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COVID – 19 Pandemic Links to Resources and Information

Details will be added, removed or updated as they become available or change.

April 7 – Federal Covid-19 Benefit Calculator tool

April 2 – Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is building a new portal to house various applications. The goal is for the website to be ready next Monday, with the objective of a one-week turnaround to review applications. Applications will be accepted under an honour system for now, but government will be conducting audits and those found cheating will suffer the consequences. A synopsis of the steps and options available are found at the bottom of this page.

March 30 – Transport Canada Personnel certification renewal extensions due to Covid19

The Transport Canada response to the Covid-19 Pandemic regarding personnel is found in the Ship Safety Bulletin here. Mariners are extended a 6 month grace period for certificates that expire in 2020.

March 30 – Refund, Trip Cancellation and Credit Considerations

During these unprecedented times and as you all to aware, customers are coming forward with various requests and opinions about how there Consideration should be given to cancellation, credit or refund policies. Please see an article posted by Ryan Morasiewicz and Selena Chen, MLT Aitkins Law, on the subject;

Outdoor/Adventure Industry Trip Cancellations and Customer Deposits in Times of COVID-19

Added March 30 – Business Resources

Please find a recent link from the Province of BC that details both Provincial and federal resources and links.

Here are some additional links and resources about looking after yourself and considerations for tourism and hospitality.

BC Centre for Disease Control – Covid 19
Public Health Agency of Canada – Up-to-date information on COVID-19
Destination BC updates and links

These are very unusual times and it is important that everyone take informed steps to minimize their contribution to the spread of Covid-19 and misinformation about the pandemic.

PROVINCIAL GUIDANCE REGARDING FISHING AND HUNTING DURING COVID-19

Fishing remains as one of the most suitable self isolation and social distancing activities available to us. Even so, it bears reiterating that close adherence to Provincial and federal guidelines is important no matter where you are or what you are doing.

As part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this link will provide updates regarding any changes implemented by the Province related to hunting and fishing activities.

From the BC Provincial Health Officer and website:

As the Covid-19 situation rapidly evolves, the Resource Stewardship Division within the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development will continues to modify our response accordingly. Changes and updates to hunting and angling services as of March 28, 2020 include the following:

The Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has not issued any orders restricting individuals from angling and/or hunting at this time.
At all times, individuals are expected to follow the orders and guidance provided by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).
Specific guidance for angling and hunting activities, including but not limited to:
- Only fish and hunt with members of your family or others you are living with.
- Maintain physical distancing (2 metres or 6 feet) from other individuals you come across.
- Do not share vehicles with individuals outside of your family or others you are living with.
- Fish and hunt locally.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially around communal areas such as boat ramps, gates, etc.
- Adhere to all travel advisories and self isolation requirements.
- Adhere to all municipal, First Nation community, provincial and federal closures (e.g. parks, infrastructure, etc.).
- Many BC Parks and recreation sites are closed. It is suggested to check ahead.
- If you are not confident you can meet all of these conditions, please postpone your trip.
All angling and hunting regulations and licensing requirements are still in effect.
The Conservation Officer Service is continuing to operate across BC.

Canada Revenue Agency synopsis of options

Ensure your CRA business account is set up ASAP and ensure direct deposit is set up correctly.

Federal application processes may get started early next week and you want any funds being provided to arrive as quickly and easily as possible.

www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-businesses/business-account.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_my-cra-business-account

PROVINCIAL: Defer PST and Employer Health Taxpayments to September 30.

See list of tax deferments available at: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/tax-changes/covid-19-tax-changes

FEDERAL: Defer GST and Federal tax payments, but continue to file your returns.

The CRA will allow all businesses to defer, until the end of June 2020, any GST/HST payments or remittances that become owing on or after March 27th and before June 2020. This means that no interest will apply if your payments or remittances are made by the end of June. The deadline for businesses to file their returns is unchanged.

www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update/frequently-asked-questions-gst-hst.html

The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all businesses to defer, until August 31st, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act.

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

Explore options with BC Hydro to defer bill payments or arrange for flexible payment plans with no penalty.

BC Hydro is offering customer assistance programs to help customers experiencing financial hardship during the Coronavirus outbreak.

www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2020/bill-relief-covid-19.html

It was announced today that residential customers who have lost their jobs or are unable to work as a result of COVID-19 will receive a credit to help cover the cost of their electricity bills. The credit will be three times their average monthly bill over the past year at their home and does not have to be repaid. Small businesses that have been forced to close due to COVID-19 will have their power bills forgiven for three months. BC Hydro is waiving bills for these customers from April to June 2020.

news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0018-000611

Defer ICBC payments for 90 days.

Note: ICBC needs you to use their online tool so be sure to request the deferral at least one business day before your insurance is due. This also applies to fleet insurance.

www.icbc.com/about-icbc/contact-us/Pages/covid-19.

Explore the Canada Emergency Business Account.

Up to $40,000 loan, interest free for one year through financial institutions, but fully backed by the federal government. For some businesses, up to $10,000 may be forgivable. The program will likely become available next week.

www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/additional-support-for-canadian-businesses-from-the-economic-impact-of-covid-19

Explore your eligibility for the Federal Wage Subsidy program.

This program helps companies of all sizes, non-profits, and charities that have faced revenue decreases of at least 30% by providing employers a 75% pwage subsidy, back-dated to March 15. Today the federal government provided some clarity on eligibility:

Eligible employers who suffer a drop in gross revenues of at least 30% in March, April or May, when compared to the same month/s in 2019, will be able to access the subsidy. However, there is no clear guideline yet for businesses that just opened in 2020 or for seasonal businesses that are typically closed in March, April and May.
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy would apply at a rate of 75% of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees – representing a benefit of up to $847 per week. The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020.

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

Defer individual tax payments.

For individuals, the deadline to file taxes is now June 1st. But this is only an advantage if you expect to owe taxes. Do not delay if you expect a refund! If you do owe taxes after this later filing date, you will now have until August 31st to make the payment.

Check and see if your municipality is offering any tax deferral options.
Share information about the employment benefits available to your staff:

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) — Provides $2,000 per month for four months to any workers who have lost their income for reasons related to COVID-19 including reasons of sickness, quarantine, taking care of those with COVID-19 as well as working parents needing to stay at home with children. This applies to wage earners, contract workers, and self employed individuals. Applications for this benefit will begin April 6th at the earliest, with payments to Canadians set for April 16th.

www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/introduces-canada-emergency-response-benefit-to-help-workers-and-businesses.html

BC Emergency Benefit for Workers — Tax-free one-time payment of $1,000 to British Columbians (EI-eligible and non-EI eligible) whose ability to work has been impacted by COVID-19, to be aligned with federal government program

www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/covid-19-financial-supports/emergency-benefit-workers

Employees who are unable to work due to COVID-19 related reasons are permitted to take unpaid, job-protected leave. This is retroactive to January 27th.

www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/time-off/leaves-of-absence#covid19

Narrated by Dave Babych, retired Vancouver Canucks and NHL star, and produced by Mike Bemister, SFI Board Member and Northwest Creative.

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