See these other posts for more COVID-19 Employment Law information:
»» Webinar & Slide presentation: COVID-19 Ontario Workplace Issues: March 16
»» Temporary Layoffs: March 17
»» EI Sickness Benefits and Work Sharing: March 17
»» New Emergency Care Benefits and Supports: March 18
»»Amendment to Ontario Employment Standards: March 21
»» Supplementary Unemployment Benefit Plan (SUB Plan): March 21
»» Mobilizing Canadian Industry to Fight COVID-19: March 23
»» List of Essential workplaces
»» Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy March 30
The Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Act received royal assent yesterday (march 25, 2020) and is now law.
Complete information can be found on the Government of Canada Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals.html
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
This benefit replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit.
The mechanics of the system are being implemented, abd it has been announced that the CERB will be accessible through a secure web portal starting in early April. Applicants will also be able to apply via an automated telephone line or via a toll-free number.
The CERB will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to:
- workers who must stop working due to COVID19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support
- workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19
- working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures
- workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work
- wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.
Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
As outlined before, employees who are sick, quarantined or have been directed to self-isolate, will not be required to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits.
Employment Insurance
Employees who have been recently laid off or have reduced hours and qualify for Employment Insurance benefits, can submit their request today.
Deferment of filing date for income tax returns and income tax balances
The filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals.(other than trusts), will be deferred until June 1, 2020.
Any new income tax balances due, or instalments, will be deferred until after August 31, 2020 without incurring interest or penalties.
Note: For those who expect to receive benefits under the Goods and Services Tax credit or the Canada Child Benefit, the government encourages them to not delay their 2019 return filing to ensure that entitlements are properly determined.
Mortgage support
Canadian banks have committed to work with their customers on a case-by-case basis to find solutions to help them manage hardships caused by COVID-19. Canadians who are impacted by COVID-19 and experiencing financial hardship as a result should contact their financial institution regarding flexibility for a mortgage deferral. This allows flexibility to be available − when needed − to those who need it the most.
Contact your financial institution for further mortgage assistance.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and other mortgage insurers offer tools to lenders that can assist homeowners who may be experiencing financial difficulty. These include payment deferral, loan re-amortization, capitalization of outstanding interest arrears and other eligible expenses, and special payment arrangements.
Canada’s mortgage insurers are committed to providing homeowners with solutions to mitigate temporary financial hardship related to COVID-19.
This includes permitting lenders to defer up to six monthly mortgage payments (interest and principal) for impacted borrowers. Deferred payments are added to the outstanding principal balance and subsequently repaid throughout the life of the mortgage.
Special Goods and Services Tax credit payment for low and modest income families
A one-time special payment by will be provided by early May through the Goods and Services Tax credit for low- and modest-income families.
The average additional benefit will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.
There is no need to apply for this payment. Those who are eligible will receive it automatically.
Reduced minimum withdrawals for Registered Retirement Income Funds
The required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) are being reduced by 25% for 2020.
Moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans
Effective March 30, there will be a six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans for all student loan borrowers. No payment will be required and interest will not accrue during this time.
Students do not need to apply for the repayment pause.
Other Support and benefits
Canada Child Benefit
An extra $300 per child will be provided through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20. This will mean approximately $550 more for the average family.
This benefit will be delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May.
Those who already receive the Canada Child Benefit do not need to re-apply.
Indigenous Community Support Fund
The government will provide $305 million for a new distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities.
Homelessness
The government will continue to support 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.
Women’s shelters and sexual assault centres
The government is supporting women and children fleeing violence by providing up to $50 million to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres to help with their capacity to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities.