Taking Action On COVID-19
While the current crisis continues, we need to make sure people can pay their bills, stay safe in their homes, and provide for their families. BC’s new COVID-19 Action Plan provides support to British Columbians who have been economically impacted by the outbreak.
The COVID-19 Action Plan includes a tax-free $1,000-dollar payment for workers whose incomes have been affected, as well as support for people who are struggling to pay their bills or make student loan repayments.
At a time like this, it’s more important than ever to make sure no one loses their job for prioritizing their own health and safety – or that of others. That’s why we’ve made two important amendments to the Employment Standards Act.
The first allows workers to immediately take unpaid, job-protected leave if they are unable to work for reasons relating to COVID-19. The second provides up to three days of unpaid, job-protected leave each year for people who cannot work due to illness or injury.
With jobs and wages being lost due to COVID-19, many tenants are worried they can’t pay their rent, which also impacts landlords’ ability to make mortgage payments.
On Wednesday, the province introduced a new rental supplement that offers British Columbians experiencing a loss of income up to $500 a month towards their rent.
Additional measures to protect renters include a halt to evictions from rental properties, a freeze on rent increases for existing tenants, and rules to maintain physical distancing during the crisis.
Healthcare workers and other British Columbians who provide essential services are doing incredible frontline work to get us all through this crisis.
BC NDP MLAs have been joining people across the province in saying thank you to these essential workers by cheering and otherwise making noise at 7pm every evening.
Watch MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard to see how it’s done, then get out and make some noise in your community!
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See you again soon!
New Democratic Party of British Columbia
#320 – 34 West 7th Ave
Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1L6
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