The Canadian Government Is Now Going To Give You More Money If You Get COVID-19

More money is on the table! While the CERB won't be extended, the Trudeau government confirmed on September 24 that it will boost another type of financial support for Canadians. It will be available to people out of a job or experiencing COVID-19. 

In a report shared on Thursday, the federal government confirmed that the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) would be getting a $100 boost.

Canadians who qualify will be able to get $500 for 26 weeks if they are self-employed or contract workers using the CRB.

To get the cash, you'll have to be actively searching for a job, have stopped working or had your income lowered as a result of the pandemic.

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The amount was boosted by $100 per week, making the new amount $500 instead of the $400 that was first promised.

This, it turns out, is the same amount that was distributed from the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit support.

As CERB is set to cease in the coming days, the Trudeau government is implementing the new benefit to help Canadians get back on their feet, even more so as a second wave of COVID-19 looms over Canada.

"Our Government remains committed to supporting Canadians," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland said.

"These measures will make sure Canadians continue to have the income supports they need and that we continue to provide sufficient resources for the fight against COVID-19,” she added.

The Employment Insurance transition plan, which comes with a $37 billion dollar price tag, includes moving millions of Canadians to new benefits.

This will include those claiming the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.

After Trudeau’s throne speech was delivered on Wednesday, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh laid out his conditions for the party's support.

This included a CERB extension, or similar, and paid sick leave for all Canadians.

It remains to be seen whether the prime minister’s latest changes will earn the backing of at least one other party, which is exactly what he needs to avoid a federal election in the fall.