Article adapted from CBC News: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-covid19-business-supports-1.5514558?__vfz
Businesses and non-profit organizations seeing a drop of at least 30 per cent in revenue due to COVID-19 will qualify for the government's 75 per cent wage subsidy program, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today — adding that "serious consequences" await those who abuse the system.
During the daily media briefing outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, Trudeau said the number of people a business employs will not determine its eligibility. Charities and companies big and small will qualify, he said.
For those companies experiencing a decrease in revenues of at least 30 per cent, the government will cover up to 75 per cent of a salary on the first $58,700, which could mean payments of up to $847 a week. The prime minister also encouraged businesses to top up their employees wages with the remaining 25 per cent of their salaries.
Trudeau said the wage subsidies will be retroactive to March 15, 2020.
More details of the program will be unveiled tomorrow by Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
Trudeau also said that the program must operate on a basis of good faith and trust — and warned that there will be "serious consequences" for those who abuse it.
"We are trusting you to do the right thing," he said. "If you have the means to pay the remaining 25 per cent that is not covered by the subsidy, do it.
"And if you think this is a system you can game or take advantage of, don't."
Trudeau said there will be measures in place to prevent exploitation but added that, in a time of "unprecedented" emergency, the government had to act quickly.
He said those who do take advantage of the program will face "stiff consequences" from society and the government.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said it's pleased the government appears ready to keep the administrative requirements light to ensure the money flows swiftly.
"We stand ready to support government with any retroactive measures needed to address anyone found cheating the intent of this or other support programs," says a statement from CFIB.
While more details on the wage subsidy program are "urgently needed," the CFIB said the approach announced by Trudeau today will give "significant relief" to tens of thousands of employers and hundreds of thousands of employees.
"The decision to make the wage subsidy widely available to employers of all sizes and structures is the right approach given the unique nature of the COVID-19 pandemic," the statement reads. "The wage subsidy is the single best measure to help Canada prepare for a quick recovery the minute the emergency phase of the pandemic is over."
Aaron Wudrick, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said that while abuse of the program is likely, the government has no option but to deliver "economic life support" during the pandemic.
"They're blunt instruments, drawn up in a rush, but because speed is of the essence right now, there's not much alternative," he said.
"As long as measures are temporary, tracked and targeted as best as reasonably possible under the circumstances, I think that's about the best we can expect."
Wudrick said the government also should consider broader tax relief measures to help people weather the emergency.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez also held a news conference today to outline the potential role for the Canadian Armed Forces during the COVID-19 crisis.
Freeland said the government also is looking at ways to help hard-hit sectors but she would not "pre-empt future announcements."
"I'd like to assure all Canadians that we very much understand that particular sectors of the economy, whether it is tourism and aviation or the energy sector, are facing particular strains because of the impact of the coronavirus both in Canada and worldwide," she said. "We are very mindful of that and it is something that we are definitely focused on."
Trudeau announced the broad strokes of the support programs Friday, saying the new measures would help small businesses avoid layoffs or closures because of economic uncertainty caused by the global pandemic.
Today's news that the wage subsidy program also will be available to larger businesses was welcomed by the Business Council of Canada, which noted the virus doesn't discriminate between big and small businesses.
The government previously announced a 10 per cent wage subsidy for businesses, but Trudeau acknowledged that was not enough.
Trudeau said the government also promised to guarantee loans of up to $40,000 for small businesses which will be interest-free for the first year, as a way to help businesses "bridge to better times."
Under certain conditions, up to $10,000 of the loans could be non-repayable.
Trudeau also announced that GST and HST payments, as well as duties and taxes owed on imports, will be deferred until June, which he said amounts to $30 billion in interest-free loans to businesses.