Department of Finance Extends Expanded Access to Local Lockdown Program and Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit
In a news release dated February 9, 2022, Canada’s Department of Finance announced its intention to extend enhanced key support programs to aid workers and businesses through ongoing public health restrictions.
Using regulatory authority provided in Bill C-2, the federal government intends to extend expanded access to the Local Lockdown Program (the “LLD”) and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (the “CWLB”) through March 12, 2022. This would extend the expanded access to the LLD and CWLB for one month beyond its originally proposed expiration as set forth in the Department of Finance’s December 22, 2021 news release.
Under the LLD, employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50% or more and with current-month revenue declines of 25% or more would continue to be eligible through March 12, 2022. Eligible employers would receive wage and rent subsidies from 25% up to a maximum of 75%, depending on their degree of revenue loss. The 12-month revenue decline test need not be met to access support under the LLD.
Under the CWLB, workers in regions where capacity-limiting restrictions of 50% or more are in place would continue to be eligible through March 12, 2022. Eligible workers affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown order and who are either unable to work or have lost 50% or more of their income as a result would receive $300 per week through the extended period.