Weekly Update: February 19 – 25, 2021

Relief for working parents

Alberta parents who use child care will receive $561 per child with the new Working Parents Benefit, a one-time payment to help parents with the cost of child care. The Working Parents Benefit will see $108 million go to families that used child care – including licensed or unlicensed daycare, day homes, out-of-school care, or preschool – from April to December of 2020. More information.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) supports through a tax season

February 22 marks the official launch of the 2021 Tax Season and individuals can now file their 2020 income tax and benefit return. The CRA has taken steps to accommodate those who need extra assistance when filing their taxes this year:

• Adding more call centre agents and extending call hours to give taxpayers more time to have their tax and benefit questions answered;
• Providing a targeted interest relief for Canadians who received COVID-19 related income support benefits, giving them more time and flexibility to pay if they have an amount owing;
• Expanding payment arrangement parameters to provide Canadians more time and flexibility to repay a tax debt—those who are in difficult financial situations who find themselves owing money can call a CRA agent for help, toll-free at 1-888-863-8657 between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern time, Monday to Friday (except holidays);
• Helping employees cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by making the deduction for home office expenses more accessible and easier to claim;
• Supporting community organizations who offer free virtual tax help to individuals with modest income and a simple tax situation through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP);
• Offering a new pilot program to offer grants to CVITP and Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (IVATP) clinics to help them with the costs of running community tax clinics;
• Offering a Liaison Officer service that provides free personalized virtual visits by phone or videoconference to small business owners and self-employed individuals to help them understand their tax obligations.

Find out what you need to know for the 2021 tax-filing season.

Expanding Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Albertans who were born in 1946 or earlier can now book their vaccine online or by calling 811. Appointment availability will be determined by vaccine supply. Alberta Health Services is also offering the vaccine to all residents in retirement centres, lodges, supportive living and other congregate living facilities with residents aged 75 or older. AHS will directly contact these facilities to arrange appointments. In sites where eligible seniors interact with residents younger than age 75, health officials will offer the vaccine to everyone living in the facility in order to reduce the overall risk of disease transmission, severe illness and death. Read more. Additionally, starting Feb. 24, Albertans aged 75 and older will be able to book their vaccination appointment at more than 100 participating community pharmacies in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. Appointments will start the first week of March. As more vaccine arrives, more participating pharmacies will begin to offer the vaccine. This is in addition to the online booking tool available to seniors through Alberta Health Services. More information.

Phase 2 vaccinations will be offered in a staged approach and once completed, will have vaccinated anyone aged 50 to 74 years, anyone with high-risk underlying health conditions, First Nations and Métis people aged 35 and older, residents and staff in congregate living settings, and eligible caregivers. Phase 2 is targeted to begin in April, depending on the supply of vaccine. More information.

COVID Care Teams Outreach

If you or others in your home have been directed to self-isolate/quarantine by Alberta Health Services and are unable to do so safely at home, please contact 211 to discuss options, including accessing an assigned hotel to safely isolate (free of charge). Financial assistance may also be available in the amount of $625, upon completion of the self-isolation period.

Government of Canada introduces legislation to increase number of weeks for EI regular benefits and to prevent international travellers from qualifying for recovery benefits during mandatory quarantine

The federal government introduced Bill C-24, to increase the maximum number of weeks available to workers through EI regular benefits and give them the certainty they need should their job be affected by COVID-19. The proposed legislation would provide workers with up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims that are established between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021.

As part of this proposed legislation, all international travellers who need to quarantine or isolate upon their return to Canada, including people returning from vacation, would be made ineligible to receive support from any of the Canada Recovery Benefits for the period of their mandatory quarantine or isolation. These changes would be retroactive to October 2, 2020. More information.

2021 Property Assessment Notices

Due to the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, review of the impact to market value and the late scheduling of 2020 review board appeals, the property assessment notices have been extended. Property Assessment Notices will reflect the valuation date of July 2020 and condition/characteristics of the property as of December 31, 2020 for the 2021 taxation year. All property types will be mailed their Property Assessment Notice for Tax Year 2021 on April 14 with a complaint deadline of June 22.

The separate mailing of the Assessment Request for Information (ARFIs) for both Non-Residential and Multi-Family income-producing properties will be tentatively May 6th mail date with a 60-day filing deadline of July 6.

Currently, there is no change to the mailing date for the 2021 Tax Notices planned.

New 50/50 lottery for junior hockey in Alberta

Albertans will have the chance to support junior hockey with a new 50/50 draw that will help local teams maintain operations impacted by COVID-19. Jackpots For Junior Hockey presented by RE/MAX, a joint 50/50 draw launched Feb. 22 by the Western Hockey League (WHL) and Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), will share proceeds with Alberta’s five WHL teams and 15 AJHL teams to help offset revenues lost because of the pandemic and the suspension of play. Read more.

Border Pilot Program

As of Feb. 21 at 9:59 p.m. MST, the border pilot program at Calgary Airport and Coutts land border crossing has been suspended. Federal changes requiring travellers returning from outside Canada to quarantine upon arrival have come into effect.

Public Health Agency of Canada to begin COVID-19 testing at land borders

The government of Canada recently announced further testing and quarantine requirements for travellers at land ports of entry. It is mandatory for travellers arriving at Canada's land ports of entry, unless exempted, to present proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test result taken in the United States within 72 hours before entry into Canada or proof of a positive COVID-19 test conducted between 14 and 90 days before arrival. As of February 22, 2021, to meet day 1 arrival requirements, travellers entering Canada at land borders, unless exempt, will be required to take a test using a self-swab kit. This test can be taken either at the traveller's quarantine location or at a border testing site. More information.

Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership

The Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership announced February 23rd establishes a blueprint for a whole-of-government effort against the COVID-19 pandemic. It creates a partnership on climate change, advances global health security, bolsters cooperation on defense and security, and it reaffirms a shared commitment to diversity, equity, and justice. View the joint statement and the press release.

Coal consultation: Minister Savage

Minister of Energy Sonya Savage issued the following statement on forthcoming public consultations with Albertans on a modern coal policy for Alberta: “Since announcing our commitment to widespread consultation on a modern coal policy for Alberta, we have heard from many passionate Albertans and interested groups who want to be engaged.“I’m pleased to announce these public consultations will begin on March 29..." More information.

Special adviser to assist review of the Police Act

Alberta’s government has appointed a special adviser to help with its review of the Police Act. Temitope Oriola, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Alberta, has been appointed for a six-month term. He will provide independent advice to the government as it weighs policy options raised in ongoing stakeholder discussions that began in the fall. More information.