Feds extend expanded access to Local Lockdown Program, Worker Lockdown Benefit

The federal government will be extending its Local Lockdown Program and Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit by one month, until March 12, 2022. 

“We are beginning to see public health measures easing in some parts of the country, but this pandemic still remains uncertain," said Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, in a statement on Wednesday (Feb. 9). "That’s why we’re extending the temporary expanded lockdown definition for the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit. We’ve seen just how vital these supports have been to Canadians so far, and we have to ensure they’re available in the event that regional lockdowns continue."

• Local Lockdown Program: Eligibility would continue to include employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more; and the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement would remain at 25 per cent. Eligible employers would receive wage and rent subsidies from 25 per cent up to a maximum of 75 per cent, depending on their degree of revenue loss. The 12-month revenue decline test continues to not be required in order to access this support.
• Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit: Eligibility would continue to include workers in regions where capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more are in place. This benefit provides $300 a week in income support to eligible workers affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown order, and who are either unable to work or have lost 50 per cent or more of their income as a result.

With "lower than anticipated accessing of the enhanced COVID worker benefits" announced on Dec. 22, 2021, the extension is expected to be fully covered by the $4.5 billion Omicron provision announced in the recent 2021 Economic and Fiscal Update, the Government of Canada stated on its website. 

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