Canada Emergency Response Benefit Portal is Now Online

As of this morning (Monday April 6, 2020), the reporting portal for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is now live. If you qualify for EI but have not yet applied, you must go through the CERB portal. Your application will be processed there, where it will be determined whether you qualify for EI or CERB. You will be automatically redirected to the benefit you qualify for. For more information on CERB and EI, check out our FAQ page.

Due to the high volume of Canadians like currently reporting, the Federal Government as advised applicants to log into the portal according to the following guidelines:

CERB is a $2,000 benefit distributed once a month for 4 months. The benefit is taxable – recipients will need to report any payments received on next year’s tax filing. An information slip for the 2020 tax year will be posted on the CRA portal, in My Account under Tax Information Slips (T4 and more).

Be sure to visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre for information and updates.

UNITE HERE! Canada Responds to COVID-19 Crisis

Yesterday, UNITE HERE Leadership from across Canada held a press conference to discuss with major news organizations the unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis on workers nationwide in a recorded tele-press conference. For coverage, see below

CTV News TorontoNearly 90 per cent of hospitality workers will lose jobs because of COVID-19 pandemic, union predicts

Global News: Hospitality union offers help as hotels considered as makeshift hospitals 

Canadian Press (as seen in National Post): Hospitality workers hit ‘first and hit hardest’, says union seeking more support

CTV Vancouver: Hospitality workers call for financial support in face of mass layoffs 

CBC: Hospitality workers’ union says 90% of members have lost their jobs in past 2 weeks

To listen to a complete recording of the UNITE HERE Canada press conference, click here.

To see the letter Local 75 sent to Premier Ford, click here..

Resources for members impacted by COVID-19

Please visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus and Toronto.ca/covid-19 for the up to date information on the virus and government guidelines on isolation.

Please call the Toll-Free Local 75 Hotline at 1 877-354-1616 between 8:30-4:30 pm Monday-Friday for additional questions and assistance.

**Starting April 6, there is one single portal for applying for the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB), available to all who qualify for unemployment payments (EI) and to many who do not. Click here to learn more.

The situation with regard to available assistance is changing. This page offers resources for you that are current as of the time of writing.  To the most up-to-date info, please sign up for text alerts by clicking here or call the hotline.

For resources on health & safety at work during COVID-19, click here.

While everyone is doing their part to minimize the impact of COVID-19, we recognize our members have been some of the first and worst hit by this crisis, and will be working hard to connect Union members to all available resources and benefits to weather this storm. See the below links for more information:

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) & Employment Insurance (EI)

Provincial Support for Families

Other Federal Relief Programs (GSTC benefit, Canada Child Benefit, delayed tax filing, student loans).

Budgeting & Dealing with Creditors

Mortgage or Rent

Utilities & Other Bills

Food Assistance

Health & Medical Resources

Mental Health

We also want to reassure you that there will be no loss of benefits during the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to read more.

For more information about federal, provincial, and GTA relief efforts, visit this page from the Toronto & York Area Labour Council.

If you require assistance accessing services including EI and CERB, a Service Canada agent will be able to contact you within two business days, visit this page to learn more.

An important message to Prime Minister Trudeau on COVID-19

On March 17, 2020, your UNITE HERE Local 75 Executive Leadership sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chairs of the Cabinet Committee. In the letter, Local 75 leadership asks for key enhancements so our members don’t bear the brunt of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the letter here.