Canada NewsWire
QUÉBEC CITY, April 3, 2020
QUÉBEC CITY, April 3, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - The government is announcing the establishment of the incentive program to retain essential workers, which will offer a $100 weekly benefit for low-income earners working full or part time in the essential services.
The compensation seeks to ensure that full-time workers in sectors that are deemed essential receive a wage that exceeds what the Canada Emergency Response Benefit would provide.
The new benefit will be paid retroactive to March 15 for a maximum of 16 weeks. Through this compensation, workers will obtain, in addition to their wages, a taxable monthly lump sum of $400, or $1 600 for a period of 16 weeks. To be entitled to the benefit, applicants must:
It should be emphasized that applicants can apply for this temporary benefit, which could cover roughly 600 000 wage earners, by means of an online Revenu Québec form that will be available starting May 19 and will be paid by direct deposit starting on May 27. The program will cost an estimated $890 million.
Reminders
This new measure rounds out those already implemented since the outset of the pandemic:
"Since the crisis began, we have adopted significant measures to support the Québec economy and ensure that Quebecers receive essential services. Through this program, we are supporting low-income workers who are providing essential services during the pandemic."
Eric Girard, Minister of Finance
"The health and safety of essential workers is our priority during this period of general mobilization. We want them to be able perform their duties with complete peace of mind and to receive the appropriate remuneration. I would like to express to them my gratitude. More than ever, your work is essential in this time of crisis. Let us pursue our efforts since, together, we will get through it."
Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity
Related links:
List of jobs eligible for the incentive program to retain essential workers:
http://www.finances.gouv.qc.ca/documents/Autres/fr/AUTFR_tableau_professions_services_essentiels.pdf
For information on COVID-19 and all the assistance programs offered, please visit quebec.ca/coronavirus.
SOURCE Cabinet du ministre des Finances
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2020/03/c2635.html