The Manitoba Gap Protection Program (the “MGPP”)

The Canada Revenue Agency is set to launch the application platform for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) on Monday April 27, 2020. Applications will be processed through the CRA – My Business Account

To guide businesses through the qualification and claim process and to assist with accumulating information that will be required for the initial claim, the CRA has designed a very useful website with a CEWS calculator function: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy.html

Only those businesses that meet the revenue drop test are eligible to apply for the CEWS. The calculator is very user-friendly and will walk you through “How to calculate your claim”. The calculator also includes a printable statement feature that can be used to save a copy of your claim information for the CEWS application form when it goes live on Monday, April 27th.

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (the “CESB”)

Earlier this morning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new benefit to support students who may not have met the criteria of the other benefits (such as CERB) but still deserve aid. The proposed Canada Emergency Student Benefit would pay $1,250 a month for eligible students (or $1,750 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities) from May to August 2020. Current students, as well as recent grads and prospective students, would be eligible. Legislation has yet to be passed for this benefit, so details and eligibility are subject to change in the days to follow.

The Canada Student Service Grant (the “CSSG”)

The new Canada Student Service Grant, which will help students gain valuable work experience and skills while they help their communities during the COVID‑19 pandemic. For students who choose to do national service and serve their communities, the new Canada Student Service Grant will provide up to $5,000 for their education in the fall. Likewise, further details are pending formal legislation.

If you are a student or you support one, please see the full press release from the PM’s office for more info on the these items and the expanded student grants program.

The Manitoba Gap Protection Program (the “MGPP”)

Earlier today the Manitoba government announced a new benefit to support small and medium-sized businesses that are facing significant COVID-19 challenges, but have not qualified for any of the federal programs. The Manitoba Gap Protection Program (MGPP) will offer a non-interest bearing forgivable $6,000 loan if repaid by December 31, 2020.

To be eligible for the MGPP funding, a business must:

• have been operational on March 20, 2020, the date the Manitoba government declared a province-wide state of emergency under The Emergency Measures Act because of COVID-19;
• have temporarily ceased or curtailed operations as a result of a COVID-19 public health order and have been harmed by the health order;
• be registered and in good standing with the Manitoba Business and Corporate Registry;
• have not qualified for federal government COVID-19 grant support; and
• have an email address and a bank account.

Application details were not available at the time of writing.