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COVID-19 Updates | Daily Workplace Round Up for June 30, 2020

COVID-19 Resources for Small Business
Sarah Visca | Jun 30, 2020

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Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario and Alberta governments that touch on workplace issues for June 30, 2020.

Federal

Deferral on Sales Tax and Duty Payments Ends Today 

The Federal Government previously announced on March 27, that it would allow businesses to defer all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) payments, as well as customs duty payments owed for imports, until the end of June 30, 2020. Today, this deferral will end as planned.

Businesses that are still facing difficulties can contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Canada Border Services Agency to make a request for the cancellation of penalties and interest, and/or for a flexible payment arrangement with the CRA.

Helpful Resource: How to file a review for: Late accounting, penalties and late transaction payment interest

Ontario

Campaign Encourages Support for Local Small Businesses 

The Ontario Government is celebrating International Small Business Week with the launch of the "Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!" campaign. 

The campaign asks for mayors, local leaders and groups to support small businesses by committing on social media to "Shop Local, Shop Safe, Shop with Confidence,". The campaign highlights the best practices put in place by businesses to help keep shoppers safe while ensuring that the reopening of Ontario continues to be a success.

For example, the principles of the People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise encourage small businesses to strictly follow health guidelines and reopen with appropriate measures in place. 

For more information, check out this news release.

Emergency Orders Extended until July 10

The Ontario government has extended all emergency orders currently in force that were made pursuant to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until July 10, 2020.

For more information, check out this news release.

Alberta

Applications Open for Relaunch Grant to Aid the Recovery of Businesses 

Eligible small and medium-sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits can now apply for funding through the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant to assist them in re-opening.

The Grant program has a budget of $200 million and specifically offers financial assistance to Alberta job creators that:

  • Faced restrictions or closures from public health orders;
  • Have 500 or fewer employees; and 
  • Experienced a revenue loss of at least 50% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible job creators can apply for up to $5,000 through the program. Application intake opened June 29, and remains open until August 31, or for four weeks following the start of Stage 3 of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy, whichever is later.

Full program details, including additional eligibility criteria, application days by region, and how to apply, are outlined in the program guidelines. 

A program web page and online application portal can be accessed through
MyAlberta Digital ID.

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Sarah Visca
Sarah Visca is the Operations Manager at ConnectsUs HR, a company that provides tools & resources to quickly set up a Human Resources department.  
You can contact her here.