Your Voice is Needed Now in Government Consultation

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program has been extended to August 29th, 2020.

Canada’s associations and nor-for-profits have expressed growing concern that, while we may be eligible recipients of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), the application criteria are too narrow to fit many associations. The federal government has launched a consultation on how the program can be improved and how gaps can be filled.  Your participation is critical in presenting a strong association voice and is needed by June 5, 2020.

To participate in the consultation, please visit this link. The consultation is only open for feedback until Friday, June 5th, 2020, to allow for quick analysis of the feedback and rapid program updates. Items of great concern to associations and not-for-profits regarding CEWS include:

• The program does not take into account anticipated declines in revenue from events already cancelled or postponed, even with evidence that they generated income for the association in past years
• The program is not responsive to organizations that depend on fundraisers to generate revenue
• The program application is not streamlined, and reporting staff remuneration has been reportedly difficult

The government is under significant pressure to increase the appeal and accessibility of the CEWS program. Their goal of keeping Canadians connected to employment has been difficult to achieve, and a far greater proportion of workers have had to draw on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit program instead.

To provide more detailed feedback to government as they consider program adjustments, we strongly encourage you to write to program officers at fin.cews-succ.fin@canada.ca. By providing a great number of recommendations, associations and not-for-profits hope that the government will see our unity and further understand the importance of supporting employment across our sector.

The government has suggested the following framing questions to guide your feedback:

1. Are there specific challenges associated with the CEWS program? For example, are there challenges with respect to its accessibility, its incentive impacts, or any other aspect?
2. What adjustments to the CEWS would you propose to provide the right level of support to those most affected by the pandemic while supporting the economic recovery?
3. Would adding complexity to the CEWS program be acceptable in order to expand access to this support, or would it be better for them to target support to those who need it?
4. To what extent are employers using the CEWS to provide support to furloughed employees as compared to using it as a means to pay active employees? Do employers value maintaining ties with furloughed employees by keeping them on the payroll? Should the level of support for furloughed employees be the same as for active employees?
5. What are the key barriers to rehiring workers recently laid off due to the pandemic?
6. Are there specific factors that are preventing or discouraging employers from applying for the CEWS?
7. If you are a seasonal business, are there any unique challenges you are facing in relation to the CEWS?

CSAE will be crafting a response and will share early next week. We look forward to also receiving your feedback and would appreciate being copied on all responses to the department.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to advocate for our sector.

Sincerely,

Tracy Folkes-Hanson
President & CEO