Dear Sisters and Brothers,
To all IAMAW members in Transportation District 140, I would first like to thank all of you who continue to go to work throughout all that is going on in our world. Without your efforts during these difficult times Canada would have ground to a halt.
Going to work right now may bring up fears and concerns for your safety as well as that of your families. If you or any of your family members are experiencing difficulties dealing with your emotions, with financial difficulties due to income loss, or other conflicts that are brought on during this time, there are resources in Canada to help you and your loved ones.
The following list is comprised of some, but certainly not all, of the resources at your disposal throughout the county. I will list counselling first, followed by the financial resources.
Canadian Resources for Counselling
811 Telehealth
211 United Way
https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
https://www.ementalhealth.ca/ (most provinces)
Provincial Services
British Columbia
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use/resources/crisis-line
https://www.crisislines.bc.ca/
Alberta
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?id=6810&serviceAtFacilityID=1047134
http://canwetalk.ca/get-help-if-you-need-it/types-of-help/
Saskatchewan
https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/news/stories/Pages/2019/January/Mental-Health-supports-only-a-phone-call-away.aspx
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2019/august/13/free-mental-health-walk-ins
Manitoba
https://www.ementalhealth.ca/Manitoba/Crisis-Lines-including-Telephone-Online-and-Chat/index.php?m=heading&ID=21
https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mh/crisis.html
Ontario
https://www.ementalhealth.ca/Ontario/Crisis/index.php?m=crisis
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/looking-for-mental-health-services
Quebec
https://amiquebec.org/
Nova Scotia
https://novascotia.ca/dhw/healthy-communities/suicide-prevention-help.asp
PEI
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/mental-health-services
New Brunswick
http://www.chimohelpline.ca/
Newfoundland
https://www.bridgethegapp.ca/adult/service-directory/service_directory_category/emergency/
Financial Resources
Employment Insurance wait times have been eliminated for those laid off due to COVID -19. However, due to the volume of Canadians being laid off, the queue to deal with your claim will be much longer than usual. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html.
Canada Revenue Agency, yearly income tax deadline to file taxes has been extended to June 1, 2020. Also, the date for taxes to be paid has been extended to August 31 without interest.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/the-tax-deadline-has-been-extended-due-to-the-covid-19-crisis-1.4858098
Student loan and debt relief is available for those paying student loans
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
Many IAM members have small businesses to supplement their income. The following link will help you apply for financial aid for your small business.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaingrowimprovebusiness/resources-for-canadian-businesses.html
If you are out of the country trying to get home, the government has created a loan program to help those needing to purchase flights, food and lodging.
https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/financial-assistance/covid-19-financial-help
If you are in a position that your debt load is overwhelming, and you need help with consolidating your
expenses, we have compiled a group of companies that consolidate debt and counsel you for debt
management. Some of these companies are national and others are regional.
Credit Canada National https://www.creditcanada.com
Sands and Associates British Columbia https://www.sands-trustee.com
Farber British Columbia https://www.afarber.com/covid-19-updates
Money Mentors Alberta https://moneymentors.ca
Farber Alberta https://www.afarber.com/covid-19-updates
Credit Counseling Society Saskatchewan https://www.nomoredebts.org
LC Taylor Manitoba https://lctaylor.com
Farber Ontario https://www.afarber.com/covid-19-updates
Spergal Ontario https://www.spergel.ca
Pierre Roy Quebec https://pierreroy.com/en
Raymond Chabot Quebec https://www.raymondchabot.com/en
Credit Counseling Services Atlantic Canada https://www.solveyourdebts.com
The National Office for Transportation District 140 EFAP is located in Toronto, where I have access to
counselors that have worked with our members all across Canada. Working with your benefit plans, I
can provide referrals to counselors that provide services at a fee. If you or any of your loved ones are
in need of these services, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
In solidarity,
Derrick Bashford
Employee and Family Assistance Program
National Coordinator
dbashford@iam140.ca
416.768.9661