Media Release on CERB clawbacks

Canadians should not be punished for Liberal government’s mistake

The Liberals are letting corporations off the hook while going after Canadians

After promising they would not force Canadians to pay back money they received through CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit), the Liberal government is refusing to keep that promise. NDP Member of Parliament Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona) is urging the government to reconsider forcing Canadians to pay back money they received in good faith after being told that they were eligible.

“People who are already struggling should not be forced to pay back money after they were told they were eligible. The pandemic is not over, and people are still being forced to close their businesses and are losing their jobs. They can’t afford to pay this money back,” said McPherson. “The government should be supporting Canadians and helping them stay afloat during this crisis, not adding to their stress.”

In April, the Liberals promised they would not ask people to pay back money received through CERB. Now, during the second wave of this pandemic, when the situation is worse than ever, the government is asking for the money back. They are going after Canadians who are struggling while allowing corporations that took public money and paid dividends to their shareholders off the hook.

Roger, a professional musician living in Edmonton, is one of the thousands of Canadians who has received a letter from the CRA demanding he repay the support he received through CERB. When the pandemic hit, he lost all his income, but he was able to apply for and receive CERB based on his previous year’s income. When the government restated the eligibility requirements from “total income” to “net income” he suddenly discovered that his status had changed.

“The Liberal government’s actions on this are inexcusable” MP McPherson said. “No one should be penalized for a mistake made by their government. This new interpretation of the rules must be reversed.”