Small Business, Seafood and Forestry now eligible for COVID Support Programs
Over the last week, a few new supports were announced for the Forestry sector and Seafood producers as well as applications opened up for rent assistance and benefits for workers. These programs target industry and businesses that contribute to Campbell River’s local economy and are summarized below.
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
Online applications are now open for the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers at: www.gov.bc.ca/workerbenefit. More information is available in the press release at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/22119. This program provides a tax-free $1,000 payment to British Columbians whose ability to work has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the emergency benefit, you must:
· Have been a resident of British Columbia on March 15, 2020
· Meet the eligibility requirements for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
· Have been approved for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, even if you haven’t received a federal benefit payment yet
· Be at least 15 years old on the date you apply
· Have filed, or agree to file, a 2019 B.C. income tax return
· Not be receiving provincial income assistance or disability assistance
Before You Apply
Have the following items to hand to speed up your application
· Social Insurance Number (SIN)
· Individual Tax Number (ITN), or
· Temporary Tax Number (TTN)
· Bank account information for direct deposit
Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for Small Businesses
Updated information on the Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for Small Businesses was provided this week. Below are some links with information about eligibility and how the program will work. While applications have not yet opened for CECRA, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation have created a signup form to be alerted when further details are available. Register for Further Details
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Information on the program and eligibility are available here: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/finance-and-investing/covid19-cecra-small-business
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The CMHC Newsroom with information relevant to COVID is at: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/media-newsroom/coronavirus-update
Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund
Last week, the Government of Canada announced a new $62.5 million Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund to help Canada’s fish and seafood processing sector. Applications will be assessed based on their overall benefit and ability to achieve the key objectives of the fund:
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Storage Capacity: Investments to increase various types of storage.
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Adaptation Support: Access to immediate, short-term financing to relieve pressures such as the cost and management of production inventory (e.g., raw product, input ingredients), the cost of new compliance measures to ensure the health and safety of workers and of the local food supply.
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Automation Technologies: Investments in advanced manufacturing technologies to adapt processes and products to better respond to new market demands.
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Market Responsiveness: May include product adaptation to reflect changing demand, extending the shelf-life of seafood products, new requirements relating to safety, packaging, branding, canning, smoking, transportation, and other activities necessary for responding to changing requirements and demand.
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More information available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-oceans/news/2020/04/government-of-canada-announces-new-canadian-seafood-stabilization-fund-to-help-canadas-fish-and-seafood-processing-sector.html and at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/covid19/industry-industrie/index-eng.html
Support for Forest Sector Through Stumpage Fee Deferral
The B.C. government is deferring one of the fees it charges to help people, communities and forest companies navigate through the COVID-19 crisis. Stumpage, the fee operators pay the Province to harvest, buy or sell trees from Crown land, is being deferred for three months. Press release available at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/22111
For more information on any programs or services available to support Campbell River’s industry and business contact Rose Klukas, Economic Development Officer with the City of Campbell River at invest@campbellriver.ca.