• The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) is now open to applications from qualifying organizations. These organizations can apply directly for the subsidy for the period from September 27 to October 24, 2020 through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Business Account or Represent a Client portals. Applications for the second CERS period (October 25 to November 21, 2020) will open on November 30. The Government is also proposing to amend the CERS in order to allow applicants to include eligible expenses in their CERS application before the expense has been paid. The CRA has launched a CERS online calculator and application form that are designed almost identically to those of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). The calculator guides applicants through a step-by-step process that allows them to determine the subsidy amount they can claim, based on the information they enter. The CRA will collect applications over the coming days and, on November 30, process applications received to date. Qualifying organizations whose claims successfully clear the CRA’s automated verification system and that are registered for direct deposit should expect to begin receiving payments starting on December 4.
• Today, the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, announced the launch of the new call for proposals for the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives (CSMARI) Program. The call for proposals is open until January 12, 2021. Events component proposals are accepted on a continuous basis. For details on how to apply, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/community-multiculturalism-anti-racism.html. The program will provide funding for projects that:
  • support communities in confronting racism and discrimination, promoting intercultural and interfaith understanding, and fostering equitable opportunities to participate fully in Canadian society;
  • promote and engage in discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism, and religious discrimination at the domestic and international levels; and
  • strengthen research and evidence to build understanding of the disparities and challenges faced by racialized and religious minority communities, and Indigenous Peoples.
• The Ontario government has announced the creation of the Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force. The task force will advise the province’s development and implementation of an immunization program, including the ethical, timely and effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Ontario. Rick Hillier, former Chief of Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces and Commander of the NATO-led forces during the War in Afghanistan, has been named Chair. The Task Force members will include cross-government and external representation with diverse expertise in operations and logistics, federal-provincial relations, health and clinical domains, public health and immunization, ethics, and information technology and data.
• The City of Port Colborne has listed six vacant building lots for sale. One is commercial, and five are residential infill development opportunities. This is part of a strategic focus on “City Real Estate” and identifying municipally owned property that could be marketed for residential, commercial, or industrial development. The goal is to attract investment and new residents to Port Colborne; have vacant properties redeveloped and revitalized; facilitate public-private partnerships to create more affordable housing units; expand the municipal tax base to maintain core programs and services; and maximize value of City properties while achieving social, economic, and environmental benefits. City property for sale is listed on the City’s website and on realtor.ca.
• Today, Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement as new COVID-19 measures and restrictions loom for certain regions in the province:
  

  “With numbers spiking, the greatest immediate threat to business and workers is the virus. However, if businesses are asked to shut down through no fault of their own or if public health units implore citizens not to leave their homes, our economic stability remains at stake, regardless of regional restrictions. To make this work, Ontario’s business community needs fair, consistent, clear guidelines and support.

  “We are grateful for the response from all levels of government to help protect public health while safeguarding Ontario businesses and their employees. However, we have heard clearly from our members with respect to confusing and inconsistent public health guidelines; a lack of testing and tracing capacity; insufficient data on the sources of community spread; and a lack of timely and accessible supports for business.

  “We call for a swift, fair and evidence-based response to COVID-19 for Ontario business, along with clear guidelines and adequate supports to all those impacted during this crisis.”

• The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Director of International Policy, Mark Agnew, has welcomed the conclusion of the Canada-UK trade agreement and called on the Canadian and British government to publish the details so that businesses can understand all the practical details. The Chamber also called on the government and parliamentarians to work together in ensuring a prompt passage of the necessary implementing legislation to provide certainty for Canadian businesses at the earliest possible opportunity.
• Niagara Health has issued new guidelines for donations to patients and teams during the holidays. To ensure safety during the pandemic, groups will be unable to present donations directly. Those wishing to donate toys, food, or other items, or to deliver flowers for patients or teams, should review these new guidelines.

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