Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
COVID-19 – Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

Definition

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) payments received during the reference period. This benefit was intended for employed and self-employed individuals who had at least a 50% reduction in average weekly income compared to the previous year due to the COVID‑19 pandemic and the public health measures implemented to minimize the spread of the virus and who are not eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

For the 2021 Census, the reference period for income data is the calendar year 2020, unless otherwise specified.

Statistical unit(s)

• Person

Classification(s)

• Not applicable

Reported in

2021 (100% data).

Reported for

Population aged 15 years and over in private households

Question number(s)

Variable derived based on administrative tax and benefit records received from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Responses

Positive dollar value or nil

Remarks

See 'Remarks' under total income.

This variable is a component of the COVID‑19 – Emergency and recovery benefits, which is itself a component of Government transfers not included elsewhere.

The CRB paid a taxable $1,000 for each 2‑week eligible period for a maximum of 21 periods (or 42 weeks) and $600 for each two‑week period afterwards, for a maximum of an additional 12 weeks. The benefit eligibility period was from September 27, 2020 through October 23, 2021.

The CRB took effect on September 27, 2020 to transition individuals from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which was in effect between March 15, 2020 and September 26, 2020.

To be eligible for the CRB for a given period in 2020, an individual:

• must not have applied or received the following benefits for the same period
  • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB);
  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB);
  • short‑term disability benefits;
  • workers' compensation benefits;
  • Employment Insurance (EI) benefits; or
  • Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits
• had a minimum income of $5,000 from employment, net self‑employment or provincial benefit payments related to maternity or parental leave in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the CRB application

For additional information about COVID‑19 benefits, data collection method, coverage, reference period, concepts, data quality and intercensal comparability of the income data, refer to the Income Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.