Federal Government Announces COVID-19 Wage Subsidy

This blog was originally published on March 27, 2020.

Update: On May 15, 2010, the Finance Minister and the Department of Finance provided further details about the expansion of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (full version available here. Notable items include:

• The CEWS will be extended by 12 weeks, to August 29, 2020, and further adjustments may be made to the eligibility criteria in the coming weeks.
• Certain entities, such as businesses owned by Indigenous governments, journalism organizations, and private colleges and schools, will be retroactively eligible for the subsidy for wages paid since March 15, 2020.
• Proposed legislative amendments to the rules applicable to: (i) non-arm's length employees who are seasonal employees or returning from extended leaves (e.g. parental, disability or unpaid leave); (ii) corporations who have recently amalgamated; and (iii) tax-exempt trusts.