The federal government has taken action to ensure pregnant women, laid off from work, have the financial support they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister for Women and Gender Equality Maryam Monsef said the government received numerous calls and emails from expectant mothers who were told they didn't qualify for the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit. (CERB)
Monsef told Sue Storr in an interview on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) that the government will honour the claims and won't take away any maternity benefits.
The Peterborough-Kawartha MP said the concerns are being addressed retroactively starting Friday, May 8.
Minister for Women and Gender Equality Maryam Monsef (government photo)
"Expectant mothers who should've been receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, that $2,000 guaranteed income, will have their claims converted retroactively," said Monsef. "So that means that those who are receiving less than $500 a week, will receive an additional payment to make up for that lost income. Those who have been receiving more than the $500 per week, you won't have any money clawed back. In addition, the weeks for which you were collecting the emergency response benefit will not affect the number of weeks of maternity and parental leave benefits that you may receive."
Monsef said the government realizes that women have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
"They've experienced the majority of jobs lost in March due to COVID, they're on the front lines of the supports and essential services making up the majority of those sectors, and of course they're taking on care responsibilities, so I can't imagine what it's like to be expecting a little one right now."
The minister said Service Canada has been flooded with calls over the last month from expectant women trying to sort through the claims process.
She said they are committed to addressing the situation.
-With files from Sue Storr
