COVID-19 Response Update 13


Plan to pay attention to the provincial press conference today, we have been told that further financial supports from the province may be announced.

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The flowing are some of the details regarding the wage subsidy. We do believe that this program is going to take to long to role out and that since Parliament will have to be recalled we expect changes to this program as well.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Bill Morneau, the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, Mary Ng, and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Navdeep Bains, announced the details of the proposed Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy:

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy would apply at a rate of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees – representing a benefit of up to $847 per week. The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020.
  • Eligible employers who suffer a drop in gross revenues of at least 30 per cent in March, April or May, when compared to the same month in 2019, would be able to access the subsidy.
  • Eligible employers would include employers of all sizes and across all sectors of the economy, with the exception of public sector entities.
  • For non-profit organizations and registered charities similarly affected by a loss of revenue, the government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their circumstances. The government is also considering additional support for non-profits and charities, particularly those involved in the front line response to COVID-19. Further details will be announced in the near term.
  • An eligible employer’s entitlement to this wage subsidy will be based entirely on the salary or wages actually paid to employees. All employers would be expected to at least make best efforts to top up salaries to 100% of the maximum wages covered.

Eligible employers would be able to access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy by applying through a Canada Revenue Agency online portal. More details regarding how to apply for the program will follow.

Those organizations that do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy may continue to qualify for the previously announced wage subsidy of 10 per cent of remuneration paid from March 18 to before June 20, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer.

Backgrounders on the Wage Subsidy
 

Press Release


CERB

Canada Emergency Business Account
Banks are actively working to get this program active, it's expected that all banks will have this live next week.

We are advocating that government change the requirement to have a minimum gross payroll of $50,000. We have communicated that this leaves the smallest of businesses vulnerable and this needs to be adjusted.

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Chamber Plan Business Resources Page

Chambers and their members are faced with unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. That's why Chambers Plan has created a COVID-19 Business Resource Centre, with the advice, tools, and latest updates to support Canadian businesses in this difficult time.

Resources included 
 > Responding to COVID-19 
 > Financial Resources 
 > HR & Legal Issues 
 > Supporting Your People 


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Province of Nova Scotia - Department of Business

EMPLOYER ASSESSMENT TOOL
We have heard businesses and non-profits need clarity on how they can comply with the Public Health Order. An on-line tool to quickly help employers determine if they may remain open, in compliance with current workplace safety requirements, has been posted to the provincial coronavirus website.
You can find the assessment tool here:  https://covid19-employer-assessment.novascotia.ca/en
 
CHANGES TO REGISTRY OF JOINT STOCK 

Counter service is not available at this time. The Business Registration Unit, located on 6 North in the Maritime Centre, 1505 Barrington Street, Halifax, will have a drop box in the building lobby for deliveries of documents for processing. Drop boxes are in place at Access Nova Scotia Centre locations in Yarmouth, Kentville, Bridgewater, Dartmouth, Amherst, Stellarton and Sydney to receive RJSC deliveries and will be delivered to the Maritime Centre for processing

During this period, scanned copies of originally signed documents or digitally signed documents where the digital signature information is clearly readable when the document is printed, will be accepted. These scanned or digitally signed documents may be submitted via email to  RJSC@novascotia.ca

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society has issued updated information concerning the client identification rules, as well as taking affidavits and oaths with non-face-to-face means that you will have to consider. That information can be found at  https://nsbs.org/covid-19-questions .

Emails containing a credit card number is automatically blocked for security reasons. Please provide a phone number of a contact person from whom to obtain the relevant credit card information to complete payment. Contact the RJSC directly at 902-424-7770 or 1-800-225-8227 with any questions.
 
NOVA SCOTIA TENDER NOTICES
Are you a business that can supply products and service in support of Nova Scotia’s response to COVID-19? If so, we want to hear from you. A procurement portal has been developed and includes a list of products and services we’re looking for. For more information, visit  https://procurement.novascotia.ca/ns-tenders.aspx

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS NAVIGATORS
Our Business Navigators are available to help you with any questions you may have. Find out more about the service at  https://novascotia.ca/regulatoryopportunity/business-navigators.asp
They can be reached Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm at  1-844-628-7347  ,  902-424-4475

USEFUL RESOURCES 
Provincial website:  https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
Government of Canada:  https://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397

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Funding Search Tool updated for COVID-19

Through NSBI’s website, the  Funding Search Tool  now enables businesses to keyword search any funding tools locally and across the country specific to the current COVID challenges to business – just use the keyword COVID-19 


Business Support from Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre

In response to COVID-19, Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre is offering  free virtual one-on-one strategy sessions to Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs . The sessions aim to provide support, insight, and additional resources to help entrepreneurs overcome current challenges.
More information can be found at  https://smuec.ca/

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Canada Business App
Download the  Canada Business App , from the Government of Canada, to see how easy it is to navigate government services, get recommendations tailored to your business, set up personalized notifications and find the answers you need to start up, scale up and access new markets.
Links

Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus  .

Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada or has been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever (above 38 C) and/or new cough should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811. The online questionnaire can be found at:  https://811.novascotia.ca/

Government of Canada:  https://canada.ca/coronavirus
 
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397 Nova Scotia Public Health offices: http://www.nshealth.ca/public-health-offices



Updated Links Below....
 
Department of Finance: Details on Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy/Ministère des Finances : Détails sur la subvention salariale d’urgence
 
Canada Emergency Response Benefit / Prestation canadienne d’urgence

Canada Revenue Agency – Income tax filing and payment dates: CRA and COVID-19 / Agence du revenu du Canada – Dates de production et de paiement : l'Agence et la COVID-19:
 
Canada Self-Assessment Tool and App / Outil et application d'autoévaluation du Canada

Health Canada—COVID-19 / Santé Canada—COVID-19
 
CBSA information line/Service téléphonique de l’ASFC
The Border Information Service (BIS) is an automated telephone service that provides general information in English or French on CBSA programs, services and initiatives. Officers are available 24 hours per day 7 days per week.  Toll-free: 1-800-461-9999  
Le Service d'information sur la frontière (SIF) est un service téléphonique automatisé qui offre des renseignements généraux sur les programmes, les services et les initiatives de l'ASFC. Les agents sont disponibles 7 jours sur 7, 24 heures par jour.  Sans frais : 1-800-461-9999
 
COVID-19: Statement from the FCAC Commissioner / COVID-19 : déclaration de la commissaire de l'ACFC

External Links:
 
Food & Consumer Products of Canada – COVID-19 Operations Best Practices for Industry:
 
Canada’s Premiers—Provinces and territories: Taking action on COVID-19

Key Information Tools / Outils: 
 
Small Business BC
RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) : https://smallbusinessbc.ca/article/resources-for-small-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19/
 
BC Economic Development Association: #COVID19 Resources for BC Businesses
 
City of Mississauga’s Economic Development Office (EDO): COVID-19 Response
 
Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Pandemic Preparedness
 
Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses: Small Business Resources for Dealing with COVID-19
 
Business Credit Availability Program/ Programme de credit pour les entreprises
 
Resources for Canadian businesses: COVID-19 / Ressources pour les enterprises Canadiennes: COVID-19

Call to Action: Canadian manufacturers needed to help combat COVID-19 / Appel fournisseurs canadiens: Aidez a combattre la COVID-19
 
Prime Minister announces more support for workers and businesses through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan / Le premier ministre annonce un soutien supplémentaire aux travailleurs et aux entreprises grâce au Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19
 
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan / Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19
 
Stay Connected
A dedicated COVID-19 tile has been added to the Canada Business App, providing links to government announcements and information for businesses. More information about the App can be found at www.canada.ca/business-app  .
ISED’s social media team remains available to support and to amplify regional content as appropriate. They can be contacted at  ic.scmssocialmedia-mediassociauxscsm.ic@canada.ca
 
COVID-19 subscription for Public Health Updates:
 
Business Supports
 
Department of Finance - Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses / Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses / Maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) : Ressources pour les entreprises canadiennes
 
Work-Sharing Program - Temporary special measures / Programme de travail partagé - Mesures spéciales temporaires:
Canada Revenue Agency - Helping Canadians with the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic / l’Agence du revenu du Canada - Aider les Canadiens avec l'impact économique de la pandémie de COVID-19
 
What Canada’s Regional Development Agencies are doing to help business during the COVID-19 pandemic/ Ce que font les agences de développement régional (ADR) du Canada pour aider les entreprises pendant la pandémie de COVID-19: 
English :  HTML  -  PDF version
French:  HTML  -  Version PDF
 
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada

Export Development Canada COVID-19:
 
Business Development Bank of Canada – Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus  :

Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Pandemic Preparedness for Business
 
World Health Organization COVID-19 - Business and Employees
 
Council of Canadian Innovators – COVID-19 Slack Channel (you must create an account)
 
Facebook
English: Business Resource Hub:  https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/resource
 
Canadian Federation of Independent Business - keeping you and your employees safe
 
Uber Eats

Innovative Medicines Canada
 
Innovative Medicines Canada: Statement on Canada’s Drug Supply / Déclaration portant sur l’approvisionnement en médicaments

Mastercard Canada—Understanding Intercharge / Comprendre l’interchange
EN :  https://www.mastercard.ca/en-ca/about-mastercard/what-we-do/interchange.html                            

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