Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Grande Prairie – Mackenzie, and his Conservatives colleagues announced a new Conservative proposal to improve the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – called the Back to Work Bonus.
“As our province moves forward with Alberta’s Recovery Plan, this proposal will ensure that hardworking Albertans and businesses are able to transition successfully back to work from the CERB,” Warkentin said. “The Back to Work Bonus will ensure that Canadians are not penalized for going back to work and helping our communities recover.”
Under the Conservative plan, Canadians who lost their jobs through no fault of their own during the pandemic will continue to receive their full $2,000 CERB. In addition, as businesses reopen, workers who make between $1,000 and $5,000 per month would qualify for a CERB top-up that would be gradually phased out by 50 cents for every extra dollar earned over the $1,000 threshold.
Under the current Liberal plan, workers lose their entire CERB when they earn even one dollar over the $1,000 monthly limit.
For a part-time server making $2,000 per month, the Back to Work Bonus would result in a top-up of $1,500, for a total monthly income of $3,500.
“I am proud to work with our provincial government and communities to kickstart recovery,” Warkentin said. “Alberta has seen some tough times and I know that our recovery depends on the workers and local businesses that make up our communities. That’s why it is vital that we make sure they can successfully restart.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Conservatives have been putting forward constructive solutions to fix Liberal programs and get Canadians the help they need. The new Back to Work Bonus will build on that success.
“It should always pay for Canadians to work. As we all contribute to Alberta’s recovery, it is imperative that workers and entrepreneurs should not be penalized for picking up a shift or gradually returning to their job.”