This morning, the first wave of federal COVID-19 legislation,
An Act respecting certain measures in response to
COVID-19 (the "COVID-19 Act")
was passed by the Senate and received Royal
Assent. This omnibus legislation provides for a number of
legislative changes that will impact employers and employees. The
focus of this bulletin, however, is solely on the establishment of
the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit
("CERB") which, as announced by the
Prime Minister and the Finance Minister in press conferences this
morning replaces the previously announced plans to provide
the Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit
which were addressed in our
previous update.
The Federal Government further stated, in its News Release (the "News
Release") announcing the CERB, that this taxable
benefit will provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for
workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic.
