The Canadian federal and Ontario governments have been consistently updating and refining their response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, specifically as it relates to businesses and employees. Below is a summary of recent updates:
UPDATED LIST OF ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY
On April 14, 2020, the Ontario government announced it extended the state of emergency in the province for an additional 28 days, until May 12, 2020. This extends the closure of non-essential work-places, public places and bars and restaurants, along with restrictions on social gatherings and the prohibition of price gouging.
Revisions and updates to the Ontario List of Essential Workplaces occurred on April 4 and April 9, 2020. The updated list directs additional businesses to close and restricts certain businesses to providing services by alternate methods such as curb-side pick up and delivery, and includes: stores that sell legal cannabis products, hardware products, vehicle parts and supplies, pet supplies, office supplies and computer products and repairs and safety supplies.
BILL CREATING CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY BECOMES LAW
On April 11, 2020, the legislation establishing the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) passed and received royal assent. As discussed in a previous post, the CEWS provides eligible employers with a wage subsidy of up to 75% of qualified remuneration of an employee, up to a maximum of $847 per week. The program will be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020. Applications for the CEWS can be completed through the Canada Revenue Agency’s “My Business Account” portal.
LAUNCH OF CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT
On April 6, 2020, the portal for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (“CERB”) was launched. The CERB is available retroactively from March 15, 2020 to October 3, 2020 and provides a taxable benefit payable to eligible individuals equal to $500 per week, up to a maximum of 16 weeks.
To be eligible, an individual must:
The Canadian government indicated further updates to eligibility will occur in the near future to include those who do not currently qualify, such as students who have not yet started summer jobs and those that are employed but making less income than normal.
KMB Law is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that we provide our clients with appropriate support during this global health crisis. For articles and information updates, please visit our Resource Centre.
UPDATED LIST OF ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY
On April 14, 2020, the Ontario government announced it extended the state of emergency in the province for an additional 28 days, until May 12, 2020. This extends the closure of non-essential work-places, public places and bars and restaurants, along with restrictions on social gatherings and the prohibition of price gouging.
Revisions and updates to the Ontario List of Essential Workplaces occurred on April 4 and April 9, 2020. The updated list directs additional businesses to close and restricts certain businesses to providing services by alternate methods such as curb-side pick up and delivery, and includes: stores that sell legal cannabis products, hardware products, vehicle parts and supplies, pet supplies, office supplies and computer products and repairs and safety supplies.
BILL CREATING CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY BECOMES LAW
On April 11, 2020, the legislation establishing the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) passed and received royal assent. As discussed in a previous post, the CEWS provides eligible employers with a wage subsidy of up to 75% of qualified remuneration of an employee, up to a maximum of $847 per week. The program will be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020. Applications for the CEWS can be completed through the Canada Revenue Agency’s “My Business Account” portal.
LAUNCH OF CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT
On April 6, 2020, the portal for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (“CERB”) was launched. The CERB is available retroactively from March 15, 2020 to October 3, 2020 and provides a taxable benefit payable to eligible individuals equal to $500 per week, up to a maximum of 16 weeks.
To be eligible, an individual must:
- have stopped work as a result of reasons related to COVID-19;
- reside in Canada be at least 15 years old;
- have had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
- expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period (and expect to have no employment income in subsequent benefit periods).
The Canadian government indicated further updates to eligibility will occur in the near future to include those who do not currently qualify, such as students who have not yet started summer jobs and those that are employed but making less income than normal.
KMB Law is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that we provide our clients with appropriate support during this global health crisis. For articles and information updates, please visit our Resource Centre.
This article is provided for general information purposes and should not be considered a legal opinion. Clients are advised to obtain legal advice based on their specific situations.
