The Federal Financial Support for COVID-19, otherwise known as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which promises to provide eligible Canadians a sum of $2,000 per month for up to 4 months, is in the eye of the storm.
Workers have pointed out gaps in this scheme which needs to be fixed for it to be a sustainable course of action. For example, tertiary health care workers in the field of Regeneration and Rehabilitation health care like physiotherapists are left out of the scheme.
However, it is also being pointed out that the benefit is only extended to those people who have been directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19, like those who have been diagnosed as having it, or those who have been laid off temporarily or permanently, or people who have been infected due to exposure. This benefit is not for any leave associated by COVID-19.
According to federal government, the CERB subsidy would cover approximately 75% of salaries for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, with a start date from March 15.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the gaps in this benefit scheme and has assured to address the concerns. For his part, Toronto Mayor John Tory welcomed the scheme saying it’s benefits will provide “a lot of help to a lot of people”.
