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Dear friends,
I hope that you had a good weekend. Traditionally, Victoria Day Weekend has been an opportunity to dig in our gardens, open cottages and spending time kicking back and enjoying family and friends. This long weekend was certainly different, but I thank you for doing your part to fight COVID-19 by practising physical distancing. It has been particularly difficult for those observing Ramadan looking forward to breaking the fast late in the evening often with members of your extended family. We are all in this together.
Keeping in Touch
Last week, I was able to be in touch with many of you through a Telephone Town Hall I hosted with neighbouring MPs, Carolyn Bennett and Marco Mendicino. Close to 10,000 people joined that call. Your questions and comments are very helpful and will inform me as I meet with our 416 caucus, our Ontario caucus and National caucus on a weekly basis. Additionally, I continue to join the virtual meetings of the COVID-19 Parliamentary Committee on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This Telephone Town Hall, as well as my weekly Facebook Live sessions on Thursday evenings, help me feed into our government’s response to this unprecedented crisis.
This week, instead of the usual Facebook Live, I will host an Instagram Live event on Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm for young people in the riding. The Hon. Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, will be joining as a special guest. Please visit my Instagram page to join the conversation.
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Again Touched by Grief
Sadly, this week we have lost another member of our Canadian Armed Forces. Captain Jennifer Casey died in Sunday's Snowbirds aircraft crash in Kamloops, British Columbia and Captain Richard MacDougall was injured. Over the past few weeks, CF Snowbirds have been flying across Canada as part of Operation Inspiration to cheer Canadians during this challenging time. They give us so much joy and now we all feel their pain.
Human Rights are not on Leave
This weekend, I joined Members of Parliament Pam Damoff and Mark Holland for a discussion to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. We had a conversation about my own journey and how far Canada has come in advancing and protecting LGBTQ2S+ rights. Watch the video here.
Research Matters
On Tuesday night, following priority scientific review, Health Canada authorized the first COVID-19 serological test for use in Canada. This new test will allow us to detect antibodies specific to COVID-19 and help us better understand immunity against the virus and how it spreads. Health Canada has also approved the first Canadian clinical trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine at the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology at Dalhousie University. The National Research Council of Canada will be working with the manufacturer so that if these vaccine trials are successful, we can produce and distribute it here at home.
Here to Help
The federal government continues to provide many support measures to help individuals, families, students, seniors, and businesses navigate the challenges caused by COVID-19. As the situation evolves, so does our government's response. While all the latest information is available at canada.ca/coronavirus, I will provide an update below on new measures announced to support businesses, young Canadians, families, and seniors.
If you ever have any questions or need support understanding measures taken by the federal government, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 416-467-7275 or [email protected]. We are not there in person but check messages regularly as both my staff and I are working from our homes.
If you missed my previous email newsletters, you can access them here.
Keep in touch!
Rob
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Whole-of-Government Response
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The federal government is committed to helping Canadian businesses get through this challenging time. Last week, Canada joined 48 World Trade Organization members in a joint statement committing to support small businesses, and address the immediate economic challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises throughout this crisis and beyond.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Extension & Expansion
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) is supporting nearly 2 million workers across the country – covering 75% of wages for employees in hard-hit businesses. To help even more businesses support their workers and rehire people as they reopen, the federal government is extending, and expanding, the CEWS. The expanded CEWS will be extended by an additional 12 weeks to August 29, 2020 to ensure Canadian workers continue to have the support they need during these difficult times. By expanding eligibility, our Government is ensuring that more Canadian workers, in more sectors, have the support they need. We also intend to propose legislative amendments which would ensure the CEWS continues to meet its objectives. Please see Minister Morneau’s news release for more information.
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The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
This nearly $1 billion fund, which will flow through FedDev Ontario and the other Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), will help more businesses and organizations – especially in sectors such as tourism and manufacturing – get the support they need during these difficult times. Designed to meet the needs of businesses that are not eligible for previously announced programs, it will relieve pressures and help businesses that lack cash flow (and non-profits that support them) with immediate financial support so they can pay employees and cover costs. In the months to come, it will position them to play a meaningful role in our economic recovery. The best way to help our communities is through a source they already trust, which is why the federal government will be working with those who know local economies best: our Regional Development Agencies.
Businesses who wish to apply for the RRRF can get more information on eligibility and how to apply online here.
Expansion of the Eligibility Criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
Today, the Prime Minister announced an expansion to the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to include many owner-operated small businesses.
The program will now be available to sole proprietors receiving income directly from their business, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll.
To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 would need:
- a business operating account at a participating financial institution
- a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.
- eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.
Expenses will be subject to verification and audit by the Government of Canada. Funding will be delivered in partnership with financial institutions. More details, including the launch date for applications under the new criteria, will follow in the coming days. The federal government will continue to work on solutions to help business owners and entrepreneurs who operate through their personal bank account, as opposed to a business account, or have yet to file a tax return, such as newly created businesses.
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Support for Women Entrepreneurs
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We recognize that women entrepreneurs are facing unique challenges due to COVID-19. To support them during this difficult time, the federal government has announced an additional $15 million to the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund. This investment will provide funding to select organizations across Canada that will help women entrepreneurs and business owners during this crisis. These organizations will provide support such as mentorship, access to financial services, and digital skills training. Learn more here.
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Support for Young Canadians
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As of May 15th, students and recent graduates can apply for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). The CESB will be available from May to August 2020 to students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and who are enrolled in a post-secondary education program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate; or who ended their studies no earlier than December 2019. It will also be available to Canadian students studying abroad, as well as high school graduates who will be starting a post-secondary program in the coming months. The CESB will provide $1,250 every four weeks to eligible students, or $2,000 every four weeks to eligible students with disabilities, or those with children or other dependants.
If you are able to work, you must be actively looking for a job to be eligible to receive the CESB. If you still cannot find work due to COVID-19, or do not earn more than $1,000, you can re-apply for each CESB eligibility period for which you qualify. Registering with JobBank.gc.ca is a great way for students to find available opportunities to earn an income and meaningful work experience that will help them succeed in the future.
For CESB eligibility criteria and to learn how to apply, click here.
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If you’re a student aged 15-30 and looking for a job right now, the Canada Summer Jobs program has many opportunities available in our community on the Job Bank website: https://jobbank.gc.ca/youth. Thousands of jobs are already posted online and more will be added over the coming weeks to support you in gaining valuable work experience.
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To help families get through difficulties caused by COVID-19, the federal government is providing $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit. Eligible families will automatically receive the one-time increase this week as part of their scheduled CCB payment in May.
That's not all. We know that the CCB is helping lift families out of poverty and building a bright future for young Canadians. To provide further support to families, the CCB will be increasing this July to help you pay for things like fresh food, schools supplies, and family activities. The increase will be in place for the 2020-21 benefit year, and will raise the maximum benefit to $6,765 per child under age 6, and $5,708 per child aged 6 through 17. More information is available here.
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Many Canadian seniors are facing significant health, economic, and social challenges due to COVID-19. Our Government is taking significant action to provide Canadian seniors with greater financial security, and give them the help they need during this crisis. We are:
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This builds on previous supports introduced in response to COVID-19, including the one-time GST top-up - providing more than 4 million seniors with an average of $375 for single seniors and $510 for senior couples - and investments in community organizations that provide essential services, such as the delivery of groceries and medicine.
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Benefit payments will continue for an additional three months for those who are not able to file their 2019 returns on time.
Eligible Canadians receiving the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit and/or the Canada child benefit (CCB) will continue to receive these payments until the end of September 2020. GIS and Allowance payments have also been extended if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been assessed.
The tax filing deadline has been extended from April 30 to June 1, 2020. Many Canadians will need to take advantage of this extended deadline. Therefore, if the 2019 tax return is not assessed, and to allow time to calculate benefits and/or credits for the July to September 2020 payments, payment amounts will be based on information from 2018 tax returns.
If 2019 tax returns are not received and assessed by early September 2020, estimated benefits and/or credits will stop in October 2020 and the taxpayer will have to repay the estimated amounts that were issued as of July 2020.
You are encouraged to file your tax returns by June 1, 2020, or as soon as possible in order to receive the right amount of benefits based on your 2019 tax return, and in order to ensure continuity of benefits beyond September 2020. The CRA has helpful information and a step-by-step guide to help Canadians complete their taxes.
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Update
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Many of you have had questions about the status of your current IRCC application or that of your family and friends. Please note that COVID-19 has impacted IRCC's operations and application processes. IRCC's current focus is on priority applications such as Canadians attempting to return to the country, vulnerable populations, and people who perform or support essential services. These applications are being processed as quickly as possible. Please visit canada.ca/ircc-covid19 for up-to-date information on processing times.
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Our government has introduced a temporary policy that will drastically reduce the time it takes for a temporary foreign worker to begin a new job. We have reduced work permit processing times from 10 weeks to 10 days!
A worker who is already in Canada and has secured a new job offer, typically backed by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), can get approval to start working in their new job, even while their work permit application is being fully processed. This new measure will help employers who need workers to provide essential services and will support temporary workers who lost their jobs this spring.
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Support for Research Staff
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Don Valley West is home to many researchers and two incredible health research institutes: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Their research is making a huge impact in the medical world and is saving lives. This is why I am very pleased that our government has announced $450 million in funding to help Canada’s academic research community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This investment will help ensure researchers can keep their jobs, safeguard their research, and continue their important work after this crisis. Learn more here.
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Delivering Vaccines to the Most Vulnerable
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Minister Gould announced that our government will be contributing to the Vaccine Alliance, GAVI, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. These organizations will:
- deliver vaccines to some of the world’s most vulnerable, saving millions of lives.
- help developing countries build capacity to respond to disease outbreaks like COVID-19.
- will help get the COVID-19 vaccine, once it becomes available, to the people who need it.
Vaccines save lives. Millions of lives.
"Our health here in Canada depends on the health of everyone, everywhere."
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Explore the City from the Comfort of Your Home!
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Get involved + Stories from Don Valley West
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I feel lucky to live in and represent Don Valley West, a community that is full of caring and generous individuals and organizations ready to step up and help neighbours. I'd like you to meet some of these incredible people from Leaside Park, Lawrence Park, and Thorncliffe Park who are raising funds and providing food to those most in need in Thorncliffe Park. Visit my Facebook page to learn more about their work!
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Thank you for your continued goodwill and community spirit through this difficult time. Although we are working from home, my staff and I are making every effort to ensure Don Valley West remains a strong, vibrant community through this pandemic. If you have any concerns, questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or call 416-467-7275.
All the best,
Rob
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Connect with me on social media
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