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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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DONATE TO SUPPORT THE CFA'S ADVOCACY EFFORTS ON COVID-19
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CFA Win – Wage Subsidy extended to the end of August
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program will be extended to the end of August. The program — which covers 75 per cent of an eligible company's payroll, up to a maximum of $847 per week per employee — originally was set to expire next month. Companies that saw their revenues drop by 15 per cent in March or 30 per cent in April and May are eligible for the program.
The CFA has been actively lobbying on this issue and we’re thrilled that the government has extended the wage subsidy.
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Q&A With The Canada Revenue Agency On The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will host an interactive Q & A session for SMEs on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). The session will respond to general questions about the CEWS and will provide resources needed to apply.
CRA lead session takes place via teleconference on May 20 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. ET. Please note: If the session is full, you will be able to add your name to the CRA’s waitlist. CRA will contact you if it organizes future sessions.
Note: This is not a CFA event. It is being run by the Canada Revenue Agency and is open to the public
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Canadian home sales had their worst April since 1984 – prices holding steady
Canadian Real Estate Association said that home sales fell by more than 56 per cent from the previous month's level, which makes the month the worst April for home sales since 1984. The CREA said it saw the trend begin in March, which started out strong before sales plunged in the latter half of the month. All in all, March sales were down by 15 per cent from February's level. Now, April is almost 60 per cent below that record low.
Prices holding steady for now
The number of homes sold is way down but so far average prices are not plummeting. The average price of a home sold by a realtor last month was $488,000, down by 1.3 per cent from April 2019.
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Single-use plastics ban likely delayed due to pandemic
Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says plans to ban some single-use plastics will likely be delayed because of COVID-19. Wilkinson told The Canadian Press the government remains firmly committed to its environmental agenda, which was a key part of its 2019 re-election campaign.
In December, Wilkinson told the world Canada would update its emissions targets by the fall of 2020, as is required by the Paris Agreement on climate change. In January, Wilkinson was firm that Canada had the evidence it needed to bring in a ban on some single-use plastics in 2021.
Wilkinson said the government is still planning to achieve both those goals, but won't commit to the timing because the pandemic is unpredictable and Ottawa needs to focus on responding to the current crisis.
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Nova Scotia entered its second phase of reopening on Friday.
Nova Scotia is easing more of its COVID-19 restrictions ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend. The province introduced a bubble for immediate family, which would let two households consisting of immediate family members to come together without physical distancing.
Public beaches will be able to reopen as early as Saturday at 8 a.m. AT, but physical distancing will need to be observed and groups can be no larger than five people.
Archery, equestrian, golf, paddling, sailing, boating and tennis can resume at outdoor facilities as of Saturday at 8 a.m. provided social distancing, environmental cleaning and participant hygiene can be maintained.
But organized coaching or training, competitions, tournaments, regattas or similar events are not permitted
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Smaller Businesses Hit 50% Harder By COVID-19
The Canadian Chamber/Statistics Canada Survey of Business demonstrates some surprising resilience of small- and medium-sized businesses despite having outsized disadvantages when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The disadvantages? Compared to the national average, 50% more SMEs said they didn’t have enough cash to keep their doors open longer than 60 days without any revenue. Similarly, nearly double the percentage of SMEs said they had experienced a 20% decrease in revenue.
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British Columbia will allow voluntary return to classrooms on June 1.
B.C. Premier John Horgan announced that some children will start to return to classrooms on a part-time, voluntary basis beginning June 1. The gradual reopening will apply to all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Schools will have to abide by rigorous cleaning procedures and follow provincial health guidelines.
The number of students in class will be limited, Fleming said. In-person classes will be limited to part-time hours, with start times and breaks staggered throughout the day to encourage physical distancing. Elementary schools will be limited to 50 per cent in-class instruction, while middle and secondary schools will be limited to 20 per cent in-class instruction, or one day a week.
The province will not be extending the school year, he said, but is making plans for summer school offerings. All school boards and independent schools will have to submit their operational plans to the Ministry of Education before they reopen.
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PEI's plan to launch Phase 3 reopening between June 1 and June 12
PEI’s plan to launch Phase 3 of its ease-back plan will be expedited to an expected start of June 1 from June 12, said Premier Dennis King during an afternoon media briefing Friday.
With tourism entirely shut down, and no clear idea when it will open, some short-term rental operators are offering up their units for long-term rentals.
Setting day for the 2020 spring lobster season is today, after a two-week delay.
Some lobster fishermen are concerned about their ability to physical distance on boats.
Children entering kindergarten at Spring Park school in the fall got a drive-thru introduction to their teachers Thursday.
PEI Cannabis stores will reopen next week, and liquor stores that are still closed will follow a few days later.
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Canada Emergency Student Benefit Applications Open Today
Students and recent graduates can start applying for the CESB program today. The benefit provides $1,250 for each four-week period or $2,000 for each four-week period if you have dependants or a disability. Please note: if you have already applied, or are receiving support from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance (EI), you are not eligible to apply for the CESB.
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NEXT WEEK'S WEBINARS
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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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MAY 20, 2020
AT 1:00 PM ET
Working With Your Lender – COVID-19 Support Initiatives
50 CFE PARTICIPATION CREDITS
SPEAKERS: Paul daSilva, VP, Franchise/Retail Brands, RBC; and Joseph Pisani, Director, Franchise Finance, BMO
Join this webinar for a review of some of the initiatives available to you to help you manage the current economic challenges, learn how to understand your cash flow and prepare to work with your financial services partner in a post COVID-19 market.
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MAY 22, 2020
AT 2:00 PM ET
Adapting to the New Normal After COVID-19
50 CFE PARTICIPATION CREDITS
SPEAKERS: Bill Dietz, Paul Davis Restoration, Greg Tabak, Paul Davis Restoration and Michael Sherrard, Sherrard Kuzz LLP
Join this webinar to gain insight into how to adapt your operating practices to the ‘new normal’ and how to manage your preparedness from a liability perspective as you prepare your return to work plans and procedures.
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Feedback from our Members
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"The work the CFA team does in many ways goes unnoticed and is simply taken as expected. I don’t see it that way. The work you do impacts so many and does great work in being the voice of the franchise community. It does not go unnoticed and unappreciated! Thank you for all you do!”
- Paul C. Pascal, Vice President, Operations, Second Cup Coffee Co.
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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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