The COVID-19 pandemic has placed particular demands on low-income workers in certain sectors, including those on the front-line in hospitals and nursing homes, those ensuring the integrity of the food supply, or providing essential retail services to Canadians.
The crisis has put a spotlight on the issue of income disparity. In recognition that these essential workers’ salaries are often less or similar than what they would receive from the CERB, the government has pledged that it will work with provinces and territories through a new transfer to cost-share a temporary top-up to the salaries of workers deemed essential in the fight against COVID-19, who make less than $2,500 a month.
Details as to the application and delivery of this measure have not yet been released.
This blog post was written by Colleen Hoey, a Partner in the Employment team. She can be reached at 613-369-0366 or at [email protected].
