As you are aware, the construction industry has done an exemplary job of keeping our members and worksites safe, with negligible cases of COVID-19 spread through the industry. At the same time, COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the country, causing government to enforce stricter rules and regulations. As such, rapid testing is being rolled out in different provinces, including on Building Trades job sites – a measure we support.
We understand that the Federal and Provincial Governments across Canada are making rapid testing more widely available to workplaces. Many construction sites will have rapid testing available and many will be or have already made it mandatory for all employees to be tested.
We understand that workers may be apprehensive to take the rapid test, for fear of losing their employment for, at a minimum, two weeks while they quarantine or recover. However, for the sake of the construction industry, we must encourage our members to participate in rapid testing. To assist, the CBTU (Canada’s Building Trade Unions) has drafted a factsheet that highlights the various federal government supports that employees may access should they miss work due to COVID-19 illness or even COVID-19 layoffs due to construction site closures. There may be provincial supports available for workers as well, that you may want to consider accessing.
The two main federal avenues for support are the enhanced Employment Insurance program and the Canada Recovery Benefits (three programs, two are for temporary job loss due to quarantine and the third is for individuals who are not eligible for EI). Please review the flow charts included in this post.
Please keep in mind, these programs may be adjusted by the government at any time, these documents are accurate with the information we have available today. Should you have any questions on these programs feel free to contact CBTU Rita Rahmati who can assist you at rrahmati@buildingtrades.ca
The CBTU is actively engaging with the government to improve these programs to ensure funds flow quickly and our workers are supported through this challenging time.
