On March 25, 2020, the Government of Canada announced proposed
legislation to establish the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
(CERB). The CERB will provide $2,000 a month for up to sixteen (16)
weeks for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic. The CERB would replace the previously announced Emergency
Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.
The CERB would cover Canadians who have lost their job, are
sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with
COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay
to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and
daycare closures. The CERB would apply to wage earners, as well as
contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not
otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). In order to be
eligible, applicants must be a resident of Canada, 15 years old or
older, and have had total income in the 12-month period preceding
the day on which they
