CEWS Extension, Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), CECRA, and Reopening Your Business
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – On May 15th, 2020, it was announced that CEWS will be extended for an additional twelve (12) weeks, to August 29th, 2020. There are further potential adjustments to the CEWS, which will continue to be discussed in the coming weeks.
Eligibility is now extended to the following:
- Partnerships that are up to 50% owned by non-eligible members;
- Indigenous government-owned corporations that are carrying on a business, as well as partnerships where the partners are Indigenous governments and eligible employers;
- Registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Associations;
- Non-public colleges and schools, including institutions that offer specialized services, such as arts schools, driving schools, language schools, or flight schools.
Businesses can calculate their subsidy amounts at this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-calculate-subsidy-amount.html#h-1 and apply through My Business Account on www.canada.ca.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will provide eligible small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with an interest free repayable contribution of up to $40,000. The objective of this program is to assist SMEs in western Canada that do not qualify for the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) or RRRF – Community Futures Stream.
Businesses can apply for the RRRF if they meet the following criteria:
- Have fewer than 500 full-time employees
- Are in Western Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba)
- Are not located in an area serviced by a Community Futures (CF) office
- Are not eligible for the RRRF – Community Futures Stream
- Have applied and were declined for funding from the CEBA, or were not eligible for the CEBA
- Were operational as of March 1, 2020
- Have suffered financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Intend to continue operations in Western Canada
Sole proprietorships and not-for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.
Program parameters and repayment terms:
- The contribution amount will be the lesser of $40,000 or the applicant’s estimated total operating balance between April 1st, 2020, and September 30th, 2020
- Repayment of seventy-five percent (75%), or up to $30,000, of the contribution amount, on or before December 31st, 2022, will result in forgiveness of twenty-five percent (25%), or up to $10,000 of the total contribution
- No scheduled monthly repayments are required until after December 31st, 2022
- If seventy-five percent (75%) of the contribution amount is not repaid by December 31st, 2022, the balance owing will be converted to an additional three (3) year term repayable contribution (with a fixed monthly repayment schedule), beginning January 2023, with no forgivable portion
- The full balance of the contribution amount must be repaid no later than December 31, 2025
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. The RRRF will close once it successfully distributes funds to eligible businesses. The funds are dispersed through a single payment, and the total amount of the contribution must be reported as income in the year in which the contribution is received. Recipients will be required to attest that the full amount of the contribution was expended for operating costs, such as rent, wages and salaries, utilities, insurance, debt expenses, professional fees and property and business taxes. Please find more information at this link: https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/20060.asp.
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) – Provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-10. It offers forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners for the following:
- To reduce the rent owed by their impacted small business tenants
- To meet operating expenses on commercial properties
For more information please visit the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s site at this link: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/finance-and-investing/covid19-cecra-small-business?fbclid=IwAR2v-zwgejDfpXWFZgWOb8GA8bIx113BR-IcyXWJjlEpqM_JvVmWUrudUVo.
Reopening Your Business – Many businesses have questions about the proper reopening procedures. We strongly advise that you do your research, and make sure that you are following the proper protocols for your specific business type and industry. You can download a Relaunch Considerations for Businesses document at this link: https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-considerations-for-businesses.docx.
The current circumstances are constantly changing, therefore any information we provide is subject to change, and we will try to keep you informed as there are any new developments. Please go directly to the CRA’s website at https://www.canada.ca to receive the latest updates and to develop your own understanding of the information provided. Your eligibility for any, and all, of the programs made available is solely determined by the CRA, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you make truthful and accurate declarations. Our office is closed to the public, although we are operating within our modified summer hours, and our security camera monitored front vestibule is open for pick-ups and drop-offs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday.