NEWS RELEASE
JOHN BRASSARD, MP BARRIE-INNISFIL
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The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) approved by Parliament and the Senate on the weekend is expected to bring much-needed financial assistance to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. However, Canada’s Conservatives say the hospitality and tourism industries including restaurants and hotels forced to shut down are falling through the cracks and need immediate assistance from the government.
“I am aware of a significant number of restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses right here in Barrie-Innisfil that have been hard hit by COVID-19,” Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard stated. “The CEWS is a great start, however, it won’t help those businesses that have been forced to shut down completely and are left struggling to pay their expenses with zero revenue. Workers are telling me they are extremely worried that they won’t have jobs to return to when the COVID-19 crisis is over.”
Brassard supports several of the proposals put forward by Conservatives, including refunding all GST remittances collected over the past 12 months, lowering the limits imposed to allow quicker and better access to the Canadian Emergency Business Account to businesses who are being refused, and temporarily allowing owner-operators to become wage-earning employees to qualify for the wage subsidy.
“This is truly a Team Canada approach and we are asking the government to consider recommendations from industry leaders who say they need more; the government must do more and do it quickly,” Brassard said. “Business owners must be given the tools they need to survive during this pandemic and ensure their doors are able to open again and keep people employed.”
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reported 10 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the region over the weekend including four in Barrie where a woman in her 70s, a man in his 20s, and a boy over the age of 10 all acquired the virus from close contact and are self-isolating.
There are currently 31 cases in Barrie and five in Innisfil. Also, a Barrie man in his 60s who acquired the virus through community transmission has recovered.
“New cases confirmed this past weekend include a child who tested positive in Barrie, reminding us that this virus is a threat to all ages, not just the elderly,” Brassard said. “We also know that physical distancing is the best way to protect our families, neighbours and communities against COVID-19.
“I believe that most Barrie-Innisfil residents are doing a good job, and I encourage everyone to heed the advice of our public health officials. Stay home as much as possible, wash your hands often and when you must be in the community, remember to keep your distance from others – at least two metres (six feet).”
Today marks the start of the second eligibility period for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for workers who lost their jobs or self-employed income due to COVID-19.
More than five million Canadians applied last week. Those qualified can sign up at canada.ca or by phone at 1-800-959-2019.
To qualify for your first CERB application, you must:
- be at least 15 years old.
- have earned $5,000 or more in the past 12 months or during 2019.
- have stopped working for at least 14 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- not be receiving employment or self-employment income, provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave.
If you are applying, please use the following schedule:
| If you were born in the month of: | Apply for CERB on: |
| January, February, March | Mondays |
| April, May, June | Tuesdays |
| July, August, September | Wednesdays |
| October, November, December | Thursdays |
| Any month | Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays |
To view previous COVID-19 updates from MP Brassard, visit JohnBrassard.com.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, use the Government of Canada self assessment or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for advice.
Visit JohnBrassard.com for the latest information on the pandemic and government announcements.
Barrie-Innisfil residents needing assistance can call 705-726-5959, email [email protected] or contact Brassard’s staff through social media @JohnBrassardCPC.
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