Over the past several weeks, the federal government has announced measures to help employers and employees cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. To assist you in processing this ever-evolving information, this summary provides all the significant federal government announcements up to May 13, 2020. 

For more information, download the PDF [ 2144 kb ]

Programs for Canadian businesses

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
• Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
• Temporary Wage Subsidy
• Work-Sharing Program
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
• Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)
• Canada Summer Jobs Program
• Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
• Agriculture, agri-food, aquaculture, fisheries
• Small Businesses and Community support
• Entrepreneurs, Innovators, pre-revenue firms
• Indigenous businesses
• Energy Sector
• Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations
• Mortgage deferrals

• Interest rates

Programs for workers, students, seniors, individuals and families

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
• Temporary wage boost for essential workers
• Employment Insurance change
• Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
• Student funding
• Student loans
• Seniors
• Canada Child Benefit
• GST credit
• Mortgage deferrals
• Interest rates

Tax filing, payment deadlines and obligations

• Tax filing deadlines
• Changes for GST/HST registrants
• Other relief measures