Alberta extends application period for Critical Worker Benefit

Alberta is extending the application period for the Critical Worker Benefit until Aug. 31.

This should ensure that businesses can focus on reopening while ensuring employees can get the benefit, according to the government.

“We want to thank as many workers as possible for the risks they took to provide services to Albertans and keep our economy running during the pandemic,” said Jason Copping, minister of labour and immigration. “In order to make sure workers receive their benefit and small and medium businesses have the time needed to fill out the applications, we are extending the deadline.”

Through the Critical Worker Benefit program, Alberta is distributing up to $465 million in funding to eligible workers. Alberta’s government contributed $118 million to the program.

The government previously expanded the coverage of the program to include more workers in the province.

To be eligible, workers must have worked for an eligible employer and worked at least 300 hours between Oct. 12, 2020 and Jan. 31, 2021. They must have also earned a gross hourly wage of $25 an hour or less.

Eligible workers include:

• transport truck drivers
• light-duty cleaners
• janitors, caretakers and building superintendents
• security guards and related security services
• material handlers
• delivery and courier services drivers
• other trades helpers and labourers
• workers in crop production, animal production or aquaculture
• workers in funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoria

In November, Alberta said it was looking to make workplace safety laws easier to understand and create a more sustainable workers’ compensation system.