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Ontario moves on CFA’s suggestion to defer WSIB premium payments for 6 months
This afternoon, Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced that Ontario providing $1.9 billion in relief for employers deferring Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premium payments for six months for all businesses in the province.
All employers covered by the WSIB's workplace insurance are automatically eligible for the provisions of the relief package and can defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. They will not be required to opt in to receive this benefit.
Additionally, the WSIB will cease interest accrual on all outstanding premium payments. They will not charge penalties during this six-month deferral period. There will be no negative consequences for businesses who defer premium reporting and payments. The WSIB will continue to fully cover workers at eligible workplaces.
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More Details on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
The brand-new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) offers income support for up to 16 weeks to those who lose pay because of the pandemic. The program is a "simpler and more accessible" program will cover Canadians who lost their jobs, got sick, are under quarantine or have to stay home because of school closures.
Who qualifies for the CERB?
It's available to wage earners, contract workers and self-employed people who don't qualify for employment insurance (EI).
The benefit will be available to workers living in Canada who are at least 15 years old and who:
- Have earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the year before their application from employment, self employment, employment insurance maternity and parental benefits, and/or similar benefits paid in Quebec under the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), or a combination of these sources.
- Are without income for at least 14 consecutive days in a four-week period because of COVID-19, because they have temporarily stopped working, lost their jobs, are sick or in quarantine, or need to care for a child or a family member.
- The Canada Emergency Response Benefit will provide $2,000 per month for the next four months to workers losing income as a result of COVID-19.
- If the federal government determines that someone received an income support payment for which they did not qualify, they will have to repay that amount as soon as they can.
- The repayment amount will be determined by the government. No interest payments would be charged on the amount owed.
- The online portal to apply for CERB will be available in early April, and people can expect payments within 10 days. CERB payments will be issued every four weeks, and will be available from March 15, 2020 to Oct. 3, 2020.
- Canadians already receiving employment insurance (EI) regular benefits and sickness benefits will, as of today, continue to receive those benefits and should not apply to the CERB.
- Canadians who already have applied for EI and whose application has not yet been processed don't need to reapply.
- Canadians who are eligible for regular EI and sickness benefits can still access those benefits if they're still unemployed after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.
How much is it worth?
- The Canada Emergency Response Benefit will provide $2,000 per month for the next four months to workers losing income as a result of COVID-19.
- If the federal government determines that someone received an income support payment for which they did not qualify, they will have to repay that amount as soon as they can.
- The repayment amount will be determined by the government. No interest payments would be charged on the amount owed.
- The online portal to apply for CERB will be available in early April, and people can expect payments within 10 days. CERB payments will be issued every four weeks, and will be available from March 15, 2020 to Oct. 3, 2020.
- Canadians already receiving employment insurance (EI) regular benefits and sickness benefits will, as of today, continue to receive those benefits and should not apply to the CERB.
- Canadians who already have applied for EI and whose application has not yet been processed don't need to reapply.
- Canadians who are eligible for regular EI and sickness benefits can still access those benefits if they're still unemployed after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.
How do people apply?
- The online portal to apply for CERB will be available in early April, and people can expect payments within 10 days. CERB payments will be issued every four weeks, and will be available from March 15, 2020 to Oct. 3, 2020.
What about those already collecting EI?
- Canadians already receiving employment insurance (EI) regular benefits and sickness benefits will, as of today, continue to receive those benefits and should not apply to the CERB.
- Canadians who already have applied for EI and whose application has not yet been processed don't need to reapply.
- Canadians who are eligible for regular EI and sickness benefits can still access those benefits if they're still unemployed after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.
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B.C. releases list essential and non-essential services
The province defines essential services as "essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning." Non-essential services can only stay open if they can demonstrate they are complying with public health orders
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CFA Webinar - Alleviating the crunch: How new government programs can help
David Black, Director, Government Relations & Public Policy, CFA and Scott Munnoch, Senior Counsel, Temple Scott Associates provided Franchisors, Franchisees and Franchise Support Services with an update on the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation including detailed information about the policies and programs that have been made available to businesses by federal and provincial governments to help them through the current situation.
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Navigating Rent & Leasing Challenges During COVID-19 Pandemic
March 30, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. ET
Your Moderator:
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SPEAKERS: David George, DEG Consulting; Michael Calderone, Urban Reform Realty Inc.; Clark Harrop, Dale & Lessmann LLP; Ken Otto, RedBerry Restaurants
DESCRIPTION:
This webinar will provide you with an overview of the impact of the rapidly-changing COVID-19 situation on rent and lease agreements. Topics covered in this webinar include potential government actions impacting commercial leases, rent deferral vs rent abatement, the force majeure clause and “frustration”, lease extensions and potential impacts on a rent relief period, how making changes to the lease can affect the franchise agreement and how to approach your landlord. It will also provide you with the opportunity to ask questions to real estate and leasing experts with panel including real estate broker, lawyer, multi-unit franchisee and franchisor.
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How to protect and strengthen your brand’s reputation when crisis hits
April 2, 2020 | 2:00 p.m. ET
Your Speakers: Additional panelists TBC
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DESCRIPTION:
This webinar will explore communications skill-building techniques to help manage crisis when it happens, as well as sustain and protect brand reputation. We’ll be answering questions about how to craft a statement and learn how to pivot your message in an fast-changing situation. Learn practical skills to grow the tools in your franchise communications toolkit to be prepared for crisis before, during and after COVID-19 in order to strengthen your franchise.
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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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