43rd Canadian Parliament

Competition Bureau investigates Canada Tax Reviews' marketing practices regarding pandemic benefit programs

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 9, 2021

GATINEAU, QC, July 9, 2021 /CNW/ -The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to advance an ongoing investigation into potentially false or misleading claims made by Canada Tax Reviews when promoting services to Canadians wanting to apply for government benefit programs implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, July 9, 2021 /CNW/ -The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to advance an ongoing investigation into potentially false or misleading claims made by Canada Tax Reviews when promoting services to Canadians wanting to apply for government benefit programs implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • These programs include the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB).
  • The order grantedby the Federal Court of Canada on July 2, 2021, requires Canada Tax Reviews to produce records and information relevant to the Bureau's investigation.
  • The Bureau's investigation is looking to determine if Canada Tax Reviews'marketing practices raise concerns under the deceptive marketing provisions of the Competition Act.

Support to workers and families increases with the passage of EI legislation and the coming into effect of recovery benefit regulations

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 18, 2021

Over the past year, this support has included the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, three recovery benefits and a more flexible and accessible Employment Insurance (EI) program.

Key Points: 
  • Over the past year, this support has included the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, three recovery benefits and a more flexible and accessible Employment Insurance (EI) program.
  • Workers claiming EI regular benefits can now access up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021.
  • In addition to Bill C-24, new regulations to increase the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Benefits have come into effect.
  • As of March 5, 2021, the numbers of unique applicants that have accessed the recovery benefits are:
    o,781,370 for the Canada Recovery Benefit;
    o47,450 for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit; and
    420,680 for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.

Government of Canada introduces legislation to increase number of weeks for EI regular benefits and to prevent international travellers from qualifying for recovery benefits during mandatory quarantine

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 25, 2021

The proposed legislation would provide workers with up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims that are established between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

Key Points: 
  • The proposed legislation would provide workers with up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims that are established between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
  • This change would be retroactive to claims established as of January 3, 2021 and would apply until September 25, 2021.
  • As announced on Feb. 19, 2021 , the Government will be increasing the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Benefits through regulations.
  • As of February 14, 2021, the numbers of unique applicants that have accessed the recovery benefits are:
    1,715,090 for the Canada Recovery Benefit;
    333,760 for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit; and
    392,280 for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.

Government of Canada proposes increase to number of weeks for recovery benefits and EI regular benefits to ensure continued support for Canadians who have been hardest hit

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 19, 2021

As some workers could begin to exhaust their benefits in late March, this increase would ensure continued support as Canada's economy and labour force recovers.

Key Points: 
  • As some workers could begin to exhaust their benefits in late March, this increase would ensure continued support as Canada's economy and labour force recovers.
  • They include the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.
  • As of February 14, 2021, the numbers of unique applicants that have accessed the recovery benefits are:
    1,715,090 for the Canada Recovery Benefit;
    333,760 for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit; and
    392,280 for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.
  • Canadians would continue to apply for the recovery benefits through the Canada Revenue Agency and for Employment Insurance benefits through Service Canada.

Government of Canada to ensure that international travellers cannot access recovery benefits during mandatory quarantine

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 11, 2021

TheCanada Recovery Sickness Benefit, along with the other recovery benefits, was never intended to incentivize or encourage Canadians to disregard public health advice.

Key Points: 
  • TheCanada Recovery Sickness Benefit, along with the other recovery benefits, was never intended to incentivize or encourage Canadians to disregard public health advice.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will update the application process for the three recovery benefits on Monday, January 11.
  • Today's announcement will ensure that the Canada Recovery Benefits support workers who need these benefits the most, not those violating public health advice on international travel."
  • As of January 3, 2021, the number of unique applicants that have accessed the recovery benefits are:
    1,445,530 for the Canada Recovery Benefit;
    277,570 for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit; and
    299,090 for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.

Legislation to support new recovery benefits and extend funding for COVID-19 measures receives Royal Assent

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 2, 2020

Today, the COVID-19 Response Measures Act (formerly Bill C-4) received Royal Assent.

Key Points: 
  • Today, the COVID-19 Response Measures Act (formerly Bill C-4) received Royal Assent.
  • This legislation creates three new temporary recovery benefits to support Canadians who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19.
  • Service Canada and the CRA will work collaboratively on integrity measures for the new recovery benefits.
  • The recovery benefits will be paid in arrears, with workers applying after the period for which they were unable to work.