In this challenging and constantly changing business environment, the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce want to support our Members by providing relevant and up-to-date information. This includes government announcements and support programs, resources, webinars, surveys, and other important updates.

This is a collaborative email to share information that applies to our Memberships at large, sent on behalf of the Grimsby Chamber, Lincoln Chamber, and West Lincoln Chamber.

Canada Revenue Agency
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

To ensure that Canadian workers and businesses are in a better position as our economy safely re-opens, the Government has recently implemented changes to the CEWS that broaden the reach of the program and provide better targeted support.

Enhancements to the CEWS program
The changes introduced in the Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures will:

  • Allow the extension of the CEWS, including redesigned program details until November 21, 2020.

  • Make the subsidy more accessible to a broader range of employers by providing a gradually decreasing base subsidy to all eligible employers that are experiencing a decline in revenues. This will help many struggling employers with less than a 30% revenue loss get support to keep and bring back workers, while also ensuring those who have previously benefited could still qualify, even if their revenues recover and no longer meet the 30%
  • revenue decline threshold.

  • Introduce a top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25 per cent for employers that have been most adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

  • Provide certainty to employers that have already made business decisions for July and August by ensuring they will not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have under the previous rules.

  • Address technical issues with the CEWS identified by stakeholders, for example by providing continuity rules to address circumstances where an employer purchased all or substantially all of another entity’s business assets.

Period 5 Applications
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is currently updating its systems to prepare to accept applications for period 5 (July 5 to August 1). The CRA will open applications for CEWS period 5 on August 17, 2020.

Information on the CEWS web pages is also being updated to provide employers with the detailed information they need on the enhanced program, such as new instructions about who can now apply, how to determine eligibility, and how to calculate the subsidy. The CRA expects to make this information available prior to August 17, so that employers can prepare the information needed to file their applications.

Please note: This is a separate program from the 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy. For more information on that program, click here.
Reporting the 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy to the CRA

If you used the 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy (TWS), the new Form PD27, 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy Self-Identification Form for Employers is now available.

It is to be completed by all employers who are eligible for the 10% TWS. The information in this form enables the CRA to reconcile the TWS on your payroll program (RP) account, ensuring employers do not receive a discrepancy notice at the end of the year.
Niagara Region
Mandatory Mask Poster
The Niagara Region created a poster for organizations to post at all entrances to the enclosed public place, as per the by-law introduced on July 31.

For additional signage from the Niagara Region, click here.
Employment Help Centre
Contact Your Local Chamber
Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director

Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director

West Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director

This email was sent by on behalf of the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce, which consists of the Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and the West Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. You have received this email because you subscribed to our newsletters; your email address will not be shared and will be used only for these updates.
You may unsubscribe from receiving these emails at any time.
Please contact your local Chamber if you have any questions or concerns.