Chamber News

To support businesses through the pandemic, the federal government introduced a comprehensive set of support measures that included the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) and Lockdown Support.  These programs continue to evolve as the pandemic continues. 

The Government of Canada is proposing to extend these measures until October 23, 2021, and increase the wage and rent subsidy rates between August 29 and September 25, 2021.

Instead of being reduced to 20 per cent, as previously announced, the maximum rate for wage and rent subsidies would be increased to 40 per cent for Period 20 (August 2 - September 25).  One additional period (September 26 - October 23) would be added with a maximum rate of 20 per cent. 

Eligible employers would also still be able to apply for the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) instead of the wage subsidy if they so choose. The hiring program provides alternative support for businesses affected by the pandemic and helps them hire workers, and increase workers' hours or wages, as the economy reopens. The hiring program is available from June 6, 2021 until November 20, 2021, allowing employers to shift from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to this new support, at a pace that works for them.   Compare the CRHP and CEWS, and learn more about eligibility.

READ MORE, and see details on base and top-up rate structures for August 1 - October 23 as well as inforamtion on calculating revenue decline.