COVID-19 – Update – Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

The Government of Canada has created a 75% wage subsidy for eligible employers for up to 12 weeks called the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS"). The CEWS is retroactive to March 15, 2020. Eligible employers include individuals, taxable corporations and partnerships of eligible employers, non-profit organizations and registered charities. The purpose of the CEWS is prevent further job losses, encourage the rehiring of previously laid off workers and assist businesses with resuming normal operations. The CEWS will be treated as government assistance and will be included in an employer's taxable income.

The subsidy amount for a given employee on eligible remuneration paid for the period between March 15 and June 6, 2020 is the greater of: