Prime Minister Trudeau announced Tuesday, June 16, that the federal government will extend eligibility for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit by 8 weeks. Over 8.4 million Canadians have signed up for the program so far. The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel until July 21.
Apprenticeship in the time of coronavirus
Many Red Seal trades contribute to the essential services that have kept Canadians safe and maintained the economy during social distancing. The CCDA is making sure Red Seal trades are ready to meet the demand. A high priority is being placed on providing a safe setting for examinations, so apprentices can advance in their careers. For more information, contact the apprenticeship authority in your province or territory.
Darryl Cruickshank Red Seal Award to be presented in 2021
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for the Darryl Cruickshank Red Seal Industry Award. The award will be presented to the winner at the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s (CAF) National Apprenticeship Conference, which has been postponed to 2021.
Small Business Reopening and Support Grant
Applications for the Provincial Small Business Reopening and Support Grant are now OPEN for group 1 and group 2 businesses and you can apply here. Apply soon, this will close at the end of June.
Stores and retailers without a physical shop are not eligible. If your business needs of a consultant, please check out our member directory to find highly qualified consultants.
Canada Emergency Business Account accepting more applications
This means that owner-operated small businesses that had been ineligible for the program due to their lack of payroll, sole proprietors receiving business income directly, as well as family-owned corporations remunerating in the form of dividends rather than payroll will become eligible this week.
To qualify under the expanded eligibility rules, CEBA applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 will need:
More information can be found on the CEBA program’s website.
Extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit(CERB)
Prime Minister Trudeau announced on June 15 that the federal government would be extending the CERB. Read the full statement from the government here.
Please note that from June 29, 2020, until July 2021, CANS Sydney office will be temporarily closed. Britney MacNeil, CANS Events Lead, is on parental leave.
The province is investing $750,000 to help start-up businesses seize opportunities emerging from COVID-19. Business incubators Volta, Ignite and the Organization for Nova Scotia Innovation-Driven Enterprise (ONSIDE) will receive funding to help new businesses get off the ground. Funding through Innovacorp will support startup activities in Cape Breton, including an entrepreneur in residence, acceleration programs, training opportunities, a makerspace, mentorship and networking events.
As the province focuses on economic recovery, new start-ups and innovation-driven entrepreneurs will play an important role in restarting the economy. This investment will help drive the creation of new business and support innovative solutions as we adjust to the post-COVID reality.
Business incubators help start-up companies through a variety of support services, including physical space, access to technology, coaching, shared services and networking. Volta, Ignite and ONSIDE will also provide programs and supports focused on issues and challenges raised by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nova Scotia is open to an Atlantic bubble. Over the next few weeks, we will monitor the COVID-19 cases to ensure they stay low and that we have little to no community spread. If we continue to flatten the curve, our first priority is to ease restrictions in our own province, including expanding the family bubble. Currently, anyone who wants to come to Nova Scotia can, as long as they don’t have any symptoms of COVID-19 and can self-isolate for 14 days when they arrive. When we lift those restrictions will be based on science.”
The province is renewing the state of emergency to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians and ensure the safe re-opening of businesses and services. The order will take effect at noon Sunday, June 14 and extend to noon Sunday, June 28, unless government terminates or extends it.
Do you know any youth who are eager to learn more about a career in construction and the trades? Share this information with them! Our virtual Q&A sessions explore careers in construction from the comfort of home, every Thursday until June 15.
Q&A Session Four
No registration required. Click here on June 4 to access this Zoom session!
Did you miss a session?
Learn about carpentry, welding and more with these sessions on-demand. Click here to watch our previous sessions now.
Questions?
Please contact Alain Lefebvre, alefebvre@cans.ns.ca or 902-456-6444.