Thank you for the question.
The proposed lockdown benefit would really provide income support for those who are impacted, who are losing their jobs or losing their incomes as a result of public health restrictions in their region. It is for both those who would be, as I mentioned before, EI-eligible and those who would be non-EI-eligible. It really is meant to cover all workers and to be quickly available to those workers in need due to public health restrictions for public health reasons. It would be available for the duration of the lockdown.
Similarly, the amendments for the recovery sickness benefit and caregiving benefit are there to provide that continued income support for those who don't have a choice, who have to stay home, who are sick or who have to care for a family member due to COVID. They are really there to ensure that, with the uncertainty of the pandemic and for public health reasons, there are still income supports that could be available for the broad range of workers in need.