B.C. Government announces latest supports for those impacted by COVID-19

In a news release, the province says the task force will include leaders from business, labour, First Nations and not-for-profits.

“COVID-19 is not only a public-health challenge, but also an economic one. People and businesses urgently need support,” said Premier John Horgan in the release. “We will be there to protect people’s health and give immediate relief during the crisis. This task force will help us keep in close contact with community leaders to ensure the steps we are taking now are working and to plan for a long-term economic recovery after the crisis has passed.”

The task force will help advise the cross-government economic response to COVID-19 and will take the form of a weekly conference call between Horgan, Finance Minister Carole James, Jobs Minister Michelle Mungall, members of the Business Council of B.C., BC Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Board of Trade, Surrey Board of Trade, the BC Federation of Labour, First Nations organizations and the not-for-profit sector.

The task force will begin today, and will help ensure benefits of provincial programs will reach the intended targets.

It will also explore issues around the designation of essential and critical services; child care and other supports for essential workers, and safe workplace operations for businesses operating now, as well as those restarting after the crisis.

The task force will start to discuss long-term economic recovery following COVID-19.

Supports for students

Students attending post-secondary institutions in B.C. who are experiencing financial pressures will benefit from a one-time investment of $3.5 million in emergency financial assistance.

“Our government is taking steps to ensure post-secondary students get some emergency support so they can focus on staying healthy, meet their educational goals and finish their semester,” said Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark. “We heard from students who are facing extremely difficult situations, and we’re moving quickly to ensure they have access to immediate financial relief.”

The investment will supplement existing student emergency financial assistance. It will support domestic B.C. students who are experiencing an unexpected financial emergency that may affect their ability to finish their studies and handle expenses.

It’s non-repayable, and can help with costs like living expenses, food, travel, portable computers, and other supports for students who are not already able to study remotely.

Students who attend a public post-secondary institution, including TRU, can access the funds by contacting their school’s financial aid office.

For TRU students, email finaid@tru.ca.

Essential service providers

B.C. is taking further action to support essential service providers during the pandemic.

The provincial government is taking steps to ensure essential service providers cannot be held liable for damages caused by exposure to COVID-19 while continuing to operate, so long as they are complying with the provincial health officer’s order.

The province says in a news release that a number of essential service business owners identified challenges with their insurance as a result of the pandemic.

“For example, a child care provider will not be liable for a child in their care or a family member being exposed to COVID-19, so long as they are following established protocols on how to prevent the spread of the virus, like proper handwashing, regular cleaning and disinfecting and identifying children who are sick,” the province states.

The province says providers who are not compliant with respective authorities or who are grossly negligent will not received protection under the order and will be held liable for damages.

“The order only applies to situations related to COVID-19 and will remain in effect for as long as the state of emergency remains in place. Additionally, it will continue to protect essential service providers until any relevant limitation periods have expired.”

For a list of essential services in B.C., go here.

Vulnerable people

A series of temporary supports and supplements for vulnerable people like those on income or disability assistance and low-income seniors has been announced.

“We are putting in place measures that complement the federal crisis measures to support our most vulnerable populations and ensure they do not fall deeper into poverty as a result of COVID-19,” said Social Development and Poverty Reduction Minister Shane Simpson “This is a stressful time for everyone, but for those struggling to put food on the table at the best of times, it is important that we ensure there are no additional barriers to get what they need to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.”

For people currently receiving income or disability assistance, the province will temporarily exempt federal employment insurance benefits, including the new $2,000 Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The payments will be fully exempted for the next three months so people receiving income and disability assistance will benefit from the new emergency federal support programs without any reductions to their monthly assistance payments.

“For everyone on income assistance or disability assistance who is not eligible for the emergency federal support programs, including the CERB, the Province will provide an automatic $300-monthly COVID-19 crisis supplement for the next three months. This supplement will also be provided to low-income seniors who receive the B.C. Senior’s Supplement and recipients of income assistance or disability assistance who reside in special care facilities.”

The province will provide all BC Bus Pass Program users receiving income assistance and disability assistance with the $52 transportation supplement for the duration of the province-wide transportation fare suspension.

That will be included on the next cheque and for each subsequent month while the fare suspension is in place.

by Ashley Legassic

B.C. Government announces latest supports for those impacted by COVID-19

Premier’s task force

Supports for students

Essential service providers

Vulnerable people

Our Community