Government economic response to COVID-19

To keep you informed of recent developments in our federal and provincial/territorial governments’ economic response to COVID-19, we will be providing you updates of key government announcements that may impact you or your business.

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May 29, 2020 update

Information is accurate as at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Information may be affected by subsequent announcements.

Links to government announcements follow at the end of the daily update.

Tax updates:

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - Resumption of audit activities: The CRA is resuming a full range of audit work, with priority given to: (i) actions that are beneficial to the taxpayer or which a taxpayer has indicated are urgent; (ii) high dollar amount audits; (iii) audits close to completion; and (iv) audits which are strategically important to the federal, provincial or territorial governments. Requests for Information (RFIs) issued prior to March 16, 2020 and due after that date will be reviewed and recipients will be contacted where the CRA continues to require the information requested in the RFI.

Other updates:

Federal Court of Appeal - Suspension period extended: The period during which deadlines under the Federal Courts Rules or orders of the Court are suspended has been extended to June 15, 2020.
Canada - Support for indigenous communities: The federal government announced $600 million in funding for public health measures, income assistance and social services for indigenous communities.
Canada - Securities regulatory filing relief: The securities regulatory authorities in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon are providing a 60-day extension for periodic filings normally required to be made between June 2 and September 30, 2020 by registrants and, in Ontario, unregistered capital markets participants that rely upon certain registration exemptions. Registrants and unregistered capital markets participants that have already used the prior relief (announced on March 23, 2020) to extend their deadline for any financial statement or information delivery requirements occurring on or before June 1, 2020, cannot use this relief to further extend that deadline. The securities regulatory authorities in Québec and Manitoba separately published temporary blanket relief from certain financial statement and information delivery requirements for registrants whose principal regulator is one of the participating jurisdictions.
British Columbia - Agri-food sector jobs: The BC government has launched an online resource which will connect job seekers with job vacancies in the agriculture, seafood and food processing sectors.
New Brunswick - Reopening delayed: The relaxation of restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings, religious services and certain indoor recreational venues, which was scheduled to take place on May 29, will be delayed by one week to June 5, 2020.
Northwest Territories - Support for tourism businesses: The NWT government proposed two measures to support the territorial tourism industry: (i) $4.4 million will be committed to parks infrastructure, tourism product development and community infrastructure projects; and (ii) tourism insurance requirements and licensing fees for the 2020-21 season will be waived.
Nova Scotia - Relaxation of restrictions: Effective May 29, 2020, indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed. Effective June 5, 2020, private campgrounds may open at 50% capacity; and effective June 15, 2020, provincial campgrounds will open at reduced capacity.
Nunavut - Nunavut Essentials Workers Wage Premium: The Nunavut government will provide a wage subsidy to eligible employers in the health and social services sectors. The subsidy will fund an increase in wages of $5 per hour for employees currently earning $20 or less per hour; and a top-up to $25 per hour for employees earning between $20 and $25 per hour. Applications will be accepted starting June 1, 2020.
Ontario - Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) applications: Starting May 28, 2020, all commercial landlords in Ontario may submit applications for the CECRA program.
Prince Edward Island - Relaxation of restrictions: Public health restrictions are being relaxed in PEI as the province moves to the third phase of its reopening plan. Effective June 1, 2020: (i) gatherings of 15 people indoors and 20 people outdoors will be permitted; (ii) indoor and outdoor organized recreational activities will generally be permitted, subject to the limits on gatherings; (iii) visitors will be permitted in outdoor areas at long term care facilities; (iv) indoor dining in restaurants will be permitted (at 50% capacity); (v) gyms, libraries, personal services providers, day camps, campgrounds and other public facilities will be permitted to reopen; and (vi) seasonal residents may apply for permission to enter the province.
Québec - Annual meetings: The Québec government clarified that its emergency order of April 26, 2020 allows non-profit organizations governed by the Companies Act and corporations governed by the Business Corporations Act to hold their annual meetings electronically, even if that is not permitted by their constating documents.