*COVID-19 & Your Biz*

UPDATE (July 31, 2020) - CECRA has been extended through the end of August 2020.

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It offers forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to:

• reduce the rent owed by their impacted small business tenants
• meet operating expenses on commercial properties

Property owners must offer a minimum of a 75% rent reduction for the months of April, May, June, July, and August 2020.

The CECRA will be administered by the federal government through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 

UPDATE July 21 (extended until Dec 19/2020) More details on Bill C-20 coming soon.

Covers up to 75% of wages for businesses, charities, and non-profits that have lost more than 30% of their revenue (15% in March) Max subsidy of $847 per week per employee, backdated to March 15.

Information about the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

CEWS Application Guide 

The latest resources from CRA :

CRA Resource Links for Individuals 

What is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

UPDATE (as of July 6, 2020) - CERB has been extended from 16 weeks to 24 weeks.

If you have lost income because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will provide you with temporary income support.

To help more Canadians benefit from the CERB, the government will be changing the eligibility rules to:

• Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
• Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their usual seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Extend the CERB to workers who recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.

The CERB will provide you with $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit Info

Apply for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA

The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) allows the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) to provide more than $10 billion of additional support.

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has resources available including:

BDC Support during COVID - 19 for Entrepreneurs

• Small Business Loan: Up to $100,000 can be obtained online in as little 48 hours from time of approval.
• Working capital loan: Get extra funds to bridge cash flow gaps and support everyday operation
• Purchase Order Financing: Increase your cash flow to fulfill domestic or international orders with very flexible terms.
• BDC’s Advisory Services experts are offering tools and support to review your financial management and operations.

Community Futures, North Fraser - COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program
Community Futures, North Fraser is covering a repayable loan with relaxed terms and interest rates. For more details CLICK HERE

Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation COVID

• CMHC is working to address mortgage payment difficulties. They’ve said on Twitter that they are collaborating with lenders to allow payment deferral of up to six months.

Export Development Canada

• Export Development Canada (EDC). In partnership with the federal government and Canadian banks, EDC will ensure customers impacted by COVID-19 have access to credit.

FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Canada Emergency Business Account  (CEBA)

Through the federal government, CEBA will provide up to $25 billion to eligible financial institutions so they can provide interest-free loans up to $40,000 for 1 year to small businesses and not-for-profits.

• To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $50,000 to $1 million in total payroll in 2019.
• Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000)

More information on the CEBA 

Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan Guarantee Program 

The new Small and Medium-sized Loan and Guarantee program will enable up to $40 billion in lending, supported through Export Development Canada and Business Development Bank of Canada, for guaranteed loans.

• This is intended for small and medium-sized companies that require greater help to meet their operational cash flow requirements and will be accessed through eligible financial organizations.
• The new operating credit and cash flow term loans will be extended by financial institutions and can provide an SME up to $6.25 million

More information on the loan guarantee program

Farm Credit Canada 

FCC lending capacity has been increased by $5B to alleviate industry financial pressure. FCC provides loans and services for primary producers, food operations and agribusinesses.  

• FCCis prepared to assist - speak to your local FCC contact through their Customer Service Centre at 1-888-332-3301 or visit their online service portal to work with FCC.

Regional Development Agencies – Western Economic Diversification Canada  

If you are a tourism operator or small- or medium-sized business or organization impacted by the sudden shifts in the economy and need pressing assistance, the RDAs could assist you with:

• Access to federal funding to help you stay in business.
• Advice and pathfinding services to other federal programs and services available.

If you are a tourism operator or small- or medium-sized business or organization and have received RDA funding and COVID-19 is affecting your operations: 

• You may be eligible to receive additional funding and/or flexible arrangements.
• Further support will be determined on a case-by-case basis as the situation evolves.

The best way to contact the Western Economic Diversification Canada for support is to call them at: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)

🧸 Child care sector
Emergency funding is available for child care
providers that stay open and that close. Learn more.

🎭 Arts & Culture sector
$3-million Arts and Culture Resilience Supplement
to give operating and eligible project clients a
supplement of up to $15,000. Clients will receive a
50% advance on 2020-21 funding. Via BC Arts Council.

📰 Publishing and news sectors
Simplified process for Canada Book Fund and
Canada Periodical Fund. Journalism Tax Measures.
🍁Federal Government

🎥 Broadcasting sector
CRTC Part I licence fees waived.
🍁Federal Government

🏞 Tourism businesses in national parks and historic sites
Tourism operators in national parks, historic sites,
and marine conservation areas will have payments
on commercial leases and licences of occupation
deferred without interest until September 1.
🍁Wait to be contacted by Parks Canada.

🐚 Seafood sector
Seafood growers, shellfish farmers, and processors,
will have access to the $5 billion Farm Credit
Canada loan program. 🍁Via FCC.

🚜 Farmers and Agri-Food sector
Access to the $5 billion Farm Credit Canada loan
program. Via FCC.

Updated May 12 - The Buy BC Partnership Program provides cost-shared funding and a recognizable Buy BC logo to help B.C.’s agrifood and seafood sector market their products and increase sales within B.C.
Buy BC Partnership Program

Airports Rents paid on ground leases waived.
🍁Federal Government

NEW April 15- Rogers Sports & Media 

Rogers wants to help support your business during this unprecedented time. With so many people safely staying home, watching, listening and searching for updates, we wanted to help make businesses even more accessible.

Rogers has created an Operation Support Local campaign.  Businesses can submit or find a local business to support using the links below.

We will be sharing this growing local list daily on-air and online on STAR 98.3 and on COUNTRY 107.1 – As we do our part to help our valley community. 

Fill out the form on our sites go to OPERATION SUPPORT LOCAL or click the link below

STAR 98.3 - https://www.starfm.com/supportlocal/

COUNTRY 107.1  - https://www.country1071.com/supportlocal/

BC Hydro

The COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program provides customers the option to defer bill payments or arrange for flexible payment plans with no penalty. Customers are encouraged to call BC Hydro's customer team at 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376) to discuss bill payment options.

Fortis BC

FortisBC will be waiving late payment fees and ensuring no customer is disconnected from the energy they need for financial reasons. They will also be available to help their customers with flexible payment options. To learn more about what FortisBC is doing visit their COVID-19 page or call Fortis at 1-866-436-7847 for electricity and 1-888-224-2710 for natural gas.

Vancity Credit Union

Vancity Credit Union is helping its customers through this difficult time by offering to:

• Provide emergency working capital
• Buy back foreign currency at the same rate it was sold (for customers impacted by travel disruption)
• Waiving INTERAC e-Transfer and ATM fees until April 30^th

Learn more about what they are doing on their website here.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is offering free access (until July 1^st, 2020) to their Professional Plan to help small businesses and non-profits stay connected to their customers and audiences. To learn more or signup visit their website here.

Uber Eats

The company has created a support package to promote "contactless" delivery from local restaurants, which includes waiving delivery fees, and a daily payout option to assist restaurants with cash flow. 

Other Support

For information on other supports please visit the Government of Canada website.

Other resources that are being built are but not limited to: support for women’s shelters and sexual assault centres including on reserve, support for people experiencing homelessness (through Reaching Home), Canada Student Loan payments, support for Indigenous Communities, and Lower Registered Retirement Income Fund Minimum Withdrawal Amounts.

Community Futures, North Fraser

Helping small businesses and entrepreneurs in our community. Whether you are thinking about starting a business, buying a business, expanding, or trying to manage change to your business, we can assist.

Two funds to apply for:

NEW Mission Businesses Emergency Relief Fund application Link

The Emergency Relief Fund, created jointly through financial and in-kind contributions of the Mission Downtown Business Association, Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures North Fraser, offers fund of up to $2,500 to support immediate business operation needs. There will be 3 intake deadlines – July 15^th, September 15^th, November 15^th 2020.

LINK

Community Futures Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) Application

The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund provides funding to support businesses that have not been approved for supports through the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) or the Emergency Loan Program delivered through Aboriginal Financial Institutions.

LINK

The provincial government announced a $5 billion (additional funding) support package for businesses and individuals: this is the first step as the government acknowledges they will have to be “nimble and flexible” as they respond to the impacts of COVID-19. The package will see $2.8 B People and Services $2.2B Business and Economic Recovery.

*Provincial Aid was announced March 23rd, 2020. Details for how to access services will be provided once they become available*

Tax Remittance Deferrals  

The provincial government is extending tax filing and payment deadlines to September 30th, 2020 to help businesses through this crisis. The deferred taxes will include:

• Employee Health Tax (EHT)
• Motor Fuel Taxes
• Carbon Tax
• The scheduled increase of carbon tax has been canceled
• Provincial Sales Tax (PST)
• Municipal & Regional District Tax
• Tobacco Tax

Property Tax Relief 

Business and light and major industrial property classes will see a 50% cut to provincial school tax, which should result in $500 million in immediate relief for business.

• The expectation is business will benefit directly (if they own their own property) or this relief will flow through commercial landlords immediately passing savings on to tenants in triple-net leases

Additional Provincial Measures  

• Canceling of the scheduled increase of Carbon Tax
• Deferral of PST charges to e-commerce and sweetened beverages (to be reviewed by Sept. 30, 2020)
• $1.5B for economic recovery

MORE INFORMATION ON PROVINCIAL TAX & REVENUE CHANGES

Provincial Support for Workers 

*Aid was announced March 23rd, 2020. Details for how to access services will be provided once they become available*  

Emergency Benefit  

OPEN NOW This is a 1-time $1000 tax-free payment for any British Columbian whose income is impacted by COVID-19. Eligible individuals include those that receive federal EI or the new federal Emergency Care
Apply for the benefit 

Boosting the Climate Action Tax Credit 

Eligible families of four will receive up to $564 and eligible individuals will receive up to $218 in an enhanced payment. This will help complement federal income supports for those struggling with job loss reduced income or increased costs.

Support for Renters and Homeowners 

The provincial government, working with banks and credit unions, will ensure mortgage deferral options are available as well as enhanced support for rentals via Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Rental Assistance Program (RAP).

Additional Provincial Measures 

• Deferral of student loans for 6 months
• ICBC & BC Hydro will provide deferral options and crisis assistance funding available for impacted individuals

Employment Insurance

Several measures are being taken by Employment and Social Development Canada:(ESDC) to assist employees who have been laid off or are unable to work due to quarantine. These measures include, waiving the one-week waiting period for and priority application processing for related claims. To learn more go to EI sickness benefits.

• If you think you are eligible, visit the EI sickness benefits page to apply.

Emergency Care Benefit (Expected in April, Requires Royal Assent)

The Emergency Care Benefit will be providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks. This flat-payment Benefit would be administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provide income support to:

• Workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19 but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits
• Workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits
• Parents with children who require care or supervision due to school closures, and are unable to earn employment income, irrespective of whether they qualify for EI or not.

Application for the Benefit will be available in April 2020 and require Canadians to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements. There will be three channels to apply for the Benefit:

1. By accessing it on their CRA MyAccount secure portal;
2. By accessing it from their secure My Service Canada Account; or
3. By calling a toll-free number equipped with an automated application process (this number should be available closer to the rollout of this program).

Enhanced Canada Child Benefit (Available early May, requires Royal Assent)

For those that are eligible for the Child Tax benefit, there will be an additional $300 per child available on top of what is already received.

GST Credit (Available early May, requires Royal Assent)

For individuals that are eligible for GST Credits The credits available will be increased up to $400 for single adults and $600 for couples (more details will be available closer to the rollout date).

Tax Filing Relief

In order to provide greater flexibility to Canadians who may be experiencing hardships during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Canada Revenue Agency will defer the filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals, including certain trusts.

• For individuals, the return filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020.  However, the Agency encourages individuals who expect to receive benefits under the GSTC or the Canada Child Benefit not to delay the filing of their return to ensure their entitlements for the 2020-21 benefit year are properly determined.

On March 27, 2020 the federal government announced that all businesses, including self-employed individuals, will be able to defer all GST/HST payments until June 2020, as well as customs duties owed for imports.

• Monthly filers have to remit amounts collected for the February, March and April 2020 reporting periods;
• Quarterly filers have to remit amounts collected for January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020 reporting period; and
• Annual filers, whose GST/HST return or installment are due in March, April or May 2020, have to remit amounts collected and owing for their previous fiscal year and installments of GST/HST in respect of the filer’s current fiscal year.

The  Canada Revenue Agency will allow all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020:

The payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today (March 18, 2020) and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as installments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. This measure will result in businesses having more money available during this period. 

Work Sharing Program

The Work Sharing Program is to help eligible employers to retain skilled employees and workers to remain employed. Measures taken during COVID-19 will:

• Extend the Work-Sharing agreements by an additional 38 weeks
• Wave the mandatory waiting period between agreements
• Ease the recovery plan requirements

Access the Work-Sharing page to learn more about the program and its requirements.

Access the Work-Sharing temporary special measures page to find out if you are eligible for temporary special measures.

Wage Subsidy

To support businesses and help prevent layoffs, the government is proposing to provide eligible small employers a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months. The subsidy will be equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer.

• Businesses will be able to benefit immediately from this support by reducing their remittances of income tax withheld on their employees’ remuneration. Employers benefiting from this measure will include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as non-profit organizations and charities.
• To review how the federal government support plan for Canadians and for further details on wage subsidies and emergency support for employees, please click here.

WorkSafe BC COVID-19 Resource Page
At WorkSafeBC, we are actively monitoring and adjusting to the COVID-19 situation to determine how we can best support workers, providers, and employers around the province, while ensuring the health and safety needs of our own employees. We continue to follow guidance from public health officials.  WorksafeBC Website 

The Federal Government has created a COVID-19 resource page for Canadian businesses

• • Download Canada Business App to access small business loans, working capital loans, purchase order financing, COVID-19 guidance and more
• The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has pandemic preparedness resources and templates.
• The BC government does daily media updates every day at 3 pm (T-F), which are streamed live by major media.

BC Societies AGM's

It is important that Societies and those individuals involved with Societies follow guidelines and recommendations set forth by the Provincial Health Officer, B.C. Health Minister, and Canada Health guidelines in regards to COVID-19.

We suggest that Societies continue to comply with the Societies Act as well as the bylaws of the Society. Under the Societies Act, members of a society are able to attend AGMs remotely (i.e. by telephone, video-conferencing or other communications channel), unless the society has specifically passed a resolution to restrict or prohibit it.

More information HERE

Canadian Chamber Business Resilience Network 

The Canadian Business Resilience Network where you’ll find the latest information, tools and resources businesses need to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic

More information HERE