COVID-19: Important Business Resources
Your Chamber Membership is Making a Difference During the COVID-19 Crisis
As an Airdrie Chamber of Commerce member you are making a difference as we come together to navigate these challenging times. Your chamber membership is contributing to the great work that our local, provincial and national chambers are doing to advocate for business during the COVID-19 crisis.

In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to help Canadian businesses navigate the COVID-19 reality and prepare for recovery.  Their website and a supporting campaign will continue to grow in the weeks and months ahead as we work together to support and protect our businesses, our communities and our economy. This is a crucial resource for all businesses to stay informed while chambers and the government work together to assist Canadian businesses.

We also encourage you to take the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions (CSBC) today to help our government make informed decisions to support you.
Premier Kenney`s Address to COVID-19
On April 7th, Premier Kenney spoke to Albertans regarding our new reality due to the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to view his message.
COVID-19 modelling data release

Alberta Health’s modelling projections indicate total cases range from 800,000 to one million infections, from mild and undiagnosed to detected, confirmed and treated, under two provincial scenarios. The Government of Alberta is advising that existing public health orders could be in place until the end of May to protect the health and safety of Albertans. 
Latest Emergency Supports for Businesses
Canada Emergency Business Account

Applications opened across all major banks.
  • The program will provide up to $40,000 for operating costs (can be used to pay other lending/interest if required)
  • An eligible business must have paid between $50,000 and $1M in payroll in 2019 (verified by 2019 T4 Summary of Remuneration)
  • The funds will remain interest free until Dec 31 2022, at which time a 5% interest rate will be applied starting Jan 1, 2023
  • If 75% ($30,000) is paid by December 31, 2022 25% ($10,000) is forgiven
  • There is no principal payment requirement until the full balance is due on December 31, 2025
  • The business must have been an active business as of March 1, 2020 (certain exclusions also apply like no money service business and the requirement to have a Canadian address)
  • Business owners can only apply at one bank and it should be their primary banking relationship
  • Each bank will roll it out the program slightly differently, so it is advised to speak with your commercial account representative at your bank.



Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

On April 8th, we learned of several important changes to the wage subsidy program that will help more businesses access funding: 
  • A business will now be able to compare its revenue to the same month last year OR an average of January and February 2020. This will help new and growing firms who may not have qualified based on a comparison to the same month in 2019. 
  • A business needs only to demonstrate a 15% reduction in gross revenues for March. A 30% reduction will still be required to receive the subsidy in April and May. 
  • The program will now allow businesses to use either accrual or cash accounting methods. 
  • Employer paid Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) will be reimbursed. 
  • Registered charities and not-for-profit organizations are eligible employers to apply for the wage subsidy. They also have the choice of whether or not to include government funding in their revenue calculations.
  • Businesses can start applying for interest-free loans on April 9. Applications are available through local financial institutions. 

Amount
The subsidy amount for a given employee on eligible remuneration paid between March 15 and June 6, 2020 would be the greater of:
  • 75 per cent of the amount of remuneration paid, up to a maximum benefit of $847 per week; and the amount of remuneration paid, up to a maximum benefit of $847 per week or 75 per cent of the employee’s pre-crisis weekly remuneration, whichever is less.
  • Eligible remuneration may include salary, wages, and other remuneration.It does not include severance pay, or items such as stock option benefits or the personal use of a corporate vehicle.

Eligibility
  • Individuals, taxable corporations, and partnerships consisting of eligible employers as well as non‑profit organizations and registered charities.
  • Public bodies would not be eligible for this subsidy. Public bodies include municipalities and local governments, Crown corporations, public universities, colleges, schools and hospitals.

How to Apply
Eligible employers would be able to apply for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy through the Canada Revenue Agency’s My Business Account  portal as well as a web-based application. Employers would have to keep records demonstrating their reduction in arm’s-length revenues and remuneration paid to employees.



Temporary Wage Subsidy

Those organizations that do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy may qualify for the previously announced  temporary wage subsidy . The Temporary Wage Subsidy is a three-month measure to allow eligible employers to reduce their payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Amount
  • 10% of remuneration paid from March 18 to before June 20.
  • This is up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer, which is applied through a reduction in remittances to Government.

Eligibility
The 10% subsidy is not based on revenue decreases and is just done through decreasing your remittances to the federal Government. 
  • Individuals, partnerships, non-profit organizations, registered charities, and Canadian-controlled private corporations (including a cooperative corporation) eligible for the small business deduction are all eligible.
  • Businesses must have an existing business number and payroll program account with the CRA on March 18, 2020 and pay salary, wages, bonuses, or other remuneration to an eligible employee.
  • Partnerships are only eligible for the subsidy if their members consist exclusively of individuals (excluding trusts), registered charities, or Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) eligible for the small business deduction.

How to Apply
The subsidy must be calculated manually, as the CRA will not automatically calculate the allowable subsidy. You must still continue deducting income tax, CPP and EI contributions and then the subsidy is calculated based on the remittance amount to CRA - you cannot reduce your remittance of CPP or EI premiums. Businesses can start reducing payroll remittances on the first remittance period that includes remuneration paid from March 18 to June 19, 2020. The subsidy is considered taxable income.

Latest Emergency Supports for Individuals
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
The CERB is paid in blocks of four weeks in the amount of $2,000, which is equivalent to $500 per week. A maximum 16 weeks of benefits can be paid. The benefit is available from March 15, 2020, to October 3, 2020. You can apply no later than December 2, 2020.
 
Am I eligible?
The benefit will be available to workers:
  • Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
  • Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits:
  • Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
  • Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment income.
  • The Benefit is only available to individuals who stopped work as a result of reasons related to COVID-19. If you are looking for a job but haven’t stopped working because of COVID-19, you are not eligible for the Benefit.
 
How do I know whether to apply for EI benefits or the CERB?
If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, you should apply for the CERB, whether or not are eligible for Employment Insurance. If you applied for EI regular or sickness benefits on March 15, 2020 or later, your claim will be automatically processed through the CERB
 
Do I need to be laid off to access the CERB?
No. Workers who remain attached to their company can receive the Benefit. But you must have stopped working as a result of COVID-19, and be without employment income for at least 14 consecutive days within the initial four-week period
 
Where can I apply?
  • Online with CRA My Account - Apply here
  • Over the phone with an automated phone service: 1-800-959-2019 
 
When and how will I receive my CERB payment? Is there a waiting period? 
Benefits will start within 10 days of you submitting an application. There is no waiting period. Payments will be made through direct deposit or by cheque. You will be paid more quickly if you choose direct deposit. Your payments will be retroactive to your eligibility date.
 
Find more questions and answers about the CERB Click here .
If your benefits are through Chamber Plan Employee Benefits, Chambers Plan has created a “ Business Resource Centre ” to help clients as they navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. The page consolidates resources for financial help, HR, Mental Health and more! You can also subscribe to stay up to date, as new information is continually added.
Airdrie Chamber of Commerce
102, 150 Edwards Way NW
Airdrie, AB T4B 4B9
403. 948.4412