The Prime Minister announced this morning that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program, which offers funding to individuals who have lost income owing to COVID-19 and are not eligible for employment insurance or other benefits, has been expanded. This includes self-employed individuals, small business owners, independent contractors, and “gig economy” workers.

Canadians earning less than $1,000 per month, and/or whose EI benefits have recently run out, will now be eligible for the CERB. In addition, out-of-work seasonal workers and frontline workers who work a limited number of hours will be eligible. Artists can now exclude copyright revenues from their income to help them qualify.

Eligible individuals can apply for the CERB here.

The Prime Minister also announced that assistance would be forthcoming for businesses struggling to make commercial rent payments.