Updates for the week of October 26, 2020
Federal Government:
- The federal government announced $200 million in funding for Indigenous peoples and their communities.
- The funding includes $120.7 million to help Indigenous early learning and child care facilities safely operate during the pandemic, and $59 million for First Nations to adapt their on-reserve community infrastructure. An additional $25.9 million will provide immediate support to Indigenous post-secondary institutions in 2020-21.
- Read the official release to learn more.
- The federal government announced the launch of the new Rapid Housing Initiative, which will invest $1 billion to create up to 3,000 new permanent, affordable housing units across the country.
- Under the Projects Stream, applications can be submitted from until December 31, 2020. CMHC will review applications within 30 days from the close of the application window.
- Projects must be completed within 12 months of a signed agreement.
- Read the official release to learn more.
Prince Edward Island:
- Tourism PEI is waiving fees for the 2021 season to support tourism operators impacted by COVID-19.
- The fees being waived include accommodation licensing fees for existing and new applicants, highway signage fees for existing signage holders, and Canada Select star rating program fees for the 2021 season.
- Read the official release to learn more.
- Prince Edward Island is receiving $2.3 million through the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations to provide temporary financial relief for Island sport organizations whose viability has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
- To learn more, or apply for funding, visit the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Sport Organizations page.
Nova Scotia:
- The provincial government announced a 25 percent rebate on commercial property tax for hotel, motel, and inn operators.
- The Tourism Accommodations Real Property Tax Rebate Program will provide qualified operators a 25 percent rebate on payment of 2020-21 commercial property tax. The program opens November 16.
- Visit the official page for more information, including complete eligibility criteria.
- The province will resume welcoming international students to its post-secondary institutions in November, with almost two dozen institutions ready with additional COVID-19 precautions.
- All international students arriving in Nova Scotia from another country must quarantine for 14 days.
- Learning institutions, such as universities and language schools, are required to have oversight responsibility for international students during their quarantine, whether on or off-campus.
- Read the official release to learn more.
Quebec:
- Quebec Public Health has updated the alert levels for the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean and Chaudière-Appalaches regions to red.
- The measures, which include the closure of bars and restaurants, came into effect on November 2. Measures related to schools and sports come into effect on November 4.
- These measures will be in place for four weeks.
- Learn more about red zone measures.
- The provincial government announced the extension of the Digital Tourism Business Development Agreement (EDNET) until March 31, 2021.
- Tourism businesses will be able to benefit from $5.3 million in funding.
- Learn more.
- The provincial government is providing $53,000 to help fund virtual job fairs in Laval.
- Virtual job fairs will be held on January 28, 2021, February 25, 2021 and March 25, 2021.
- Each event will bring together 10 to 15 Laval companies and offer employment opportunities to job seekers in the region.
- Read the official release to learn more.
- The provincial government is providing nearly $1 million for the creation of an Acceleration and Growth Space for the Mauricie region
- The space will facilitate consultation, collaboration and communication between socioeconomic actors in the region. Companies will have access to support in order to optimize their methods. Specialized training on innovative themes will be offered to around thirty companies.
- Read the official release to learn more.
Ontario:
- The provincial government is providing municipalities and Indigenous community partners with over $241 million to help more than 110,000 Ontarians affected by COVID-19, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
- Funding will be delivered through the Social Services Relief Fund and will be used to support homeless shelters, create or renovate more than 1,500 housing units and expand rent support programs.
- Read the official release to learn more.
- The provincial government is investing $488,550 in the Halton Industry Education Council’s new program, Gateway to the Trades – Making the Connection. The program will help 120 young people explore the skilled trades as a career opportunity.
- HIEC will work closely with Skills Ontario to give young people advice and coaching to improve their resumes, prepare for interviews and find good jobs. This program also encourages students to network and seek mentorship from employers and those in the industry to help them secure apprenticeships.
- Interested young people can email admin@apprenticesearch.com for more information.
Manitoba:
- The provincial government has moved to stop the spread of COVID-19 by raising the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System in the Winnipeg Metro Region to the critical level (red). The rest of the province is in the restricted level (orange).
- Read the official release to learn more about the restrictions in place under the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.
- The provincial government introduced amendments to the Employment Standards Code so more workers can take protected leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic and apply for federal benefits.
- Amendments to the provincial code are necessary to close gaps between Manitoba’s existing protected leave provisions and new federal recovery programs, thereby ensuring all Manitoba workers eligible for the new Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) are protected if they take a leave of absence.
- Read the official release to learn more.