Arts & cultural workers remain among the lowest paid and most precariously employed in Canada. On #ArtsDayTO we must recommit to supporting these industries & addressing gaps in protection for these workers. Thanks to Andrew Cash Urban Worker Project for your leadership #DavenportTO

BREAKING: the labour board has ruled that @FoodstersUnited have the right to join a union. Story for the Toronto Star coming shortly -- and excited to bring you behind the scenes of this hugely important decision in a new (and free) podcast series launching v soon! #onlab #canlab

Hey #Toronto #freelancers, especially those in media--this is a call out to get involved in an important research project looking the role unpaid work plays in your paid work. DM me Andrew Cash if you have questions or go to the site and check it out. home-work.ca

The coronavirus outbreak is a wake-up call to fix a system that fails people who survive on contract, freelance, and gig work. My words for VICE Canada vice.com/en_ca/article/…

A rapid blast of some form of #UniversalBasicIncome may be the most streamlined way to ensure #gigworkers #Contractors #selfemployed, #indieworkers, #precariousworkers and in fact all workers get support they need until we get through this. #Covid_19 #cdnpoli cbcthecurrent

Last night I spoke with several musicians whose tours have been cancelled. They have no benefits, safety net or employment insurance. They have to hustle but if they get #coronavirus what then? This is one example of #indieworkers for whom #EmergencyUBI would be real help

No matter how you earn a living, we're working with Ottawa to make sure all working people in BC are protected. This means enhanced EI benefits and extended coverage for the self-employed or people who aren't currently eligible.

First time I've ever heard a Prime Minister mention freelance workers!

Looks like a new #covid19 emergency benefit is the tool fed gov will use to support independent workers whose incomes are affected. Also an emergency care benefit for those who don't qualify for EI who are sick or have to look after someone who is. Looking fwd to the details.

Can't remember if I've ever heard a Prime Minister recognize that there *are* workers who don't qualify 4 EI. Also, never seen a PM pause a presser to run into his house to get his winter coat on. I laughed out loud, something likely most of us haven't done for a while. #covid19

Looks like #Freelancers will have 2 different possibilities. Emergency care benefit & emergency support benefit. Devil is in details and we don’t have many yet but this is first time in my memory that a PM and Finance Min Have ever mentioned supports for freelancers. #encouraged

"And if there is anything to be learned from this terrifying pandemic, it’s that it’s simply not true that policies can’t change or that money can’t be found, or that suffering and inequality are inevitable." Rachel Giese wrote something good (IMHO). macleans.ca/opinion/corona…

We're still concerned that the financial support provided to workers are INADEQUATE. Many of our patients are home sick, laid off d/t closures, caring for kids whose schools closed, or otherwise impacted. It's unacceptable that #paidsickdays are still out of reach for so many.

Hey #freelance #contract, #musicians,#arts restaurant, bar workers-looks like you'll need a CRA MyAccount to access emerg fed #Covid19 benefits which could be available by end of the month. So first step is to get a My Account asap! #SelfEmployedMatterToo canada.ca/en/revenue-age…

.Bill Morneau says two emergency benefits announced last week now rolled into one: Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Eligible to #freelancers and others who earned atleast $5k in last year and will be back dated to March 15. #covid19Canada

More info on the new worker benefit. It is a straight up $2k monthly payment for up to 4 months. #covid19canada Government introduces Canada Emergency Response Benefit to help workers and businesses - Canada.ca canada.ca/en/department-…

Question Finance Canada & Bill Morneau :Things are getting clearer about how #freelancers can apply for the $2000 benefit. There are two ways to apply- via your CRA MyAccount or on the phone. What isn’t clear is if you still need a CRA MyAccount to apply over the phone? Anyone?

Also:The 14 day period requirement is still baffling. Ex: you may have been working on 3 gigs before mid March. Now you are down to one. It is not enough to pay yr bills. Does that mean you won’t qualify? Also your kids are home which really limits ability to look for new gigs.

Two weeks ago I wrote that emerg benefits were a step in right direction but if too bureaucratic and inadequate they wouldn’t succeed. Listening to Bill Morneau today was not comforting. #CERB needlessly complicated and exclusionary. Pls tweak! #COVID19 macleans.ca/opinion/the-pr…