Many, if not all, Canadian businesses have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. However, Canada introduced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) to support employers during these troubling times. In short, this subsidy covers 75% of employee wages for eligible employers. Therefore, if you’re interested in finding out more about CEWS including what it is or whether you’re an eligible…
Premier John Horgan announced a 4 phase plan to restart the province and slowly loosen restrictions. What does this mean? It means that if certain requirements are met, the province will progress through these phases. As a result, businesses may begin to reopen under the condition of safe operation. According to B.C.’s Restart Plan, which can be found here, public…
On Monday, May 4, 2020, the B.C. Ministry of Labour announced a change to the B.C. Employment Standards Act. More specifically, temporary layoffs are now extended to 16 weeks. This is a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and its unprecedented effects on the labour market. The B.C. government changed its employment regulations in order to match the Canada Emergency Response…
During these difficult and uncertain times, the federal and provincial governments have been taking measures to provide financial support to those who need it. This includes employed and self-employed individuals who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the province of British Columbia has announced the B.C. Emergency Benefit for…
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the details for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program on April 24, 2020. The program aims to provide the support needed by small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The government hopes that introducing this program will contribute towards a quicker and easier economic rebound once restrictions are lifted. In…
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been wide reaching, especially for the energy sector. It has, and continues to, experience unforeseen challenges to its daily operations. For example, closures, employees quarantining or self-isolating, and disrupted supply chains. These difficulties have only been exacerbated by unprecedented declines in oil prices. As a result, it’s reasonable to assume that many oil…
The federal government has taken measures to help both Canadian businesses and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit targets individuals who have lost income due to COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) supports small and medium businesses as well as not-for-profits. From determining whether you’re eligible for the program to understanding which documents to…