When the Government of BC first announced the BC Emergency Benefit for Workers on March 23rd, it was to be available to all recipients of federal EI and the new CERB. For the next month many hard working British Columbians were waiting for this one-time $1000 payment to finally be available. Unfortunately, on April 23rd, when an application date and detailed eligibility was announced, any British Columbian receiving EI rather than the CERB suddenly found out they were no longer eligible for the BC Emergency Benefit for Workers (BCEBW)!

Who might be on EI rather than the CERB?

• Anyone who was laid off early in the COVID-19 crisis and applied for financial assistance before March 15th
• Seasonal workers who were in between seasons when COVID-19 hit and now have likely lost their summer season contracts
• Folks that were working (but were laid off due to COVID-19) and had an old EI claim that was still open (their EI claim was reactivated).
• Residents of small, tourism reliant communities that can't find full-time work all year round, so were on EI as well as working a part-time job

What makes these hard working British Columbians any less deserving of financial help through the BCEBW? The BC Government describes this program as "for B.C. residents whose ability to work has been affected due to COVID-19". All the examples listed here surely do qualify as having their ability to work affected.

I'm calling on the Government of BC to immediately restore the eligibility requirements for the BCEBW to include the many British Columbians now feeling 'stuck' on EI. Please don't let us fall through the cracks.