Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that the federal government is making changes to the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), closing a loophole to make sure anyone who travels for non-essential reasons will not be eligible for the $1,000 sickness benefit.
“No one should be vacationing abroad right now,” said Trudeau, sharing his frustration on Tuesday during his first Rideau Cottage address of 2021.
“So many people gave up so much more than just a vacation over the holidays. There’s a reason so many Canadians made those tough, but responsible decisions. There’s a reason so many Canadians did their part. It was for the people around them.”
Trudeau stressed that the government never intended the benefit to be used for anyone travelling for non-essential reasons.
“It is not intended for travellers who are quarantining when they return from holiday,” he told reporters. “This program was created to give people sick leave if they needed it and otherwise wouldn’t have one from their employer. It’s not there to pay for someone’s post-vacation quarantine.”
As of Thursday, anyone returning to Canada must bring proof of a negative COVID-19 test from the previous three days before entering the country.
