November 3, 2020

Your CFA Update on COVID-19

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Commercia Rent: Federal government tables legislation for new rent subsidy

The federal government tabled legislation on Monday establishing a series of new financial supports to help businesses survive the pandemic — including a redrafted commercial rent subsidy program to replace the federal government's much-criticized rent assistance benefit. 

Monday's measures include the introduction of the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, CERS, which replaces the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program. It also includes a new "lockdown support" to aid businesses ordered to close by a public health order. The legislation also extends the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until June 2021.

The new CERS allows businesses to apply directly for the benefit without having to go through landlords.

Franchise Awareness Week is underway

Franchise Awareness Week is well underway. Over the course of this week the CFA and our members will be meeting with over 30 Ontario MPPs (including several Cabinet Ministers) to continue to raise awareness about franchising and franchised business issues.

We are talking to Ontario MPPs about

• Franchising’s contribution to the economy
• The Franchisor/Franchisee Relationship and how to clarify it in legislation
• Asking Ontario to extend the commercial eviction ban
• Urging Ontario to reform the property tax system to protect businesses from unsustainable property tax hikes
• Improving access to capital by creating an Ontario working capital program
• Maintaining a reasonable, predictable & fair minimum wage
• Increase the small business tax threshold
• Ensuring a fair playing field under environmental legislation

Federal Tories call for pause on CRA audits for businesses struggling due to COVID-19

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is calling for the Liberals to put a pause on federal audits of small businesses hit hard by COVID-19.

He says too many small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to survive during the pandemic, and still have been hit by what he calls unfair audit requests from the Canada Revenue Agency.

O'Toole says his party will use its time on the House of Commons agenda today to also propose changes to the federal wage subsidy and commercial rent-relief programs.

Ontario announces reopenings and new colour-coded system

Ontario says it is introducing a new set of specific criteria for imposing anti-COVID-19 measures in different regions, as the province reported a record-high 1,050 new cases of the illness on Tuesday.

The new colour-coded system is, in part, intended to provide clarity on how decisions about restrictions for different industries and businesses, like restaurants and bars and fitness facilities, are being made at the provincial level.

It also means changes for the public health units currently in a modified Stage 2 of Ontario's recovery plan, namely Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa.

All three areas were rolled back for a period of 28 days on Oct. 11, meaning the additional measures are set to expire this weekend. York Region is also in a modified Stage 2, but is only in its third week of the 28-day period. 

At the province's daily news conference Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford said that as of 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 7, Ottawa, Peel and York Region will move out of the modified Stage 2, which means gyms and indoor dining will once again be permitted, with capacity limits.

The same will happen in Toronto a week later, on Nov. 14.

Sask. making masks mandatory in some cities, reducing gathering sizes provincewide

Saskatchewan will be making masks mandatory in indoor public spaces in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert, and reducing the allowed size of gatherings provincewide. The orders were announced Tuesday and take effect on Friday. The public health mandatory masking order will be in place for 28 days

The maximum allowable gathering size for private gatherings in the home will decrease to 10 from 15. This includes those who ordinarily live in the home. Any event that occurs in a private home and any outbuildings including weddings, religious gathering and funerals must abide by the 10-person gathering limit issued by the province. 

Former golf course at U of Manitoba set to become massive infill site

Development at the former Southwood golf course will stretch over a 40-year period, under a plan now at the land-use approval stage with the City of Winnipeg. The project could add 10,000 or more housing units to the area over that period.

UM Properties was formed to act on the development, following a series of consultations with the community and design ideas solicited from planning and architectural firms. It will develop the land on behalf of the university, allowing private companies to build the housing and commercial outlets on the property. The plan, now at the land-use approval stage with the City of Winnipeg, would see a rolling series of developments over the next 40 years, starting at the edge of the U of M's property along Sifton Road.

The initial phase will include multi-family apartment and condominium towers, up to 25-storeys high, with commercial space on the main floors, along with restaurants, small-scale grocery stores, banking and other services. 

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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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