CARI Covid-19 update: Canadian Government issues comprehensive guidance on essential services

The Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI) has released their latest information for recyclers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has issued Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Canada wage employment subsidy has been updated. Plus, CARI member ScrapIT Software can help recyclers manage physical distancing during pandemic.

Bill Blair, the Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, has issued Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic. While not a directive, the list offers assistance in determining which services and operations are essential to provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, and municipalities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 According to the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI), "we are pleased to see that recyclers are included under the Manufacturing sector as businesses that "ensure global continuity of supply of mining and mineral materials and products, and that support supply chains in Canada.
 
"While CARI and its members are grateful for this acknowledgement, our chief concern is for the health and safety of our employees, families, and the Canadian public during this crisis. Please continue to follow the guidelines of our public health authorities and take all possible measures to ensure the health and safety of your staff."

UPDATE ON THE CANADA EMPLOYMENT WAGE SUBSIDY (CEWS)
 On April 1 the Federal Government released additional information about the proposed Canada Employment Wage Subsidy (CEWS):

• The subsidy would be open to all taxable corporations that have seen a 30% drop in gross revenue since March 15
• Canadian subsidiaries of foreign-controlled companies would be eligible
• The program would be retroactive to March 15 and will be in effect for three months
• Companies would have to reapply each month and demonstrate that revenues are 30% less than they were in the same month the previous year
• The benefit for each employee would be 75% of their pre-crisis weekly remuneration up to a maximum of $847/week
• Employers must make their best effort to top-up employees' salaries to bring them to pre-crisis levels
• The subsidy will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency through the My Business Account portal. Businesses are encouraged to register for direct deposit to expedite the delivery of funds
• Small businesses can continue to claim the Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers (which provides a wage subsidy of up to 10%), but this would reduce the amount available to be claimed under CEWS
Parliament must vote on this new legislation before it is enacted but the Government expects to roll out the funding to businesses within the next three-to-six weeks. More details on the proposed subsidy are available here. CARI will continue to provide updates as they become available.

 CARI member's technology can aid in scrapyard h TECHNOLOGY CAN AID SCRAPYARD PHYSICAL DISTANCING
 As operating scrapyards adjust to the strict physical distancing requirements set out by authorities, CARI memberScrapIT Softwareoffers a range of ways to make it simpler to maintain safe physical distance from customers, including: 

• Photo capture for receipts (rather than signature)
• All-electronic paperwork (sent via email)
• ATM solutions
During the COVID-19 crisis, ScrapIT has reduced or eliminated setup fees for ScrapIT as a Service to assist yards in adopting the technology: 
• ScrapIT Basic:  No setup fee
• ScrapIT Lite and ScrapIT Professional: 50% off one-time setup fee.