Equiflash Archive

Equity and its live performance coalition partners (IATSE, the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) and the Associated Designers of Canada (ADC)) and other Arts and Culture Worker Associations met with MP Julie Dabrusin (Toronto-Danforth), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Matthew Gray, Policy Advisor to the Minister of National Revenue and other representatives from the Department of Heritage and the Department of National Revenue on December 17, 2020.

A Joint Release has been produced about this meeting:
Artist and Cultural Worker Associations, Unions and Guilds Met with Government to discuss CERB Eligibility Issues

Key information conveyed from government at this meeting:

Canadians should know that the CRA letter is not a determination of eligibility, rather it was an early warning sign that the government did not yet have enough information to confirm their eligibility for CERB.

The process to determine eligibility has not yet begun for any CERB recipient.

Recipients who received the CRA letter may be eligible for the CERB, and in fact 2020 tax return information will help determine eligibility in many cases, but the CRA has not yet received that information.

The CRA issued the letters to allow recipients an opportunity to return amounts in case they find themselves ineligible for one or more CERB periods for which they received the benefit.

The timing of the letter and the December 31, 2020, target for returning funds were chosen to prevent impacts on 2020 tax returns and on other benefits such as GST/HST credits. It is not a repayment deadline.

There will be no interest or penalties assessed as a result of a CERB recipient not repaying ineligible amounts by December 31, 2020.

The associations and Government left the meeting with a pledge to continue to work together to provide additional clarification for communities. MP Dabrusin invited Canadians to contact their Member of Parliament for additional information on this or any other potential government benefit or program to see them through the pandemic.

Also, Prime Minister Trudeau spoke about this with the CBC yesterday and he said “CERB recipients shouldn’t worry about repayments right now”

Equity reassures members we will continue to advocate that this unfair situation is resolved as best as possible for our members. We hope this update can provide some solace over the holiday season. Equity will continue to fight this and will update you as we have more information.

#EquityStrong