This morning in Ottawa at approximately 03:00 Bill C-4 passed in the House of Commons. It is being sent to the Senate to be debated and voted on. If this bill is passed by the Senate and receives Royal Assent, it would then become law. If you would like to know more about the specifics of this bill you can find the links below. There you will find information about the three new benefits available under Employment Insurance (EI): Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefits, and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.
https://parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-2/bill/C-4/third-reading
https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&billId=10867435
For those members that would like to apply for leaves to receive EI benefits under this program, we have been advised by Air Canada Mainline that you can apply for them through eLeaves, and for those of you recalled to Air Canada Rouge, you can apply by sending your request to askrouge@aircanada.ca, Attention: Chelsea. Your request will be received by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge, however it will have a pending status until the Bill comes into force after approval by the Senate and proclamation. The government is motivated to implement this legislation so people do not go without income after the last CERB payments are made.
We would like to reiterate the terms and criteria of these benefits for your information.
Canada Recovery Benefit
A Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) of $500 per week for up to 26 weeks, may be payable to workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for EI and who still require income support. This Benefit would support Canadians who have not returned to work due to COVID-19 or whose income has dropped by at least 50%. These workers must be available and looking for work and must accept work where it is reasonable to do so.
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
A Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) of $500 per week for up to two weeks, may be payable for workers who are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19. This Benefit is meant to support the government’s commitment to ensure all Canadian workers have access to paid sick leave.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
A Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) of $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household, for eligible Canadians unable to work because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19 or because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine.
As noted in our September 24, 2020 bulletin, any period of leave taken by an employee prior to September 30, 2020, does not count towards the total amount of leave you could now be entitled to under the new proposed legislation.
Please stay tuned for more information on this including the Company Policy on these leaves. As soon as we know more, you will know more.
In solidarity,
