(Canadian Press)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

34.8% of Albertan workers received CERB, third-highest of all provinces

Jun 3, 2021 | 1:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Just over one million Albertan workers aged 15 or older received at least one payment from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

Stats Canada says the emergency pandemic aid program paid out approximately $74 billion between March 15 and Sept. 26, 2020.

Of all Canadian workers who earned at least $5,000 in 2019, 35.2 per cent got at least some money from the program.

Those numbers were the highest in provinces and sectors most greatly impacted by the pandemic.

The largest percentage of CERB recipients was in Quebec (37.7%) and Ontario (35.8%), followed by Alberta (34.8%).

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

16h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

22h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

Alberta was not only hit by COVID-19 shutdowns and the global economic downturn, but also the crash in oil prices.

Saskatchewan had the fewest CERB recipients by percentage at 28.6 per cent.

According to Stats Canada, the 10 industries where workers turned to CERB the most were:

1. Accommodation and food services
2. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
3. Other services (except public administration). Some examples given include mechanics, funeral services, personal care, laundry, organizing and promoting religious activities
4. Administrative support, waste management, and remediation services
5. Construction
6. Retail trade
7. “Unknown industry in 2019”
8. Real estate and rental housing
9. Transportation and warehousing
10. Manufacturing

Low-wage, younger, and visible minority workers were more likely to apply for CERB payments.

There were no significant differences between men and women.