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Are your colleagues and franchisees subscribed to the Daily Update?
If you would like to subscribe all your franchisees to receive our Daily Update, please contact Alex Mann at amann@cfa.ca.
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Ontario expected to extend state of emergency to June 2
Ontario's legislature will sit Tuesday and is expected to extend the province's state of emergency to June 2, while also holding question period again.
A statement from the government house leader's office says unanimous consent is also expected to quickly vote on all stages of a bill that makes COVID-19-related changes to several acts.
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Federal government announces large employer emergency financing facility (LEEFF)
On May 11, Finance Minister Bill Moreau announced that the federal government is offering bridge financing for big Canadian businesses across all sectors to help them keep employees on the payroll through the pandemic, but there are conditions attached – including the required disclosure of the company's environmental plan.
Large employer emergency financing facility (LEEFF) will provide support to employers with annual revenues of more than $300 million whose credit needs are not being met through conventional financing. The program is open to large commercial businesses in all sectors except those in the financial sector, as well as certain not-for-profit businesses like airports.
To qualify, businesses must be looking for financing of $60 million or more, have significant operations or workforce in Canada and not be involved in ongoing insolvency proceedings. It is not intended to be a low-cost loan program for companies that don't need it or to bail out companies that were already in financial trouble before the pandemic.
Companies must disclose their climate action plans and sustainability goals to qualify and must meet other conditions, including not having "excessive" executive pay. Companies that have been found guilty of tax evasion are disqualified. Details are still being worked out and information on the application process is expected shortly.
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Business Credit Availability Program will be expanded for small and medium-sized businesses
Prime Minister Trudeau revealed that the Business Credit Availability Program will be expanded for small and medium-sized businesses. Support for mid-market businesses will include loans of up to $60 million per company and guarantees of up to $80 million. Through the BCAP, Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with private sector lenders to support access to capital for Canadian businesses in all sectors and regions.
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Uptake on government programs
During Saturday’s media briefing Prime Minister Trudeau noted that
- over 500,000 businesses have been able to receive a loan through the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
- Subsidies through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) have impacted almost 2,000,000 workers.
- the CEWS will be extended past June 2020
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Emergency Support Program For Saskatchewan Small Businesses Extended
On Friday, the Government of Saskatchewan announced the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP) program will be extended to the month of May for businesses that are required to remain closed or substantially curtail operations after May 19, 2020.
Businesses will not need to reapply to the program. Businesses that qualify for the program will automatically receive a second payment after May 19. Launched on April 13, 2020, the SSBEP program is a $50 million program providing financial support to small and medium businesses that have had to temporarily close or substantially curtail their operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible applicants receive a payment of 15 per cent of their sales revenue from April 2019 or February 2020, up to $5,000, to help businesses with expenses including fixed costs such as rent. To date, the SSBEP has processed more than 4,700 applications and provided more than $15 million in support to Saskatchewan businesses.
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NB moves to Phase 2 (Orange) of recovery plan
Premier Blaine Higgs announced that New Brunswick will be moving to Phase 2, Orange level. Under Phase 2 (Orange), several activities and openings are permitted, subject to maintaining physical distancing measures, general guidelines from Public Health and the Guidelines for New Brunswick Workplaces issued by WorkSafe NB.
Businesses do not need to be inspected before re-opening, but they must prepare an operational plan that can be provided to officials, if requested. Businesses may open immediately, but it is up to each business operator to decide if they are ready and if all guidelines have been met. Re-openings and activities include:
- Elective surgeries and other non-emergency health services, including dental, physiotherapy, optometry and massage therapy.
- Outdoor public gatherings, with physical distancing, of 10 or fewer people.
- Indoor public gatherings, with physical distancing, of 10 or fewer people for in-person religious services, weddings and funerals.
- All in-person programs at post-secondary institutions, subject to the COVID-19 directives from Public Health. Virtual education options should be continued wherever possible.
- Cultural venues such as museums, galleries and libraries.
- Offices not deemed essential during the initial phase.
- Retail establishments, including malls.
- Restaurants.
- Campgrounds and outdoor recreational activities, such as zoos and outfitters.
- Early learning and child care centres regulated by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will be permitted to reopen as of May 19. The department will contact operators to provide further information in the coming days.
- Non-regulated child care providers may open as of today but must adhere to Public Health guidelines, including having an operational plan.
- Day camps, if the organization can adhere to Public Health measures set out in the document called COVID-19 Recovery Phase: Guidance to Early Learning and Childcare Facilities and Day Camps.
- ATV trails across the province.
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Alberta releases COVID-19 guidelines for sectors that may reopen this week
Tanya Fir, minister of economic development, trade and tourism, released the new online tool to help businesses that may be allowed to reopen as early as Thursday. The province's online tool has documents to help prepare businesses for stage one relaunch, including:
- Day camps
- Daycare and out-of-school care
- Hair salons and barbershops
- Museums and art galleries
- Outdoor recreation
- Places of worship
- Restaurants
- Retail
The website also includes guidance documents for sectors currently allowed to operate under public health orders, including:
- Disability service providers
- Farmers markets
- Golf course operators
- Health non-essential services
- Health sector PPE guidelines
- Homeless shelters
- Industrial work camps
- Private/municipal campgrounds
Under the current relaunch plan, May 14 would be the earliest date when some restrictions may be lifted.
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Ontario deficit could hit $41 billion – FAO
The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) released its spring Economic and Budget Outlook report, which highlighted that Ontario is facing a $41 billion deficit – its largest ever.
The annual operating shortfall is now estimated to be almost four times larger than projected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the next two years, Ontario is expected to add an extra $78 billion in red ink to its provincial books. Financial Accountability Officer Peter Weltman stated that these numbers might even prove “too optimistic” if a second wave of COVID-19 forces longer shutdowns of the economy.
The FAO projects that Ontario’s real GDP will decline by 9 per cent in 2020, the largest annual decline on record.
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Recovery Playbooks
IFA – Franchise Reopening Blueprint, These guidelines aim to provide contextual practices for how franchise businesses can mitigate risk through education and practices necessary to protect the health of their employees, customers and communities. To ensure we have the most relevant information to offer, IFA has conducted interviews across our Automotive, Commercial Services, Education, Fitness, Hotel, Residential Services, Restaurant, Salon/Personal Care Services and Senior Care Services sectors with franchisors, franchisees and professional advisors most knowledgeable in their fields. Download the Blueprint
The Risks - Know Them - Avoid Them
Retail Council of Canada Recovery Playbook, in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group and retailers from across Canada, are leveraging global best practices for a diverse range of retail formats with the fundamental aim of ensuring a safe environment for employees and customers. Download the Recovery Guide
Restaurants Canada Rapid Recovery Guide provides best practices informed by the best advice from Public Health Authorities both federally and provincially, as well as industry best practices in order to provide a path for restaurant operators to reopen safely.
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ARTICLES OF INTEREST FROM CFA MEMBERS
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP:
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MAY 12, 2020
AT 2:00 PM ET
How to Market Your Brand Through COVID-19 and Beyond
50 CFE PARTICIPATION CREDITS
MODERATOR: Patti Hone, As You Like It Marketing
SPEAKERS: Jeff Barlow, Mary Brown’s Inc; Ashly Bickford, PropertyGuys.com
In only a few short months, business as usual has been turned on its head by the impact of COVID-19. How do you tailor your messages to potential franchisees who may not be in an immediate position to move forward? Join Patti Hone, President of As You Like It Marketing, as she leads a virtual roundtable discussion on what some franchisors are doing to maintain the connection with their customer base and how they are managing franchise recruitment marketing during these unique times.
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MAY 13, 2020
AT 4:00 PM ET
The Psychology of Maintaining Positive Mental Health and Resilience
NOTE: live session only
50 CFE PARTICIPATION CREDITS
SPEAKER: Greg Nathan, Psychologist and Founder, Franchise Relationships Institute
This session is suitable for senior executives, franchisor support teams, franchisees and suppliers. It will cover:
- The psychology of managing uncertainty and change
- How to stay calm, centred and healthy under pressure
- How manage relationship strains and difficult conversations
- How to provide useful emotional and practical support to others
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MAY 14, 2020
AT 2:00 PM ET
COVID-19 Consumer and Digital Trends Every Company Should Know
50 CFE PARTICIPATION CREDITS
SPEAKER: Steve Buors, Reshift Media
During this session, we will examine how consumer purchasing and digital media consumption has changed since COVID-19 began, and we will discuss what this could mean for businesses in the future.
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MAY 19, 2020
AT 2:00 PM ET
Planting Leadership Seeds
50 CFE PARTICIPATION CREDITS
SPEAKER: Erik Therwanger, Think GREAT
With an emphasis on creating a deeper understanding of leadership, leaders will learn new ways to create a sense of urgency, set and accomplish goals, improve communication, and begin planning for a successful future while impacting each person today.
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Feedback from our Members
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"I appreciate your update and efforts (and those of your team) – keep at it. I know some of our team have been on your webinars and sharing findings with the balance of our team when done. Your daily updates are also very helpful. Thanks again for your efforts”
- Aaron Abrams, MOLLY MAID Canada Inc.
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COVID-19's impact on the world is creating waves across all sectors and industries.
Every member of the CFA community is dealing with an issue that is affecting the world, our industries, our communities, our businesses, and our people.
We would like to hear from you if you have any topics, issues or questions to navigate turbulent times in order to support you further:
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