COVID-19 Updates | Weekly Workplace Recap from January 22 to January 28, 2021
Below are the key announcements from the Federal, Ontario, and Alberta governments that touch on workplace issues from January 22 to January 28, 2021.
Federal
Announces Launch of Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
The federal government has announced the launch of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP). The program will cover amounts ranging from $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs for businesses across the country, in all sectors, that have been hit hard by the pandemic. This includes restaurants, businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors, and those that rely on in-person service.
To be eligible for HASCAP, businesses need to show a year-over-year revenue decline of at least 50% in three months, within the eight months prior to their application. They must also be able to show their financial institutions that they have previously applied for either the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.
Eligible businesses can start applying as early as Monday, February 1 at principal financial institutions.
Visit the HASCAP website for information on eligibility and applications.
Ontario
Reminds Ontario Employers of Available COVID-19 Resources Available to Them
All eligible businesses are encouraged to apply for relief during the provincial shutdown. After applications recently opened for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, over 42,000 applications have been received.
The grant provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations during the pandemic.
Find out if your business is eligible for grants to help with the cost of personal protective equipment, property taxes, energy bills and extra support if you have to close or significantly restrict services because of provincial public health measures.
Apply for funding now through COVID-19 Business Support Grants.
Alberta
Provides Workplace Guidance Documents to Help Businesses Reopen
While new business restrictions are in effect, updated workplace guidance and supports to help businesses operate safely and support their recovery are available through Alberta Biz Connect.
If your business is open, you should:
- follow the general guidance and relevant sector-specific guidance documents, and
- identify and implement measures to comply with public health measures and workplace guidance to reduce the risk among staff and customers.
An optional template is available to help businesses determine the steps they should take when reopening:
For more information, check out Alberta Biz Connect.
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.
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