BARRHEAD/WESTLOCK-Canadian Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) Peace River-Westlock MP Arnold Viersen has added his voice to his party's in urging the Liberal government to consider adopting one change to the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
CERB is a federal government program which provides up to $2,000 a month to Canadians who have no other access to paid leave and other income support. This includes individuals who have either contracted or are taking care of someone with COVID-19; working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children and self-employed individuals, including contract workers.
For those workers who applied for the benefit initially, it could only be accessed for 16-weeks and was slated to end in early July. However, the program has been extended to 24-weeks until the end of August. Under the current CERB regulations, people are only allowed to earn $1,000 before they are ineligible.
However, although the CPC welcomes the extension, they believe that it unfairly penalizes those who are attempting to get back into the workforce.
The CPC propose that the eligibility requirements be amended to include a "Back to Work Bonus." Under the plan, workers who make between $1,000 and $5,000 per month would receive 50 cents for every extra dollar earned above the $1,000 threshold. For a part-time employee earning making $2,000 per month, the Back to Work Bonus would result in a top-up of $1,500, for a total monthly income of $3,500.
"Conservatives are focused on getting workers and businesses in our local communities and across the country back on their feet,” Viersen stated through a media release. "Our plan is flexible and generous because Conservatives believe it should always pay to work. After all this country has been through, Canadians should not be penalized for picking up work anywhere our communities and businesses need help. We’re going to keep working to get all Canadians the help they need.”
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
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