Updated – August 11, 2020
Updated and improved Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) calculator
The CRA launched an updated and improved CEWS online calculator to help small and large employers alike prepare to apply for the next phase of the CEWS program, which will open for applications on August 17, 2020.
The CEWS calculator can be found on the CRA’s updated Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy web page, which includes detailed information to help employers understand how the CEWS can support their employees and operations, who is eligible to apply, and how claim periods are structured.
Bill C-20 extends the CEWS to December 19
Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures, today received Royal Assent, ensuring that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will continue to protect jobs by helping businesses keep employees on the payroll and encouraging employers to re-hire workers previously laid off. Bill C-20 will allow the extension of the CEWS until December 19, 2020, including redesigned program details until November 21, 2020 and more.
New Criteria for 75% Wage Subsidy Announced
Trudeau announced today the proposed new rules – businesses can use January and February of 2020 as comparison months to measure their revenue drop — instead of just the same month last year — which should help new or scaled-up businesses qualify.
Another proposed adjustment reduces the required revenue drop to 15 per cent for the month of March, which is expected to capture the many businesses that were forced to shut down midway through that month.
This is an update from the announcement made Friday, March 27, 2020
Businesses and non-profit organizations seeing a drop of at least 30% in revenue due to COVID-19 will qualify for the government’s 75 per cent wage subsidy program, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today.
Workers who qualify for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will have 75 per cent of their salary covered, on the first $58,700 earned this year, equivalent to $847 per week. The program will be backdated to March 15.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just announced more assistance for small and medium-sized businesses to keep employees on the payroll during the COVID-19 crisis, including a 75 per cent wage subsidy and guaranteed interest-free loans.
More details are promised Monday.
