Daily COVID-19 Update: April 23, 2020

Supports for Business

Get Ready...The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy opens Monday

The CRA will open the application process for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy on April 27, 2020 and claims will be subject to verification by the CRA. The CRA will begin to release funds for approved applications on May 5, so make sure you are ready:

Sign up for My Business Account or Represent a Client – Employers will be able to apply through these portals. You can watch this video for instructions on registering for My Business Account.
Register for Direct Deposit for your payroll account (RP) – Employers who are not registered for direct deposit will receive their CEWS payment by cheque and additional time will be required for mail delivery.
Calculate your CEWS eligibility – The CEWS webpage includes a calculator function that guides employers through a step-by-step calculation of the CEWS and enables employers to determine the subsidy amount they can expect to claim based on the information that they enter into the calculator.

If you are expecting a payment of $25 million or more, you will have to get your payment through the large value transfer system (LVTS). To do this, you have to be enrolled in direct deposit on your payroll account and be registered for the LVTS. If you are not already set up for LVTS, begin the registration process.

Applications Open for National Research Council Innovation Assistance Program

On April 17, 2020, the Government of Canada announced $250 million in funding for the Innovation Assistance Program (IAP) to assist Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises. IRAP IAP provides a wage subsidy to eligible employers for up to 12 weeks, who have been unable to secure funding under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Applications close on April 29. Find more information here.

Compliance Inspections For Employers Of The TFW Program

Service Canada has issued a letter for employers of the TFW program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter outlines additional health and safety concerns, notification requirements, inspection criteria, documentation needs and penalties employers may face for non-compliance.

Community Supports and Resources

Support for COVID-19 Research and Vaccine Development

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced more than $1 billion in support of a national medical research strategy to fight COVID-19 that includes vaccine development, the production of treatments, and tracking of the virus. This new funding builds on the $275 million investment for coronavirus research and medical countermeasures announced in March. The Government of Canada will invest in new medical countermeasures to better understand COVID-19, and develop the infrastructure needed to fight the virus here in Canada. Read more.

Advocacy

Power of the Network

The chamber network held our weekly update call today with over 200 of our chamber of commerce, board of trade and association partners. Joining the call today were representatives from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) with a major topic of interest being the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. In addition to the application process opening on April 27th, they will also be posting a Q & A resource to assist with some frequently asked questions.

One of the key takeaways from the call today was that if you do not have a “My Business” account, you will be able to apply for one and enroll over the phone. You’ll also be able to obtain your pin over the phone. If you apply online, they do send the pin by mail, so are still trying to clarify whether if you have already applied online, if you will be able to obtain your pin through their call centre. The call centre phone number is 1-833-966-2099 and you are able to speak to an agent about Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).

COVID-19: Agriculture And Agri-Food

The agriculture and agri-food industry is a key partner in national and global supply chains. Learn how the sector is being affected by COVID-19 and what the government has done and can do to help in this video with the Canadian Chamber policy advisor, Jarred Cohen.

New Resources

KPMG Explains Government Programs

Join professionals from KPMG for a live interactive discussion on April 28 at 2 p.m. (ET) to help you better understand the programs in more detail and how they can help your operations. Register here.

Medicine Hat College Continuing Studies: Goal Setting

This online Goal Setting course explains the importance of goal setting to personal success, identifies common challenges faced on the road to achievement, and provides step-by-step strategies for realizing one's personal and professional goals. Register here.

#YXH2Gether

Share your stories and resources with us and on the YXH Business Support Group. and connect with us for any questions you have. Don’t forget to recognize your heroes by using the hashtag #YXHheroes.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

For more resources visit our COVID-19 page