The National Council of Unemployed Workers (NCUW) wishes to react to the details announced this morning concerning the end of the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB).
“Let’s agree on the fact that the CRB was a tool for self-employed and gig workers. The government is putting an end to it. That means that starting next Sunday, October 24, self-employed and gig workers will lose their unemployment protection,” said Pierre Céré, spokesperson for the NCUW.
Other workers and employees can have access to an improved Employment Insurance (EI) program, but on a temporary basis. The NCUW considers that permanent changes should be introduced now.
“The government has made several commitments to reform EI and, among other things, to expand its coverage to self-employed and gig workers. It is time for it to happen, and for the reform to be announced. Indeed, starting next week, self-employed workers will no longer have a social safety net. These issues must be tackled now.”