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FederalPassed43rd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill C-13 explained in plain English

An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19

Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

At a glance

Jurisdiction
Federal Parliament
Legislature / Parliament
Parliament of Canada
Session
43rd Parliament, 1st Session
Bill number
Bill C-13
Full title
An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19
Current status
Passed
Latest event
Royal assent received
Last updated
Mar 25, 2020

Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.

Chamber
Parliament of Canada
Current Stage
Royal assent received
Latest Activity
Mar 25, 2020
Plain-language explanation
In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing
Short Version

This act introduced various measures to address the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19, including income tax adjustments, emergency benefits, increased financial authority for government entities, and modified employment and loan regulations.

What It Means

Bill C-13, also known as the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, introduced several measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It included changes to income tax, established emergency response benefits, and provided for certain payments related to public health events. The bill also amended various acts to allow for increased borrowing limits, broader purposes for Crown corporations, and enhanced regulatory powers related to health and safety. Additionally, it introduced new provisions for leaves of absence related to COVID-19 and made temporary adjustments to student and apprentice loan payments. The bill received Royal Assent and is now law.

What This Bill Does
  • Provides a one-time additional payment under the GST/HST tax credit.
  • Provides temporary additional amounts under the Canada Child Benefit.
  • Reduces required minimum withdrawals from registered retirement income funds by 25% for 2020.
  • Provides eligible small employers with a temporary wage subsidy for three months.
  • Authorizes the making of income support payments to workers who suffer a loss of income due to COVID-19.
  • Authorizes payments to be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund in relation to public health events of national concern.
  • Amends the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act to allow the Minister of Finance to increase deposit insurance coverage limits until September 30, 2020.
  • Authorizes the Minister of Finance to make payments to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to increase its capital.
  • Amends the Export Development Act to broaden its purposes and permit the Minister of Finance to determine its authorized capital and limits until September 30, 2020.
  • Authorizes additional payments to provinces and territories for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2019.
  • Amends the Financial Administration Act to authorize the Minister of Finance to borrow money for certain payments without Governor in Council approval until September 30, 2020.
  • Amends the Financial Administration Act to extend the time for tabling the report on public debt management plans.
  • Amends the Financial Administration Act to authorize the Minister to make payments to an entity or procure the incorporation of a corporation to promote financial system stability.
  • Amends the Food and Drugs Act to authorize the Governor in Council to make regulations requiring information provision and preventing shortages of therapeutic products.
  • Amends the Canada Labour Code to create a leave regime related to COVID-19 of up to 16 weeks.
  • Amends the Canada Labour Code to provide for a quarantine leave under the medical leave regime.
  • Amends the National Housing Act to increase the maximum total for outstanding insured amounts of all insured loans for five years.
  • Amends the Patent Act to allow the Minister of Health to authorize the use of patented inventions for public health emergencies.
  • Amends the Canada Student Loans Act to suspend interest and payments on guaranteed student loans from March 30, 2020, to September 30, 2020.
  • Amends the Farm Credit Canada Act to authorize the Minister of Finance to determine limits on payments to Farm Credit Canada.
  • Amends the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act to suspend interest and payments on student loans from March 30, 2020, to September 30, 2020.
  • Amends the Business Development Bank of Canada Act to authorize the Minister of Finance to determine limits on its paid-in capital and related surplus.
  • Amends the Apprentice Loans Act to suspend interest and payments on apprentice loans from March 30, 2020, to September 30, 2020.
  • Gives the Minister of Employment and Social Development the power to make interim orders under the Employment Insurance Act to mitigate COVID-19's economic effects.
  • Deems references to medical certificates in the Employment Insurance Act and its regulations to be of no effect for benefits payable until September 30, 2020.
  • Establishes a new act titled the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act.
  • Establishes a new act titled the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act.
Who Is Affected
  • Individuals receiving GST/HST credit
  • Families receiving Canada Child Benefit
  • Holders of registered retirement income funds
  • Eligible small employers
  • Workers who lose income due to COVID-19
  • Individuals and entities involved in public health events of national concern
  • Depositors with Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation
  • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
  • Export Development Canada
  • Provinces and territories
  • The Minister of Finance
  • Entities in the financial system
  • Persons involved with food, drugs, cosmetics, or devices
  • Therapeutic product suppliers
  • Employees under federal jurisdiction
  • Borrowers of guaranteed student loans
  • Borrowers of student loans prescribed by regulation
  • Farm Credit Canada
  • Borrowers of apprentice loans
  • Employers and employees under the Canada Labour Code
  • Borrowers of insured loans under the National Housing Act
  • Patentees of inventions
  • The Commissioner of Patents
  • The Minister of Health
  • Individuals and entities involved in financial system stability
  • Borrowers under the Employment Insurance Act
  • Claimants for Employment Insurance benefits
Rights, Duties, Or Obligations
  • Right to a one-time additional payment under the GST/HST tax credit.
  • Right to temporary additional amounts under the Canada Child Benefit.
  • Right to reduced minimum withdrawals from registered retirement income funds for 2020.
  • Eligibility for a temporary wage subsidy for small employers.
  • Right to income support payments if income is lost due to COVID-19.
  • Authorization for payments related to public health events of national concern.
  • Increased deposit insurance coverage limits until September 30, 2020.
  • Authorization for capital payments to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
  • Broadened purposes for Export Development Canada, with flexible capital and limit determination until September 30, 2020.
  • Authorization for additional payments to provinces and territories.
  • Ability for the Minister of Finance to borrow money for specific purposes without Governor in Council approval until September 30, 2020.
  • Requirement for the Minister to table reports on public debt management plans.
  • Authority for the Minister to enter into contracts or make payments to promote financial system stability.
  • Obligation for persons to provide information to the Minister of Health regarding food, drugs, cosmetics, or devices.
  • Authorization for the Governor in Council to make regulations to prevent or alleviate shortages of therapeutic products.
  • Entitlement to a leave of absence related to COVID-19 of up to 16 weeks.
  • Entitlement to a quarantine leave under the medical leave regime.
  • Increased maximum total for outstanding insured loan amounts under the National Housing Act.
  • Authorization for the Government of Canada and specified persons to use patented inventions in response to a public health emergency.
  • Suspension of interest and payments on guaranteed student loans from March 30, 2020, to September 30, 2020.
  • Suspension of interest and payments on prescribed student loans from March 30, 2020, to September 30, 2020.
  • Suspension of interest and payments on apprentice loans from March 30, 2020, to September 30, 2020.
  • Power for the Minister to make interim orders under the Employment Insurance Act.
  • Deemed ineffectiveness of references to medical certificates for certain Employment Insurance benefits until September 30, 2020.
Important Dates
  • September 30, 2020: Repeal of the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act.
  • September 30, 2020: End of the period for increased deposit insurance coverage.
  • September 30, 2020: End of the period for certain Export Development Canada authorities and limits set by the Minister of Finance.
  • September 30, 2020: End of the period for borrowing money under specific sections of the Financial Administration Act without Governor in Council authorization.
  • September 30, 2020: End of the period for certain provisions related to financial system stability under the Financial Administration Act.
  • September 30, 2020: End of the period during which the Commissioner of Patents can authorize the use of patented inventions for public health emergencies.
  • September 30, 2020: End of the period for suspension of interest and payments on guaranteed student loans, prescribed student loans, and apprentice loans.
  • September 30, 2020: End of the period for the Minister to make interim orders under the Employment Insurance Act.
  • September 30, 2020: End of the period where medical certificate references are deemed ineffective for certain Employment Insurance benefits.
  • October 1, 2020: Coming into force of amendments to the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act regarding deposit insurance limits.
  • October 1, 2020: Coming into force of certain repeals and amendments related to the Canada Labour Code.
  • October 1, 2020: Coming into force of amendments to the Food and Drugs Act.
  • March 15, 2020: Start of the period for applying for Canada Emergency Response Benefit payments.
  • October 3, 2020: End of the period for applying for Canada Emergency Response Benefit payments.
  • December 2, 2020: Deadline to file an application for a Canada Emergency Response Benefit payment.
  • March 18, 2020: Start of the eligible period for the temporary wage subsidy for small employers.
  • June 19, 2020: End of the eligible period for the temporary wage subsidy for small employers.
  • March 30, 2020: Start of the period for suspension of interest and payments on student and apprentice loans.
  • Fifth anniversary of the day on which subsection 47(1) of the National Housing Act comes into force: Coming into force of subsection 47(2) and section 49 of the National Housing Act amendments.
  • 2018 taxation year: Specified taxation year for certain COVID-19 income tax measures.
  • May 2020: Specified month for certain COVID-19 income tax measures.
  • 2020: Minimum withdrawals from registered retirement income funds are reduced by 25%.
Financial Or Tax Impacts
  • One-time additional payment under the GST/HST tax credit.
  • Temporary additional amounts under the Canada Child Benefit.
  • Reduction in required minimum withdrawals from registered retirement income funds for 2020.
  • Temporary wage subsidy for eligible small employers.
  • Income support payments under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act.
  • Payments authorized from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for public health events.
  • Increased deposit insurance coverage limits until September 30, 2020.
  • Capital payments to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
  • Increased authorized capital and limits for Export Development Canada until September 30, 2020.
  • Additional payments to provinces and territories for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2019.
  • Authority for the Minister of Finance to borrow money for specific payments without Governor in Council approval until September 30, 2020.
  • Payments to entities and procurement of corporations to promote financial system stability.
  • Potential for increased regulatory powers regarding information and shortages of therapeutic products.
  • Suspension of interest and payments on guaranteed student loans, prescribed student loans, and apprentice loans from March 30, 2020, to September 30, 2020.
  • Determinations by the Minister of Finance regarding capital payment limits for Farm Credit Canada and authorized capital for the Business Development Bank of Canada.
Enforcement Or Penalties
  • The Minister may require persons to provide information or documents for verifying compliance or preventing non-compliance with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act.
  • Debts due to Her Majesty for erroneous or overpaid amounts under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act can be recovered through legal means.
  • The Federal Court may order a cessation of activity related to a patented invention if it's inconsistent with an authorization granted under the Patent Act.
  • The Canada Labour Code outlines prohibitions against employers dismissing, disciplining, or demoting employees for taking COVID-19 related leave, with an exception for reassigning employees unable to perform their prior duties.
Uncertainties Or Limits
  • The specific amounts for the one-time GST/HST credit payment and the temporary Canada Child Benefit top-up are detailed in the Income Tax Act amendments.
  • The exact amount of the wage subsidy for small employers is determined by regulations under the Income Tax Act.
  • The eligibility criteria and specific amounts for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit are subject to regulations under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act.
  • The specific payments authorized for public health events of national concern depend on determinations by the Minister of Health and require requisitions and concurrences.
  • The increased deposit insurance coverage limit by the Minister of Finance is applicable until September 30, 2020.
  • The increased capital for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is capped at ten billion dollars plus additional amounts authorized by appropriation Acts.
  • The Minister of Finance determines the specific amounts for Export Development Canada's authorized capital and limits until September 30, 2020.
  • The specific amounts for additional payments to provinces and territories are itemized in the legislation.
  • The authority for the Minister of Finance to borrow money under the Financial Administration Act without Governor in Council approval is limited to the period ending September 30, 2020.
  • The Minister's authority to enter into contracts or make payments to promote financial system stability has specific conditions and limitations, including a deadline of September 30, 2020, for certain actions without Governor in Council authorization.
  • The Governor in Council's power to make regulations under the Food and Drugs Act for preventing or alleviating shortages of therapeutic products is broad, but aims to protect human health.
  • The leave of absence regime under the Canada Labour Code related to COVID-19 is subject to further definition by regulation and is set to be repealed on September 30, 2020.
  • The increase in the maximum total for outstanding insured loan amounts under the National Housing Act is for a period of five years.
  • The Commissioner of Patents shall not grant authorizations for the use of patented inventions after September 30, 2020.
  • The suspension of interest and payments on student and apprentice loans is for a specific period from March 30, 2020, to September 30, 2020.
  • The Minister's power to make interim orders under the Employment Insurance Act is restricted to certain Parts and requires the consent of the Minister of Finance and, in some cases, the President of the Treasury Board. This power also ceases to be exercised after September 30, 2020.
  • The deeming of medical certificate references to be of no effect for certain Employment Insurance benefits is temporary, lasting until September 30, 2020.
Laws Or Regulations Affected
Income Tax Act
amends

Introduces a one-time additional payment under the GST/HST tax credit, provides temporary additional amounts under the Canada Child Benefit, and modifies rules regarding deemed payments and remittances for eligible individuals and employers related to COVID-19.

Source: Part 1

Income Tax Regulations
amends

Reduces the minimum withdrawal amount from registered retirement income funds for 2020.

Source: Part 1

Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act
enacts

Authorizes the Minister to make income support payments to workers who experience a loss of income due to COVID-19.

Source: Part 2

Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act
enacts

Authorizes payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for public health events of national concern and is set to be repealed on September 30, 2020.

Source: Part 3

Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act
amends

Allows the Minister of Finance to increase deposit insurance coverage limits until September 30, 2020.

Source: Part 4

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Act
amends

Authorizes the Minister of Finance, with Governor in Council approval, to make payments to increase the Corporation's capital.

Source: Part 5

Export Development Act
amends

Broadens the purposes for which Export Development Canada is established and allows the Minister of Finance to set its authorized capital and limits until September 30, 2020. It also allows the Minister of International Trade to grant authorizations for broader transactions and suspends certain regulatory provisions.

Source: Part 6

Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act
amends

Authorizes additional cash payments to provinces and territories for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2019.

Source: Part 7

Financial Administration Act
amends

Allows the Minister of Finance to borrow money for specific payments without Governor in Council approval until September 30, 2020, extends the reporting deadline for public debt management plans, and allows the Minister to enter into contracts or make payments to promote financial system stability, with some provisions also applying without Governor in Council authorization until September 30, 2020.

Source: Part 8

Borrowing Authority Act
amends

Makes related amendments concerning borrowing authorities, particularly in relation to the Financial Administration Act.

Source: Part 8

Food and Drugs Act
amends

Authorizes the Governor in Council to make regulations requiring information provision related to food, drugs, cosmetics, or devices, and to prevent or alleviate shortages of therapeutic products.

Source: Part 9

Canada Labour Code
amends

Creates a regime for a leave of absence related to COVID-19 of up to 16 weeks, and modifies provisions related to medical leave and quarantine.

Source: Part 10

National Housing Act
amends

Increases the maximum total for outstanding insured amounts of all insured loans for a period of five years.

Source: Part 11

Patent Act
amends

Allows the Commissioner to authorize the Government of Canada and specified persons to use patented inventions to respond to a public health emergency, with restrictions on the timing of such authorizations.

Source: Part 12

Canada Student Loans Act
amends

Suspends interest and payments on guaranteed student loans for borrowers between March 30, 2020, and September 30, 2020.

Source: Part 13

Farm Credit Canada Act
amends

Authorizes the Minister of Finance to determine the limit on capital payments that can be made to Farm Credit Canada.

Source: Part 14

Canada Student Financial Assistance Act
amends

Suspends interest and payments on prescribed student loans for borrowers between March 30, 2020, and September 30, 2020.

Source: Part 15

Business Development Bank of Canada Act
amends

Authorizes the Minister of Finance to determine the limit on the aggregate of the paid-in capital, contributed surplus, and certain other equity amounts for the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Source: Part 16

Apprentice Loans Act
amends

Suspends interest and payments on apprentice loans for borrowers between March 30, 2020, and September 30, 2020.

Source: Part 17

Employment Insurance Act
amends

Grants the Minister the power to make interim orders to mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19, including adding or adapting provisions for new benefits or making provisions inapplicable. Also deems references to medical certificates in the Act and regulations to be of no effect for certain benefits until September 30, 2020.

Source: Part 18

Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.

Official text

Parliamentary Process

Step 1
First reading
Mar 25, 2020
Completed

Bill C-13 completed its Senate readings and received royal assent on March 25, 2020, following a procedural motion to consider the bill and the government's COVID-19 response.

First reading, Mar 25, 2020
End of stage activity, Mar 25, 2020
Chamber sittings
First reading - Mar 25, 2020

On March 25, 2020, the Senate met to consider and pass Bill C-13, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, and then heard from the Ministers of Health and Public Safety regarding the government's pandemic response, before adjourning.

The Senate convened on March 25, 2020, to consider and pass Bill C-13, An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, which included discussions on the government's broader COVID-19 response.

The Senate debated and passed Bill C-13, an Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, after hearing from the Minister of Finance and proceeding through legislative stages, and also discussed the broader government response to the pandemic with health and public safety ministers.

Step 2
Second reading
Mar 25, 2020
Completed

The Senate completed the second reading of Bill C-13 on March 25, 2020, by adopting a motion to consider the bill's subject matter and the government's COVID-19 response in Committees of the Whole, after which the bill received Royal Assent.

Second reading, Mar 25, 2020
End of stage activity, Mar 25, 2020
Chamber sittings
Second reading - Mar 25, 2020

The Senate convened for a special sitting on March 25, 2020, to debate and pass Bill C-13 (COVID-19 Emergency Response Act), following which ministers discussed the government's broader pandemic response.

The Senate held a special sitting on March 25, 2020, to discuss and pass Bill C-13, an act related to COVID-19 measures, hearing from ministers and agreeing to procedural motions to facilitate the process.

On March 25, 2020, the Senate convened to consider Bill C-13 concerning COVID-19 measures, hearing from ministers in Committee of the Whole, and advancing the bill through all legislative stages to Royal Assent.

Step 3
Third reading
Mar 25, 2020
Completed

The Senate passed a procedural motion on March 25, 2020, to expedite the review of Bill C-13 concerning COVID-19 measures, after which the bill received royal assent.

Third reading, Mar 25, 2020
End of stage activity, Mar 25, 2020
Chamber sittings
Debate at third reading - Mar 25, 2020

On March 25, 2020, the Senate convened for a special sitting to debate and pass Bill C-13, An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, which received Royal Assent the same day.

The Senate met on March 25, 2020, to conduct procedural business, consider the subject matter of Bill C-13 and the government's COVID-19 response through Committees of the Whole, and subsequently passed Bill C-13 at third reading.

During the Senate's third reading debate on Bill C-13, An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, senators discussed the bill's provisions and the government's overall response to the pandemic, with the bill ultimately receiving Royal Assent.

Step 1
First reading
Mar 25, 2020
Completed

Bill C-13, concerning COVID-19 measures, completed its first reading in the House of Commons and received royal assent on March 25, 2020, following expedited procedures in the Senate.

Introduction and first reading, Mar 24, 2020
End of stage activity, Mar 25, 2020
Chamber sittings
Introduction and first reading - Mar 24, 2020

The House of Commons considered and passed Bill C-13, An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, through its first reading, committee of the whole, and third reading stages during a special sitting on March 24, 2020.

Step 2
Second reading
Mar 25, 2020
Completed

Bill C-13, concerning COVID-19 measures, moved through second, report, and third reading in the House of Commons on March 24, 2020, and underwent expedited consideration in the Senate on March 25, 2020, before receiving royal assent.

Second reading and referral to committee, Mar 24, 2020
End of stage activity, Mar 25, 2020
Chamber sittings
Debate at second reading - Mar 24, 2020

The House of Commons debated and passed Bill C-13 at second reading on March 24, 2020, which provided measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Step 3
Consideration in committee
Mar 25, 2020
Completed

Bill C-13, an Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, completed its committee consideration in the House of Commons on March 24, 2020, and received Royal Assent on March 25, 2020, after related procedural steps in the Senate.

Committee report presented without an amendment, Mar 24, 2020
End of stage activity, Mar 25, 2020
Chamber sittings
Committee report presented without an amendment - Mar 24, 2020

On March 24, 2020, the House of Commons sat through the night to consider and pass Bill C-13, "An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19," with extensive debate occurring regarding the government's COVID-19 response measures.

Step 4
Report stage
Mar 25, 2020
Completed

Bill C-13 received royal assent on March 25, 2020, following its completion of report and third reading in the House of Commons the previous day, and subsequent procedural considerations in the Senate.

Concurrence at report stage, Mar 24, 2020
End of stage activity, Mar 25, 2020
Chamber sittings
Concurrence at report stage - Mar 24, 2020

During an extended sitting on March 24, 2020, the House of Commons debated and passed Bill C-13, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, which aimed to provide emergency financial and social support measures in response to the pandemic.

Step 5
Third reading
Mar 25, 2020
Completed

Bill C-13, An Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19, completed its third reading in the House of Commons on March 24, 2020, and received Royal Assent on March 25, 2020.

Third reading, Mar 24, 2020
End of stage activity, Mar 25, 2020
Chamber sittings
Debate at third reading - Mar 24, 2020

On March 24, 2020, the House of Commons debated and gave third reading and final passage to Bill C-13, legislation responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, following extensive discussions on financial aid and emergency measures.

Step 1
Royal assent
Mar 25, 2020
Royal assent, Mar 25, 2020
End of stage activity, Mar 25, 2020
Chamber sittings
Royal assent - Mar 25, 2020

We don't have a plain-language summary for Royal assent yet. The official source linked below is the full record.

We don't have a plain-language summary for Debates of the Senate yet. The official source linked below is the full record.

We don't have a plain-language summary for Sponsor’s speech yet. The official source linked below is the full record.

Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.

Vote Summary

No published recorded division

This bill does not have a published recorded division in the current official sources, so representative-by-representative vote counts are not shown.

Sponsor
Bill Morneau
Sponsor party or district not listed
Jurisdiction
Federal Parliament

No published representative vote breakdown

The current official sources do not publish a recorded division breakdown for this bill, so there is no representative-by-representative table to show.

Official sources

Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.

How this data is sourced