COVID-19 Information & Resources for Canada's Music Industry
The Federal Government has announced new measures for people and businesses. The package includes $27 billion in direct support to Canadians and businesses and a further $55 billion to meet liquidity needs for businesses and households through tax deferrals
By External Source
The Federal Government has announced new measures for people and businesses. Prime Minister Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau unveiled the federal government’s economic response plan to address the increasing and rapid financial impacts of COVID-19 on Tuesday. The package includes $27 billion in direct support to Canadians and businesses and a further $55 billion to meet liquidity needs for businesses and households through tax deferrals
Support For Self-Employed, Small Business & Non-Profits
1. Introduction of an Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks to provide income support to workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave. This measure could provide up to $10 billion to Canadians, and includes:
Workers, including the self-employed who are sick, quarantined, or who have been directed to self-isolate but do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.
Workers, including the self-employed who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent or other dependents who are sick, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits
EI-eligible and non-EI-eligible working parents who must stay home without pay because of children who are sick or who need additional care because of school closures.
2. Introduction of an Emergency Support Benefit delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency to provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment.
3. Providing eligible small businesses with a 10% wage subsidy for the next 90 days, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Employers benefiting from this measure would include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as not-for-profit organizations and charities. This will help employers keep people on their payroll and help Canadians keep their jobs.
4. Increasing the credit available to small, medium, and large Canadian businesses. As announced on March 13, a new Business Credit Availability Program will provide more than $10 billion of additional support to businesses experiencing cash flow challenges through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada.
5. Provide flexibility on the Canada Account limit, to allow the Government to provide additional support to Canadian businesses when deemed to be in the national interest to deal with exceptional circumstances.
Other Resources & Information
Airline Cancellation Policies: A comprehensive guide by Forbes can be found here.
Alberta Music has shared information for Albertans and Canadians alike on how to prepare for COVID-19 in the arts sector. Get more information here.
Bandzoogle has put together this handy blog: How musicians can ask fans for support during the coronavirus pandemic.
Canada Council for the Arts: Information about CCA's cancellation policy can be found here
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM): has sent an open letter to federal and provincial ministries overseeing culture, social security and employment.
Canadian Live Music Association's Request for relief to the Canadian government can be found here.
Canada Public Health has info about the situation available here.
advertisementCAPACOA is asking you to track cancellations affecting the Canadian live performance sector here.
Event Safety Alliance: Preparing your organization for COVID-19. More information can be found here.
FACTOR: Information about FACTOR's cancellation policy can be found here.
Government of Canada Trade Commissioner Service: Resources for Canadian businesses can be found here.
Music BC has provided information and resources on its website and is encouraging companies and artists to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding Music BC's programs.
Manitoba Music will be providing information and resources, including support efforts. Keep an eye on their updates here.
advertisementMusic Managers Forum Canada has an incredibly thorough resource page that is being constantly updated here.
MusicOntario will be reposting all sorts of things on socials/to our stories - have a peek there for various updates, interesting content from the community, streaming events, and other tidbits to help pass the time.
PRS Foundation: Advice for overseas activities or performances. More information here.
Radio Starmaker: The Board of the Radio Starmaker Fund wants to inform all stakeholders that any previous tour dates that were approved and were to take place between February 15th and August 31st of this year will be fully funded if they were canceled as a result of the coronavirus. All you will need to do when filling out final paperwork is indicate the reason for the cancellation was coronavirus – no other proof will be necessary. This same policy will also be in effect with regard to tour dates approved by the Board for Round 74. We are currently examining the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and the implications it may have on future touring. Currently, when we open our next round we are considering a moratorium on requests for tour funding for all performances from April 1st to May 31st of this year given the very high likelihood of cancellation. We will be monitoring this situation over the next few weeks and making a final determination on or before April 10th when we plan to open the next round of funding. In the meantime, we wanted everyone to know this is a possibility as tour plans are made this year.
SaskMusic will be launching an emergency relief fund for music industry professionals impacted by lost income due to COVID-19. More information can be found here.
Unison Benevolent Fund has information about how they can help here, or you can call 1-855-986-4766 for inquiries to help you deal with the financial or emotional impact of coronavirus.
advertisementWorldwide Independent Network has a list of resources for the indie music community across the work here.
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/
--- Sources: Canadian Independent Music Association and Canadian Live Music Association
