麻豆影视

Skip to main content

Changes coming to COVID-19 business, worker supports this weekend

Share

Businesses accessing the government鈥檚 pandemic wage and rent subsidy will see their support decline by half over the weekend, prompting calls within the tourism sector for Ottawa to step in.

The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program鈥檚 (HHBRP) subsidy rate will decrease from 75 per cent to 37.5 per cent and 50 per cent to 25 per cent respectively, starting March 13.

The (CHHB), which launched in 2020 and represents hundreds of businesses in tourism, travel, events, and arts and culture, is calling on the government to maintain and extend the current level of support offered through the THRP.

The program targets hotels, restaurants, bars, festivals, travel agencies, tour operators, and others who have seen a 12-month average revenue decline of 40 per cent and a current-month revenue loss of the same amount.

Organizations that don鈥檛 qualify for the THRP can apply to the HHBRP by showing a 12-month average revenue drop of 50 per cent and a current-month revenue loss of the same amount.

The CHHB is also asking for an end to border barriers and a national labour strategy to get the sector back on its feet.

鈥淭he COVID-19 crisis has created an unpredictable environment for travelers and hospitality businesses,鈥 said Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and co-chair of the coalition, in a statement.

鈥淚nternational arrivals are still down 87 per cent.鈥

鈥淥micron has set our businesses back with significant cancellations over the winter and spring, and we are quickly losing our booking window for the summer,鈥 said Susie Grynol, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada and co-chair of the CHHB.

鈥淭he government has helped the sector survive this far; it just needs a little more help.鈥

The revised wage and rent subsidy is still available for eligible businesses until May 7.

LOCKDOWN AID

Also on March 13, the Local Lockdown Program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit will be stripped back to their original parameters 鈥 applying only to those businesses, charities, non-profits and workers impacted by a public health lockdown.

In December, the government used regulatory powers provided in Bill C-2 to expand access to both supports amid criticism the eligibility guidelines were too severe given no regions at the time were under a lockdown.

As such, the Local Lockdown Program shifted to include employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent of more. Ottawa also lowered the current-month revenue decline threshold to 25 per cent. Applicants may receive wage and rent subsidies from 25 per cent up to a maximum of 75 per cent depending on revenue loss.

Likewise, the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit changed to include workers in regions where the government had imposed capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more. The benefit provides $300 per week in income support to those who鈥檝e lost 50 per cent or more of their income as a result of a restriction or a lockdown.

Businesses and workers can still access both programs under their original classification until May 7.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.

opinion

opinion How to transition from renting to owning a home in Canada

In his column for CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew offers a step-by-step guide on how to make the shift from renting to becoming a homeowner, and what you can start doing today to help the process go smoother.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

Stay Connected