The province wants to see changes to the Employment Standards Act to protect workers and employment insurance in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as it is expected to affect the global and local economy.
In the meantime, Finance Minister Carole James pointed out the supply chain is “healthy” and there is enough food and goods coming into B.C.
“There isn’t any need to overstock your supply – doing so will put at risk seniors, single parents and others who need those necessities,” James said. “Shop well and plan ahead but please don’t go overboard at other people’s expense.”
Details are being hammered out with the federal government on an aid package – $1 billion has been announced by the federal government.
The B.C. government is advocating for changes to employment insurance to tide people over who are affected economically the outbreak, James explained.
Changes to employment insurance might mean extending it to those who don’t typically qualify, explained James, for example, self-employed, contract and part-time workers.
James said B.C. has three priorities: health and safety, working with federal government to bring immediate relief for people and businesses and rebuilding B.C.’s economy.
“There is no question COVID-19 will have global impacts and, of course, British Columbians will have impacts,” James said.
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