Government Responses

COVID-19 and the efforts to prevent it are impacting every region of our country. Outlined below are the provincial and federal responses to the pandemic that are particularly relevant to the post-secondary education sector and its workers:

Federal Government

  • Financial assistance programs to assist workers who have been laid off or seen reduced hours as a result of COVID-19:

    • Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) offers $2,000 per month for up to four months for workers who have lost income, including contract workers and self-employed individuals.

      • To qualify, you must have received $5,000 in employment income, self-employment income, maternity, parental, or adoption EI benefits in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to applying for benefits.

      • Workers are able to earn up to $1000/month while collecting the CERB.

      • For more information, or to apply for the CERB, click here.

    • Employment Insurance

      • Several changes have been made to the EI program to make it more accessible. For more information on EI, click here.

  • Student Support:

    • Student Loans: There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments to the Canada Student Loan Program.

      • Additionally, the maximum weekly amount of a loan has been increased from $210 to $350 and the eligibility for loans has been broadened by removing the expected student’s and spouse’s contributions for 2020-21.

    • Canada Emergency Benefit: Financial support for students and new graduates not eligible for the CERB of $1250 per month, or $2000 per month if you are a student with dependants, for up to four months.

    • Canada Student Service Grant: A volunteer program that allows students to exchange volunteer service for up to $5000 for their education in the fall.

    • Canada Student Grants: For eligible students, grants have been doubled for the 2020-2021 year.

    • An additional $75 million for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in 2020-2021.

British Columbia

  • Financial assistance programs to assist workers:

    • B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers provides a one-time payment of $1,000 to people whose ability to work has been impacted by COVID-19. For more information click here.

  • Student Support:

    • $3.5 million in emergency financial assistance for domestic students to help with costs such living expenses, food, travel, and computers.

    • $1.5 million in emergency financial assistance for Indigenous students.

    • There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for BC student loans.

Alberta

  • There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for Alberta student loans.

  • Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the province of Alberta is continuing with the cuts to post-secondary education they announced earlier this year.

Saskatchewan

  • Student Support:

    • $1.5 million in emergency bursaries for both domestic and international students until September 30.

    • There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for Saskatchewan student loans.

Manitoba

  • Student Support: There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for Manitoba student loans.

  • Responding to the COVID-19 crisis, the Manitoba government is asking post-secondary institutes to cut their spending – through cuts to employees and programs - by upwards of 30%.

Ontario

  • Emergency Assistance: If you are in crisis or an emergency situation and you do not have enough money for food or housing you may be eligible for financial support that varies on a case by case basis, but is approximately $733/month for a single person.

  • Student Support: There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for Ontario student loans.

  • Post-secondary education support: The Ontario government provided universities and colleges with $25 million to help with some of the early costs of addressing the COVID-19 outbreak.

Quebec

  • There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for Quebec student loans.

  • PACME: This program offers $100 million dollars for worker training. For more information click here.

New Brunswick

  • Student Support: There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for New Brunswick student loans.

Nova Scotia

  • The Worker Emergency Bridge Fund offers a one-time payment of $1,000 to workers who are our of work because of COVID-19, don’t qualify for EI and earn between $5000 and $34,000. For more information click here.

  • Student Support: There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for Nova Scotia student loans.

Prince Edward Island

  • The COVID-19 Income Support Fund offers a one-time payment of $750 to those who have lost their job or primary source of income or whose EI have expired. For more information, click here.

  • Student Support:

    • There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for PEI student loans.

    • $95,000 was distributed to students through UPEI, Holland College and Collège de l'Île student unions.

    • $75,000 to create summer research opportunities for UPEI Students

    • Enhancement to student employment opportunities through various programs. For more information click here.

Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Student Support:

    • There will be a six-month, interest-free moratorium on payments for Newfoundland and Labrador student loans. Additionally, the provincial loan program will increase for the 2020/21 year from $40 to $100 per week, and it will exempt student and spousal contributions when determining loan eligibility.