FIND FINANCIAL HELP DURING COVID-19

The government has released a tool that will allow guide individuals and businesses towards which financial help they may qualify for.  Simply answering the questions with your relevant details will lead you to a narrowed list of possible support measures available to you or your business.  For financial help for individuals, click here.  For financial help for businesses,…

CECRA applications open May 25, 2020

Today, the federal government announced that applications for the CECRA will open on May 25, 2020 at 8:00 am EST.  Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It offers unsecured, forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to:  reduce the rent owed…

Changes to CEBA (Canada Emergency Business Account) eligibility

On May 19, the Prime Minister announced expanded eligibility of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). The program will now be available to a greater number of businesses that are sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll.  The expanded criteria…

Additional small business assistance is here

The federal government announced additional support for small businesses unable to access existing support measures, such as the CEBA. This additional support is being offered through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) The RRRF criteria is based on the amount of funding being requested by the business. The intent of the RRRF is to…

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

The federal government has announced that applications for the CEWS (75% wage subsidy) opens April 27. This is great news for small businesses in Canada.   HGA Recommends  Eligibility for the CEWS was discussed in our previous blog post here. We have also provided guidance on how to use Quickbooks Online to pull reports to determine your…

Additional support for small businesses

Today, the Prime Minister announced additional support for small businesses facing economic hardship and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic.   CEBA Eligibility Expansion  The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) has been expanded to include businesses that paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. This new range will replace the previous one of between $50,000 and $1…

CERB – it’s time to re-apply, and eligibility expansion

Today, the federal government announced expanded access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and support for essential workers. The government will be changing the eligibility rules to:  Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while also collecting the CERB;  Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their…

Temporary changes to Alberta employment standards

The Government of Alberta recently announced temporary changes to employment standards in response to the economic disruption of COVID-19. Some highlights include:  Creating a job-protected leave for employees caring for children affected by school and daycare closures or ill or self-isolated family members due to COVID-19  Removing the 24-hour written notice requirement for shift changes  Removing the…