The CGA is actively communicating with governments at the provincial and federal levels to advocate for our industry and ensure that support for employees and business is available.
We continue to cooperate with many provincial gaming associations across the country and are building alliances with other national and provincial associations in the hospitality industry to ensure that the gaming industry is part of the support and recovery assistance for the broader hospitality sector.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
To help employers keep and return workers to their payroll through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will provide a 75% wage subsidy to eligible employers for up to 12 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020.
This wage subsidy aims to prevent further job losses, encourage employers to re-hire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19, and help better position Canadian companies and other employers to more easily resume normal operations following the crisis.
Applications for the CEWS will open on April 27, 2020. This link will take you to the application page which has a calculator and other tools to help figure out your subsidy.
If you require government assistance to find out if the CEWS can help your business or operation, please contact Paul Burns: [email protected]
Canadian Business Resilience Network
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has launched the Canadian Business Resilience Network.
The website contains extensive information for businesses, including:
Direct Financial Support to Businesses and Workers
Access to Capital
Tax Relief
Additional Financial Assistance for Canadians
Indigenous Communities
Public Sector Programs by Region
Private Sector Supports
You can also sign up to receive their newsletter, which has COVID-19 updates from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, including the latest network resources and programs to support you and your business.
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
The Canadian gaming industry is now able to apply to the Federal government’s BCAP program.
Available through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC), the new Business Credit Availability Program will increase the credit available to small, medium and large Canadian businesses, providing more than $65 billion in direct lending and other types of financial support.
Government of Canada information on credit facilities and support for businesses is available here.
The CGA is here to assist our members and industry colleagues during these difficult times. Pease contact us at [email protected] if we can be of help. We hope everyone is healthy and safe. Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and practice physical distancing.