House of Commons passes new COVID-19 benefits in overnight vote

The House of Commons has unanimously passed legislation authorizing new benefits for workers left jobless or underemployed by COVID-19.

Bill C4 passed by a vote of 306 to zero in an overnight vote.

The legislation must still be passed by the Senate, which is scheduled to gather Wednesday.

The bill replaces the now-defunct Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which came to an end last weekend.

It’s being replaced with a more flexible and generous employment insurance regime.

For those who still don’t qualify for EI, a new Canada recovery benefit is also included.

The bill also creates a new sick leave benefit and another new caregiver benefit for those forced to take time off work to care for a dependent due to the pandemic.

The minority Liberal government survived its first pandemic-era confidence test with the legislation’s passing.