Chemicals Management in Canada
Chemicals Management Phase 1
Chemicals Management Phase 2
Chemicals Management Phase 3
Chemicals Management Phase Post-2020
Post-consumer Paint Recycling
Supply Chain Management
Treated Articles Policy
VOC Emissions & Air Quality
Biocide Preservatives
Trade Policy & Regulations
CEPA Legislative Review
Workplace Health & Safety
Canada-US Regulatory Cooperation
International Government Initiatives
Management Information
Federal
Provincial
Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers
Paint and Coatings Only
Allied Products Only (i.e. diluters, cleaners)
Adhesives and Sealants Only
Other (i.e. lab equipment, mixers, grinders)
Please provide CPCA details on how COVID-19 is affecting your operations and what regulatory support you need.
Last week the Prime Minister of Canada announced a stimulus package of up to $82 billion to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and businesses in Canada. There was $27 billion in direct support and $55 billion in additional liquidity to help stabilize the economy in uncertain times. They have said more will be provided as needed in the coming weeks. The measures announced include increases to social benefit payments, income tax payment deferrals and payroll subsidies.
The Prime Minister was very clear that these measures are not exhaustive and more initiatives will follow and likely more financial support. Over the weekend many business organizations have suggested that the $25,000 support for business continuity will not be sufficient given that some countries have agreed to 75 percent of the costs for business continuity. CPCA will continue to provide specific details on support initiatives as more details are provided in the coming weeks as the federal Government determines the most expeditious ways to flow necessary funding to those in need. The goal is to ensure business and their employees can stay in place and resume more normal business operations when the economy is up and running at full potential.
CPCA continues to monitor the ongoing government-related actions to assist industry in meeting demands such as employee retention and support to help access to funding under new and relaxed EI eligibility requirements. CPCA joined with other industry associations over a week ago via the Canadian Manufacturers Coalition to strongly support economic measures to soften the blow on industry with respect to COVID-19 fallout and to ensure business continuity and worker retention as the biggest part of that effort.
While non-essential travel restrictions have been imposed at the Canada-US border, there are several States where certain items such as empty paint can shipments from Pennsylvania to Canada, and possible other inputs, have been impacted for some CPCA member companies. CPCA has been in discussions with our colleagues at the ACA in the United States who are aware of this matter and have been in direct contact with the Governor’s office to address this concern. CPCA is asking all members to please inform the association of any other challenges in this regard so that we can take any action needed to raise awareness. As you would expect, we are limited in what we can do this side of the border on matters on the other side, but CPCA will do all it can at the federal level in Canada, and in Provinces where needed, to support the actions taken by ACA with various States.
The following support programs were mentioned in the Prime Minister’s address. Some of these initiatives may help alleviate the pressure companies may experience from employee support and business continuity perspective.
(See full details below)
The ongoing spread of COVID-19 will have wide-ranging effects on all industry sectors, paint and coatings included. CPCA wants to take any and all measures we can to ensure that our members’ ability to comply with regulations and operate normal as possible and/or take advantage of government assistance to bridge from this crisis to more business as usual times in the weeks ahead. We ask all members to provide CPCA with answers to the following two questions:
Please provide your answers to CPCA by Friday, April 3rd, 2020. Your feedback will be used to focus our advocacy efforts on issues that may be most impacted by the uncertainties of the current pandemic being faced by all countries.
Should members require anything else on which CPCA can assist please contact us at your convenience.
Regards,
Gary LeRoux
President & CEO
Essential travel will continue, including preserving and maintaining supply chains. Federal Actions to Date Include:
Additional Credit to SMEs: An additional $10 billion of credit support mainly targeted to small and medium-sized businesses via Business Development Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC).
EI Sickness Benefit: Waiving the one-week waiting period for those individuals in imposed quarantine that claim Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. This temporary measure is in effect as of March 15, 2020.
Emergency Care Benefit: Providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks. This flat-payment Benefit would be administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provide income support to:
Emergency Support Benefit: Provide up to $5.0 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment.
Registered Retirement Income Funds Change: Reducing the required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25% for 2020, in recognition of volatile market conditions and their impact on many seniors’ retirement savings. This will provide flexibility to seniors that are concerned that they may be required to liquidate their RRIF assets to meet minimum withdrawal requirements. Similar rules would apply to individuals receiving variable benefit payments under a defined contribution Registered Pension Plan.
Income Tax Deferral: Allow all individuals to defer, until after June 1, 2020 the filing of tax returns and allow taxpayers to defer payment of income tax amounts owing until August 31, 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period.
Boosting Child Benefit Payments: Increase the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts, only for the 2019-20 benefit year, by $300 per child. The overall increase for families receiving CCB will be approximately $550 on average; these families will receive an extra $300 per child as part of their May payment.
Increasing Goods and Services Tax Credit: Double the maximum annual Goods and Services Tax credit (GSTC) payment amounts for the 2019-20 benefit year with a one-time special payment in early May 2020.
Minister Morneau said there will be more to come. He said: “This is only the first step in the plan. When the time is right, we will announce more long-term investments to assist with recovery and help Canadians get back to their daily lives.” The window for that longer-term thinking isn’t closed, rather, with the announcement today to address immediate needs, once the rollout of funding and lending measures cycle closes, there will be ample opportunity to start having recovery and longer-term measures conversations.