20 May 2020

Canada: Federal and provincial relief programs

MSI's Canadian law member Gardiner Roberts LLP provides a summary of the federal subsidies and the subsidies provided by the Province of Ontario for businesses and individuals.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Federal government will subsidize up to 75% of the wages paid to eligible employees between March 15 and June 6, 2020, with potential for an extension up to September 30, 2020. The CEWS generally applies to all businesses, regardless of size, as well as registered charities and certain non-profits, but otherwise excluding tax exempt and public bodies as long as they have a 30% reduction in revenue in the same month last year or January and February of this year. March only requires a 15% reduction. Small Business Wage Subsidy: The subsidy is equal to 10% of the remuneration paid from March 18 to June 19, 2020, up to $1,375 for each eligible employee and to a maximum of $25,000 total per employer. Eligible employers are Canadian-controlled private corporations entitled for the small business deduction, non-profit organizations, registered charities, individuals and partnerships. Extended Work-Sharing Program: Offered to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers. The maximum duration of the program has been extended from 38 weeks to 76 weeks. Changes to Canada Summer Jobs Program: The government implemented temporary changes to the CSJ program, which includes the following: an increase in the wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can receive up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee; an extension to the end-date of employment, up to February 28, 2021; allows employers to adapt their projects and job activities to support essential services; and allows employers to hire staff on a part-time basis. The application deadline has been extended for employers who have been deemed an essential or critical service. View the full summary here