five business days of applicants being eligible to receive it, and cheques within 10 days.

b. What are you doing to address wait times?

As of July 5, 2020, Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada have received and processed 18.9million applications. The Department has received and processed over 4.3 million applications for EI (including CERB for EI eligible applicants).

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

1. Service Canada has recently redeployed almost 3,000 additional staff from other less critical activities to focus on supporting the delivery of EI and the CERB. We are continuing to work on accelerating and increasing our hiring plans for the remainder of the year (a 250% increase)
2. We are focused on processing new claims and leaving adjustments aside, while also providing adequate assurance of quality and appropriate stewardship of public funds
3. We are deploying strategies to increase automation and increase self-service opportunities for clients. Clients can resolve their enquiry through our CERB informational automated service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is 100% accessible to clients
4. To support the CERB and to increase the capacity of our call centres, a New Virtual Call Centre was established on April 6, 2020 within Service Canada
5. This virtual call centre, which serves clients who are applying, or who have already applied through EI for CERB, has shortened wait times. From April 6, 2020 to June 26, 2020, the average speed of answer for CERB was 27 seconds and 890,130 calls were answered

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

We have been able to get payments out to the overwhelming majority of applicants ahead of our EI service standard of 28 days. Through radical policy simplification and a technical bypass eliminating the bulk of EI processing system requirements, the vast majority of applicants received their CERB payments in a matter of 3 to 5 business days.

c. The Service Canada Centres are closed, how can I access services?

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

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

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

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

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

If you are applying for the CERB and you require additional support, you can reach an agent at 1-833-699-0299.

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

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

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

d. Will there be higher IT capacity?

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

System usage is being monitored very closely and the Department is prepared to take additional measures to augment capacity as required.

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

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

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

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

Clients with internet access who require assistance in applying for benefits are able to reach in person staff through an online service request form at canada.ca/service-canada-e-service or they can scan the QR code provided on posters outside of Service Canada Centres. Once clients fill out the service request form, a Service Canada Centre employee will call clients within two (2) business days. Service Canada employees will provide personalized service support for EI and pension applications for clients with internet access.

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

To supplement the new eServiceCanada approach, Service Canada launched a new Outreach Support Centre on April 14. This is a toll-free service for Indigenous communities and other vulnerable clients facing barriers to accessing ESDC’s critical programs and benefits. As of July 2, 2020, 13,642 calls have been received.

As of July 2, 2020, 8,758 contacts have been made to Service Delivery Partners and Indigenous, Northern and remote communities.

1. Work Sharing

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

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

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

• In addition to streamlining mandatory requirements of the work-sharing program, temporary special measures have been introduced that extend the duration of agreements from 38 to 76 weeks
• The mandatory cooling-off period between agreements has also been waived, allowing employers with recently expired agreements to immediately apply for a new one
• Eligibility has also been broadened temporarily to allow more employers and workers access to the program. For example, Government Business Enterprises (for example, Crown Corporations, other public corporations that operate as profit-oriented entities and/or do not rely solely on public funds to operate) and essential staff who are typically not included
• Service Canada created a dedicated Work-Sharing email support service whereby employers can receive answers within 24 hours to their Work-Sharing questions. To date, this unit has responded to over 6,000 questions on Work-Sharing

2. Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program

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

CSJ continues to serve youth aged 15-30 and the Department is working with employers which have already submitted applications to roll out CSJ 2020.

To encourage job creation through additional flexibilities and supports, CSJ 2020 has:

• increased the wage subsidy from 50% to 100% of the provincial and territorial minimum wage for small businesses and public sector employers
• allowed for part-time work placements
• allowed for job placements to be offered beyond the summer months, until the end of February 2021
• allowed employers approved for funding to amend the activities to support the delivery of essential services

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

Interested job seekers are now able to search Job Bank and apply for CSJ jobs in their community.

As of July 3, 2020, there were over 56,000 Canada Summer Jobs posted on Job Bank. Many other positions have already been filled and removed from Job Bank. More jobs are expected to be posted in the coming weeks targeting approximately 80,000 placements. This site is the leading source for obtaining jobs and labour market information. Job Bank offers users occupational and career information on job opportunities, educational requirements, wage rates and salaries, as well as current employment trends and outlooks. More information may be found at: www.jobbank.gc.ca.

On June 25, 2020, 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.

The Government of Canada is investing $ 324.7 million in funding for the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2020 to support the creation of 80,000 youth jobs.

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

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

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

Interested job seekers are now able to search Job Bank and apply for CSJ jobs in their community.

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

On June 25, 2020, 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.

The Government of Canada is investing $ 324.7 million in funding for the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2020 to support the creation of 80,000 youth jobs.

3. Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

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

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

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

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

With approximately $153.7 million in funding, the Government will support the creation of at least 6,000 jobs and supports for youth in high demand sectors such as agriculture, technology, health and essential services.

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

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

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

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

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

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

These placements in high-demand sectors will protect the health and safety of youth. Examples of jobs include: telephone and online health and social support services, research and administrative roles, supporting roles for services to vulnerable populations, etc.

4. Student Work Placement Program

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

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

Temporary program flexibilities are also being introduced under the Student Work Placement

Program to support employers in creating student work placements over the coming year, including

1. an increase to the wage subsidy to up to 75% (up to a maximum of $7,500 per placement) for all placements, from the current 50% for regular placements and 70% for placements targeting under-represented youth; and
2. waiving the criteria requiring employers to offer more placements than they did in previous years, in order to receive Student Work Placement Program funding

These changes are temporary and will be in place until March 31, 2021.

5. Financial support for students

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

The Government of Canada has recently announced a number of measures to support students who are facing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, the Government introduced a 6-month interest-free repayment moratorium on all Canada Student Loans between March 30 and September 30, 2020. This measure will provide relief to nearly 1 million Canada Student Loans Program borrowers in repayment.

Second, the Government introduced the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), which is providing financial support from May to August to post-secondary students and recent graduates who cannot find summer employment due to COVID-19. Eligible students receive $1,250 per month, plus an additional $750 per month if they have dependants or a disability for a maximum of $2,000 per month. The CESB is available to Canadians who are enrolled in a post-secondary education program. Over one million applications have already been processed for $1.4 billion in CESB.

Third, to ensure that returning and new post-secondary students can afford to pursue their studies, the Government has announced significant increases in grants and loans for the 2020-2021 school year. These changes include doubling the Canada Student Grants up to $6,000 for full-time students and up to $3,600 for part-time students. Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependants will also be doubled. Students with disabilities will receive $4,000, while full-time students with dependants will receive up to $3,200 per child and part-time students with dependants will receive up to $3,840 per year. Students will also have access to more loans because we are raising the cap on Canada Student Loans from $210 to $350 per week of study, and no contribution will be expected from students and their spouses, in recognition that many students and families will struggle to save for this school year.

b. Who is eligible to receive the CESB?

The CESB is available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, registered Indians, and protected persons who are enrolled in a post-secondary education program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate; or who ended their studies no earlier than December 2019. It is also available to high school graduates (or equivalent) who have applied for admission in a post-secondary educational program beginning before February 1, 2021.

• When applying, students must attest that for COVID-19 related reasons, they are
• unable to work; or
• seeking work but are unable to find it; or
• working but unable to earn more than $1,000 (before taxes) over the four-week period for which they are applying

In addition, students are not eligible for CESB if they are receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance benefits for the same four-week period as their current application.

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

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

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

The primary focus has been on providing students with higher grant amounts so that they need to rely less on loans. This is particularly important now since COVID-19 has made it harder for students to save for their education, especially in the wake of higher tuition fees introduced by some institutions. That is why the Canada Student Grants have been doubled for the coming year and grants are always paid to students first, with loans making up the difference. However, the Government does recognize that some students, particularly those in higher costs programs, may have “unmet need” even after all of the grants are paid and loans provided. That is why the Government has increased the cap on student loans, which has not increased since 2005. Increasing the loan cap means will allow more students to go to school and even prevent many from accessing loans from private institutions that would have higher interest costs and none of the repayment supports the Government provides borrowers. That is why increasing the loan cap makes sense. Combined with the other steps that the Government has recently taken to make post-secondary education more affordable and student debt more manageable, which includes tripling of students grants since 2015, lowering of interest rate on Canada Student Loans and enhancing the Repayment Assistance Plan such that no student has to repay their student loans until they are making at least $25,000 per year, increasing the loan cap will materially help students.

6. Supports for Student Learning Program

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

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

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

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

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

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

c. Which organizations will deliver this new funding?

The initial funding is being provided in response to urgent requests from organizations that have existing relationships with ESDC and which have demonstrated positive results helping vulnerable children and youth overcome barriers to education. [23 words redacted] For the remaining balance, ESDC is reaching out to and reviewing proposals received from other partners that could benefit from additional funding, with priority given to those that support students with disabilities, and students in rural, Northern, and remote communities.

1. Homelessness

a. What is the Government of Canada doing to address COVID-19 for those experiencing homelessness or those at-risk of homelessness?

One of the most important roles of our Government during this global pandemic is to support those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness (both men and women), including women and children fleeing violence.

This is why as a Government we are monitoring the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak very closely. The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to work in close collaboration with provincial, territorial and local public health authorities to ensure appropriate responses are in place across the country.

The Government announced has invested $157.5 million for Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy, to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. Reaching Home provides a community-based approach to deliver funding directly to municipalities and local service providers. Reaching Home funding can support a range of programs and services at the community-level, including those tailored for the needs of women and women and children fleeing violence.

Beginning on April 1st, 2020, additional funding has been provided to the 58 Designated Communities (including the seven in Quebec), 30 communities receiving funding directly under the Indigenous Homelessness stream, and the three territorial capitals. Funding has also been made available to Rural and Remote communities across Canada.

In addition, $15 million of reallocated funding was provided to seven large communities at the end of the 2019-20 fiscal year.

Overall, the approach to incremental funding has been designed to focus investments on urban centres where the risk of viral spread is highest, while also providing funding to support rural and remote communities. It also provides the flexibility to offer additional support to communities dealing with more significant outbreaks over time.

2. Seniors

GIS Annual Renewal

a. What was announced on May 12?

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

b. What does this measure change for GIS and Allowance recipients?

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

Benefits will be adjusted retroactively to July 2020 once Service Canada has received the 2019 income information from the Canada Revenue Agency, or directly from the recipients. Seniors are encouraged to file their tax return as soon as possible and no later than October 1, 2020, as it is the best way to ensure that they continue to receive all the benefits to which they are entitled.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interaction with CERB and GIS

g. Is income from the CERB used in the calculation of GIS benefits?

The CERB provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working related to COVID-19. The Benefit is taxable, and will be included in the calculation of net income under the Income Tax Act. This means that, for seniors who were employed pre-COVID, it must be considered when determining entitlement to the GIS and the Allowances.

This being said, the CERB will not affect GIS and Allowance payments for about a year. Income received from the CERB in 2020 will only be considered for GIS eligibility purposes beginning in July 2021, as those benefits will be based on 2020 income.

To provide support during the pandemic, the Government of Canada is providing additional financial support of $2.5 billion for a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the GIS. This measure will give a total of $500 to individuals who are eligible to receive both the OAS and the GIS, and will help them cover increased costs caused by COVID-19. It is estimated that approximately 6.7 million OAS pensioners will benefit from the $300 payment, and 2.2 million of those pensioners will receive the additional $200 payment due to their eligibility to the GIS.

The Government has also provided more than 4 million low and modest-income seniors an average of $375 for singles and $510 for couples through a one-time special payment of the Goods and Services Tax Credit.

New horizons for seniors program (NHSP) – additional funding

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

The NHSP supports the social participation and inclusion of seniors by funding activities that make a difference in the lives of seniors and their communities. At this time when COVID-19 is affecting our communities, seniors need our support to overcome the impact of the pandemic. New funding in the amount of $20 million will go towards projects that assist seniors impacted by COVID-19 as well as broader recovery efforts to safely reduce social isolation and promote social participation of seniors in their communities. Priorities will include a focus on seniors’ mental health, supporting virtual connections and other activities. The funding will be invested to help ensure seniors from communities across the country are well-supported during the COVID pandemic. The investment approach will focus on timely delivery of supports, leveraging the very successful 2019-20 Call for Proposals of the program, including unfunded eligible projects that can support seniors during the pandemic.

3. New Workplace Accessibility Fund Stream under the Opportunities Fund

a. How will this additional funding help persons with disabilities?

The $15 million in additional investment in 2020-2021 through a new National Workplace Accessibility Stream of the Opportunities Fund will help Canadians with disabilities and their employers to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs in response to COVID-19.

It will achieve this by helping employers set up accessible and effective measures, including supports and accommodations, to make workplaces more inclusive. The types of activities supported by this fund will include:

• helping employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home measures
• expanding online training opportunities
• providing employer-focused supports to create inclusive workplaces, whether virtual or physical
• connecting people with disabilities, including those working from home, and employers
• training for in-demand jobs; and
• providing/expanding wage subsidies to encourage the hiring of persons with disabilities

It is expected that these measures will enhance the employability of persons with disabilities in the short term, while also helping to create inclusive and accessible workplaces and accommodations to improve labour market outcomes of persons with disabilities moving forward.

b. How will you ensure this funding will be rolled out quickly?

ESDC officials will work closely with organizations that have existing projects under the OF program and the expertise to take on this new line of work. Work has already commenced and we anticipate supports to be rolled out soon.