Dear Scarborough-Rouge Park,

I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving this past weekend, although this years celebration was more intimate and different, I hope you had a chance to spend time with your loved ones.

I would like to thank you, for following the advice of public health officials, socially distancing and wearing a mask. I am also thankful for all those on the frontlines, who make sacrifices every-day to serve their communities. Collectively, as we work together, we can fight COVID-19, reduce the spread and build back Canada, stronger than ever before.

Over the past few days, our Government has launched and announced a variety of supports for workers, businesses, and families - this includes the Canada Recovery Benefit, which is now open for applications. As we fight through the second wave, I want to assure you that our government has your back every step of the way.

I encourage you to take a look at the information below, and as always, if have any questions about the programs, our federal services, or any COVID-19 related questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 416-283-1414 or [email protected].

Your truly, 

Gary Anandasangaree

Canada Recovery Benefit

New Supports for Businesses

Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship 2020

While many Canadians have been able to go back to work safely, the second wave has made it unsafe for certain regions to re-open at the same rate. Many people here in Toronto continue to feel the impacts of COVID-19 and need support during this difficult period. That's why last week, our Government opened applications to apply for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit.

And as of yesterday, our Government opened the application process for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB).

The CRB will provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks to workers who have:

• Stopped working due to COVID-19;
• Had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19; and
• For those who are not eligible for EI. 

To find out if you are eligible, click on the button below:

If your situation continues past 2 weeks, you will need to apply again. You can apply up to a total of 13 eligibility periods (26 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. 

If you are eligible for the CRB, you can apply through CRA's My Account or by calling 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041. Please determine what you will need to apply by clicking here.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, our Government has taken immediate action to help Canadian businesses that were affected. From keeping workers on the payroll to providing support to pay rent – we are here to help.

While we move towards restarting our economy, we know that many businesses are still facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That is why our Government announced our intention to introduce new, targeted supports to help hard-hit businesses and organizations. We will be introducing new legislation that will support businesses through the second wave alongside and updating and expanding our previous supports for businesses so that they can continue to serve their community, this includes:

The New Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy

• Will provide simple and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19.
• The rent subsidy would be provided directly to tenants, while also providing support to property owners.
• The new rent subsidy would support businesses, charities, and non-profits that have suffered a revenue drop, by subsidizing a percentage of their expenses, on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 65 per cent of eligible expenses until December 19, 2020.
• Organizations would be able to make claims retroactively for the period that began September 27 and ends October 24, 2020.

A Top-Up Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy

• Top-up of 25 per cent for organizations temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority, in addition to the 65 per cent subsidy.
• This follows a commitment in the Speech from the Throne to provide direct financial support to businesses temporarily shut down as a result of a local public health decision.

Extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

• Extension of the CEWS until June 2021 will continue to protect jobsby helping businesses keep employees on the payroll and encouraging employers to re-hire their workers.
• The subsidy would remain at the current subsidy rate of up to a maximum of 65 per cent of eligible wages until December 19, 2020.
• This measure is part of the government’s commitment to create over 1 million jobs and restore employment to the level it was before the pandemic.

An Expanded Canada Emergency Business Account

• An expanded CEBA will enable businesses and not-for-profits eligible for CEBA loans to access an interest-free loan of up to $20,000, in addition to the original CEBA loan of $40,000.
• Half of this additional financing would be forgivable if repaid by December 31, 2022.
• The application deadline for CEBA is being extended to December 31, 2020.
• Further details, including the launch date and application process will be announced in the coming days.

Now, more than ever, families should be together during the COVID-19 pandemic, and our government is committed to ensuring this.

As of this week, over a 3-week period, from October 13, 2020 to November 3, 2020, Canadians and permanent residents who wish to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada will have an opportunity to submit an interest to sponsor form online.

The Parents and Grandparents Program has been introduced to ensure a fair and equal opportunity for applicants. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will randomly select potential sponsors and send them an invitation to submit an application. Selected applicants will have 60 days to submit their application.

Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities who are unable to use the online form, they can request an alternative application format (paper copy, Braille or large print) by contacting the IRCC Client Support Centre at 1-888-242-2100 or by email until November 3, 2020.

Given that many sponsors may have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC is introducing a temporary public policy that will reduce the income requirement for the 2020 tax year to the minimum necessary income, instead of the minimum necessary income plus 30%.

For reference on income requirements, click here. Further information on income requirements and the program will be posted on the IRCC website.

The launch of the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program builds on the government’s initiatives to prioritize the approval of 49,000 family sponsorship applications by December 31, 2020. A maximum of 10,000 applications will be accepted for processing as part of the 2020 PGP intake. In 2021, IRCC will open a new intake of interest to sponsor forms to accept a total of 30,000 new applications.

To go to the Interest to Sponsor Form, click on the button below.