Malcolm MacKillop's Blog, page 9
April 14, 2020
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy – Top 10 Questions Answered
April 14, 2020
On April 11, 2020, the Federal Government passed the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2 (the Act). In addition to other changes, the Act amends the federal Income Tax Act to establish the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), which we previously discussed here and here.
The CEWS is designed to encourage employers to recall laid off employees and to keep them on payroll while also easing cashflow difficulties that businesses are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below...
April 8, 2020
Update on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”)
April 8, 2020
Last week, the Federal Government announced it would provide the CEWS, a 75% wage subsidy for any business, charity or non-profit that has suffered a 30% decline in revenue due to COVID-19, which we previously discussed here, and here.
It was previously announced that businesses would have to compare their current revenues to those in the same month last year to demonstrate a 30% decrease in revenue and to qualify for the CEWS. This posed a problem in particular for...
April 3, 2020
COVID-19 Update: Ontario Government Narrows List of “Essential Businesses”
April 3, 2020
Today the Ontario Government announced it will reduce the list of essential businesses and order more workplaces to close in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. The mandatory closure of non-essential workplaces was initially ordered on March 24, 2020, which we previously discussed here.
The Ontario Government will update the Emergency Order and all businesses not covered by the new order must close on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 11:59 pm.
The closure of non-essential...
April 1, 2020
Update on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Response Benefit
April 1, 2020
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
Last week, the Federal Government announced it would provide the CEWS, a 75% wage subsidy for any business, charity or non-profit that has suffered a 30% decline in revenue due to COVID-19, which we previously discussed here. Today, more information was released by a team led by Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, as follows:
How is the 30% revenue decrease measured? Businesses must compare their current revenues to those in the same month...March 31, 2020
Ontario Government Extends Emergency Declaration to April 13, 2020
March 31, 2020
Yesterday the Ontario Government announced it has extended the Declaration of Emergency and all its emergency measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19. These emergency measures include the mandatory closure of non-essential workplaces, which we reported in a previous blog post here.
In addition, the Ontario Government has issued a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as sports fields...
March 30, 2020
Update on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program
March 30, 2020
Last week the Federal Government announced it would provide a 75% wage subsidy through a program known as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), which we previously reported on here.
In his press conference today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau provided the following details regarding the CEWS:
Businesses whose revenues have decreased by at least 30% because of COVID-19 will be eligible for the wage subsidy.All businesses whether big or small that meet this...
March 27, 2020
Federal Government Announces 75% Wage Subsidy for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic
March 27, 2020
Today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new measures to help small and medium-sized businesses to avoid laying off employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most important is a 75% wage subsidy for qualifying businesses. This is to replace the previously announced 10% wage subsidy, which we discussed in our previous blog post (accessible here). The increased wage subsidy will be backdated to Sunday, March 15, 2020.
At this time, it is not clear which businesses will be...
March 23, 2020
COVID-19 Update: Ontario Government Announces Shut Down of Non-Essential Businesses
In a news release issued on March 23, 2020, the Ontario Government announced it will order the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The closure will be effective as of Tuesday, March 24 at 11:59 pm, and it will remain in effect for 14 days. The closure may be extended beyond 14 days.
A full list of the businesses that are permitted to stay open will be released tomorrow.
Businesses are permitted to continue their operations with employees...
March 22, 2020
COVID-19 FAQs for Employers
What do I do if an employee, or his/her family member, is diagnosed with COVID-19 or was exposed to someone with COVID-19?
You must tell the employee not to come to work for the duration of the 14-day self-quarantine period.
Can I ask for a medical note from an employee who says they cannot come to work because of COVID-19?
While an employer is typically allowed to ask for a medical note to justify an employees absence from work, on March 16, 2020 the Ontario Government announced...
March 18, 2020
Ontario Passes COVID-19 Job Protected Leave Legislation
Ontario Passes COVID-19 Job Protected Leave Legislation
March 19, 2020
The Ontario Government has passed the Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020. It provides job-protected leave to provincially regulated employees who are unable to work for the following reasons:
the employee is under medical investigation, supervision or treatment for COVID-19; the employee is acting in accordance with an order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act; the...
