Daily COVID-19 Update: May 19, 2020

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) expanded 

The federal government  announced an expansion to the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to include many owner-operated small businesses. The program will now be available to a greater number of businesses that are sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll.

To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 would need:

• a business operating account at a participating financial institution
• a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.
• eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.

Expenses will be subject to verification and audit by the Government of Canada. Funding will be delivered in partnership with financial institutions. More details, including the launch date for applications under the new criteria, will follow in the days to come. To date, over 600,000 small businesses have accessed the CEBA, and the government will work on potential solutions to help business owners and entrepreneurs who operate through their personal bank account, as opposed to a business account, or have yet to file a tax return, such as newly created businesses. See the announcement.

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Website Updates

To help you prepare for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program, sample versions of the application documents are now available on the CMHC website. You can review them in order to have the required information on-hand when the application portal opens. Please note that these sample documents are for illustrative purposes only. The final versions of the documents will be available within the portal when it becomes active. Please visit the CECRA for small businesses web page as there are additional details on the program. You may also consult the Frequently Asked Questions section as CMHC has included additional answers to your questions surrounding eligibility, definitions and process. Visit the updated program page to get the latest details. 

Additional relief for tourism industry

The Alberta government is providing new support for hotels and other lodging providers that allow them to keep tourism levy amounts collected between March 1 and December 31, 2020. This measure will free up between $16 million and $27 million in additional cash flow for the hospitality sector, which employs 30,000 Albertans. Amounts collected prior to March 1, 2020 that are being deferred under the previously announced deferral program can continue to be deferred until August 31, 2020. Accommodation providers are still expected to file returns throughout 2020, as required by legislation, and will be expected to resume regular tourism levy payments in 2021. Travel Alberta is also working on measures to support local tourism organizations across Alberta that will be announced at a later date and are part of the Government of Alberta’s broader plan to help Alberta’s tourism industry recover and eventually grow. The three-phase plan will focus on:

• responding and providing the sector with immediate relief
• relaunching and supporting the sector through recovery
• rebuilding and positioning the sector for growth

Relaunch Considerations and Planning Template

The Alberta Biz Connect web page provides business owners with information on health and safety guidelines for general workplaces and is updated regularly with new information. Businesses and locations that are reopening can now access a template on that web page to help plan how employees and patrons will be protected from the spread of infection. Originally this plan was slated to be a mandatory requirement to be posted in a business location and online, however as of today, completion of this template is now voluntary. Information and the plan template is available at alberta.ca/BizConnect. Those businesses that have questions can also email BizConnect@gov.ab.ca. Read the Government of Alberta COVID-19 Update here. 

Western Livestock Price Insurance (WLPIP) calf price insurance

The deadline to purchase Western Livestock Price Insurance (WLPIP) calf price insurance has been extended to June 18, 2020 in response to the ever-changing circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The extension gives producers an additional three weeks to monitor premiums and purchase calf price insurance policies.

Additional Government Supports For Women Entrepreneurs

On May 16, the Government of Canada announced an additional $15 million in funding to the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). The money will go directly to select organizations that are currently WES Ecosystem Fund recipients to help women entrepreneurs through the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

World Health Organization Seeking COVID-19 In-Kind Equipment Donations

To aid with the global response to COVID-19, the WHO is seeking in-kind donations of medical equipment. If you are able to help, please complete the WHO’s questionnaire. Complete the questionnaire.

Long Term Care Facilities to Receive Additional Funding

A provincial investment of more than $170 million will help keep residents and staff in long-term care, designated supportive living facilities and seniors lodges safe from COVID-19. One of the key conditions for Alberta’s relaunch is strong protection for the most vulnerable, including those in congregate living facilities. Funding will be used for enhanced staffing and extra cleaning supplies and will address lost accommodation revenue. A total of $14.2 million will be allocated per month. Funding is retroactive to March 15. There will be a requirement to report on the use of these funds, and facilities will need to return money not spent on COVID-related purposes. Funding will continue until the orders from Alberta's chief medical officer of health are lifted. It will be distributed in coordination with Alberta Health Services and Seniors and Housing.