ISAC made the following six recommendations for the Spring 2021 Federal budget:
- Legislate 7 employer-paid sick days under the Canada Labour Code
Recommendation #1 – Legislate 7 days of paid sick leave under the Canada Labour Code. Legislate an additional 14 days of paid sick leave during declared pandemics.
- Reform Employment Insurance into a decent and accessible system
Recommendation #2 – Reform Employment Insurance into a fair and accessible program for all workers that sets a cross-Canada qualifying rule of 360 hours or 12 weeks for all benefits, a benefit floor at $500 per week and adequate benefit rate.
- Bring people living with disabilities above the poverty line
Recommendation #3 – Ensure the Canada Disability Benefit uses the Accessible Canada Act definition of disability to determine eligibility, is an adequate amount to bring people with disabilities above the poverty line, and is a refundable tax credit to prevent provincial clawbacks.
- Expand CERB repayment amnesty to low-income people
Recommendation #4 – Immediately extend CERB repayment amnesty to all low-income people including the working poor and social assistance recipients.
- Expand the Canada Child Benefit Eligibility
Recommendation #5 – Extend eligibility of the Canada Child Benefit to everyone who files an income tax return in Canada, despite their immigration status, to lift more children out of poverty.
- Increase the conditions for the Canada Social Transfer
Recommendation #6 –Increase the conditions for the Canada Social Transfer and insist that provinces invest in poverty-eradicating measures, robust social services including social assistance rate that meet the actual cost of living, and that people have full access to federal income supports and initiatives.
You can download our full submission below: