Randall Garrison MP provides details on financial supports to constituents in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke

March 29, 2020 ~ ESQUIMALT-SAANICH-SOOKE

by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News

As the Member of Parliament for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, Randall Garrison has provided this statement to constituents:

“In this unprecedented time, I know that many of you are concerned about your own and your loved ones’ health and financial well being. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives in ways that we could have barely imagined only a few months ago, and we are all still sorting out the details of this new reality.

I want to assure you that as your MP, I am continuing to work hard to represent you and to ensure that the response from the federal government meets the needs of all Canadians during this time. I would like to thank all of those who have continued to work on our behalf on the front lines during this crisis and all those who have stepped up and volunteered to help family, friends, and neighbours get by.

As we have now all been directed to do by both BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and head of the Public Health Agency of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam, I am working from home and practising physical distancing.

But I am working hard every day along with Jagmeet Singh and the rest of the NDP team to get the best possible financial support package for Canadians during this incredibly difficult time.

So far, we have successfully seen the Liberal Government increase the Canada Emergency Response Benefit to $2,000 a month. Just today (March 27), we also saw the Liberal Government increase the small business wage subsidy from 10% to 75%, something that New Democrats have been pushing hard for. We will continue to press the government to make sure that no Canadians fall through the cracks.

At home in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, my team and I are reassuring, supporting, and advocating for constituents who are facing unique challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. My staff and I will continue to do this work on behalf of those who need extra help navigating federal government programs, services, and protocols during this time.

Please follow the directions from our public health officials, and do not hesitate to contact my team and I for support during this time.

Each of us doing our part and all of us pulling together will get us through this pandemic. This will also provide us the basis we need for rebuilding an even better Canada where no one is left without the resources and support they need to meet whatever future challenges we face.”

~ Randall Garrison, MP (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke)

========= INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DURING COVID-19

Backgrounder

Are You Seeking Support from the Federal Government During the COVID-19 Outbreak?

As the federal government, provinces, territories, and municipalities begin to provide more details about the support available for Canadians who are facing financial and other hardships due to the COVID-19 crisis, I know that many people are feeling confused about what is available to them and how to access these benefits. For complete and up-to-date information about what the federal government is offering, please visit this government website https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html

To assist you in understanding this document, my team has put together this FAQ. You can also contact us at 250-405-6550 or randall.garrison@parl.gc.ca for more information.

In addition to federal support, the province of BC is providing multiple programs for people who are struggling during COVID-19. This document only addresses federal programs. If you have questions about provincial benefits, please contact your MLA.

On the south shore, your provincial MLAs would be one of:

• If you live in Langford, Sooke or in the Juan de Fuca area out to Port Renfrew: Hon John Horgan, MLA (Langford-Juan de Fuca Constituency Office: 250-391-2801)
• If you live in Colwood, Metchosin, Esquimalt or View Royal: Mitzi Dean, MLA (Esquimalt-Metchosin Constituency Office: 250-952-5885)
• If you live in Victoria: Carole James, MLA (Victoria-Beacon Hill Constituency Office: 250-952-4211)
• Otherwise, you can find out who your MLA is by following this link and entering your postal code: https://www.leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members

FAQ

A loved one of mine is stranded abroad. What should they do?

• If they have not already done so, immediately direct them to register with Global Affairs Canada’s Registry of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) at: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration
• If they have not already done so, immediately direct them to contact the nearest Canadian consulate and provide them with their local contact information.
• If your loved one lives in our riding, email or call us directly (Randall Garrison, MP Constituency Office: 250-405-6550).
• If your loved one lives in another riding, direct them to their own MP or the MP that represented them when they last resided in Canada. Their own MP will need to be the one to inquire and intervene for them. You can verify who their MP is by entering their postal code here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en

I or my loved one is stranded abroad and needs financial assistance. What should they do?

• $5,000 loans are available for stranded travellers. Read more about these loans here: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/financial-assistance/covid-19-financial-help. These loans are interest-free, but they must be paid back in full with 180 days of receipt.

When will the $300 per child Canada Child Benefit increase arrive in my bank account?

• As of March 26, the Prime Minister has stated that this increase will come into effect for your May 2020 Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment.

When will the GST Credit Increase arrive in my bank account? 

• If you already receive the GST Credit, you will receive a one-time special payment by early May 2020. The amount will depend on your income, but average payments will be $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.

What do I do if I don’t qualify for Employment Insurance (EI)?

• If you do not qualify for EI, but have recorded earnings of $5,000 or more during the past 12 months through self-employment, independent contracting, or another source of earned income from work, and you are now unable to work for any reason related to the COVID-19 outbreak, prepare to apply for the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This applies if you are out of work due to physical distancing policies, school and daycare closures causing you to lose care for your children, caring for a sick relative, or being sick yourself. This benefit will be administered through your CRA MyAccount or your My Service Canada Account (have this set up before you apply for CERB). Applications will open on April 6.

I need to apply for CERB, but I do not have an active CRA MyAccount or My Service Canada Account, what should I do?

• Service Canada and CRA have waived the requirement for you to wait for a personal access code for your online account, as they know that people need to activate these accounts quickly and that phone lines are overwhelmed with high volume. You do not need to wait for a personal access code at this time to activate or reactivate your CRA MyAccount or My Service Canada Account.

Do I need a doctor’s note to apply for EI or CERB?

• No. You will be required to fill out an attestation that verifies that your loss of employment is due to the COVID-19 crisis. You will be eligible if you have lost work income due to social distancing policies impacting your ability to do your job, caring for a sick family member, caring for children who are out of school and daycare, or because you yourself are sick and self-isolating.

Should I apply for EI or for the new CERB benefit? 

• The CERB application form will be available on April 6. If you have already applied for EI, you do not need to also apply for this new benefit, your claim will be automatically moved over to the CERB and you will receive the 16-week CERB benefit. If needed, you can use your hours to apply for EI benefits after you have exhausted CERB benefits.

What if I’ve already been laid off and applied for EI?

• If you’ve already applied for EI you do not need to reapply for the CERB. Your claim will be automatically moved over to the CERB, and benefits paid from this program first. If needed, you can use your hours to apply for EI benefits after you have exhausted CERB benefits.

What if I’m already receiving EI Benefits?

• You will continue to receive your EI benefits. If your EI benefits end before October 3rd, 2020, and you are still unable to return to work, you can apply to the CERB once your EI benefits run out.

What if I continue to be sick or unemployed after October 3, 2020?

• If you have enough EI insurable hours, you will still be able to access your normal EI benefits after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.

I am currently on EI (including parental and sick leave) and my benefits will run out soon, but I cannot look for work or return to work at this time due to COVID-19. What should I do?

• Your EI will be automatically extended, as long as you were still receiving benefits as of March 25, 2020.

Will the one-week waiting period for EI benefits be automatically waived if I apply for EI due to COVID-19?

• No. As of March 27, there was still a requirement to call 1-833-281-2725 to request this. This phone line is ONLY for the purpose of requesting the one week wait be waived.

Do I have to wait for my Record of Employment (ROE) to be processed, in order to apply for EI?

• No. Do not wait for your ROE to be processed. You will be able to select the “proceed without an ROE” option during the online application.

If I am on EI, do I still need to file bi-weekly reports?

• No announcement has been made about this yet. Until further notice, keep filing your reports, even if you just call around to businesses that aren’t hiring

I haven’t filed my 2019 taxes yet, do I have to do this before I can apply for CERB?

• This has not been confirmed yet, but we recommend that as long as you have already filed for 2018, you should go ahead and apply for CERB once it becomes available.

How will all of these benefits impact my taxes next year?

• All CERB benefits are considered taxable income 

I am self-employed, do I qualify for benefits?

• Yes. As long as you have a reported work income of at least $5,000 during the past 12 months, you can apply for the new CERB benefit.

I am on PWD or CPPD and work to supplement that income. Will I qualify for any assistance with this loss of income? 

• The only criteria for eligibility is that you declared at least $5,000 earned income in the past 12 months beyond your disability benefits. (Disability benefits are not counted as earned income for this purpose.)

I am still able to work, but my hours have been reduced due to COVID-19, are there any options available for me?

• The CERB currently requires that you have been without income for a two-week period in order for you to qualify.

I am a post-secondary student, are there options for support for me?

• If you have reported a minimum $5,000 earnings from work during the past 12 months, you may be eligible for the new CERB benefit
• If you have not been working during the academic year and have not reported $5,000 or more in income from work for the last two years but were planning to get into the job market after the end of the current semester, there are currently no options for support for you. Please contact our office so that we can advocate for support to be extended to those in your situation. 

I own a small business, and I have had to close or drastically reduce my service due to COVID-19. Am I eligible for any support?

• For more info: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaingrowimprovebusiness/resources-for-canadian-businesses.html
• As a business operator, you may be eligible for the new CERB benefit as a self-employed individual.
• The federal government is offering a 75% wage subsidy to businesses.
• The federal government is working with banks to offer interest-free loans for small businesses for a period of time and debt forgiveness under certain circumstances.
• Contact your accountant to better understand how federal programs relate to your business.
• Contact business advocacy groups for guidance, especially if you are a member of such an organization. Small Business BC may be the right resource to help you understand your options https://smallbusinessbc.ca or the Canadian Federation of Small Businesses https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/about-us among others.

I have federal student loans, do I still need to repay them? 

• You will be automatically enrolled in the 6-month loan holiday. You can choose to continue paying if you wish, but you can simply stop paying the federal portion of your loan for a six month period ending on September 30, 2020.
• Please note that the BC Government also announced a loan holiday on the provincial portion of your loan. 

I have a mortgage on my home, and I am not sure that I will be able to continue making payments during the COVID-19 crisis. What options are available to me?

• The federal government is working with banks to provide options for homeowners. The options that apply to you will depend on your lender and your own circumstances but may include mortgage payment deferrals, reductions, and other measures.
• Contact your lender directly for more information about what is available to you.

I am a renter and am afraid that I won’t be able to make rent. Can I be evicted?

• No. The BC Government has put a moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 crisis and is offering $500 per month in financial support for renters. Please check with your MLA or a BC Government source for more information about this.