STUDENTS & COVID-19

The Canadian Federation of Students has been monitoring the situation closely and is calling on universities and governments to continue implementing policies that will protect students’ health while prioritizing those who will be put at risk by these policies.

STUDENTS & COVID-19

INCLUDE STUDENTS IN CERB

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) overlooks too many, including students who have lost summer job opportunities or who will not be able to find work this summer because of COVID-19.

Call on Prime Minister Trudeau and your MP to ensure income security for post-secondary students!

E-MAIL YOUR MP

TWEET YOUR MP

CALL YOUR MP

SIGN THE #DONTFORGETSTUDENTS PETITION

Offer pass/fail options for courses moved online, Keep university and college residences open for those who cannot return home, including international students, for the remainder of the summer, Ensure there is no loss of income for precarious workers including work-study students, contract, part-time, trades, maintenance and service workers, Extend all appeals including appeals for grades and standing, and tuition fee payment, Forgive remaining placement and internship hours

E-Mail Your College or University President

INCLUDE STUDENTS IN CERB

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) overlooks too many, including students who have lost summer job opportunities or who will not be able to find work this summer because of COVID-19.

Call on Prime Minister Trudeau and your MP to ensure income security for post-secondary students!

E-MAIL YOUR MP

TWEET YOUR MP

CALL YOUR MP

SIGN THE #DONTFORGETSTUDENTS PETITION

E-Mail Your College or University President

STUDENT RESOURCES

As this pandemic is creating a lot of “firsts” for institutions and students’ unions, we have created a document to share resources on how to deal with the situation at hand.

COVID-19 Students' Union Tool Kit

The government has put in place many measures for students, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which we have summarized for you.

Government Response to COVID-19

The Canadian Federation of Students has partnered with the Canadian Psychological Association to bring you resources in this unprecedented time of stress and help you cope with a changing world. This fact sheet is intended to help students take care of their wellbeing.

Mental Health Fact Sheet

CFS-FCEEFollow

The Canadian Federation of Students/Fédération Canadienne des Étudiantes et Étudiants represents more than 500,000 students across Canada #cdnpse

Retweet on Twitter CFS-FCEE Retweeted

Leah ProudLakota@LeahGazan·

I support students and the immediate calls to action from the Canadian Federation of Students! Thank you to the MB Chapter for meeting with me this week and for all of the advocacy work you are doing on behalf of students in Manitoba! #solidarity #COVID19 #studentmovement https://twitter.com/cfsfcee/status/1242188982382977030

CFS-FCEE@CFSFCEE

Visit our website to find relevant information and useful resources for students on COVID-19. We still need a strong national plan to ensure all students are protected, take action now at https://www.cfsfcee.ca/covid-19/

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Retweet on Twitter CFS-FCEE Retweeted

Brandon Rhéal Amyot @BrandonAmyot·

I'll be one of them unless parliament decides to listen to @dontforgetstdns, @CFSFCEE, and students across Canada by expanding the CERB to include us. #DontForgetStudents #StudentsNeedCERB https://twitter.com/ccpa/status/1246567594909413376

The CCPA@ccpa

The latest analysis from @DavidMacCdn shows that, while CERB will help many unemployed Canadians during #COVID19, more than 3/4 of a million unemployed Canadians will get no support from EI or CERB.

http://behindthenumbers.ca/2020/04/02/which-unemployed-canadians-will-get-support/
#covid19Canada #cdnpoli

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Retweet on Twitter CFS-FCEE Retweeted

Reboot Robertson @RebootRobertson·

16h

Simple steps to fix #CERB

1. Anyone 15 years and older eligible.
2. Any Canadian, Permanent Resident and Temporary Foreign Worker is eligible.
3. Anyone who applies for it gets it!

#COVID19 #YorkU #dontforgetstudents #cfsfcee
@CFSFCEE #AutismParent #ONpoli

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STUDENT RESOURCES

As this pandemic is creating a lot of “firsts” for institutions and students’ unions, we have created a document to share resources on how to deal with the situation at hand.

COVID-19 Students' Union Tool Kit

The government has put in place many measures for students, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which we have summarized for you.

Government Response to COVID-19

Mental Health Fact Sheet

FAQ

What is COVID-19?

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.

What can I do to prevent COVID-19?

There are many measures you should be taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing and proper hygiene. To learn more, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.

What is the government doing about COVID-19?

The federal government is implementing a COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which you can consult here. To learn about what the plan means for students, visit our post.

Do I still have to pay my student loan?

Payments on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans will be halted from March 30 until September 30, 2020. Your loan will not accrue interest during that period. The provinces have not yet announced a similar measure for the provincial portion of students loans. Stay tuned for updates.

If I lose my job, how do I apply for Employment Insurance?

Gather supporting documents
Complete the online application
Provide supporting documents
A benefit statement and access code will arrive by mail
Review your application status

If I can’t find a job, am I eligible to receive Employment Insurance?

Generally, employment insurance benefits are based on the number of hours worked in the last 52 weeks. Learn more about eligibility here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit/eligibility.html. The Government of Canada has announced emergency measures for those who cannot work and are not eligible to receive EI, the Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit. The Canadian Federation is currently investigating whether students who are not workers will be eligible.

Are taxes still due April 30?

No. For individuals, the return filing due date is deferred until June 1, 2020. The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all taxpayers to defer payments until after August 31. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. However, if you are expecting a return, we recommend filing your taxes as early as possible.

I live in residence and I am being evicted, but I have nowhere to go, what do I do?

Most universities are allowing international students and other students who cannot return home to stay in residence under special circumstances. Contact your university as soon as possible to make arrangements.

What can I do if my landlord is threatening to evict me?

The province of Ontario has suspended evictions, and we are hopeful that other provinces will follow suit. If you are being evicted, reach out to Press Progress for help.

What is COVID-19?

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.

What can I do to prevent COVID-19?

There are many measures you should be taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing and proper hygiene. To learn more, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.

What is the government doing about COVID-19?

The federal government is implementing a COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which you can consult here. To learn about what the plan means for students, visit our post.

Do I still have to pay my student loan?

If I lose my job, how do I apply for Employment Insurance?

Gather supporting documents
Complete the online application
Provide supporting documents
A benefit statement and access code will arrive by mail
Review your application status

If I can’t find a job, am I eligible to receive Employment Insurance?

Are taxes still due April 30?

I live in residence and I am being evicted, but I have nowhere to go, what do I do?

What can I do if my landlord is threatening to evict me?

The province of Ontario has suspended evictions, and we are hopeful that other provinces will follow suit. If you are being evicted, reach out to Press Progress for help.

STUDENTS ARE WORKERS

All workers urgently need income supports to follow the advice of health professionals and to weather the consequences of job losses and interruptions in earrings as a direct or indirect results of coronavirus. Fight for $15 and Fairness has put together an urgent plan for COVID-19.

LEARN MORE

STUDENTS ARE MIGRANTS

Crises do not affect us all equally – marginalized communities will be the first excluded from response measures and the worst affected by the economic downturn. The Migrant Rights Network has put together a list of demands to protect migrant workers, undocumented people, students, poor people and refugees.

LEARN MORE