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Cision Canada
10-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Federal government extends Employment Insurance temporary measure to help workers impacted by U.S. tariffs
GATINEAU, QC, July 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by the United States and other trading partners continue to hurt Canadian workers and employers. In response, the federal government introduced measures to support workers with timely and reliable access to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, particularly those in sectors and regions heavily impacted by US tariffs. Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, and the Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), announced the extension of the temporary adjustment to EI regional unemployment rates until October 11, 2025. This decision continues to reduce the hours required to qualify for regular benefits to no higher than 630 hours and increases the weeks of entitlement by up to four additional weeks. The Government continues to be engaged in negotiations on a broader trading arrangement with the United States with a primary focus on getting the best deal for Canadian workers and businesses. At the same time, it is equally important to help affected Canadian workers access the income support they need during this difficult and uncertain time. Quotes "Workers are the backbone of the economy, and in the face of tariffs, we are putting forward measures that make a meaningful difference to their lives. These measures will help workers access the income support they need in the current economic uncertainty. Along with our efforts to create one Canadian economy, with more opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers, we are building the foundations for a Canada strong." – The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario "Unjustified tariffs are hurting Canadians, but we're standing with workers. This extension ensures continued income support as we push to end harmful trade barriers and protect good jobs across the country." – The Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) Quick facts On March 23, 2025, the federal government introduced new temporary EI measures to support Canadian workers whose jobs are impacted by the current economic uncertainty caused by these tariffs. These measures include: adjusting the EI regional unemployment rates upward by one percentage point in all EI regions, up to a maximum of 13.1%, with no region seeing an unemployment rate below 7.1%; temporarily waiving the one-week EI waiting period so that workers are able to receive benefits for the first week of unemployment, helping unemployed workers more easily adjust to a drop in income. All claimant types (regular, special, fishing) are eligible for this measure; and suspending the treatment of monies paid on separation (e.g. severance pay), so that these do not need to be used up before claimants are able to start receiving EI benefits. The measure extended today was set to expire on July 12, while the other two are in effect until October 11, 2025. Over 290,000 workers are expected to benefit from this extension. In addition to the three EI temporary measures, additional flexibilities to the Work-Sharing Program were also introduced in March 2025 to allow more businesses and employees to participate in the Program. The Work-Sharing Program provides EI benefits to eligible employees who agree with their employer to work reduced hours due to a decrease in business activity beyond their employer's control. This helps employers retain experienced workers and avoid layoffs and helps workers maintain their employment and skills while supplementing the reduced wages with EI benefits. As of June 28, 2025, Service Canada has signed more than 700 Work-Sharing Agreements with businesses and workers impacted by tariffs. These agreements cover almost 27,200 workers and are helping to avert almost 10,200 layoffs. Associated links The Government of Canada introduces new employment insurance measures to support Canadian workers impacted by foreign tariffs Follow us on X (Twitter) SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Winnipeg Free Press
03-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
NATO spending plan challenging for Canada
Opinion How much is $150 billion as an annual government expense? It's three times the annual Canada Health Transfer, the mechanism Ottawa uses to support provincial health care. In fact, $150 billion as an annual expenditure dwarfs the entirety of federal transfers each year ($100 billion) for health, social programs and equalization. In other words, it's a lot of money. However, it's also apparently the price of keeping one particularly bombastic president at bay. Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press files Prime Minister Mark Carney U.S. President Donald Trump has frequently stated that a massive increase in defence spending is table stakes for getting preferential treatment on trade issues. The connection between defence spending and trade was made patently clear last week in The Hague, where the leaders of NATO countries held their annual summit. NATO has been on tenterhooks since January, when Trump warned member nations that if they did not meet the (then) two per cent of GDP spending target, the world's biggest defence spender would abandon the alliance. Trump complained, and with some justification, that some NATO countries (including Canada) are failing to meet the existing target. Canada currently spends just over $62.7 billion on defence. In one of his first acts, Prime Minister Mark Carney pumped another $9 billion into the defence budget, which pushed Canada to the two per cent threshold. However, just as Canada finally fulfilled its NATO spending obligation, the target moved. Late last month, NATO nations endorsed a plan — first suggested by Trump — to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP over the next decade, broken down into 3.5 per cent on direct military spending (troops, weapons, munitions) and 1.5 per cent on 'militarily adjacent' things such as roads and bridges, emergency health care and cybersecurity. For Canada, the new target would eventually mean $150 billion annually on direct and adjacent military spending. Carney said that over the next five years, Canada can demonstrate increased military spending rather easily in the adjacent category of projects, which could include investments in ports, highways, telecommunications and the development of critical minerals. It's the direct military spending that has the potential to cast a long shadow over the federal budget. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. Carney said if Canadians support the new spending target, it will mean 'considerations about what less the federal government can do in certain cases.' What federal programs could be impacted? Carney would not say, but when you're measuring increased defence spending in the tens of billions of dollars, you would need to start taking away from Ottawa's other hefty budget lines: transfers to the provinces, infrastructure spending and such programs as Employment Insurance, the Canada Child Benefit and federal pension funds. There is lots of wiggle room in this 10-year commitment. NATO leaders created a 10-year runway to achieve the new spending target knowing full well that in about three and a half years, Trump should cease to be president ('should,' because Trump has mused about finding a way to sidestep term limits). Should a Trump acolyte continue his legacy, it's quite likely the pressure to increase military spending will continue. However, there is one very important caveat in this equation that should be considered: the U.S. currently does not meet the new five per cent target. The U.S. spends roughly 3.5 per cent of GDP on its military, which is the most among NATO allies but still hundreds of billions of dollars below the new target. The U.S. will have to endure a domestic debate about whether this kind of spending is acceptable, even in a world that has been ravaged by conflict. It is often said that time heals all wounds. Perhaps time could, as well, play a major role reducing the need to spend more money on the tools of war by spending a bit more time and money on finding ways to stabilize global security.
Barnama
18-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
SOCSO: Modest Contributions, Comprehensive Protection
M isfortune often strikes without warning and in today's increasingly challenging world, insurance protection is no longer a choice but a growing necessity for every family. Without insurance coverage, a family or individual may face financial pressure in the event of a disaster, particularly involving health or property. In Malaysia, aside from insurance offered by the private sector – which usually involves high monthly premium payments – the public can obtain similar protection from the Social Security Organisation (Socso). Socso, an agency under the Ministry of Human Resources, provides social security protection to Malaysian employees who, through small monthly contributions, are entitled to benefits such as accident compensation, medical treatment and disability allowance. It even provides assistance to those who lose their jobs. The organisation is also actively involved in rehabilitation, retraining and workforce employability programmes. Amid the shifting employment landscape, Socso is enhancing its role in protecting the security and well-being of the nation's workforce. DIFFERENT Sharing his views, INCEIF University Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation in Islamic Economics director (interim) Mohd Zaidi Md Zabri said making monthly contributions to Socso is mandatory for most workers. Comparing Socso with private insurance companies, he said the former is a non-profit-oriented organisation and provides protection to contributors under its Employment Injury Scheme, Invalidity Scheme and Employment Insurance. INCEIF University Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation in Islamic Economics director (interim) Mohd Zaidi Md Zabri. Private insurance schemes, by contrast, are optional and profit-driven, with insurers offering coverage plans based on premium payments made by policyholders. 'The benefits provided by private insurers depend on the type of policy taken. But Socso, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive protection package to contributors, regardless of their financial background,' Mohd Zaidi told Bernama. He added that the protection offered by Socso is inclusive as coverage is also extended to self-employed people including housewives and gig economy workers through its Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS). Under this scheme, self-employed individuals only need to pay RM70 per year, which is 30 percent of the total contribution of RM232.80, with the remaining 70 percent (RM162.80) funded by the government. The scheme allows the self-employed to enjoy social security protection at a very low cost, yet with comprehensive benefits in the event of an accident, disability or death while performing their work. 'The protection offered by Socso to the self-employed is not only affordable but also more comprehensive compared to most private insurance plans, which charge high premiums for equivalent protection,' Mohd Zaidi added. Since its introduction under the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017, SKSPS has reportedly recorded over 500,000 active contributors as of May 2024. PRINCIPLE OF JUSTICE Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Faculty of Economics and Banking senior lecturer Dr Mohd Faisol Ibrahim said workers' contributions to Socso are based on the principle of justice, regardless of their backgrounds. He said its contribution system also ensures that lower-income groups receive appropriate benefits, unlike private insurers which tend to operate based on profit motives and commercial risk assessments. 'For example, high-risk individuals such as older people or those with a history of illness will be charged higher premiums or may be outright rejected by private insurers (deemed ineligible for coverage). 'In contrast, Socso offers protection to all contributors without discrimination and its services and products are delivered through the principles of risk-sharing, brotherhood and social solidarity,' he said. He added that in its nearly 54 years of operations, Socso has implemented many reforms to fulfill its objectives by assisting and easing the burden on contributors through basic yet comprehensive social protection schemes. 'Many reforms have been made by Socso since it was established (in 1971). Even with only a small contribution, the benefits received are still worthwhile compared to existing (private) insurance or takaful (a type of Islamic insurance) schemes. 'These reforms are timely and ensure the claims or benefits provide some relief to contributors, especially those who have lost their jobs or have become disabled (due to work-related accidents),' he said. TAKAFUL CONCEPT Elaborating on the matter, Mohd Faisol suggested that Socso reevaluate its strategies by viewing social protection not only from a micro perspective but also from a macro perspective that considers the reality of people's lives. SKSPS allows the self-employed to enjoy social security protection at a very low cost. He said although Socso is essentially an institution based on the concept of social insurance, it is time for the organisation to adopt more progressive and dynamic changes. Among the strategic approaches worth exploring, he said, is the introduction of takaful-based products and services that align with syariah principles. He explained that this move would not only make Socso more inclusive and responsive to the needs of different segments of society but could also position the agency as a new player in the country's takaful industry. 'Such an initiative can offer Muslim contributors the option of syariah-compliant protection plans, while others (non-Muslims) can either opt for takaful or remain with the conventional model,' he said. Mohd Faisol added that the development of the Islamic financial system in Malaysia also presents broad opportunities for Socso to maximise syariah-compliant investments, thereby benefiting from the ecosystem in planning its investment strategies. He said investments in Islamic financial instruments, including syariah-compliant real estate, can generate more stable returns and help grow the organisation's fund which, in turn, can assure contributors of better benefits and compensations in the future. 'The concept of 'insuring the people' should be expanded into a broader mission of 'ensuring the people's well-being',' he said. 'This approach will not only keep Socso relevant but also strong and more proactive in ensuring the overall welfare of the people.' SIMPLIFY PROCESS Mohd Faisol also urged Socso to simplify the claims process for contributors and speed up the approval timeline. He said although standard operating procedures are in place, the organisation can improve them to ease the burden on contributors seeking help in difficult times. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Faculty of Economics and Banking senior lecturer Dr Mohd Faisol Ibrahim He added that a straightforward claims process could encourage more individuals, especially the self-employed, to contribute to the agency for their own social safety net. 'In some cases, claims may be rejected due to various factors, including incomplete information, employers failing to make contributions or discrepancies in medical reports. 'This situation will certainly affect contributors, especially those in poor health or who have lost their jobs. Therefore, the system must be improved to ensure that the claims process is efficient, transparent and user-friendly,' he said. Meanwhile, a 45-year-old Socso contributor, who wished to be known as Wati, acknowledged there have been complaints about difficulties in making claims, including complex documentation processes, challenges in obtaining supporting documents and long waiting periods for approval. 'You can see on social media, for instance, people expressing frustration when their applications are rejected or not approved... perhaps because they don't know or understand how to submit a claim, so Socso itself needs to strengthen communication, including making regular announcements to the public. 'As for me, I'm truly grateful to have received compensation after being laid off in 2023… although it took a bit of time to complete the forms, I found it worthwhile. At the very least, I had some pocket money during the period I was unemployed,' said Wati, who received an allowance from Socso for six months after being laid off due to company downsizing. -- BERNAMA
Toronto Star
09-06-2025
- Health
- Toronto Star
I'm about to have my first baby. How much maternity leave must my employer allow me? Ask Soma
Q: I am having my first child soon and I am worried about how much time I will get to stay home from work with my baby. What are my maternity leave entitlements? A: Congratulations! Becoming a first-time parent can be a nerve-racking experience. Here is what you need to know. The Employment Standards Act (ESA) states that pregnant employees in Ontario have a right to take up to 17 weeks of unpaid time off for pregnancy leave. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Additionally, birth mothers who take pregnancy leave are also entitled to up to 61 weeks of unpaid parental leave once the child is born. The ESA also outlines that birth mothers who do not take pregnancy leave and all other new parents (including adoptive) are entitled to up to 63 weeks parental leave. However, in order to qualify for pregnancy or parental leave, an employee must have started employment in Ontario at least 13 weeks before their baby's due date. Business Opinion Soma Ray-Ellis: Is my employer allowed to monitor me in the workplace digitally and by video surveillance? Ask Soma When you're at work, your privacy is limited — your employer can monitor shared spaces and An employee is required to give their employer at least two weeks' written notice before beginning pregnancy leave. They must also provide a certificate from a medical practitioner (which can include a doctor, a midwife, or a nurse practitioner) stating the baby's due date if their employer requests it. While pregnancy and parental leave offered through the ESA are both unpaid, an employee may be entitled to paid benefits through the federal Employment Insurance (EI) program. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW EI maternity benefits are offered to biological mothers (or surrogates) who cannot work because they are pregnant or have recently given birth. The program provides a maximum of 15 weeks of EI maternity benefits. The 15 weeks can start as early as 12 weeks before the expected date of birth and can end as late as 17 weeks after the date of birth. There are also standard and extended parental leave benefits available through EI. EI legislation states that standard benefits can be paid for a maximum of 35 weeks and must be claimed within a 52-week period after the week the child was born or placed for the purpose of adoption. These benefits are available to any biological, adoptive, or legally recognized parents at a weekly benefit rate of 55% of the claimant's average weekly insurable earnings up to a maximum insurable amount of $65,700. The 35 weeks of standard parental benefits can be shared by two parents. The extended parental benefits are for a maximum of 61 weeks which must be used within a 78-week period (18 months). ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW To be eligible for EI maternity or parental benefits, you must be employed in insurable employment in Canada, your normal weekly earnings are reduced by more than 40%, and you have accumulated at least 600 hours of insurable employment in the 52 weeks before the start of your claim. Business Opinion Soma Ray-Ellis: Show me the money! How will Ontario's new wage transparency law affect me? Ask Soma Starting next year, writes Soma Ray-Ellis, new Ontario pay transparency laws will require every Keep in mind that your job security is legally protected while you are on leave, and an employer cannot penalize an employee for taking pregnancy/parental leave. In fact, the ESA outlines that employees on leave have the right to continue in certain benefit plans and earn seniority. In most cases, employees must be given back their old job at the end of their pregnancy and/or parental leave.
Cision Canada
04-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Tax Tip - Self-employed? Get ready for tax season with these helpful tips from the CRA Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 4, 2025 /CNW/ - If you're self-employed, tax season can feel overwhelming, but the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is here to help you! Whether you're a sole proprietor, freelancer, or running a small business, understanding your tax obligations is key to staying on track. Here's what you need to know: Filing and payment deadlines for self-employed individuals If you are self-employed, or your spouse or common-law partner is self-employed, you have until June 15, 2025, to file your 2024 income tax and benefit return. Since June 15 falls on a Sunday, your return will be considered on time if the CRA receives it by June 16, 2025. Even though you have until June 15 th to file, any balance owing was still due by April 30, 2025. If you still have not paid your taxes, the CRA can work with you on a payment arrangement or a pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreement. The Payment Arrangement Calculator in your CRA account allows you to submit a request without having to contact the CRA. If your proposed payment plan doesn't meet CRA policy, a CRA officer will reach out to help you set up an acceptable arrangement. Meeting your tax obligations as a self-employed individual If you earned self-employment income in 2024, you must report it on your tax return. This includes income earned through gig work, social media platforms, freelancing, or running a small business. As a self-employed individual, you may have to pay: Personal income tax (if you are a First Nations business owner you can find information on the tax benefits and requirements that apply to you at Information of the tax exemption under Section 87 of the Indian Act) Canada Pension Plan contributions Employment Insurance premiums if you are eligible and have registered to participate If you earn income through digital platforms (such as ride-sharing, food delivery, or freelance services), you must report it on your tax return. Gifts, tips, and donations received through online platforms are also generally considered taxable income. For more details, visit Taxes and the platform economy. Don't forget to register for a GST/HST account if you make more than $30,000 in taxable supplies over a single calendar quarter or over the last four consecutive calendar quarters. If you are registered for GST/HST, you must file your returns electronically. If you participate in commercial ridesharing activities, the small supplier threshold does not apply, and you must register for a GST/HST account the moment you start earning revenue. Filing your GST/HST returns on time helps you avoid penalties and interest. Reporting all of your income also ensures that the CRA has the right information to see if you qualify for benefits and credits like the GST/HST credit, the Canada Child Benefit, and other provincial or territorial programs. Filing your return on time helps you get the payments you're entitled to and prevents any interruptions to benefits you already receive. If you have incorporated your business to provide services to one other company, you might be considered to be operating a personal services business (PSB). Tax obligations of PSBs are different from self-employed individuals. Find out more at What is a PSB. Making payments to the CRA If you need to make a payment, there are several convenient and secure online options: Using your financial institution's online banking, mobile app, or telephone service Using the CRA's pre-authorized debit service offered through your CRA account, which lets you: set up payment(s) to the CRA from a chequing account on pre-set date(s) pay an amount due, repay overpaid amounts, or make instalment payments Through the CRA's My Payment service, with your activated debit card from a participating Canadian bank or credit union with a Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard logo (does not include credit cards) By credit card, PayPal or Interac e-Transfer through a third-party service provider for a fee If you still wish to make a payment in person, you can pay: At your Canadian financial institution with a remittance voucher. You can order personalized remittance vouchers, and in some cases, print your own. See Order remittance vouchers or payment forms At any Canada Post outlet, for a fee, using cash or debit card, along with a Quick-Response (QR) code that you can generate using your CRA Account To see all the payment options, go to the Payments to the CRA page. If you couldn't pay your full balance by April 30, 2025, the CRA may be able to help. Use the Payment Arrangement Calculator in your CRA account to set up a plan that works for you. Free Liaison Officer service The CRA offers a free Liaison Officer service to help small business owners and self-employed individuals understand their tax obligations. During a meeting a liaison officer will: Help you better understand possible business deductions Explain general bookkeeping concepts and best practices, and provide recommendations to strengthen your bookkeeping system Explain how to avoid common tax errors Give you an overview of helpful online tools and electronic services offered by the CRA Answer your tax-related questions and address concerns Show you how to use the Financial Performance Data to compare your business revenues and expenses with others in the same industry A meeting with a Liaison Officer is 100% confidential; the information you choose to discuss with a Liaison Officer will not be shared with other areas of the CRA, or anyone else. You can request a meeting using the Liaison Officer Service Request Form - Keeping accurate records Keeping complete and organized records will help you file your return accurately and can help you avoid issues if your return is reviewed. You should retain records for at least six years in case the CRA requests them for review. Keep all receipts, invoices, and supporting documents related to your business income and expenses. Store both paper and electronic records securely. Online tools to help you file Sign up for direct deposit and file online to get your refund faster! If you file online and have direct deposit, you can receive your refund in as little as eight business days! Using the CRA's digital services is the fastest and easiest way to view and manage your tax and benefit information. We encourage you to register for a CRA account before filing your return, and have all of your tax information for filing your return on hand. The CRA's Get ready to do your taxes page has information on online filing, deadlines, and other helpful links. Need More Information? By staying informed and filing on time, you can avoid penalties and ensure you receive the benefits and credits you're entitled to. The CRA is here to help—visit for more tax tips and resources! Contacts Media Relations Canada Revenue Agency 613-948-8366 [email protected] Stay connected Follow the CRA on Facebook Follow the CRA on Twitter – @ CanRevAgency Follow the CRA on LinkedIn Follow the CRA on Instagram Subscribe to a CRA electronic mailing list Add our RSS feeds to your feed reader. Watch our tax-related videos on YouTube Listen to our Taxology podcast SOURCE Canada Revenue Agency
