WEEK IN REVIEW: August 7-13, 2020

Friday, August 7

Statistics Canada released updated job numbers, which showed Canada gained 419,000 jobs last month. It’s the 1st time jobs data was disaggregated by race and visible minority status, which will help address inequities and ensure recovery is inclusive. 

Sunday, August 9

Sunday marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, a time to celebrate and  recognize the achievements and resilience of Indigenous peoples. On this day, the government announced an additional approx. $41 million to directly support Indigenous entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country. This builds on recent emergency funding for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Monday, August 10

Canada continues to stand with the people of Lebanon as they begin to rebuild their lives and their city in the wake of the tragic explosion in Beirut. The Government is: 

• Providing a total of $30 million in assistance for the people of Lebanonfollowing the explosion.
• Matching donations by launching a Lebanon Matching Fund to help Canadians mobilize resources to assist those affected.
• Setting up a task force to support survivors and those affected through the delivery of consular services and more.

Tuesday, August 11

The government launched an improved Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy online calculator. As a business owner, this can help you prepare ahead of applying for the new upgraded and expanded wage subsidy – which will be open for applications on August 17, 2020.

Wednesday, August 12

Rural broadband and internet connection is more crucial than ever because of COVID-19 – whether you’re a business owner or entrepreneur pivoting more of your business online, or an individual needing to keep in touch with family and friends. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications (CRTC) announced the first five projects that will receive $72 million in funding from the Broadband Fund to improve Internet access services to more than 10,100 businesses and households in northern 51 communities, the significant majority of which are Indigenous. 

Thursday, August 13

The Government released the CETA Joint Committee Report for SMEs – learn more about how Canada and the European Union are expanding trade opportunities for entrepreneurs and all Canadians through the progressive Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. 

They also announced the creation of the newCanada Healthy Communities Initiative, that will provide up to $31 million to support communities and local governments in adapting to this new post-COVID reality, and develop solutions that respond to the economic, health and social challenges arising from COVID-19.

Also, the government announced the $50-million Surplus Food Rescue Program. It’s the first-ever federal government program that will provide millions of pounds of quality, nutritious, surplus food to Canada’s most vulnerable populations – while also supporting producers, farmers, and businesses in agriculture who have had trouble selling their food to restaurants.

Friday, August 14

Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced Canada and the US have agreed to extend the temporary restriction of all non-essential travel across the Canada-US border another month until September 21, 2020. This will ensure the ongoing flow of essential goods and services between our two countries. We will continue to work with the United States to make the right decision to keep Canadians safe. 

The Government announced a pathway to permanent residency for asylum claimants who have done extraordinary work to give back to their communities – by working on the front lines in the healthcare amid COVID-19.