On October 21, 2021, the federal government announced changes to the current pandemic support programs for both workers and businesses. These changes take effect as soon as October 23, 2021.

Workers

• Effective Saturday, October 23, the Canada Response Benefit (CRB) formerly the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will end and be replaced by the Canadian Worker Lockdown Benefit.
•  Starting Sunday, October 24, the Canadian Worker Lockdown Benefit will provide up to $300 per week to employees unable to continue working due to government-imposed lockdowns.
• The Canadian Worker Lockdown Benefit will be accessible to both those eligible and ineligible for EI, however, workers with a loss of income due to refusal to comply with vaccination mandates will not be eligible.
  For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/10/the-canada-worker-lockdown-benefit.html

Businesses

• The Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP), available to employers who may need help covering employees wages, will be extended until May 7, 2022.
  Form more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/recovery-hiring-program.html
• Two new recovery programs have been created; The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program.
• The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program will be available to hotels, restaurants, bars, festivals, travel agencies, tour operators, convention centres, convention and trade show organizers, and others.
  For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/10/targeting-covid-19-support-measures.html
• The Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program will be available to Hard-hit organizations that do not qualify for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
  For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/10/targeting-covid-19-support-measures.html

Individuals

• The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) available to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care, has been extended until May 7, 2022
  For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit.html/
• The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) available to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19, has been extended until May 7, 2022.
  For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html