The Canada Emergency Response Benefit was a financial lifeline for many Canadians during the pandemic, and a new study has found that the benefits of the programs stretched beyond financial aid.

That’s according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which recently released their report CERB: More than just an income program.

Report co-author Katherine Scott acknowledges that while there were people who felt their financial strain increase while receiving CERB, there were others who were able to benefit.

She says many people took the time to catch their breath and assess where they were in terms of employment and education.

Scott says 40 per cent of respondents took some type of education or upskilling.

Of that group, she says many ended up changing careers. she says that resulted in higher wages and better job satisfaction.