May 15, 2020
There have been some recent announcements related to COVID-19 support and the reopening of businesses that we wanted to bring to your attention.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Extension
· The federal government announced today that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will be extended an additional 3 months, from June 6 – August 29.
· Hints were made that the eligibility criteria would also be expanded, including changes to the 30% revenue decline requirement.
· More details to be released in the near future.
· When considering the CEWS, please be aware that there are significant non-compliance penalties, which include penalties ranging from 25% - 50% of the subsidy received, in addition to returning any subsidy received, as well as penalties of up to 200% and imprisonment for situations involving fraud.
As such, great prudence is important when determining eligibility, or the details of your claim, as is the maintenance of bookkeeping and accounting records for the likely event they will be requested by the CRA.
A quick note about employee wages in BC: BC’s minimum wage is currently set at $13.85/hr. This will be increasing in 2 weeks to $14.60/hr on June 1, 2020.
Support For Seniors
· The federal government announced that they will be providing a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.
· An additional $200 will be provided to seniors who are eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
· Required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) have been reduced by 25% for 2020.
Support For Students
· The federal government announced the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) for students and recent graduates who are unable to work due to COVID-19 related reasons.
· This benefit is available from May to August of 2020.
· The benefit provides $1,250/month for eligible students, or $2,000/month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities.
· Click here for additional information or to apply.
Phased Openings (BC)
· The Government of BC launched what it calls BC’s Restart Plan, with BC moving into Phase 2 of this plan. This plan is summarized by their graphic below.
Under enhanced protocols, this phase includes the re-opening of health and medical related services, retail locations, restaurants, cafes, pubs, parks and beaches, hair salons and other personal service establishments, in-person counselling, libraries and museums, and other office-based worksites. For each of these industries there is specific guidance provided by WorkSafeBC here.
As many businesses begin to reopen, there are a number of points to be aware of:
· Under the Workers Compensation Act, employers are required to ensure the safety of their employees at work. In the context of businesses emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic, this will include:
§ Assessing risk of spreading the virus at the workplace
· Meeting areas and common surfaces
· Tasks requiring close proximity with others
· Exchange of materials
· Handling of common tools and equipment
§ Implementing measures to reduce the risk
· Adequate hand-washing facilities, and policies around frequent hand-washing
· Cleaning and sanitizing protocols
· Maintaining physical distance (2 meters)
o Reducing the number of people at the workplace at one time through rescheduling or work-at-home options (note that workplace safety responsibility is extended to home offices if employees are required to work from home)
o Implement physical barriers, such as partitions or plexi-glass, where physical distance cannot be maintained
o If physical barriers are not practical to address physical distance, consider the use of masks and gloves, while being aware that these have their limitations.
§ Developing policies
· Who can be at the workplace
o Consider a log so you know who was at the workplace and on what date
· What to do if illness arises at the workplace
· Adherence to Provincial guidance regarding self-isolation
§ Developing communication plans and training
· Ensure everyone entering the workplace knows how to keep themselves safe while at the workplace.
o Ensure all workers are trained on the policies
o Post appropriate signage regarding occupancy limits
§ Once a workplace has established enhanced workplace safety protocols, it will be important to continue monitoring them to ensure they continue to be effective in maintaining a safe workplace.
§ WorkSafe BC will not be reviewing and approving plans from employers for implementation. However, in the event of a WorkSafeBC inspection, there will be questions asked about steps that have been taken to protect workers. More detailed information can be found here.
The information contained in this communication is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
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