COVID-19 Update for April 21, 2020 – 12:15pm
In his daily address, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau provided an update on additional measures dedicated for marginalized and severely impacted communities such as seniors, homeless, impoverished and disabled Canadians.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
The Prime Minister announced that employers will be able to apply for the CEWG starting on Monday, April 27th for the 75 per cent salary top-up to keep staff on the payroll. The government expects to have processed 90 per cent of claims by May 4th, with payments landing later that week.
New Calculator Launched
The government is also launching a calculator application on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website to help employers and businesses determine how much they will be able to claim through the wage subsidy program.
Assistance for Charities and Non-Profits
Trudeau also announced the Emergency Fund for Community Support, a $350-million fund to support community organizations and non-profits. This money will help large and small organizations carry out important duties such as training volunteers, delivering meals to seniors and driving people with disabilities to appointments.
The investment will flow through national organizations — such as the United Way and Red Cross — that have the ability to get funds quickly to local organizations that serve vulnerable populations. It will support a variety of activities, such as:
- Increasing volunteer-based home deliveries of groceries and medications.
- Providing transportation services, like accompanying or driving seniors or persons with disabilities to appointments.
- Scaling up help lines that provide information and support.
- Helping vulnerable Canadians access government benefits.
- Providing training, supplies, and other required supports to volunteers so they can continue to make their invaluable contributions to the COVID-19 response.
- Replacing in-person, one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through phone calls, texts, teleconferences, or the Internet.
We hope you are finding these COVID-19 updates useful. In addition to trying to keep on top of the fast-changing situation, Enterprise is also working to support local charities during these challenging times. If you are able, your contributions to this
effort would be deeply appreciated.
To donate, please click on the link.
- Toronto – Food Banks Canada
- Thunder Bay – Food Banks North West
- Hamilton/Niagara – Hamilton Food Share
- Alberta – Hope Mission
Many thanks.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
The Enterprise Team