Expanding COVID-19 Programs to Support Workers Affected by Lockdowns
With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant over the last few weeks, I know many in our community are struggling. This is not where we wanted to be once again. However, we must acknowledge that we are in the midst of a fourth wave, and we know how to get out of this. We know our actions today matter.
Yesterday, the Government of Canada announced new measures to help support workers and businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. With the current provincial restrictions, we need to ensure we are here for our businesses and for you.
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced the federal government’s intention to temporarily expand eligibility for key support programs to ensure Canadians are protected and workers and businesses get the help they need to sustain them through new and necessary public health restrictions.
The government is introducing new regulations that will:
Expand the Local Lockdown Program to include employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more; and reduce the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement to 25 per cent.
Eligible employers will receive wage and rent subsidies from 25 per cent up to a maximum of 75 per cent, depending on their degree of revenue loss. The 12-month revenue decline test continues to not be required in order to access this support.
Expand the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to include workers in regions where provincial or territorial governments have introduced capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more. As announced previously, this benefit will provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers who are directly affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown, and who have lost 50 per cent or more of their income as a result.
These updated regulations will apply from December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022, during which time it is expected that public health authorities will continue to implement “circuit breaker” restrictions that limit the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 across Canada.
More details on these measure are available here.
Please continue to follow Ottawa Public Health guidance. The situation and advice has been changing with the increasing number of people impacted. Please check the Ottawa Public Health website regularly for updates.
Lastly, please know that your community is here for you. Please reach out if you need assistance. The Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 days a week) is also available at 613-722-6914 or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991.
