The Carpenters' District Council of Ontario has thrown its support behind the $82-billion emergency support package for workers proposed by the federal government last week.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced details of the plan on March 18. The package, which is aimed to help curb the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, includes $27 billion worth of “direct support” to workers and businesses and another $55 billion to meet liquidity needs through tax deferrals.

Parliamentarians are due to meet in the House of Commons on Tuesday to approve the package.

"We're thankful for the leadership of Prime Minister Trudeau and Finance Minister Morneau on this support package, and that the government recognizes the need to protect Canadian workers and businesses – especially those who are self-employed, or rely on temporary work," said Mike Yorke, president of the Carpenters' District Council of Ontario. "This support package will help keep the economy going – ensuring our members have money available to support their local economies."

COVID-19 poses the threat of pay disruptions and potential unemployment for thousands of Ontarians. Economic supports announced in the federal package include additional employment insurance (EI) benefits for workers (including the self-employed). There will also be an Emergency Care Benefit for workers that provides up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks, for those quarantined or sick with COVID-19 but don't qualify for EI, or those caring for family member sick with the virus.

"It's our hope that job losses in the construction sector will be minimal as this continues to unfold," said Tony Iannuzzi, executive secretary treasurer, Carpenters' District Council of Ontario. "These EI supports benefit both employees and the self-employed."

More than 500,000 Ontarians work in the skilled trades, and the council is concerned about the continued economic well-being of those men and women. It is calling for government to consider additional critical infrastructure investments that can help ensure the continued promise of employment for the thousands of workers in the skilled trades.

“No sector of the Canadian economy is exempt from feeling the pressure resulting from COVID-19, and businesses recognize the need to support workers through this challenging time,” said the council in a release. “This federal package will give employers time to adjust to this new reality, and make sure that their skilled tradespeople don't have to sacrifice their health and that of their family in order to continue to put food on the table.”