Canada Announcement Today – Extending 3 COVID-19 Supports for Businesses (attached)

• Wage and Rent Subsidy – Federal government intends to extend the current rate structures for these subsidies from March 14 to June 5, 2021. Specifically:

1.Maximum wage subsidy rate for active employees would remain at 75 per cent;

2.Maximum rent subsidy rate would remain at 65 per cent; and

3.Lockdown Support would remain at 25 per cent and continue to be provided in addition to the rent subsidy, providing eligible hard hit businesses with rent support of up to 90 per cent.

Note: Proposed Increases

• CRB & CRCB – Canada Recovery and Caregiving Benefits extended from 26 weeks to 38 weeks. CRB pays $1,000 every two weeks to those affected by COVID-19 and not eligible for EI. CRCB pays $500 per week to Canadians who take time off work to care to someone affected by COVID-19. Both programs, applicants must reapply at the end of each pay period. The change would allow eligible recipients to apply for a total of 19 periods (38 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
• CRSB – Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit – those home sick with COVID-19 is extended from 2 weeks to four, paying $500 weekly, and must reapply weekly.

EI - increased the number of weeks of EI regular benefits available by up to 24 weeks to a maximum of 50 weeks through legislation, for claims that are made between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

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