PANDEMIC-PROOFING small business An interview with Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion, and International Trade LANDSCAPE TRADES:
Employers in the landscape and horticulture profession are experiencing labour shortages. What is the federal government doing to help employers find the talent they need? MARY NG:
Canadians should be confident that their jobs are safe as we continue to fight Covid-19 — and employers who have seen their revenue decrease should know the government will support them as they attract new employees. That’s why we introduced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy — to support businesses the hardest hit and protect Canadian jobs. The subsidy will cover 75 per cent of an employee’s wages, up to $847 per week, and is retroactive to March 15, 2020. This significant support will help eligible employers keep their staff on payroll, rehire those previously laid off, and consider hiring new employees. LT: The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is calling on the federal government to expand eligibility to CEBA. Is the government considering expanding the eligibility as the crisis extends into its fourth month? 20 | AUGUST 2020 | LANDSCAPE TRADES
MN: We know that many small businesses need help paying their rent, paying suppliers, and topping up their employees’ wages. That is why we launched the Canada Emergency Business Account, offering interest-free loans of up to $40,000 — with up to $10,000 forgivable if repaid by December 2022.
Businesses of all sizes in all sectors with payroll between $20,000 and $1.5 million can apply. If businesses don’t have that minimum payroll threshold, they can still apply if they have non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million, a 2018 or 2019 tax return, and a business operating account at their local
