Canadians Should Be Vigilant for Scams Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

March 26, 2020 | Local Matters

Today, as part of our Essential Business Services, we launched a cybersecurity program with CIRA, the non-profit that runs the .CA web domain. With more people working from home and many businesses switching to online operations, it is more important than ever that we remain vigilant for email phishing scams and other malicious cyber attacks. Learn more.

The Prime Minister has also warned Canadians about a text scam going around on the new emergency response benefit. Trudeau said Canadians should be looking at reliable sources for information on the pandemic and relief efforts, such as government websites.

Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for more information on the latest scams and how to protect yourself.

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Government of Canada COVID-19 Site for Businesses

March 26, 2020 | Daily Update

The Government of Canada has launched a Resources for Business page. The page contains advice for businesses and links to resources for both businesses and employees.

The page is copied below, up-to-date as of 11:30am, March 26th, 2020.

Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy. During this extraordinary time, the Government of Canada is taking strong action to help Canadian businesses as COVID-19 is affecting them, their employees and their families.

The Government and public health officials are urging all Canadians to:

For businesses, this means:

Four key considerations for businesses

1. Support for employees

2. Support for businesses

3. Business travel and events

4. Business in international markets

1. Support for employees

No Canadian should have to worry about losing their job, paying their rent or putting food on the table because of COVID-19. That’s why the Government is:

2. Support for businesses

Canada’s strong fiscal position means we are well positioned to respond to challenges such as COVID-19.

Canada’s coordinated approach to supporting the economy and the financial sector includes the Governor of the Bank of Canada cutting the interest rate to 0.75% and the Superintendent of Financial Institutions announcing an additional $300 billion in lending capacity by the major banks.

No employer should feel like they have to lay off a worker in the face of COVID-19. To further support businesses and their employees, the Government has announced:

Assistance for tourism operators, small businesses or organizations

If you are a tourism operator, a small business or an organization affected by COVID-19 and need pressing assistance, the regional development agencies (RDAs) could assist you with access to federal funding and services.

Contingency plans

It is also vital for Canadian businesses to have contingency plans in place to manage potential financial risk. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has developed a comprehensive preparedness guide for businesses in the face of COVID-19.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is also providing information to help businesses through these difficult times.

3. Business travel and events

The Government is advising Canadians to:

To help bring Canadians home, the Government has created the COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad.

When it comes to business conferences and events, the Government is advising against large gatherings of people.

4. Business in international markets

Canada and the United States are temporarily restricting all non-essential travel across our border. Essential travel will continue unimpeded to preserve supply chains between both countries and ensure that food, fuel and life-saving medicines reach people on both sides of the border.

The Trade Commissioner Service has experts in 160 cities worldwide who can provide small businesses with market-specific insights and guidance to help you mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, as well as access to funding to help you in global markets.

Related links

  • Are you a business that can supply products and services in support of Canada’s response to COVID-19? Let us know.
  • Are you looking for information on government supports at your fingertips? Download the Canada Business App today.
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COVID-19 Business Update: March 24th, 2020, 2pm

March 24, 2020 | Daily Update

New Developments and Information

The GNCC is committed to bringing timely information and updates on the business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s vital updates:

  • The House of Commons has convened to vote on a bill allocating up to $82-billion in financial supports for Canada. The opposition has indicated it will not support the bill as-is.
  • An additional $5-billion in funds has been released to Farm Credit Canada to assist agri-food businesses.
  • The Government of Ontario is appealing to businesses who can help supply emergency products and solutions.
  • The Government of Ontario is holding electricity costs at the low-peak usage rate of 10.1 cents per kilowatt hour, 24 hours a day.

Of primary importance in Ontario is the mandatory closure of all non-essential businesses, beginning at midnight tonight.

  • The closure order will last for 14 days, with a possible extension depending on the status of the pandemic at that time.
  • A list of businesses permitted to stay open can be found here.
  • No plans to compensate businesses have yet been announced, but they have not been ruled out.
  • Businesses that can transition to a remote-working model are required to do so from midnight on March 24th.
  • This order includes non-profit entities.
  • Non-essential businesses may continue to operate online, by mail or phone, or by delivery.
  • Self-employed individuals or workplaces where only one person is present should be able to continue operating as long as they are closed to the public and are not directly interacting with other people.

Local governments have announced responses to the COVID-19 crisis. The current policies are:

  • The City of Port Colborne has approved exemptions for penalty and interest charges until April 30 for tax, water, and wastewater payments.
  • The City of St. Catharines will not charge late fees or interest penalties on water bills, tax payments, and accounts receivables until June 30. The City has also suspended parking fees for on-street parking and municipal lots.
  • The City of Niagara Falls has waived penalty charges for current year property taxes, water bills, and accounts receivable (billed in 2020) until June 30.
  • The City of Thorold has waived penalties and NSF fees on water and wastewater bills, and current year taxes until June 30, 2020.
  • The City of Welland has waived penalties for late payments on water and wastewater bills and on taxes until May 30, 2020.
  • The Town of Lincoln has waived penalties for late payments on water and wastewater bills, accounts receivable, and on taxes until June 30, 2020.

It is important that everyone practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Remain at home unless absolutely necessary. Minimize contact with other people. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. Maintain a 2-meter distance from others if you are required to be out in public. If you have recently traveled outside the country, self-isolate for 14 days. This means that you must not leave your home under any circumstances. Have supplies delivered and left on your porch.

Failure to adhere to these guidelines places lives at risk, prolongs the crisis, and increases the likelihood that governments in Ontario and Canada will be forced to resort to more drastic measures, such as mandatory curfews and lockdowns under the Emergencies Act. Other countries have already had to take these steps.

Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have

Previously-posted information

News and updates from previous bulletins are included here for your convenience. Note that some of this information may be out-of-date. In case of conflict, the latest update (above) should be taken as correct.

  • The Canadian-U.S. border is closed to non-essential travel. Trade and key supplies will continue to flow, as will people crossing for essential work.
  • Temporary foreign workers are permitted to enter Canada, as will international students and workers on visas, but are requested to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival.
  • The Government of Canada is appealing to businesses that can supply equipment, supplies, or services to help with their COVID-19 response, or which can re-tool to supply them. If your business falls into these categories, please contact celine.caira@canada.ca.
  • The Niagara Regional Business Licensing Office is closed to the public. Services are being provided Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by phone and email at 905-980-6000 ext. 6380 and licensing@niagararegion.ca.

The GNCC is lobbying for additional measures to help businesses through the COVID-19 crisis. Some of these are:

  • Delivery and take-out beverage alcohol be permitted for restaurants and food-service establishments.
  • Rent relief for individuals and businesses, allowing them to continue to rent their premises while still providing revenue to lessors.
  • Property tax deferrals and late fee waivers to be offered by all Niagara municipal governments.
  • More financial assistance for self-employed and non-EI-eligible Canadians who are not covered by existing relief programs.

We are working on other initiatives as well, and will have more information when details on these policies have been settled.

The Government of Canada announced a relief package for individuals and businesses. These measures will:

  • Allow all businesses to defer the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020, until after August 31, 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, 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.
  • Increase the credit available to small, medium, and large Canadian businesses. As announced on March 13, a new Business Credit Availability Program will provide more than $10 billion of additional support to businesses experiencing cash flow challenges through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada. The Government is ready to provide more capital through these financial Crown corporations.
  • Further expand Export Development Canada’s ability to provide support to domestic businesses. 
  • Provide flexibility on the Canada Account limit, to allow the Government to provide additional support to Canadian businesses, when deemed to be in the national interest, to deal with exceptional circumstances.
  • Augment credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector through Farm Credit Canada.
  • Launch an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program to purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). As announced on March 16, this will provide stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders and support continued lending to Canadian businesses and consumers. CMHC stands ready to further support liquidity and the stability of the financial markets through its mortgage funding programs as necessary. The Government will enable these measures by raising CMHC’s legislative limits to guarantee securities and insure mortgages by $150 billion each.
  • Provide eligible small businesses a 10 per cent wage subsidy for the next 90 days, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Employers benefiting from this measure would include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as not-for-profit organizations and charities. This will help employers keep people on their payroll and help Canadians keep their jobs.

Accessing credit can be done through the BDC’s website. Farms and agri-food businesses can access credit through Farm Credit Canada

The package also contained support for workers that would:

  • Provide additional assistance to families with children by temporarily boosting Canada Child Benefit payments. This measure would deliver almost $2 billion in extra support.
  • Introduce an Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks to provide income support to workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave. This measure could provide up to $10 billion to Canadians, and includes:
  • Workers, including the self-employed, who are sick, quarantined, or who have been directed to self-isolate but do not qualify for Employment Insurance (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 or other dependents who are sick, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits.
  • EI-eligible and non EI-eligible working parents who must stay home without pay because of children who are sick or who need additional care because of school closures.
  • Introduce an Emergency Support Benefit delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency to provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment.
  • Provide additional assistance to individuals and families with low and modest incomes with a special top-up payment under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit. This measure would inject $5.5 billion in the economy.
  • Waive the mandatory one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits, for a minimum of six months, for workers in imposed quarantine or who have been directed to self-isolate, as announced on March 11.

Your employees can access these programs and get more information from Service Canada

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A Public Service Offer from B4 Networks to Niagara Business Owners and Managers Coping with COVID-19

March 24, 2020 | Local Matters

Good day, 

As a business member of the Niagara community, I wanted to take this time to extend some assistance to my fellow business owners and managers.

A few months ago when we learned of the seriousness of Covid-19 (Coronavirus), as the proactive partner we are, we started the process of setting up all of our managed clients for the possibility of working from home.   With our team having completed that work some time ago, it has left us with the unique ability and capacity to help others in our business community.

As a public service we are offering to help Niagara and Hamilton based businesses that are able to let employees work from home do so safely and securely, by helping them setup the required infrastructure to allow their team to do so.  In some cases we can perform this setup remotely and with no requirement for anyone to come onsite.  Here’s what we are offering:

For smaller offices where most employees currently work off desktops (5 – 20 staff):

  • We are extending our remote access toolset @ no charge until the end of May (for now…  may be extended) to any company not yet setup to work from home.   This allows someone to use their own home computer, to remotely connect to their office computer.  We may charge a very small highly discounted setup fee, but it’s well worth it if your staff can continue to work from home.  We will try as best as possible to keep it a no costs.   Most of the time we can have all this setup with your assistance in less than a few hours.
  • In addition, we will extend our cyber security stack FREE to those home users that are using their home computers so that they don’t risk compromising your corporate networks while working from home.

For slightly larger office or where most employees have laptops (10 – 30 staff):

  • We are offering to temporarily loan your organization a Sophos XG Security firewall, until at least the end of May (While stocks last).
  • Once installed, we will assist your team configure their company laptops or home desktops to safely and securely remotely connect to your office by creating self help documentation on how to access and configure the service.
  • This unit will be on loan at least until the end of April, and possibly longer depending on the fluid situation.
  • If your office has a simple setup, we will extend this at no cost provided the setup takes less than 3 hours to setup.  Some slightly more complicated setups may have a small charge to offset our costs.

Free Mailing list to distribute @ no charge, cyber security training – available to ANY business throughout Canada. 

We are in the process of setting up a mailing list to keep everyone up to date on how to work safely and securely from home.   Criminals will and in some cases already have taken advantage of the situation by trying to gain access to corporate networks through the less security home setups most of us have at home.

Note: This list will only be use for this purpose, and no one will get spammed.  We hate spam as much as you do.

You can register for the mailing list here

To take advantage of the any of the above offers, please contact me here: https://www.b4networks.ca/vpn-request/

Stay safe everyone, and most importantly take care of each other.

With Warm Regards,

Bryan Lachapelle

President and CEO of B4 Networks Inc.

Original article: https://www.b4networks.ca/covid/

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Niagara Artists Unite for Online Concert

March 24, 2020 | Local Matters

Niagara musicians and comedians will take to their webcams for a livestream fundraiser Friday.

Mainly Niagara, an online site started by Niagara Falls resident Sheri Hawkins, will put the spotlight on local talent for the two-hour show starting at 7 p.m.

“I desperately need to do something positive,” said Hawkins, who lives across the street from Greater Niagara General Hospital. “There’s a palpable tension in the air and there’s a capability of (things) getting a bit cagey.

“I’ve really connected with the artist community in Niagara Falls, and it’s like, ‘Man, all these people just lost their jobs.'”

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COVID-19 Business Update: March 23rd, 2020, 4pm

March 23, 2020 | Daily Update

New Developments and Information 

The GNCC is committed to bringing timely information and updates on the business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s vital updates: 

  • The Government of Ontario has ordered the mandatory closure of all non-essential businesses, to begin at on March 24th at 11:59pm. Businesses may remain open on March 24th but must close at the end of the day. 
  • The closure order will last for 14 days, with a possible extension depending on the status of the pandemic at that time. 
  • A list of businesses permitted to stay open was released on March 23. The list was initially going to be released on March 24 but it was released late on the 23rd. 
  • No plans to compensate businesses have yet been announced, but they have not been ruled out. 
  • Businesses that can transition to a remote-working model are required to do so from midnight on March 24th.  

It is important that everyone practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Remain at home unless absolutely necessary. Minimize contact with other people. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. Maintain a 2-meter distance from others if you are required to be out in public. If you have recently traveled outside the country, self-isolate for 14 days. This means that you must not leave your home under any circumstances. Have supplies delivered and left on your porch or outside your door. 

Failure to adhere to these guidelines places lives at risk, prolongs the crisis, and increases the likelihood that governments in Ontario and Canada will be forced to resort to more drastic measures, such as mandatory curfews and lockdowns under the Emergencies Act. Other countries have already had to take these steps. 

Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have. 

Previously-posted information 

News and updates from previous bulletins are included here for your convenience. 

  • The Canadian-U.S. border is closed to non-essential travel. Trade and key supplies will continue to flow, as will people crossing for essential work.  
  • Temporary foreign workers are permitted to enter Canada, as will international students and workers on visas, but are requested to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival. 
  • The Government of Canada is appealing to businesses that can supply equipment, supplies, or services to help with their COVID-19 response, or which can re-tool to supply them. If your business falls into these categories, please contact celine.caira@canada.ca.  
  • The Niagara Regional Business Licensing Office is closed to the public. Services are being provided Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by phone and email at 905-980-6000 ext. 6380 and licensing@niagararegion.ca.  
  • The City of St. Catharines has: 
    • Introduced a grace period on taxes and bills. Until June 30, businesses and residents will not be charged late fees or interest penalties on water and tax payments, and accounts receivables.  
    • Suspended parking payments for on-street and municipal lots. 
    • The City of Niagara Falls has also announced that it will not charge interest or penalties on overdue tax bills, and will not be shutting off electricity or water. Details of the policy will be given shortly. 

The GNCC is lobbying for additional measures to help businesses through the COVID-19 crisis. Some of these are: 

  • Delivery and take-out beverage alcohol be permitted for restaurants and food-service establishments. 
  • Rent relief for individuals and businesses, allowing them to continue to rent their premises while still providing revenue to lessors. 
  • Property tax deferrals, as announced by the Cities of St. Catharines and Niagara Falls, to be offered by all Niagara municipal governments. 
  • More financial assistance for self-employed and non-EI-eligible Canadians who are not covered by existing relief programs. 

We are working on other initiatives as well, and will have more information when details on these policies have been settled. 

Employment Ontario (EO) offices are available to help people out of work. The following offices can help any of your employees who have been laid off: 

  • CERF Niagara (Francophone Provider for Niagara Region)  
    • Suzanne Coutu; info@cerfniagara.com, 905-714-1480  
  • Employment Help Centre Niagara Falls 
    • Janet Adams, Job Developer; 905-358-0021 ext 31  
  • Employment Help Centre West Niagara (Grimsby, Beamsville, Smithville) 
    • Faith Lowe, Manager of Employment; flowe@employmenthelp.org, 905-309-9675  
  • Employment Solutions Welland 
    • Kelly Jones, Program Manager; KJones@employment-solutions.org, 905-788-3751  
  • John Howard Society Niagara Job Gym Welland & Fort Erie  
    • Deanna Villella, Manager; DVillella@jhsniagara.ca, 905-732-7655  
  • Niagara College Community Employment Services St. Catharines 
    • Karen Martin, Job Developer; Kmartin@niagaracollege.ca, 905-401-9966  
  • Port Cares Employment Services Port Colborne  
    • Andrea Boitor, Job Developer; andrea.boitor@portcares.ca, 905-834-3629 ext 278  
  • YMCA of Niagara Employment and Immigrant Services St. Catharines, Niagara Falls & Thorold 
    •  Kelli Wales, Program Coordinator; kelli.wales@niagara.ymca.ca, 289-696-6872 

The Government of Canada announced a relief package for individuals and businesses. These measures will: 

  • Allow all businesses to defer the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020, until after August 31, 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, 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. 
  • Increase the credit available to small, medium, and large Canadian businesses. As announced on March 13, a new Business Credit Availability Program will provide more than $10 billion of additional support to businesses experiencing cash flow challenges through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada. The Government is ready to provide more capital through these financial Crown corporations. 
  • Further expand Export Development Canada’s ability to provide support to domestic businesses.  
  • Provide flexibility on the Canada Account limit, to allow the Government to provide additional support to Canadian businesses, when deemed to be in the national interest, to deal with exceptional circumstances. 
  • Augment credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector through Farm Credit Canada. 
  • Launch an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program to purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). As announced on March 16, this will provide stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders and support continued lending to Canadian businesses and consumers. CMHC stands ready to further support liquidity and the stability of the financial markets through its mortgage funding programs as necessary. The Government will enable these measures by raising CMHC’s legislative limits to guarantee securities and insure mortgages by $150 billion each. 
  • Provide eligible small businesses a 10 per cent wage subsidy for the next 90 days, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Employers benefiting from this measure would include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as not-for-profit organizations and charities. This will help employers keep people on their payroll and help Canadians keep their jobs. 

Accessing credit can be done through the BDC’s website. Farms and agri-food businesses can access credit through Farm Credit Canada. 

The package also contained support for workers that would: 

  • Provide additional assistance to families with children by temporarily boosting Canada Child Benefit payments. This measure would deliver almost $2 billion in extra support. 
  • Introduce an Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks to provide income support to workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave. This measure could provide up to $10 billion to Canadians, and includes: 
    • Workers, including the self-employed, who are sick, quarantined, or who have been directed to self-isolate but do not qualify for Employment Insurance (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 or other dependents who are sick, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits. 
    • EI-eligible and non EI-eligible working parents who must stay home without pay because of children who are sick or who need additional care because of school closures. 
  • Introduce an Emergency Support Benefit delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency to provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment. 
  • Provide additional assistance to individuals and families with low and modest incomes with a special top-up payment under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit. This measure would inject $5.5 billion in the economy. 
  • Waive the mandatory one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits, for a minimum of six months, for workers in imposed quarantine or who have been directed to self-isolate, as announced on March 11. 

Your employees can access these programs and get more information from Service Canada. 

 

 

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COVID-19 Business Update: March 20th, 2020, 4pm

March 20, 2020 | Daily Update, Local Matters

New Developments and Information 

The GNCC is committed to bringing timely information and updates on the business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s vital updates: 

  • From midnight tonight, the Canadian-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential travel. Trade and key supplies will continue to flow, as will people crossing for essential work.
  • Temporary foreign workers will be permitted to enter Canada, as will international students and workers on visas, but are requested to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival.
  • The Government of Canada is appealing to businesses that can supply equipment, supplies, or services to help with their COVID-19 response, or which can re-tool to supply them. If your business falls into these categories, please contact celine.caira@canada.ca.
  • The Niagara Regional Business Licensing Office is closed to the public. Services are being provided Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by phone and email at 905-980-6000 ext. 6380 and licensing@niagararegion.ca.  
  • The City of St. Catharines has: 
    • Introduced a grace period on taxes and bills. Until June 30, businesses and residents will not be charged late fees or interest penalties on water and tax payments, and accounts receivable.  
    • Suspended parking payments for on-street and municipal lots. 
  • The City of Niagara Falls will not charge interest or penalties on overdue tax bills, and will not be shutting off electricity or water. Details of the policy will be given shortly. 
  • The Town of Lincoln will suspend late fees and penalties on property taxes, water payments, and accounts receivable until June 30. Water disconnections have been suspended. 

The GNCC is lobbying for additional measures to help businesses through the COVID-19 crisis. Some of these are: 

  • Delivery and take-out beverage alcohol be permitted for restaurants and food-service establishments. 
  • Rent relief for individuals and businesses, allowing them to continue to rent their premises while still providing revenue to lessors. 
  • Property tax deferrals to be offered by all Niagara municipal governments. 
  • More financial assistance for self-employed and non-EI-eligible Canadians who are not covered by existing relief programs. 

We are working on other initiatives as well, and will have more information when details on these policies have been settled. 

Employment Ontario (EO) offices are available to help people out of work. The following offices can help any of your employees who have been laid off: 

  • CERF Niagara (Francophone Provider for Niagara Region)  
  • Employment Help Centre Niagara Falls 
    • Janet Adams, Job Developer; 905-358-0021 ext 31  
  • Employment Help Centre West Niagara (Grimsby, Beamsville, Smithville) 
  • Employment Solutions Welland 
  • John Howard Society Niagara Job Gym Welland & Fort Erie  
  • Niagara College Community Employment Services St. Catharines 
  • Port Cares Employment Services Port Colborne  
  • YMCA of Niagara Employment and Immigrant Services St. Catharines, Niagara Falls & Thorold 

Previously-posted information 

News and updates from previous bulletins are included here for your convenience. 

The Government of Canada announced a relief package for individuals and businesses this morning. These measures will: 

  • Allow all businesses to defer the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020, until after August 31, 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, 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. 
  • Increase the credit available to small, medium, and large Canadian businesses. As announced on March 13, a new Business Credit Availability Program will provide more than $10 billion of additional support to businesses experiencing cash flow challenges through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada. The Government is ready to provide more capital through these financial Crown corporations. 
  • Further expand Export Development Canada’s ability to provide support to domestic businesses.  
  • Provide flexibility on the Canada Account limit, to allow the Government to provide additional support to Canadian businesses, when deemed to be in the national interest, to deal with exceptional circumstances. 
  • Augment credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector through Farm Credit Canada. 
  • Launch an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program to purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). As announced on March 16, this will provide stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders and support continued lending to Canadian businesses and consumers. CMHC stands ready to further support liquidity and the stability of the financial markets through its mortgage funding programs as necessary. The Government will enable these measures by raising CMHC’s legislative limits to guarantee securities and insure mortgages by $150 billion each. 
  • Provide eligible small businesses a 10 per cent wage subsidy for the next 90 days, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Employers benefiting from this measure would include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as not-for-profit organizations and charities. This will help employers keep people on their payroll and help Canadians keep their jobs. 

Accessing credit can be done through the BDC’s website. Farms and agri-food businesses can access credit through Farm Credit Canada. 

The package also contained support for workers that would: 

  • Provide additional assistance to families with children by temporarily boosting Canada Child Benefit payments. This measure would deliver almost $2 billion in extra support. 
  • Introduce an Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks to provide income support to workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave. This measure could provide up to $10 billion to Canadians, and includes: 
  • Workers, including the self-employed, who are sick, quarantined, or who have been directed to self-isolate but do not qualify for Employment Insurance (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 or other dependents who are sick, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits. 
  • EI-eligible and non EI-eligible working parents who must stay home without pay because of children who are sick or who need additional care because of school closures. 
  • Introduce an Emergency Support Benefit delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency to provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment. 
  • Provide additional assistance to individuals and families with low and modest incomes with a special top-up payment under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit. This measure would inject $5.5 billion in the economy. 
  • Waive the mandatory one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits, for a minimum of six months, for workers in imposed quarantine or who have been directed to self-isolate, as announced on March 11. 

Your employees can access these programs and get more information from Service Canada. 

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Niagara United Way asks for emergency donations to deal with COVID-19 outbreak

March 20, 2020 | Local Matters

United Way Niagara has created an emergency fund to help community agencies overwhelmed by the coronavirus outbreak.

“We’ve emailed them and told them, tell us what you need right now,” said executive director Frances Hallworth. “As they need those things, we will be sending the money out.

“We can get money out very quickly to our organizations, they won’t have to wait.”

Donations can be made online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/covid-19-emergency-response-fund/.

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