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Canadian Actors' Equity Association
Equiflash
The official news of Canadian Actors' Equity Association
Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit Now Open For Applications
As new restrictions are enacted across the country to combat the dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases, lockdown and partial lockdowns have triggered availability of the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) in regions across all provinces, save for Saskatchewan.

Members are invited to visit the Government of Canada website to verify if you meet the eligibility criteria for accessing the CWLB. Those who are eligible as either independent contractors or employees may apply for any 1-week period for up to 60 days after that period has ended. Currently, the benefit is in place until February 16, 2022.

Throughout the holiday period, Equity and our live performance coalition partners (IATSE, the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) and the Associated Designers of Canada (ADC)) have continued to meet with government officials, working to stay abreast of ongoing developments and lobby relevant departments to ensure that our members and the live performance sector are included in any pandemic recovery programs.

“Just when it looked like there was light at the end of the tunnel, Omicron has dealt us another significant blow. We will do everything we can to get through this. Right now, the role of Equity and our coalition partners is to ensure the people who work in live performance can survive this setback and be ready when the industry opens up again, hopefully soon,” said Equity Executive Director Arden R. Ryshpan.

Equity will continue to update members about this evolving situation as more information becomes available.

A list of designated COVID-19 lockdown regions for the CWLB is available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/covid19-emergency-benefits/designated-lockdown-regions.html

Eligibility requirements are available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/worker-lockdown-benefit/cwlb-who-apply.html

CBC Toronto's December 28th story on how a lack of a financial safety net for the arts contributed to the permanent closure of Come From Away - includes an interview with Equity Executive Director Arden R. Ryshpan (skip to 26:20): https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1988068419527

We also encourage you to check out this interview with Equity member Ali Momen on coping with the heartbreaking decision to permanently close the hit musical Come From Away in Toronto: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio
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