PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO THE CEBA TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AND THERE’S A NEW PROGRAM TO TEMPORARILY HELP THEM WITH RENT.

-The Prime Minister has announced some changes to CEBA or the Canadian Emergency Business Account. Businesses that had a payroll between 20-thousand and 1.5-million dollars will now qualify for a 40-thousand dollar loan that will be interest free for a year.

He also announced the “Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance” program:

“This program will provide support to help small businesses with their rent for the months of April, May and June. To implement this program, we have to work with the provinces, as they govern rental relationships. We hope to have more details to share very soon.

The Government of Canada is:

Expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to businesses that paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. This new range will replace the previous one of between $50,000 and $1 million, and will help address the challenges faced by small businesses to cover non-deferrable operating costs. Since the launch of the CEBA on April 9, 2020, more than 195,000 loans have been approved by financial institutions, extending more than $7.5 billion in credit to small businesses.
Announcing its intent to introduce the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. The program will seek to provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who in turn will lower or forgo the rent of small businesses for the months of April (retroactive), May, and June. Implementation of the program will require a partnership between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments, which are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships. We are working with the provinces and territories to increase rent support for businesses that are most impacted by the pandemic and we will have more details to share soon.

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-In the meantime, while the Prime Minister says there’s “exemplary” co-operation between Canada and the U-S, it’s going to be “many weeks” before there can be talk about letting up on border restrictions between our countries. U-S President Donald Trump claims that border will be one of the first to be re-opened.

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-Covid-19 has claimed more job, as more than 7-hundred employees with the Edmonton Catholic School Division were told they’re being laid off at the end of the month. Among them; educational and therapeutic assistants. They’ll get to keep their health benefits til the end of August and they’ve been told to apply for the CERB.

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-Speaking of the CERB, even if you’ve already successfully applied for it, you will have to re-apply for the period between April 12th and May 9th.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html

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-As of this coming Monday, the E-R at the Devon General Hospital is going to be temporarily closed during the pandemic. Officials say they won’t be accepting anymore patients and will be diverting them to other hospitals in the Edmonton zone, including the Miz in west Edmonton, the WestView Health Centre in Stony Plain and Leduc Community Hospital. This is being done to protect the 14 long term care residents at Devon General, since they’re more susceptible to the virus. Another ten acute care beds will be changed to long term care beds, just in case they’re needed.

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-Some positive news concerning Covid-19 from Canada’s top doctor as she says it appears we’re starting to “flatten the curve”.

But Dr. Theresa Tam says we’re definitely not out of the woods yet:

“Good job Canadians. I think all of your work has helped us slow down the epidemic across the country.”

She says we still have to maintain our physical distancing and rigorous hand washing and self isolation if we’re sick.

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-As of yesterday, more than 19-hundred Albertans have been confirmed with Covid-19.

And the province is putting more money towards improving access to mental health and addiction recovery supports and resources. More than 53-million dollars is being used to set up more online, phone and in person supports both during and after the pandemic. Officials say they’re going to make sure those services are available to those in self-isolation or in rural locations. Jason Luan is the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions:

“I want Albertans to know we’re here for you. All Albertans have experienced an enormous shift in daily routines due to the public health order in place to keep us safe. In addition, the global pandemic effect on our economy has meant that many of you have lost your jobs, taken pay cuts or have other financial concerns that have kept you up at night.”

The Government of Alberta is investing $21.4 million to improve access to phone and online supports with existing helplines, including the Addiction Helpline, the Mental Health Helpline, the Kids Help Phone and the Community and Social Services Helpline (Alberta 211).

The funding also includes:

$2.6 million to expand individual and group treatment to address family violence, addiction and mental health for Albertans
$4.2 million to expand the addiction and mental health support available through Primary Care Networks
$25 million for a new community grant program to enhance community mental health and addiction recovery for the public, including Indigenous communities, seniors, families and people experiencing social barriers, who are negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental health supports

Confidential supports are available to help with mental health concerns. Both the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 and the Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322 are available toll-free 24-7.

Online resources provide advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.

Access to justice

The Court of Queen’s Bench has updated its requirements for non-lawyers participating in video or teleconference hearings, and has temporarily changed its filing requirements for probate applications. For more information: www.albertacourts.ca/qb/resources/announcements.

Family violence prevention

A 24-hour Family Violence Information Line is available at 310-1818 to get anonymous help.

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-402-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., in more than 170 languages.

Information sheets and other resources on family violence prevention are available at alberta.ca/COVID19.

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-The city of Beaumont and the local Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to encourage support for local businesses during the pandemic. Mayor John Stewart says local businesses are the backbone of the community, as they give to charities, support sports and other causes. And of course they provide jobs. He says even if you can’t support with money right now, you can help by posting a message on social media, letting them know how important they are. Use the #OpeninBeaumont.

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-Some kids in Airdrie have managed to make people smile, Jurassic style. Mia, Kale and Grace McConnell have been wearing dinosaur costumes and safely walking around town for a couple of hours every day, just to give people a grin. And it’s been working. They are staying a good distance from other people by the way.

COVID-19 Information