Employment lawyer reacts to federal government CERB changes

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is being expanded to include workers who make less than $1,000 a month.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday announced the new eligibility criteria for the CERB, a taxable benefit of $2,000 every four weeks for up to four months for eligible workers who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lior Samfiru is an employment lawyer and founding partner of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. He joined host John Oakley on Global News Radio 640 Toronto to bring listeners up to speed on the newest changes to the emergency federal fund.

What was covered:

• Are there still individuals left out after the latest update to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit? (0:41)

• Why is the federal government expanding the CERB program incrementally? (2:03)

• If somebody finds new employment while on CERB, will they lose the $2,000 per month payments? (3:01)

• Can my employer lay me off without notice or severance pay during COVID-19? (3:58)