COVID-19

If you must leave your home, despite the strong recommendations by our governments and health officials to do your best not to, nothing has changed in terms of how we interact with each other in our community. Respect and civility are essential, as has always been the case. The virus does not change that. When […]

More details about the federal government's new wage subsidy, intended to encourage employers to avoid lay offs and keep employees on the payroll:  NEW 75% CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY – ALL EMPLOYERS [REFUND]: all employees are eligible, except public sector; 75 per cent wage subsidy on the first $58,700 normally earned by employees [a benefit

If any co-parent seeks to change the existing parenting arrangements arising from, or related to, COVID-19, the following test will be applied by the Family Court before the request will be considered: [1] firstly, the co-parent must prove specific evidence or examples of behavior or plans by the other parent which are inconsistent with COVID-19

As of April 1, 2020, here is a summary of the financial and other assistance being offered to self-employed individuals and small-to-medium-size businesses in Ontario, including non-profit and charitable organizations: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: Income Tax: Businesses can defer payments, until after August 31, 2020, on any income tax amounts that become owing on or after

Do you need emergency financial support, but do not qualify for any federal payments (EI, CERB)? Need to pay rent, or buy essential goods? Unemployed? Vulnerable? Living in poverty?  Don’t give up – you can actually apply to the City of Kawartha Lakes (or your own municipality) for emergency support. Emergency financial support may also

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (the "CERB") is now available for residents of the City of Kawartha Lakes who qualify for this financial support.  Here is an update on the CERB, including about how it affects employees' entitlements to Employment Insurance ("EI") benefits.  WHAT IS CERB? The CERB provides $2,000 a month for up to four

FIRST QUESTION – ARE YOU “ESSENTIAL”?   Review the list of essential workplaces here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-essential-workplaces?_ga=2.260478349.1694204923.1585063245-661911018.1585063245 Make sure you are certain whether your business may continue in operation lawfully, or shut down by the Ontario government’s emergency order. If you are not an “essential workplace”, per the list, you may have to determine whether your employees

As of March 30, 2020, businesses and organizations in the City of Kawartha Lakes who suffer a loss of not less than thirty per cent of revenue related to, or arising from, COVID-19, are now eligible for a wage subsidy of up to seventy-five per cent of each employee’s wages. This program is called the

Many residents locally express increasing concerns about and rightfully question what enforcement measures are being taken, for example, to: [1] force returning travelers, who are not taking precautionary virus measures, to self-isolate; and [2] ensure compliance generally with other emergency health declarations and orders in effect by the provincial and federal Governments, applying to everyone

The federal government has now announced more financial support to small and medium-sized businesses, including to avoid lay offs and try to maintain payroll during the pandemic. Specifically, a new 75% wage subsidy has been declared. Previously the federal Government has announced a 10% wage subsidy. Secondly, small and medium-sized business can apply for and