The Manitoba government is introducing the Manitoba Job Restart program, which will provide direct payments to a maximum of $2,000 to help qualified Manitobans return to work.
Premier Brian Pallister says the program could help bring tens of thousands of Manitobans back to work safely and help our economy recover, “The federal government is currently subsidizing the wages of more than eight million workers in Canada through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). While these programs have helped Canadians through financial challenges caused by the pandemic, CERB has become a barrier preventing some from returning to work.”
The premier noted Manitoba’s program will provide one initial payment of $500 plus three additional bi-weekly payments for $500 over a six week period. Program participants must voluntarily stop collecting CERB or CESB support from the federal government.
The province will fully finance the program, which does not require any contributions from employers in order for workers to qualify.
To remain in the program, approved applicants must:
– actively return to work in Manitoba to a job with at least 30 hours per week in order to be eligible for the first $500 payment;
– complete a simple declaration for each of the following two weeks certifying that they are still working at least 30 hours per week in order to receive the next three $500 payments;
– no longer receive CERB, CESB or similar COVID-19 related support from the federal government;
– follow Manitoba’s COVID-19 health guidelines in the workplace; and
– continue residing permanently in Manitoba and be legally entitled to work in Canada.
The Manitoba Job Restart program will accept applications until July 31, and the amounts received will be a taxable benefit.
