CRB and CRCB Extended to 38 Weeks

Summary#

These final regulations, registered March 15, 2021 and published in the Canada Gazette on March 31, 2021, increase how long three COVID-19 recovery benefits can be paid. The Canada Recovery Benefits Regulations raise the maximum entitlement for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) to 38 weeks, and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) to 4 weeks.

What it does#

• Sets the maximum number of two-week periods for the CRB to 19 (which equals 38 weeks total).
• Raises the maximum weeks for the CRCB to 38 weeks.
• Raises the maximum weeks for the CRSB to 4 weeks.
• Comes into force on the day the regulations were registered (March 15, 2021).
• The regulatory package also included matching changes to job‑protected leave under the Canada Labour Code so some federally regulated employees can use the extra weeks for sickness or caregiving without risking their jobs.

Who's affected#

• People receiving or eligible for the recovery benefits:
  • About 1.3 million recipients are estimated to benefit from the extension (about 930,000 CRB, 90,000 CRCB, 273,000 CRSB).
  • Workers who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (common CRB users include self‑employed and gig workers).
  • Parents and caregivers who need time off to look after children or family because of COVID‑19 (CRCB).
  • Workers who get sick, must self‑isolate, or are especially vulnerable to COVID‑19 (CRSB).
• Employers and workplaces:
  • Federally regulated employers and their employees (banking, telecommunications, interprovincial transport, etc.) are affected because of extended job‑protected leave.
  • The programs are administered by the Canada Revenue Agency and overseen by Employment and Social Development Canada.
• Small businesses may see some productivity impacts if employees take extended leave.

Why it matters#

• It gives people more time with income support while they wait for the labour market to recover or for pandemic restrictions to ease.
• It makes it easier for sick people to stay home and for caregivers to look after family, which can reduce COVID‑19 transmission.
• The government estimated the extra income support at $6.4 billion, with total incremental costs of about $6.6 billion, and a net present value of $305.4 million.
• The rules are expected to provide additional health benefits (partially monetized at $543.1 million) and small environmental and productivity effects.
• If anything in the source was unclear about who exactly qualifies under every rule, that uncertainty remains — the Canada Revenue Agency provides the final eligibility and payment decisions.