Bill C-2 was approved (received Royal Assent) on December 17, 2021, and provides further support to both businesses and individuals.
Businesses
The Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CHRP) has been extended to May 7, 2022 with increased subsidy rates to specific industries:
- Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program – subsidy rates up to 75%
- Hardest Hit Business Recovery Program – wage and rent subsidies up to 50%
- Local Lockdown Program – for businesses facing temporary new local lockdowns
- This program is available to businesses, charities and non-profit organizations which have been affected by a public health restriction. If your business is now subject to a reduced capacity of 50%, or the activities have been restricted by at least 50% of the total qualifying revenue, your business may be eligible for this program.
The revenue loss threshold has been reduced from 40% to 25% with no 12-month historical revenue decline.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/recovery-hiring-program.html
Individuals
For Individuals the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) and Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) has been extended until May 7, 2022.
There is also a new Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) available retroactive to October 24, 2021 and available until May 7, 2022. This benefit provides eligible workers with $300 per week in temporary income support if you reside in a designated region (currently all of Alberta is a designated region). This income will be subject to taxes withheld and provides you with a net weekly amount of $270. You will not be eligible to receive this benefit if you received benefits for the same week under Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) or other short-term disability benefits.
There are other requirements, including the following:
- You must have earned at lease $5,000 in 2020, 2021 or the 12-month period before you apply;
- You did not voluntarily quit your job or voluntarily turn down work;
- You filed a 2020 tax return;
- You received the Covid-19 vaccine, or it is not required to continue your work;
- You are not self-isolating or in quarantine due to international travel.
You must meet all of the criteria to be eligible for the CWLB.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/worker-lockdown-benefit.html
