Announced up to $469.4 million in new measures to support Canada’s fish harvesters
The federal government will launch the Fish Harvester Benefit, a program worth up to $267.6 million, to help provide income support for this year’s fishing seasons to eligible self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons crew who cannot access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
The federal government will launch the Fish Harvester Grant, a program worth up to $201.8 million, to provide grants to help fish harvesters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and who are ineligible for the Canada Emergency Business Account or equivalent measures
Also the federal government will propose measures or changes to Employment Insurance (EI) that would allow self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons to access EI benefits on the basis of insurable earnings from previous seasons (winter and summer claims)
The government announced additional seasonal services and activities will be permitted to open as early as Saturday May 16, 2020
As soon as 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2020:
Golf courses will be able to open, with clubhouses open only for washrooms and restaurants open only for take-out
Marinas, boat clubs and public boat launches may open for recreational use
Private parks and campgrounds may open to enable preparation for the season and to allow access for trailers and recreational vehicles whose owners have a full season contract
Businesses that board animals, such as stables, may allow boarders to visit, care for or ride their animal
The Ontario government also announced that retailers, seasonal businesses and health and community service providers will be permitted to open or expand their services on Tuesday, May 19, 2020
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $2.25 million to help farmers better protect employees and ensure the continued supply of healthy food products
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the federal and provincial governments are launching the second intake of the Agri-food Workplace Protection Program to help farmers enhance health and safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus
Support is also available for farmers who experience unexpected costs for housing and transportation as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak among on-farm employees
Further restrictions are slowly being lifted on businesses and services
Beginning Friday, golf courses and drive-in theatres will be able to begin operation under the guidelines contained in Re-Open Saskatchewan. All businesses that are eligible to re-open must be in compliance with these guidelines.
Following the long weekend, Phase 2 of Re-Open Saskatchewan will begin on May 19. Business that are currently able to begin operation in this phase include:
Retail businesses
Shopping malls
Select personal services (hairstylist/barber, registered massage therapist, acupuncturist and acupressurist)
