Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

This program is designed for small businesses to have access to capital.
It will be implemented by eligible financial institutions in cooperation with Export Development Canada (EDC).

ITS FINALLY HERE:
We have been pressing the government to include businesses paying employees through dividends to be eligible for the CEBA Program. 

The Canada Emergency Business Account provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help them cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus. To qualify for this program, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25%. The program will be implemented by banks and credit unions in collaboration with Export Development Canada.

Small businesses and not-for-profits should contact their financial institution to apply for these loans.

To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $50,000 to $1 million in total payroll in 2019. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000).

Sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll are also eligible for the CEBA after the expansion of the eligibility criteria in May 19, 2020.

To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants must have payroll lower than $20,000 and will need to demonstrate that they have:

• a business operating account at a participating financial institution

• a Canada Revenue Agency business number and have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.

• eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million.

Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance. PBO estimates this program to cost $9.335 billion in 2020-2021. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario.

COVID-19 Federal Program Information: https://www.canada.ca/en/departmentfinance/economic-response-plan.html

Wage Subsidy: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-responseplan/wage-subsidy.html

CRA Measures: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19update/covid-19-filing-payment-dates.html

CERB Application: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/applyfor-cerb-with-cra.html

CERB FAQs: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerbapplication/questions.html

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP): https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/financial-sectorpolicy/business-credit-availability-program.html

I hope you found this information helpful.  If you have any questions on this or anything else please don't hesitate to contact my office at 604-466-2761 or email me at [email protected]

Stay Safe,

Marc Dalton MP
Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridged