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Advocacy > COVID-19 Resources

Resources for Canadians and businesses in the tourism sector impacted by COVID-19

 

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Resources for Businesses

 

Public Health Agency of Canada advice on public health measures for workplaces

 

In addition, the following links are to specific resources for businesses to support their reopening:

 

Resources for Businesses and Employees

  • Enhancing the Work-Sharing Program to help businesses pay wages so they don’t have to lay anyone off:
    https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing.html
  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit (these were previously announced as the “Emergency Support Benefit” and the “Emergency Care Benefit” that, as of today, have been combined into 1 benefit to allow Canadians to access the funds quicker):
    • Provides up to $2,000 a month for the next four months to workers who aren’t receiving pay due to COVID-19. Those who have lost their job, contractors, self-employed, those who are sick, in quarantine, taking care of children or seniors all are covered.
    • Even if you still have a job but with no salary, you can receive the benefit.
    • All employees of a business, including the owner, are eligible.
    • Online portal for applications will be available soon and Canadians can receive the benefit within 10 days of applying, aiming to have portal ready by April 6th
  • Allowing employers to keep employees on their payroll by providing a 75% wage subsidy to Canadian businesses experiencing a decline in revenues due to COVID-19;
    • Employers benefiting from this measure will include individuals, taxable corporations, and partnerships consisting of eligible employers as well as non‑profit organizations and registered charities.
      • Businesses applying for the subsidy will need to show their revenue has declined 30% over the same month last year (2019), and reapply monthly under the same conditions
      • Funding will consist of 75 per cent of the amount of remuneration paid, up to a maximum benefit of $847 per week
      • Businesses must attest they will do what they can to top up the other 25% of their employees pay, but it is not mandatory to do to access funds
      • Please see the following link for further details: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/wage-subsidy.html
  • Changes to the Canada Account for exporters in need: https://www.edc.ca/en/about-us/corporate/disclosure/reporting-transactions/canada-account.html
  • Helping businesses with cash flow by deferring tax payments until August 31st: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html#Extension_of_Deadline
    • The Canada Revenue Agency will not contact any small or medium (SME) businesses to initiate any post-assessment GST/HST or Income Tax audits for the next four weeks. For the vast majority of businesses, the Canada Revenue Agency will temporarily suspend audit interaction with taxpayers and representatives.
    • The Liaison Officer service offers help to owners of small businesses to understand their tax obligations. Traditionally available in-person, this service is now available over the phone and will be customizing information during these challenging times by ensuring small businesses are aware of any changes such as filing and payment deadlines, proactive relief measures, etc.
  • Establishing a coordinated approach with the financial sector: cutting interest rates to 0.75%, and major banks increasing lending capacity by $300 billion; 
  • Establishing a Business Credit Availability Program through BDC and EDC worth $10 billion – providing more short-term loans, working capital, and export insurance-credit so that more Canadian businesses are supported: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/financial-sector-policy/business-credit-availability-program.html
  • Regional Development Agency Supports: If you are a tourism operator, a small- or medium-sized business or organization, and have received RDA funding and COVID-19 is affecting your operations, you are encouraged to contact your local RDA office. Your local RDA can review your situation and provide guidance.
    • You may be eligible to receive additional funding and/or flexible arrangements

WHERE TO START:

  1. Visit the website for businesses for information about supporting your employees and your business. It will be constantly updated as the COVID-19 crisis evolve. 
  2. Download the Canada Business App to find tailored supports to address your specific needs and questions about COVID-19.
  3. Consult the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’spandemic preparedness guide to help prepare your business in the days and weeks to come.

 

Resources for Individuals

  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
    • Replaces the two benefits announced last week
    • Provides $2,000 a month for the next four months to workers who aren’t receiving pay due to COVID-19. Those who have lost their job, contractors, self-employed, those who are sick, in quarantine, taking care of children or seniors all are covered. Even if you still have a job but with no salary, you can receive the benefit. All employees of a business, including the owner, are eligible
    • Online portal for applications will be available soon and Canadians can receive the benefit within 10 days of applying. Hoping to have everything in place by April 6th
  • Waiving the one-week waiting period for those individuals in imposed quarantine that claim Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/waiting-period.html
  • Waiving the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits:https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness/apply.html
  • Implementing the EI Work Sharing Program: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing/temporary-measures-forestry-sector.html
  • Flexibility for taxpayers
    • Canada Revenue Agency will defer the filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals, including certain trusts. For individuals (other than trusts), the return filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020.
  • Increased funding for the Canada Child Benefit
    • The overall increase for families receiving CCB will be approximately $550 on average; these families will receive an extra $300 per child as part of their May payment.
  • Goods and Services Tax credit (GSTC)
    • This will double the maximum annual GSTC payment amounts for the 2019-20 benefit year. The average boost to income for those benefitting from this measure will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples. This measure will inject $5.5 billion into the economy.

 

MENTAL WELLNESS: at risk during this time of crisis

The current situation and social distancing measures may be impacting the mental health of stakeholders, their teams and family members. As such, we encourage you take the necessary precautions to stay healthy and to seek help as needed.
Below is a list of national resources that can be of assistance in helping manage the stress around the COVID-19 situation:
  • Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645; 1-866-277-3553 (from Quebec):
  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
  • First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
  • Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266

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