Status and update on federal assistance programs and benefits

November 1, 2021

In recent weeks there have been a number of changes to programs and subsidies instituted by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I have compiled the information below for quick reference on the current status of these programs. Public health guidance, regulations and laws are likely to continue to evolve in the coming months and I will keep you up to date on changes relevant to employment law.

Programs Expired as of October 23, 2021

  • Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy CERS

  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy CEWS

  • Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) – formerly known as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
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There is some possibility that the government could extend these programs to November 30, 2021 under the  Budget Implementation Act, however, nothing has been announced at this time.

Extended and Continuing Programs


Canada Recovery Hiring Program

  • The government is proposing to continue the CRHP until May 2022 with further regulatory extensions until July 2, 2022. 
  • This benefit is available to employers with greater than 10% losses in current revenue. An increased subsidy rate of up to 50% is also available. 

More information: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/recovery-hiring-program.html

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Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

  • Both benefits extend until November 20, 2021 and the government is proposing to extend both until May 7, 2022, and increase the maximum duration of benefits by 2 weeks.

More information Sickness Benefit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html

»» More information Caregiving Benefit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit.html

Proposed Programs

Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program

  • For businesses such as hotels, restaurants, bars, festivals and travel agencies, the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program will provide support through the wage and rent subsidy programs, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent.
  • The government has not yet provided complete details, but it has been indicated that applicants must demonstrate an average monthly revenue reduction of at least 40 over March 2020 to February 2021 (excluding the holiday season, currently set as Nov 22-January 16) and a revenue reduction of the same amount in the current month.

The program will be available until March 7, 2022.

More information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/10/targeting-covid-19-support-measures.html

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Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program

  • This program is for those businesses that do not fit under the tourism/hospitality umbrella but continue to face significant challenges caused by the pandemic.
  • Business are required to show an average monthly revenue reduction of at least 50% over the same period as the Tourism and Hospitality Program and revenue reduction of the same amount in the current month. 

The program will be available until March 7, 2022.

More information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/10/targeting-covid-19-support-measures.html

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Businesses that are subjected to local lockdowns

  • Under the umbrella of the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, businesses that face temporary new local lockdowns imposed by public health authorities will be eligible for up to the maximum amount of the wage and rent subsidy programs, during the local lockdown, regardless of losses over the course of the pandemic.

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Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)

  • Available for employees whose work is directly impacted by government-imposed lockdowns.
  • The program will be available until May 7, 2022, retroactive to October 24, 2021, and will provide $300/week to eligible employees.
  • Accessible to those ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI), as well as those who are eligible, provided they are not receiving payment through EI for the same period. 
  • Individuals whose loss of income or employment is due to their refusal to adhere to a vaccine mandate would not be able to access the benefit.

More information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/10/the-canada-worker-lockdown-benefit.html

I hope you find this information helpful. Please contact me with any questions you may have or for assistance working through your employment and labour law matters.