A new federal benefit available for workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is receiving praise from some in Saskatchewan, but falls short for others.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) officially launched April 6, but can be backdated to March 15 and will extend until Oct.
3, 2020. The flat-rate temporary income support provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. Anyone who signed up for Employment Insurance after March 15 is automatically enrolled for CERB. “I was really quite relieved because in my entire life, or especially since my practice started, it never occurred to me that this would be a reason I wouldn’t be working,” said Sandy Elsaesser, a registered massage therapist in Prince Albert, Sask., said of the pandemic.