Daily COVID-19 Update: April 14, 2020

Wage subsidy legislation provides additional details

On April 11, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2 received Royal Assent, bringing the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy into law. The Government of Canada also announced additional details of the subsidy including eligible employers, eligible periods, eligible employees, the change in revenue from 30% in March to now only requiring a 15% decrease in revenues for March. There is also clarification on the calculation of revenues, the amount of subsidy and special rules, along with looking at a refund for certain employer paid contributions to EI and CPP for eligible employers for each week where employees are on leave with pay for which the employer is eligible to claim for the CEWS. It also outlines how the program interacts with the 10% wage subsidy and the work sharing program. Make sure you have your CRA My Business Account set up and have direct deposit established through your account to ensure the quickest means of payment. More details about the application process will be made available shortly.

Funding for Agriculture and Agri-Food Producers for Temporary Foreign Workers

The Government of Canada announced it would provide $50 million to help farmers, fish harvesters, and all food production and processing employers put in place the measures necessary to follow the mandatory 14-day isolation period required of all workers arriving from abroad. Find more details here.

Modified provisions to help business, public bodies and non for profits

Service Alberta is making temporary changes to several acts and regulations to help businesses, public bodies and non-profits remain compliant as they focus their efforts on responding to COVID-19. Under the authority of the Public Health Act, Service Alberta has issued a Ministerial Order that will temporarily suspend or modify provisions related to timelines, location and distance, as well as utility payments and access to information requests. These temporary changes will remain in effect for the duration of Alberta’s State of Public Health Emergency. More information is available online.

Personal Protective Equipment Requests 

The government is working hard to source personal protective equipment (PPE) and expedite its distribution to groups and organizations in need. Many organizations have already received supply shipments over the past weeks. If they have not already done so, non-Alberta Health Services (AHS) facilities, such as pharmacies, disability service providers, social service and civil society groups, and independent medical clinics, should submit requests for PPE by emailing pessecc-logistics@gov.ab.ca.

Requests will be quickly processed through the Provincial Operations Centre based on specific need. PPE is being procured through both traditional methods and the Alberta Bits and Pieces Program. This program is helping source equipment and manufacturing opportunities close to home at a time when Albertans need it most. Read more.