COVID-19 INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions regarding COVID-19:
Last updated: April 03, 2020

Daily Update

Through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, the federal government has committed $100 million to support food banks and local food organizations:

  • $50 million to Food Banks Canada
  • $20 million divided evenly between Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada
  • $30 million to be awarded at a later date

http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agricultural-programs-and-services/local-food-infrastructure-fund-infrastructure-and-equipment-improvement-projects/supporting-people-experiencing-food-insecurity-in-canada-because-of-covid-19/?id=1585855025072

At the request of the Quebec government, the Canadian Armed Forces will be deployed to remote communities in northern Quebec.

  • No details given as to what their involvement or duties are

Links to follow

The federal government has signed an agreement with Amazon to get medical supplies to the provinces
Links to follow

Employment

Applications for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit(CERB) will start on April 6th 2020. Please reference the link below on program details and how to apply:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_coronavirus-cerb

The federal government has created the Emergency Response Benefit to provide $2000/month to support those who don’t qualify for EI

  • Workers who must stop working due to COVID19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
  • Workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
  • Working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
  • Workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
  • Wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.
  • This benefit replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit

link:https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/introduces-canada-emergency-response-benefit-to-help-workers-and-businesses.html
link: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals.html

Small Business

The federal government has released the following updates on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program:

  • Applicants for wage subsidy will need to re-apply each month
  • The 30% revenue decline (which is needed to qualify for wage subsidy) will be measured against the same month last year
  • Employers must “do their best” to pay remaining 25% of wages
  • Severe penalties for those who fraudulently uses funds
  • Funds will be available six weeks from now through the CRA online portal(TBC)
  • Organizations that do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy may continue to qualify for the previously announced wage subsidy of 10%(does not require the demonstration of 30% revenue decline)

    • Announced previously:

  • The 75% wage subsidy is retroactive to March 15th and will apply to any business (of any size) or non-profit that has seen revenues decline by 30% or more as a result of COVID-19.
  • The subsidy will be a maximum of $847/week per employee, based on an annual salary/wage of up to $58,700.

Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/government-announces-details-of-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy-to-help-businesses-keep-canadians-in-their-jobs.html

The federal government announced the following support for small businesses:

  • The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy(also applicable to non-profits and large businesses)
  • Government will also guarantee bank loans for small businesses of up to $40,000
  • An additional $12.5 billion through Export Development Canada & the Business Development Bank to help small & medium-sized businesses with operational cash flow requirements
  • GST and HST payments, duties and taxes owed on imports, will be deferred until June

Link: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/27/prime-minister-announces-support-small-businesses-facing-impacts
Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/additional-support-for-canadian-businesses-from-the-economic-impact-of-covid-19.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html

Effective immediately, BDC will provide new relief measures for entrepreneurs:

  • Working capital loans of up to $2 million with flexible terms and payment postponements for up to 6 months for qualifying businesses;
  • Postponement of payments for up to six months, free of charge, for existing BDC clients with total BDC loan commitment of $1 million or less
  • Reduced rates on new eligible loans

Additional details regarding Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) measures, including industry specific support, to be announced in the coming days.
Link: https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/mediaroom/news_releases/pages/bdc-announces-additional-measures-provide-relief-canadian-entrepreneurs.aspx

Economic Measures

The Canadian government will provide an additional $5 billion in credit for farmers through Farm Credit Canada
Link: https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/about-fcc/media-newsroom/news-releases/2020/lending-capacity-increases-to-alleviate-industry-financial-pressure.html
Policy Update: Advance Payments Program loans due by April 30th will be deferred by six months

The Government of Canada has announced an $82 Billion financial Aid Package to assist Canadians. Measures include:

  • $27 billion in direct support for workers and businesses
  • $55 billion for liquidity through tax deferrals
  • Creating Emergency Care Benefit – For the ill, quarantined, self-isolation, or caring for a family member, this will be for 14 weeks for those who don’t qualify for EI (Replaced by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit)
  • COVID-19 Emergency Support Benefit – For those who don’t qualify for EI or are self-employed and have to close down(Replaced by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit)
  • Wage Subsidies for small businesses – Covers 10% of employee salaries for 3 months(increased to 75%, retroactive to March 15th and will apply to any business (of any size) or non-profit that has seen revenues decline by 30%)
  • Temporary boost of CCB
  • GST cheques for low-income
  • Interest-free moratorium on Canada Student Loans for six months
  • A temporary boost in funding for shelters – for the homeless or people in domestic violence situations and have no where to self-isolate safely
  • The creation of an Indigenous Communities Support Fund
  • Increased assistance for businesses through EDC
  • An increase to Farm Credit Canada to help farmers
  • Creation of “The Canada Account” for vulnerable industries
  • Banks to provide flexibility on mortgages and other loans
  • Those owing tax will have until August 2020 to pay
  • Temporary reduction in minimum RRIF withdrawals
  • Insured Mortgage Protection program re-instated temporarily
  • Investment in orphaned well remediation to be announced in the coming days

Health

Health Canada has set up a new App, called the Canada COVID-19 App, this can be downloaded for free to stay up to date
App link: https://ca.thrive.health/

For immediate assistance regarding COVID-19 and any questions you may have please contact:
Phone-: 1-833-784-4397
Email: phac.info.aspc@canada.ca

What should I do if I think I have symptoms or think I may have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19?
https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
AHS online assessment tool: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Journey/COVID-19/Pages/COVID-Self-Assessment.aspx

The federal government has committed $2 Billion to purchase medical equipment and supplies

  • Ottawa has signed contracts with various Canadian firms to provided critical supplies such as ventilators, tests, and personal protective equipment

Details: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/backgrounders/2020/03/31/partnerships-canadian-industry-fight-covid-19-pandemic

Through United Way Canada, the federal government has committed $9 million in funding to provide support services for seniors. Services include:

  • Grocery delivery, medications, and outreach services to assess needs and connect them to community support

Details: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/29/prime-minister-announces-support-vulnerable-canadians-affected-covid

The Government of Canada has committed $7.5 million in funding to Kids Help Phone to provide young people with mental health support
Details: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/29/prime-minister-announces-support-vulnerable-canadians-affected-covid

Canadian Blood Services is asking all donors to book and keep their appointments to prevent shortages
https://blood.ca/en/about-us/media/newsroom/its-safe-to-donate-blood-during-cvoid-19-and-critical-for-patients

Public Works and Government Services Canada has expanded and expedited the procurement process through a call to action to Canadian suppliers for COVID-19 products and services:
Links:
https://buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders
https://buyandsell.gc.ca/calling-all-suppliers-help-canada-combat-covid-19

New measures taken by the federal government to combat COVID-19

  • $192 million for vaccine research and preparation for future rollout
  • The signing of a new contract to model the disease to better understand it
  • A call to action to all post-secondary institutions to help with equipment and other solutions

link: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/23/canadas-plan-mobilize-science-fight-covid-19

Canadian athletes will not participate in the 2020 Olympics
Link: https://olympic.ca/2020/03/23/team-canada-to-be-absent-from-olympic-games-if-held-in-summer-2020/

Travel

The federal government has banned domestic air travel and inter-city train trips for people with COVID-19 symptoms
Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/03/government-of-canada-announces-new-domestic-transportation-measures.html

Travel Update: Under the federal Quarantine Act – All travellers returning to Canada are required to enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine
Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html?topic=tilelink

Travel Advisory:Effective March 21, 2020 – The Border between the USA and Canada will be temporarily closed to non-essential travel.

  • This does not affect trade. Supply chains between Canada and the US are still running

Travel Update for Canadians abroad: The government is working with the airlines to arrange transport home for Canadians who remain stranded abroad.
*A flight is planned from Morocco in the next few days.
For assistance in getting home, please contact: 1-613-996-8885 or email sos@international.gc.ca.
Link:
https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-assistance

Air travel into Canada
Effective March 18, 2020

  • Canada will deny entry to those who aren’t Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or U.S. citizens. Exceptions made for diplomats, air crews, and immediate family members of Canadian citizens.
  • Anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms will not be able to board a flight into Canada.
  • Non-domestic flights will be restricted to four international airports located in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal.

Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/03/new-measures-for-covid-19-response.html

Should I be cancelling my travel plans because of COVID-19?
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html
https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx#toc-2

Either me or my family member is outside of Canada and is affected by travel bans. What should we do?
Canadians travelling outside of Canada in need of emergency consular assistance can contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at +1 613 996 8885 or email sos@international.gc.ca.

Alberta

Alberta has enacted the following new restrictions:

Alberta has enacted the following new measures:

The Alberta government has announced the following economic measures:

  • Reversing the education property tax increase announced in their recent budget
  • Deferring the government portion of the education property tax on non-residential properties
  • Small and medium sized Employers will only have to pay half of their 2020 WCB premiums
  • Emergency Isolation Support: $50 million
  • Utility payment holiday
  • Student loans repayment holiday
  • Banks and credit unions – support for customers
  • Support for Employers

Link: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=699045A66118C-FA03-F4F5-959455E3316B8564
Link: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=698455D70096B-DF57-A62A-778266237F3241C8

Alberta Schools
https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
Student attendance at schools is prohibited.

  • Every K-12 student will receive a final mark and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Provincial assessments, such as provincial achievement tests, will be cancelled. At this time, diploma exams essential for post-secondary acceptance will continue. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate.
  • Provincial Achievement tests have been cancelled for the remainder of the year
  • Diplomas for Grade 12 graduation will be going forward with more details to come
  • Teachers and other school staff will still be expected to work, either from home or at their workplace, to ensure these expectations are met. Decisions on how to do this are still to be made, and it may vary depending on the school jurisdiction.
  • School authorities are expected to continue their regular day-to-day operations and ensure the safety of school facilities. Maintenance, capital projects, cleaning of facilities and administrative work will continue.

Alberta Daycares and day homes
https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
All licensed child care, out-of-school care programs and preschool programs in Alberta are closed at this time, as well. Approved day homes are exempt as they care for fewer than seven children at a time.

Alberta Post secondary institutions
https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
Effective immediately, student attendance at post-secondary institutions is prohibited until further notice.
The government will also be working with post-secondary institutions to ensure that these extraordinary circumstances do not prevent students from being eligible for admission to post-secondary studies for the upcoming school year.

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