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UPDATES - GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

NEW 1) CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY (CEWS) : In a rare Saturday sitting this past weekend, Parliament passed Bill C-14, the federal government's wage subsidy legislation shortly after 9:30 p.m. ET. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will support employers hardest hit by the pandemic, and protect the jobs Canadians depend on.

  • The subsidy covers 75% of an employee’s wages (up to $847 per week) for employers of all sizes and across all sectors who have suffered a drop in gross revenues of at least 15% in March, and 30% in April and May.
  • The program will be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020. Employers eligible are entitled to receive a 100% refund for certain employer contributions to Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, the Quebec Pension Plan, and the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan paid in respect of employees who are on leave with pay.
  • NOTE: For employers eligible for both the CEWS and the previously announced 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for a period, any benefit from the 10% subsidy for remuneration paid in a specific period will generally reduce the amount available to be claimed under the CEWS in that same period.
  • NOTE: To ensure that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) applies as intended, the government is considering implementing an approach to limit duplication. This could include a process to allow individuals rehired by their employer during the same eligibility period to cancel their CERB claim and repay that amount.
  • NOTE: Eligible employers will be able to apply for the CEWS through the Canada Revenue Agency's My Business Account portal. Employers will need to keep records demonstrating their reduction in arm's-length revenues and remuneration paid to employees.

Details about the application process will be made available shortly.

2) Canada Emergency Business Account: We have learned that some local businesses have already received funding through 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.
  • To qualify, organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $50,000 to $1 million in total payroll in 2019.
  • If the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022, 25 per cent (up to $10,000) will be forgiven.
  • If the loan is not repaid by December 31, 2022, the remaining balance will be converted to a three-year term loan at 5 per cent interest.  

Business owners can apply for CEBA support directly through banks/credit unions. (BDC, RBC, BMO, CIBC, ScotiaBank, TD, credit unions)

3) Last week, the government announced temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program (a 100 per cent subsidy of the provincial or territorial hourly minimum wage and an extension to the job placements timeframe to the end of February 2021). The government is also committed to working with approved employers to amend job tasks to ensure student work conforms to current health requirements. Employment and Social Development Canada encourages approved employers to contact their funding representative to discuss options if a project is affected by COVID-19.

To access Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan,
including info for individuals and businesses:
UPDATES - Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

CERB is a b enefit available for the period from March 15, 2020 to October 3, 2020.  If you applied for EI regular or sickness benefits on March 15, 2020 or later, your claim will be automatically processed through the CERB. CERB payments are taxable income, and will be assessed as such for the 2020 tax year.

  • The government is reminding all Canadians to try to follow the assigned birth month process for CERB applications:



We are still awaiting specifics related to planned adjustments to the CERB to include people such as gig workers, contractors, volunteer firefighters who work 10 or fewer hours per week, and for those who continue to work but are making less than they would through CERB, such as home care workers or people caring for vulnerable seniors in long-term care facilities.
UPDATES - PROVINCE OF MANITOBA

As of April 12, public health officials advised the number of lab-confirmed positive and probable cases in Manitoba is 246.

NEW 1) The province of Manitoba's Chief Public Health Officer announced today that the non-essential business closure order under the Public Health Act will be extended until April 28, 2020.

NEW 2) Enforcement: Public health officials continue to educate businesses and the public to ensure compliance with orders made under The Public Health Act and The Emergency Measures Act. The province has made amendments to the Preset Fines and Offence Descriptions Regulation (PFODR) under The Provincial Offences Act (POA) to allow enforcement officers to issue tickets with set fines for failure to comply with the emergency orders. Effective immediately, fine amounts will be set at $486 for tickets issued to individuals, including sole proprietorships and partnerships, and $2,542 for tickets issued to corporations.

NEW 3) Today, Premier Pallister announced that t he Manitoba government has engaged Manitoba-based business, 24-7 Intouch, to help businesses, not-for-profits and charities facing economic challenges due to COVID-19 connect with support programs . Pallister estimated more than 65,000 Manitoba businesses are eligible for federal support programs. The centre will offer a two-stream process to identify and reach out to identified and prioritized businesses and stakeholders that have been impacted by COVID-19 to offer help, and answer incoming calls and questions. Details such as call centre phone number and hours of operation will be available in the days ahead.
4) 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 .

To access all Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Active Living COVID-19 news bulletins:   https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html
Are you an Early Child Educator or Child Care Assistant? Or maybe you’re a local Chamber of Commerce seeking information about government programs to support members in the child care field in your local community… The Temporary Child Care Services Grant is a new program of the Government of Manitoba, developed in response to COVID-19. The grant, valued at $3,000, is available to eligible Early Childhood Educators (ECE) II or III and Child Care Assistants interested in providing private care services.

To access information about this grant and how to apply, click here .
NEW - TOOLS & RESOURCES from MCC PARTNERS

Thank you to all MCC partners who are producing, compiling, and sharing excellent COVID-19 tools & resources:

  • Homewood Health: This massive pandemic planning toolkit focuses on the emotional aspects of the pandemic, and provides more than 20 tips articles related to stress and anxiety management, working remotely, talking with children, building resilience, helping a troubled employee, and more.
  • Safety Services Manitoba: SSM has a robust page of links to credible provincial and national safety-related agencies and organizations.
  • World Trade Centre Winnipeg & TDS Law: Register here for a free April 22 webinar, Key Labour & Employment Law Considerations During a Pandemic.
SURVEY RESPONSE PERIOD CLOSES APRIL 17

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. If you are a business owner, you have until April 17 to make your voice heard.


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