COVID-19 Update

Premier Partners

Government Of Canada To Make EI Changes, Extend CERB And Introduce Three New Benefit Programs

This week, the federal government announced changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program and new income support benefits. They also announced that in preparation for this transition, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be extended by an additional four weeks to a maximum of 28 weeks. This means that for the many Canadians expecting to exhaust their CERB benefits at the end of August, they will now be able to access an additional month of support.

Those receiving EI will be eligible for a taxable benefit rate of at least $400 per week, or $240 per week for extended parental benefits, and regular benefits will be accessible for a minimum duration of 26 weeks.
The government will also freeze the EI insurance premium rates for two years, so Canadian workers and businesses will not face immediate increases to costs and payroll deductions due to the additional expenses resulting from the pandemic.
Additionally, they are proposing to implement three new benefits:
The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) will provide $400 per week for up to 26 weeks, to workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for EI and who still require income support and who are available and looking for work.
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) will provide $500 per week for up to two weeks, for workers who are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19.
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) will provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household, for eligible Canadians unable to work because they must care for:
a child under age 12 due to the closures of schools or daycares because of COVID-19
a family member with a disability or a dependent because their day program or care facility is closed due to COVID-19
a child, a family member with a disability, or a dependent who is not attending school, daycare, or other care facilities under the advice of a medical professional due to being at high-risk if they contract COVID-19.
The new benefit programs require legislative approval.

Learn more

One Week Until the #CanadaUnited Weekend

Canada United is a nationwide campaign to get Canadians to shop or dine with you August 28, 29 and 30. You may have noticed the TV ads and digital marketing asking Canadians to “show local some love.”

And now, Canada United will be giving away 25 $10,000 cash prizes to Canadians shopping or dining with local businesses during the 3-day Canada United Weekend*. You can tell your customers that spending with you could earn them a chance to win!

It’s easy to participate. Simply use the Canada United Small Business Toolkit (gocanadaunited.ca/smallbusinesskit) to do any of the following:

• Add Canada United stickers and GIFs to your social media posts

• Create custom banners and logos to share online

• Get decals for your storefront which you can pick up at a nearby RBC Royal Bank branch

• Download posters and more which you can print out on your own

Mark your calendar for August 31st if you are interested in applying for a Canada United Small Business Relief grant of up to $5,000 to offset costs related to Covid-19 for your business.

You can’t afford to miss out on this opportunity. Join the movement and be the local business that gets the love.

Find out more at GoCanadaUnited.ca.

*For full contest rules go to GoCanadaUnited.ca/contestrules

Do You Have a Mask Use Policy in Place?

DID YOU KNOW: All businesses and

organizations permitted to open during Stage 3 within Durham Region must have a policy in place to ensure that no person is permitted to enter or remain in an Enclosed Public Space of a business or organization unless they are wearing a non-medical face mask or Face Covering at all times.

Review the Durham Region Health Department's checklist for businesses and organizations.

Need signage or more information about reopening? Check out the Durham Region Community Reopening Toolkit.