Dear Readers,
Last week, the government announced a plan for business owners and workers who do not qualify for Employment Insurance benefits. The portal for applications will open early in April. Upon confirmation of the online link I will forward it to you. Kindly, ensure individuals you know who may benefit from the initiative but may not be online, are made aware of this potential financial lifeline.
The new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) provides support for people who are sick, quarantined or in directed self-isolation. We will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to four months to: workers who must stop working due to COVID-19 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; and wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.
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. As always, if you wish to contact me contact me at 613-732-4404 or by email at [email protected]. Please note the updated email address.
We shall get through the challenges of the coming weeks by helping one another.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
