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New Federal Budget to Deliver $1,100 Tax Credit for Personal Support Workers

                                                        Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu  The federal government has announced a major new measure in Budget 2025 aimed at supporting Canada’s personal support workers (PSWs). The initiative introduces a refundable tax credit of up to $1,100 per year for eligible PSWs, a move expected to benefit more than 200,000 frontline care workers across the country. Unveiled by Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu , the credit is designed to recognize the essential role PSWs play in Canada’s healthcare system, particularly in caring for seniors and vulnerable populations. The refundable nature of the credit means that even low- and modest-income workers, who may not owe income tax, will still be able to claim the benefit. The program will allow PSWs to claim five per cen...
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Canadian Manufacturers of COVID-19 Protective Equipment Sue Ottawa for $5 Billion in Damages

 

Canadian manufacturers who produce masks and other protective equipment to combat COVID-19 are pursuing legal action against the federal government, seeking more than $5 billion in damages. Their claim alleges that Ottawa misled them regarding the purchase and promotion of their products.

In a statement of claim filed in Federal Court, the companies and their industry association assert that the government made “negligent misrepresentations” that led them to invest in personal protective equipment innovations, manufacturing, and production. These misrepresentations spanned a three-year period starting in March 2020. The companies and the Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers contend that the government provided misleading information about markets, direct assistance, flexible procurement, and long-term support.

The Canadian government had communicated through an initiative called Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 that there would be new measures to directly support businesses in rapidly scaling up production or retooling their manufacturing lines. However, despite identifying masks and respirators as vital items for an airborne pandemic, the government did not contract with the Canadian companies, invoking a national security exception for procurement. Furthermore, in June 2021, the government allegedly promised a 10-year contract with the industry association and businesses to compensate for not purchasing protective equipment from domestic firms.

The companies claim that these misrepresentations resulted in approximately $88 million in investment losses and a further $5.4 billion in projected lost market opportunities over a ten-year period. They emphasize that this promise came from the highest levels of the Canadian government and was propagated across all relevant departments.

As the court case proceeds, the federal government will have an opportunity to respond to these unproven allegations. The manufacturers’ “special relationship” with the government, born out of a duty of care to small- and medium-sized businesses, underscores the significance of this legal battle.

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