CEWIL Canada is committed to bringing together the co-operative education and work-integrated learning community during this uncertain and unprecedented time. We have seen our membership and partners join together to work through unpredictable challenges and we are proud to provide leadership and guidance as much as possible during this time. We will continue to offer updates to our community and partners and offer ways to collaborate and share information and best practices.
Thank you to the CEWIL community for your leadership, your passion and your commitment to work-integrated learning throughout this ever changing time. Please continue to come back to this page for up-to-date information and sharing.
CEWIL Resources
- CEWIL's COVID-19 Response
- The CEWIL Canada Accreditation Council acknowledges the need to show flexibility and will not jeopardize any institutions’ accreditation status during the time frame impacted by COVID-19. Click here to view the full statement from the Accreditation Council Chair, Scott Davis (cliquez ici pour la version française)
- Private directors and managers LinkedIn group for members to share best practices [link]
- This LinkedIn group is only intended for DMAC Members; however, all CEWIL members can access the CEWIL Canada LinkedIn page [link]
- Participate in the #WILfromhome movement
- Thinking about Career Fairs? See below for some resources on the virtual option
We are pleased to share with you resources on how to best serve your students remotely, as well as tips for students who are working from home. Click the links below the icons to access the resources.
Government Resources
Industry Resources
- EHRC - Important SWPP Changes to WIL Funding [link]
- Free webinar series, Thriving Through Chaos: How to Manage Your Mental and Emotional Well-Being and Help Your Clients Do the Same, hosted by CERIC [link]
- COVID-19 Resources available on CEWIL's Association Management Company, Redstone Agency's website [link]
- Despite circumstances, RBC is still welcoming summer students to work experiences across RBC in May. RBC's Early Acquisition Team is working to ensure students are supported & participate in meaningful work. [link]
COVID-19 Disruptions: Financial Support Programs for Students and Employers
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Employment Insurance:
Employment Insurance is available to co-op students, including international co-op students, if they have worked the requisite 600 hours to qualify.
The federal government has made it easier to qualify for EI sick benefits by eliminating the one week waiting period and removing the requirement to obtain a medical certificate certifying illness.
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Student Loans
All the interest and principal on federal and provincial student loans is suspended until September 30, 2020. It is unclear whether there will be relief on private loans acquired by students.
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Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program provides eligible businesses with 75% of an employee's salary to a maximum of $847 per week. To qualify employers must demonstrate their revenues in March 2020 were 30% lower compared with March 2019. They will also be obligated to demonstrate a revenue shortfall going forward in order to qualify for payments.
The program is being administered by the Canada Revenue Agency through the My Business Portal. Click here to log-in and apply.
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Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
Loans of up to $40,000 are available through the Export Development Bank (EDC) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). The funds are intended to supplement wages and help employers cover expenses like rent, and can be accessed through the private financial institution with which the business has a pre-existing relationship. In cases where a private institution is unable to advance credit, loans may be obtained from EDC or BDC.
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Work Sharing Program (for co-op students who qualify for EI)
This is a program that provides income support to employees who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers. It allows employees to collect EI to top up their reduced wages without the usual income claw back. The government has extended the maximum duration of this arrangement to 72 weeks and relaxed the requirements for what must be included in an employer recovery plan.
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Supplementary Unemployment Benefits (SUB) Plan (for co-op students who do qualify for EI)
This allows employers to top up the EI benefits of an employee. A SUB plan must be registered with Service Canada to avoid EI repayment obligations (except for maternal and parental leave). There is no announcement yet regarding retroactive approval for this.