An Act to provide further support in response to COVID-19
Sponsor: Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (University—Rosedale)
Proposed changes
On 2 November 2021, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-2, An Act to provide further support in response to COVID-19 in the House of Commons and it was given first reading.
Part 1 amends the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations to extend subsidies under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS), and the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022, as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Support under the CEWS and the CERS would be available to the tourism and hospitality sector and to the hardest-hit organizations that face significant revenue declines. Eligible entities under these rules would need to demonstrate a revenue decline over the course of 12 months of the pandemic, as well as a current-month revenue decline.
Part 2 enacts the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit Act to authorize the payment of the Canada worker lockdown benefit in regions where a lockdown is imposed for reasons related to COVID-19. It also makes consequential amendments to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations.
Part 3 amends the Canada Recovery Benefits Act to, among other things,
- extend the period within which a person may be eligible for a Canada recovery sickness benefit or a Canada recovery caregiving benefit;
- increase the maximum number of weeks in respect of which a Canada recovery sickness benefit is payable to a person from four to six; and
- increase the maximum number of weeks in respect of which a Canada recovery caregiving benefit is payable to a person from 42 to 44.
It also makes a related amendment to the Canada Recovery Benefits Regulations.
This is shortened to the first five points. The bill itself covers more.