COVID-19

Government Resources: Federal Level

    

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NPMA continues to monitor the situation in the US and Canada to provide updates on any legislation or regulations that could affect our industry. If you have any questions on federal activity, please contact Ashley Amidon, NPMA's VP of Public Policy.
 

United States

New Senate PPP Bill Introduced Allowing a Second Loan
Posted 6/10/20

Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Coons (Del.) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) introduced The Prioritized Paycheck Protection Program (P4) Act this afternoon that would allow businesses with less than 100 employees who have suffered as a result of COVID-19 to take out a second PPP (or P4) loan.

Qualifying borrowers must have 100 employees or less or be self-employed and must also be able to demonstrate a loss of more than 50% in gross receipts for a quarter in 2020 compared to a quarter in 2019. They must have exhausted (or be on pace to exhaust) their first PPP loan and certify they need the funding to support ongoing operations for covered expenses (payroll and rent/utilities/mortgage).

Publicly traded companies would not be eligible, and a P4 loan must not exceed $2 million. The Small Business Administration (SBA) would provide priority to companies with ten employees or less. If passed, the deadline to apply for these P4 loans would be October 1, 2020, although the SBA would be empowered to extend that deadline.

Many in the Senate have not had a chance to comment on this legislation yet given it's only several hours old. NPMA will continue to monitor this and other COVID-19 bills that could impact the industry.

 

President Trump Signs PPP Changes Into Law
Posted 6/5/2020

President Trump has signed H.R. 7010 the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act into law. The bill makes two significant changes to the PPP loans. Previously, 75% of the funds could be used on payroll and 25% towards rent, utilities, and/or mortgage payments; now 60% can go towards payroll and 40% to rent/utilities/mortgage payments. Originally loans had to be used within 8 weeks; the bill now extends that to 24 weeks. NPMA applauds the passage of this bill and the increased flexibility it will give to small businesses.
 
 

 

 

 

Canada

5.4.20 Canadian Federal Update

The Canadian Government has created helpful links and guides to provide direction to businesses affected by COVID-19. 

Support for Businesses: collection of resources available here.

These links cover avoiding layoffs and rehiring employees as well as access to credit. Support is provided to both small and medium sized enterprises, with specific support also available for self-employed individuals.

Guidance Documents for Businesses

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): For businesses and employees: For both employers and employees who want guides to their rights and responsibilities under COVID specific legislation and regulation.

Risk-informed decision-making for workplaces/businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic: For businesses that are considered essential and are therefore still operating as well as for businesses who will reopen in the short term.

Support for Individuals: collection of resources here.

These links cover items including additional funds for individuals to cover pay loss, extension of tax deadlines, mortgage payment deferral and others programs.

 

3.26 Canada & COVID: C-13 Becomes Law

Wednesday, March 25 Bill C-13 became law in Canada after extensive last-minute negotiations. The bill provides funding for individuals and businesses hurt by COVID-19 and expands the government’s ability to support those affected in the future.

There were multiple concerns that this package drastically expanded the power of the government and so became very contentious this week. Several problematic proposals were changed at the 11th hour to allow passage, including the removal of a provision that would have let the finance minister raise taxes without parliamentary approval.

Included are several important provisions on oversight and spending:

  • Cabinet ministers can spend any amount of money they deem needed in a public health emergency through Sept. 30, 2020.
  • The Finance Minister will begin biweekly reporting to Parliament starting next week to provide a status update on how the funding is being used.

Support for Individuals: Last week two different emergency benefits were announced and through this bill have puttied together and renamed The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

Under the program, individuals can receive up to $2,000 a month for the next four months, with an online portal up for applications on or about April 6th, which checks received within 10 days of applying. This benefit will apply to any Canadian out of work due to reasons related to COVID-19, including for sickness, quarantine, caregiving, staying home to take care of children, furloughed workers, those who are still technically employed but not receiving income. The benefit would cover wage-earners, contract workers, self-employed and gig industry individuals. This would apply whether an individual is eligible for unemployment insurance or not. This is a taxable benefit.

Support for Small & Medium Sized Businesses

Formed earlier in March this year, the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) will allow the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) to provide more than $10 billion of additional support, largely targeted to small and medium-sized businesses.  This program will allow BDC and EDC to work with private lenders and help individual businesses. Companies interested in taking part can get more information here and can contact their lending institutions to get started.

C-13 also provides eligible small employers a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months (March 18, 2020 through June 19, 2020) based on a formula within the legislation.

Click here for the latest information on Canadian Government actions surrounding COVID-19.
 

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