9.47°C Vancouver

Sep 24, 2020 5:27 PM -

Liberals propose upping value of new COVID-19 benefits to match sunsetting CERB

Share On
liberals-propose-upping-value-of-new-covid-19-benefits-to-match-sunsetting-cerb
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Chrystia Freeland listens to a speaker during a news conference in Ottawa, Tuesday April 7, 2020. The day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife was revealed to have COVID-19, cabinet agreed that Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland should be next in line if Trudeau were unable to perform his duties. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The value of weekly benefits for unemployed workers would rise to $500 a week under legislation the Liberals introduced today.

The proposal still needs parliamentary approval, but would bring the value of payments to the same level as under the soon-to-disappear Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

The same floor will be placed on employment insurance benefits for those eligible for the program.

A bill to create the new benefits regime was introduced in the House of Commons this morning, with only a few days before the first wave of recipients max out the CERB.

The Liberals first unveiled the package of three benefits and an expanded employment insurance program in August, days after Parliament was prorogued.

The $37-billion package includes a replacement to the CERB, as well as benefits for anyone who has to stay home because they're ill or taking care of a child or family member due to pandemic-related reasons.

Latest news

advance-polls-close-monday-in-three-federal-byelections-that-could-affect-liberal-seat-count
CanadaApr 06, 2026

Advance polls close Monday in three federal byelections that could affect Liberal seat count

Advance polling stations in three federal byelections in Ontario and Quebec are set to close at 9 p.m. Monday, according to Elections Canada, with voting continuing at local Elections Canada offices until 6 p.m. Tuesday. The byelections, scheduled for April 13, were called last month for the Toronto-area ridings of Scarborough Southwest and University–Rosedale, and the Montreal-area riding of Terrebonne. Voters in all three ridings also have the option to apply to vote by mail before Tuesday. According to Elections Canada procedures, the Terrebonne byelection follows a Supreme Court decision
artemis-ii-crew-sets-new-distance-record-on-lunar-flyby-nasa-says
CanadaApr 06, 2026

Artemis II crew sets new distance record on lunar flyby, NASA says

A crew of Canadian and American astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission has reached a new milestone in human spaceflight, travelling farther from Earth than any humans in history, according to NASA. The four-person crew includes Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and U.S. astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch. The agency said the Orion spacecraft reached an estimated distance of about 406,000 kilometres from Earth as it passed near the Moon, surpassing the previous record of 400,171 kilometres set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970. According to NASA, the spacecraft flew app
lethbridge-police-seek-suspect-driver-in-hit-and-run-investigation
AlbertaApr 06, 2026

Lethbridge police seek suspect driver in hit-and-run investigation

Lethbridge Police Service says it is seeking the public’s help to identify a driver involved in a hit-and-run that damaged a parked vehicle. According to a police release, the incident occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on March 24 in the 900 block of 18 Street North. Investigators say a vehicle struck a parked white SUV and left the scene without stopping. Police confirmed the SUV sustained significant damage. No injuries have been reported. Based on debris recovered at the scene, officers have identified the suspect vehicle as a 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander. The investigation remains ongoing.
b-c-ferries-cancellations-draw-criticism-from-opposition-transportation-critic
BCApr 06, 2026

B.C. Ferries cancellations draw criticism from Opposition transportation critic

Ongoing sailing cancellations at B.C. Ferries are facing renewed criticism from the Opposition, with Conservative transportation critic Harman Bhangu calling for a leadership overhaul at the Crown corporation. In a statement, Bhangu, MLA for Langley–Abbotsford, said repeated weekend and Monday cancellations have left passengers dealing with continued disruptions. He attributed the service issues to vessels being out of service, operational challenges and what he described as a growing list of cancelled sailings. According to Bhangu, the situation reflects a broader failure within the ferry s
trump-says-tuesday-deadline-for-iran-deal-is-final-warns-of-military-action
WorldApr 06, 2026

Trump says Tuesday deadline for Iran deal is final, warns of military action

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that a Tuesday deadline for Iran to agree to a deal remains firm, warning that U.S. forces could launch broad attacks on Iranian infrastructure if no agreement is reached. Speaking to reporters during an Easter event at the White House, Trump described Iran’s latest proposal as “a significant step” but said it does not meet U.S. expectations. “It’s not good enough,” he said, adding that the conflict could end quickly if Iran complies with specific conditions. According to Trump, negotiations have been conducted indirectly through Pakistan, wi

Related News