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Premier Jason Kenney announced the benefit program at a Sobey's grocery store in Edmonton (Courtesy of the Government of Alberta)
By Shaun Penner
Frontline workers

Province unveils $465 million Critical Worker Benefit program

Feb 10, 2021 | 2:24 PM

Premier Jason Kenney announced Wednesday that through federal and provincial funding, frontline workers in Alberta will receive a combined $465 million as part of the Critical Worker Benefit.

Kenney says the benefit will pay approximately 380,000 public and private sector workers in the province a one-time $1,200 payment.

“These workers have placed themselves at the front line of this pandemic in order to serve their fellow citizens during a crisis,” said Kenney. “Alberta’s government is recognizing their good work. We trust this support will help these workers continue to protect lives and livelihoods as we keep fighting this pandemic together.”

The benefit will be made available to workers in the health-care, social services, education in the public sector.

In the private sectors, those who work and provide critical services to Albertans, like those who support the food and medical supply chains will be eligible.

To be eligible for the funding, employees must have worked at least 300 hours between October 12, 2020 and January 31, 2021.

Eligibility fall under the following sectors:

Health-care

  • 161,000 workers are eligible, with up to $195 million of the funding going towards this sector
  • For orderlies and patient service associates, respiratory therapists and technologists, nurses (RN, RPN, LPN), food services, housekeeping, maintenance workers, and utility clerks

Social Services

  • 45,000 workers are eligible, with up to $55 million of the funding going towards this sector
  • For community disability service workers and practitioners, personal care aides, child development workers, family and youth counsellors, crisis intervention and shelter workers, home support workers, seniors lodge staff, cleaners, food preparation, and maintenance workers

Education

  • 36,000 workers are eligible, with up to $45 million of the funding going towards this sector
  • For teacher assistants, bus drivers, custodians and cleaning staff, and administration support

Private sector workers making $25/hour or less

  • 140,000 workers are eligible, with up to $170 million of the funding going towards this sector
  • For critical retail workers in grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations
  • For private health provider workers such as dental assistants, massage therapists, and medical administrative assistants
  • For food manufacturing and processing workers
  • For truck transportation workers, such as truck drivers and delivery and courier services drivers
  • For warehouse and storage workers, such as shippers and receivers

Eligible public sector employees do not need to apply for the funding, as employers will automatically receive the payment from the province to distribute to eligible employees.

Private sector employers can apply on behalf of eligible employees starting on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Employers have until March 19 to apply, and will be responsible for distributing the benefit to their eligible employees.

The application can be found here.

“I want to thank all the hard-working staff who have gone above and beyond their regular call of duty to support their fellow Albertans throughout this pandemic,” said Minister of Labour and Immigration Jason Copping.

“This Critical Worker Benefit will go right into the pockets of hard-working Albertans on the front line who have made sacrifices in their own lives for the greater good and well-being of others.”

The Critical Worker Benefit is a joint federal-provincial program, with the federal government providing $346 million of the funding, while the remaining $118 million will be coming from the province.

by Shaun Penner