With so much uncertainty right now surrounding COVID-19, I have promised my clients that I would forward any information I find regarding support for small businesses. I will comply and log any of this information here on this blog and update it as I find more information.
Please keep checking back for any information updates.
CERB – Canada Emergency Response Benefit
Relief for Self-Employed and Contract Workers not eligible for EI
I reached out to both our Federal and Provincial representatives for more information regarding Emergency support for Small Businesses that fall under the *Micro-Business category (see definition below). As I have many clients that fall under the Micro-Business category, this information will help to access funds if needed.
The first to respond was from our MP Garnet Genuis’ office. I was told that the Federal Government will be including businesses, contractors, self-employed persons in this relief program. Here is a snippet from the Canadian Emergency Relief Benefit website:
The CERB would cover Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures. The CERB would apply to wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
Here is the website that we all need to keep an eye on for more information as well as links to the application process once they release them in April.
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals.html
This link is where it explains in more detail the support for self-employed and contract workers:
Mr. Genuis’ office will let me know more info once they get clarification on a few more details and I will pass them on as soon as I can.
*All micro-businesses are small businesses. The only difference is a micro business is a subset of the small business community based on the number of employees within the company. While your company can technically be considered a small business even if it has dozens of employees, your business is a micro business if you employ less than six people. If you are a sole trader, self-employed, or have no employees, you operate a micro business. There are other guidelines that can also define whether your company is micro or small. If your company required less than $50,000 to start or if your company does not access traditional capital loans, you are running a micro business