The Federal Government will be extending COVID-19 benefits, including the Canadian Recovery benefit and Canada Sickness Benefit.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the crisis isn’t over and neither is the government’s support.  Trudeau states the Federal Government is extending the Canada Recovery Benefit and Canada Recovery Care-giving Benefit by 12 weeks.  Meaning the new maximum will be 38 weeks in total.  “If you need support while you look for a job, or if you have to stay home to take care of your family, these benefits will continue to be there for you.”  The Prime Minister says the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit will also be extended from 2 weeks to 4 weeks, adding “no one should be going to work sick right now.”

The Federal government will also increase the help available under regular employment insurance claims to 50 weeks in total.  That means Canadians will have 24 more weeks of EI available if needed.

Vaccine Ramp-Up Phase

Trudeau says Canada is now in the ramp-up phase of vaccination after receiving its largest shipment of Pfizer vaccines on Wednesday.  On Thursday night the Federal Government shared an updated vaccine delivery schedule with provinces and territories, so they are ready to roll-out almost a million and a half doses over the next three weeks.  Trudeau says vaccines are his top priority and he knows premiers feel the same.  The Prime Minster says by March, the country is on track to receive 6 million total vaccine doses, and by September there will be at least 84 million doses available.

Trudeau also announced another $75 million will go towards the COVAX international vaccine-sharing program, bringing Canada’s total investment to $940 million.

Rapid Testing

The Prime Minister says the government is seeing results from a partnership with the CDL rapid screening consortium.