The Balancing Muskoka Blog
Important COVID-19 Business Resources
Governments across Canada have responded in the past weeks with relief programs for you and your business. Please find information about the programs now available to you below.
CFIB Covid-19 Business Resources
Have questions about the 75% wage subsidy?
The federal government announced the 75% wage subsidy two weeks ago. Thanks to your feedback through our surveys and calls, some changes were just announced that will expand the number of businesses who will meet the eligibility criteria:
Businesses will now be able to compare their sales to the same month last year OR to January and February 2020.
You will only need to demonstrate a 15% reduction in gross revenues in March, rather than the original 30%. April and May will still require you to demonstrate a loss of 30% or more.
To prove a revenue drop, businesses can measure revenues either on the basis of accrual accounting (as they are earned) or cash accounting (as they are received) to help address cash flow issues.
We continue to provide more feedback to government and ask for expanded eligibility to this program.
Visit our COVID-19 federal government FAQ for an up to date breakdown of the wage subsidy, including how you can apply, who is eligible, what to do if you’re not and when you can expect to receive your first payment.
CERB applications are open
The Canadian Emergency Response Benefit began accepting applications April 6 and will provide $2,000 each month to all workers residing in Canada who have ceased working due to COVID-19—including those paid in dividends. We are still pushing government to expand its access to more businesses such as the self-employed who keep operating parts of their business and could use CERB to offset their losses so they can still earn at least $2,000 each month.
Visit our COVID-19 federal government FAQ to find out how you can apply and for answers to common questions like “How do I deal with employees asking to be laid off for CERB?” and “How is government going to track zero income?”
Pandemic Petition: join small businesses fighting for more relief
Your business needs more help from governments if it's going to survive. We’ve created a petition to amplify your voice and to help ensure policy makers know exactly what your business needs. Sign our petition to join CFIB and business owners across Canada in the fight for greater relief.
Monthly bills and mounting debt
Our latest survey of CFIB members shows that only 20% of independent businesses remain fully open and only 30% have enough cash flow to pay their April bills. This is not sustainable. We know the Canada Emergency Business Account loans ($40,000) can’t be available soon enough and many are counting on them. We continue to advocate the eligibility for the loans be relaxed (currently only businesses with between $50,000 and $1 million in payroll in 2019 are eligible). We are also asking that $10,000 of the money be a simple grant instead of a loan to help cover fixed costs like rent. Read our press release for our latest recommendations.
Need business mail forwarded to your house? No problem—now it’s free.
Canada Post is waiving its mail forwarding fee so you can have your business mail forwarded to your personal address at no extra cost. Based on your feedback, we asked for this—and Canada Post listened. It will also refund anyone who paid for the forwarding service between March 13 and April 3. Visit the Canada Post’s online Q&A for more information.
What’s the Ontario government doing to help your business?
In Ontario, WSIB premiums have been deferred until August 31, 2020 with no interest or penalty. Find out what other relief measures are available at the provincial level and what support we’re fighting to get you next.
Find up to date answers to your questions in our business owner FAQ
The information your business needs is evolving every day in the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re updating our online FAQ with the latest information as soon as it becomes available. Visit our Help Centre to find nswers to questions including:
What will happen to my temporary foreign workers?
How do I apply for the $40k loan?
What do I need to know about tax deferrals?
More help via the CFIB website