The federal government is implementing programs to help businesses and employees get through the COVID-19 pandemic, but people need more information on how to access those programs.
That was one of the main messages that came out of a brief virtual town hall meeting Tuesday hosted by the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and featuring Guelph’s three political leaders: MP Lloyd Longfield, MPP Mike Schreiner and Mayor Cam Guthrie.
Roughly 240 logged into the meeting, which was supposed to last an hour but was closer to 45 minutes due to technical difficulties.
After each gave introductory remarks, there wasn't a lot of time to field questions. But one of the recurring ones was how are government aid programs accessed"
“We are hearing about different avenues and opportunities. But we don’t have info on all the processes in place,” said chamber CEO Shakiba Shayani.
“It’s why people feel unsure,” she added.
Longfield said the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be where many people who have lost work will need to turn and they should be setting up an online account with the Canada Revenue Agency if they haven’t done so already in order to apply.
The CERB provides $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose income as a result of COVID-19.
Once an account is set up on the CRA database it will make it possible to apply for the benefit when applications open, which is set for April 6.
Traditional employment insurance applications are also being processed.
As for how businesses apply for the federal government’s 75 per cent subsidy for employee wages, Longfield said details on how it will work, and how to apply, should be rolled out later Tuesday.
He stressed that setting up a CRA account is one of the first steps for individuals.
The subsidy is for businesses of any size who have suffered a minimum 30 per cent decline in revenue because of the virus.
“There will be details today about how to access the 75 per cent wage subsidy,” Longfield said, adding that the program will be policed by the federal government for fraudulent claims.
“There will be penalties for businesses that aren’t complying and the money will have to be returned,” he said.
Longfield acknowledged that the CRA phone system has been “overloaded” with EI claims and that the system is being upgraded to better handle the volume.
Mayor Cam Guthrie was asked about deferred property taxes and how those deferred taxes would have to be eventually repaid.
Would they be due immediately once a future date is established?
“We’re looking at that right now,” said Guthrie, explaining that city finance staff is looking at various models of repayment to see what the impacts of those models would be and which options should be presented to council for its decision.
“Stay tuned. It’s not something I want to see have prolonged,” the mayor said.
Schreiner pointed out that there will be all-party discussions around some issues shortly and that one of the issues he wants addressed further is the fact construction workers continue to work.
“I’ve raised concerns as well,” he said of the amount of construction that is continuing.
“I’d rather see a short-term slowdown” as well, but “the priority has to be saving lives and slowing the spread of the virus,” Schreiner said.
