Millions of workers across BC and Canada are going to lose the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) at the end of August. But the pandemic is not over and many of us work in sectors that have either opened up a little or are not expected to open for months. We need to move fast to ensure we all have the income support we need.

The federal government is making decisions right now about the future of CERB, as well as other income support policies. We urgently need to deliver a message to our federal Members of Parliament (MPs) that they must extend CERB to all who need it, for as long as necessary.

When we visit our MPs, let’s also demand meaningful improvements to our Employment Insurance system. As it stands, too many workers cannot access EI when they need it because they don't get enough hours, or because arbitrary rules disqualify them from their entitlements. Still others may qualify for EI, but it runs out before they find work or it only provides the equivalent of 55% of previous earnings which is not enough to live on. Honestly, who can survive  on 55% of the minimum wage or 55% of part-time hours? That’s why we need to keep fighting to raise the minimum wage - federally and provincially.

Where: Office of Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, 430  Parliament St. Toronto, ON M5A 3A2
When: July 27, 2020 Monday 11:00am.