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MCC LAUNCHES FEDERAL & PROVINCIAL FUNDING MEASURES GUIDE

Government support for individuals and businesses amid COVID-19 is ever-evolving and complex. MCC has created a very detailed guide to capture the range of available special funds, tax deferrals, and employer programs, as well as information about who is eligible, how to apply, and where to find more information on the government websites.

Please note this is a living document and we are updating it multiple times daily - we recommend that you do NOT print it off but rather always refer to the version on our website.


UPDATES - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

1) Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA): This program offers interest-free loans up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced. Since the launch of the CEBA on April 9, 2020, more than 195,000 loans have been approved by financial institutions, extending more than $7.5 billion in credit to small businesses.

  • NEW! To qualify, organizations need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019 (through CRA filings). The Prime Minister announced this change to the thresholds today, which were previously set at $50,000 to $1 million.

  • We have requested clarification from the federal government on the definition of "payroll" - ie, ONLY what's shown on a T4 Summary, or can it be comprised of other types of remuneration, for instance, fees paid to contract/gig workers, freelancers, construction contracts, etc.
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2) NEW! Today, the Prime Minister announced intent to introduce the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. The program will seek to provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who in turn will lower or forgo the rent of small businesses for the months of April (retroactive), May, and June.

Implementation of the program will require a partnership between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments, which are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships. The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories to increase rent support for businesses that are most impacted by the pandemic and more details will be available soon.

3) NEW! Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Eligibility criteria have been expanded to include part-time workers, frontline health care workers who earn less than $2,500 per month working in long-term care facilities, volunteer firefighters, etc. The CERB is available to workers:

  • Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
  • Who have stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020;
  • Who had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and,
  • Who have not quit their job voluntarily.
UPDATES - PROVINCE OF MANITOBA

As of today, April 16, public health officials advised the number of lab-confirmed positive and probable cases in Manitoba is at 250, and there have been five COVID-19 related deaths.

NEW! 1) The chief provincial public health officer has updated public health orders that take effect on April 17 and will be in effect until May 1, 2020. Anyone entering Manitoba, regardless of from another country or another province, must self-isolate for 14 days. In addition, travel to northern Manitoba (north of the 53rd parallel) is prohibited with some exceptions, including:
  • residents of northern and remote communities may continue to move within the north;
  • delivery of goods and services; and
  • those who travel to the north for employment, medical treatment or to facilitate child custody agreements.

NEW! 2) The non-essential business closures order under the Public Health Act has been extended until April 28, 2020. Additional clarifications announced today include:

  • a clarification that businesses not listed as critical may operate, and have customers attend to pick up ordered items, providing social distancing measures are in place;
  • a provision to allow farmers markets to operate (social distancing measures in place);
  • hotels may operate, but must close common areas (pools, hot tubs, game rooms;
  • campgrounds can provide accommodation to recreational vehicles that act as a primary residence;
  • garden centres and greenhouses can operate (social distancing measures in place);
  • appliance, electronic and furniture stores are excluded, and should not be open to the public, except where orders are placed remotely and orders are delivered or picked up with social distancing measures in place.
NEW! 3) Public health officials are expanding testing criteria to include all symptomatic workers or volunteers at workplaces that have been identified as essential services ; and any symptomatic person who lives with a health-care worker, first responder or worker in a congregate setting such as a correctional facility, shelter, long-term care or residential facility.

NEW! 4 ) As announced this week by the Premier, Manitoba business leaders can request support from 24/7 InTouch contact centre reps to identify and apply for federal COVID-19 funding streams. Register your business NOW online to request support, and a rep will follow up shortly: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/business/index.html#supports
5) Manitoba Protection Plan: For information about recently announced provincial supports for business (relaxed interest measures, tax deferrals, manufacturing and supplier opportunities), as well as links to federal funding programs, partner sites, pandemic planning resources, and more, click here .
TOOLS & RESOURCES from MCC PARTNERS


  • The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Canada have announced the launch of the Canadian Business Resilience Network. This website provides Canadian business owners with tools and resources to build resilience and help drive economic recovery.

  • SafeWork Manitoba: Through a special offer with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, many of SafeWork Manitoba's webinars are FREE for Manitoba workers. Topics include Pandemic Planning, Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health Communication Strategies, and more. They've also launched a website dedicated to COVID-19 workplace safety.

  • Safety Services Manitoba: Last week, SSM announced the development of their remote learning program with all courses to be delivered live by webinar starting next week, April 20. Courses include WHMIS, Fall Protection, Confined Space, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, and many more. Click here to see the calendar.

  • World Trade Centre Winnipeg & TDS Law: Register here for a free April 22 webinar, Key Labour & Employment Law Considerations During a Pandemic.
LAST CHANCE: STATISTICS CANADA SURVEY CLOSES TOMORROW

Collecting business data is now more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt economies around the world. The purpose of the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions is to measure the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in Canada. These data will be critical for making informed decisions in the weeks and months ahead. Business owners have until tomorrow, Friday, April 17, to share their insights.

Chuck Davidson, President & CEO
Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
t: 204-948-0107
e: cdavidson@mbchamber.mb.ca