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ARTICLE · 22 APRIL 2020

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: Summary & Practical Guide For Employers

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
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The new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) was officially passed into law as of April 11, 2020. Employers waiting in anticipation can now move forward with planning, analysis and implementation...

CanadaEmployment and HR
Bhuvana Rai
Bhuvana Rai
Dan Palayew
Dan Palayew
James Fu
James Fu
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The new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) was officially passed into law as of April 11, 2020. Employers waiting in anticipation can now move forward with planning, analysis and implementation (bearing in mind applicable formalities and deadlines). The CEWS program can have significant implications on employers' operations, including workforce reductions and/or recalls. Employers would be well advised to develop and implement an appropriate strategy.

We have written extensively about the CEWS. While many details of the new legislation are consistent with previously released public information, additional specifics have been clarified or changed – including deadlines for application, information for corporate groups and penalties. The following practical guide summarizes the new legislation for employers seeking to use and understand the subsidy.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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