RRHBA COVID-19 Resource Page

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, we have set up this page to ensure you have quick access to the necessary updates and information, to help you and your businesses navigate this tumultuous time. We encourage you to check back frequently for updates.

Last Updated Monday, October 19, 2020.

Updates on Key Federal Response Measures

  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit
  • Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for Small Businesses
  • Canada Emergency Business Account
  • Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
  • Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers
  • Updates from the Bank of Canada
  • Updates from CMHC
  • Updates from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association

Updates on Key Provincial Response Measures 

Updates from the City of Regina

  • Building Permits and Inspections
  • Updates from Economic Development Regina

Important COVID-19 Information for the Local Residential Construction Industry 

 

Updates on Key Federal Response Measures

  • The Government of Canada has announced several programs to support Canadian businesses from the economic impacts of COVID-19. These measures are a part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which provides direct support and tax deferrals to Canadian workers and businesses to help them in these difficult times. View the Full details of the Government of Canada’s Supports for Canadian Businesses here.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

  • CEWS Extended & New Changes Expected to Help More Businesses Access Relief . On July 29th, 2020, the House of Commons passed Bill C-20, which includes an extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and a suite of changes to broaden access to the program for more businesses impacted by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes, originally announced July 17, by the federal Minister of Finance, are intended to support more businesses as they reopen and scale up operations and help transition workers back to the economy as it too gradually reopens. The program details will be in effect until November 21, 2020, with the whole program extended to December 19, 2020.In addition to the extension, the federal government has made the following changes to the program:
    • Introducing a sliding scale to allow businesses with a revenue decline of less than 30 percent, but still struggling to get support to retain and bring back workers. 
    • Introduce a top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25 percent for employers that have been most adversely affected by the pandemic.
    • Provide certainty to employers that have already made business decisions for July and August by ensuring they would not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have had under the previous rules.
    • Slowly stepping-down the levels of support as the economy reopens.
    • Adjusting CEWS support for furloughed employees to align with the benefits provided through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and/or Employment Insurance (EI).
  • Application Portal Open: As of Monday, April 27th, qualifying employers can now apply for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. This program will cover 75% of each employee’s salary up to $847/week. First payments will flow through CRA starting May. 7. Apply here.
  • To help companies apply smoothly, the Government of Canada has created a CEWS online calculator. Employers can try out this page now to see if they are eligible (and how to prove it), and calculate the subsidy they can apply for.
  • On Wednesday, April 8, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program for employers hit by COVID-19 will have looser standards than previously announced. Rather than having to show a 30-per-cent decline in revenues, businesses can now show a 15-per-cent decline in March, and can compare their revenues to previous months rather than the previous year. Charities can also choose whether to include revenues from governments in their calculations when they apply. Read more about the CEWS program here.
  • Before these changes were announced, many in our industry voiced a clear concern with their ability to demonstrate a 30 per cent loss in revenues in order to qualify for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Given the variable revenues experienced in our industry, a 30 per cent reduction compared to the same month last year was not an appropriate measure. Together with the CHBA, the RRHBA worked to be directly in touch with Minister Morneau’s office to voice our concerns and provide recommendations.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

  • Our new Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, has announced that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be extended for an additional 4 weeks, for a total of 28 weeks. Ottawa has received 8.58 million unique applications for CERB to date and has paid out $68.46 billion.
    In addition, the Federal Government has also announced three new benefits for people who don’t qualify for EI:

    1. The Canada Recovery Benefit for self-employed workers and other workers not eligible for EI will get $400 per week. But they will have to repay 50 cents on every dollar earned above $38,000.
    2. The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit for eligible Canadians who are unable to work because they need to care for a child, family member, or dependent will be $500 per week. The benefit only applies in cases where care centres, schools, or day care have been shut down. For example, anyone keeping their kids home voluntarily will have to provide medical evidence for why they can’t attend. Both are available for 26 weeks over a one year period.
    3. The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is for those who are sick themselves or have to self-isolate because of COVID-19, and pays out $500 a week. It will be available for two one-week periods over the year.
  • To apply by phone, call 1-800-959-2019 or apply online here.
  • The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) offers $2,000 monthly payments to Canadians who find themselves out of work or with reduced hours because of the pandemic. Starting on April 6th, if you haven’t requested Employment Insurance (EI), you will be able to apply for the CERB. The CERB also cannot be combined with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The CERB is being rolled out on a staggered basis based on your birth month. Please refer to the visual below: 

                    

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses

  • The federal government has released more details on its Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program, which was announced on April 16 and is now open for applications as of May 25 through CMHC’s website.
    The federal government has addressed a gap identified by our national office and others that bars landlords from applying if they don’t have mortgages and has now defined rent as ‘gross rent’, which CHBA also recommended.
    Learn more about CECRA here.

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

  • On Thursday, June 18, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced that the promised expansion of the Canada Emergency Business Account to include small owner-operated businesses will not be launched on June 19th as scheduled. Read more here.
  • New changes to the $40,000 government-backed, interest-free Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan announced on May 19, come as a direct response to the recommendations of our national office to open the program to sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and those that pay employees through dividends. This change should allow many more businesses within the residential construction sector—and across the economy—to access much needed support to help spur a full reopening of the economy and/or scale up activity. This builds on changes announced on April 16 to expand eligibility by decreasing the minimum annual payroll threshold from $50,000 to $20,0000 and the maximum from $1 million to $1.5 million. The CEBA is available (as of April 9) through businesses’ respective financial institutions. Click here for more information.

Regional Recovery and Relief Fund

  • The federal government is setting aside $304 million for the western Canadian businesses it says are slipping “through the cracks” between existing pandemic assistance programs. Part of the previously announced $962-million Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, the money is intended to help businesses that don’t qualify for wage subsidies or emergency loans. Read more here.
  • Municipalities are to receive $2.2B in infrastructure funds early to help COVID-19 recovery. The 2020-21 funding will be sent through the Federal Gas Tax Fund and will be made in a single payment this month to help municipalities rebound from the pandemic as quickly as possible.
    Read more here

Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers (TWS)

  • The 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers is a three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
  • You are an eligible employer if you:
    • are a(n):
      • individual (excluding trusts),
      • partnership,
      • non-profit organization,
      • registered charity, or
      • Canadian-controlled private corporation (including a cooperative corporation);
    • have an existing business number and payroll program account with the CRA on March 18, 2020; and
    • pay salary, wages, bonuses, or other remuneration to an eligible employee.

Canada’s Big Six Banks Cut Credit Card Interest Rates

  • On April 30th, the home builders’ associations in Saskatchewan wrote a letter to the Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, in response to our members concerns that banks and credit unions have begun to raise interest rates on mortgages and lines of credit.
  • On Saturday April 4, the Bank of Montreal (BMO) said it would temporarily reduce credit card interest rates to 10.99% for personal and small business customers receiving payment deferrals due to the outbreak. Bank of Nova Scotia announced the same change last Friday. They joined Toronto-Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, National Bank of Canada and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, who announced similar measures. TD Bank said it would cut credit card interest rates by 50% for customers experiencing hardship, and Royal Bank said it would reduce the charges by the same extent for clients receiving minimum payment deferrals. Read the full news release here.

RBC Monthly Housing Report

  • RBC Royal Bank has released its monthly housing market update for March. Given the current COVID-19 situation we’re facing, it is not surprising that home resales were down across the board in March. However, RBC points out that this will be a temporary shock, and they expect stronger activity to resume once social distancing orders are relaxed. Additionally, they do not expect a major price drop despite the rough patch ahead. See the full report here.

Updates from the Bank of Canada

  • The Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate steady at 0.25 per cent on Wednesday June 3, and said it thinks the economic impact of COVID-19 on the world’s economy “appears to have peaked.” We have seen Canada’s central bank drop its rate dramatically since the pandemic began, cutting its rate from 1.75 per cent in late February to 0.25 per cent barely a month later. The bank’s rate influences the rates that Canadian borrowers and savers get from their banks on things like mortgages and bank accounts. The central bank cut its rate in an attempt to encourage borrowing and investing to stimulate the economy, but those rate cuts weren’t the only thing it did to try to buttress the economy from the unprecedented hit of COVID-19. Read more here
  • Canada’s prime rate is now 2.45% following the Bank of Canada’s emergency rate cut. RBC led the way by confirming it would match the Bank of Canada’s 50-bps rate cut by dropping its prime rate to 2.45%. Scotiabank, TD, BMO and CIBC then followed in quick succession, announcing that the rate changes would come into effect on Monday, March 30, 2020. These changes will affect all existing floating mortgage rates, as well as lines of credit and home equity lines of credit. For more information click here.
  • The Bank of Canada lowered its policy rate to 0.25 percent, adding in a statement that the unscheduled rate decision brings the rate down to its effective lower bound. The Bank of Canada also announced plans for a new commercial paper purchase program as well as a minimum of $5 billion a week in government securities.

Updates from CMHC

  • CMHC has announced changes to mortgage securitization rules for CMHC-Insured mortgages. The new measures to be implemented on July 1 include: raising the minimum credit score from 600 to 680; limiting total gross debt servicing ratios to 35 per cent of annual income, compared to a threshold of 39 per cent currently; limiting total debt servicing to 42 per cent versus as much as 44 per cent now; and lastly, they will no longer be accepting non-traditional sources of down payment that increase indebtedness (i.e. credit cards, unsecured lines of credit, personal loans, etc). We believe it is no coincidence that the announcement of these changes comes just a couple weeks after the release of CMHC’s controversial Housing Market Outlook which forecasted declines of between 9 and 18 percent in home prices over the next 12-months. Ultimately, instead of protecting Canadians and the Canadian economy, these changes will have negative impacts on the Canadian housing market, while conveniently benefiting CMHC as it looks to reduce the amount of risk in its portfolio. If the predictions of CMHC’s Housing Market Outlook seemed far off and exaggerated a couple of weeks ago, the recently announced changes to mortgage securitization rules may serve to make their pessimistic forecast a reality. Read our full response – including our Associations intended actions here. Read our formal letter which was submitted to local MPs here.
  • In its recently released 2020 Housing Market Outlook, CMHC predicted that housing starts will be slashed by at least half this year as prices and sales on existing homes plunge due to the economic shock from the coronavirus pandemic. The forecast – which is admittedly “on the pessimistic side,” according to CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan – predicts that housing prices will fall between 9 and 18 per cent from pre-pandemic levels. And sales volumes are expected to fall between 19 and 29 per cent as potential buyers stay home instead at a time when social distancing makes it difficult to look at homes and uncertainty makes them more inclined to wait before a big purchase. At the RRHBA and the SRHBA, we believe the harsh forecast released by CMHC really only reflects a “best guess” of what might happen in the housing market over the next year. Their predictions come off a bit like someone running into a room screaming “FIRE!” when things are hot, but no one has seen any smoke or flames yet.” Read our full response here. Read the Press Release here.
  • CMHC has expanded the Insured Mortgage Purchase Program (IMPP) to $150B of insured mortgage pools from the $50B announced earlier to further support the Canadian Economy. For more information on the IMPP click here. CMHC’s previous announcement that big banks would be offering mortgage deferrals was met with complaints from frustrated Canadians looking to defer mortgage payments but instead they found themselves facing delays, confusion and outright denials from big banks. In a clarifying statement, CMHC reiterated that they want to help those who need it during the COVID-19 crisis, but not everyone qualifies. They are encouraging people to reach out to their banks or get in touch with their mortgage brokers to discuss their situation. For more information on how mortgage payment deferrals work click here.

Updates from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA)

  • As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, the federal government has taken a number of actions intended to support Canadians and the economy as we navigate the COVID-19 crisis. CHBA has been engaging with government and stakeholders, and will continue to provide relevant information to members as it becomes available. CHBA members can view the details of the key measures introduced to date, here.

Updates on Key Provincial Response Measures

Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan

  • On Thursday, June 18, the Government of Saskatchewan launched the Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS). This program is an employer-driven, short term training program that provides eligible employers with increased financial support to train employees. Training must help the employer adjust to the impacts of the pandemic and safely align business activities with the re-opening phases of Saskatchewan’s economy. Private employers can access up to $10,000 to provide existing employees with training that addresses increased health and safety requirements or adoption of innovative practices that align with social distancing protocols. Applicants must demonstrate that the requested training supports the safe re-opening of the service or business. The application deadline is July 31, 2020. Detailed program information can be found online at www.saskatchewan.ca/training-subsidy. 
  • As of May 8, the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan has been updated, view the updated plan here.

Building a Strong Saskatchewan

  • On Wednesday, May 6, the Government of Saskatchewan announced their plan to invest $7.5 billion in schools, hospitals, highways, Crown utility projects, municipal infrastructure and other important capital projects. This is a $2.0 billion top up to the $5.5 billion that the provincial government had already planned to invest in capital projects over the next two years and will be an important step in our province’s economic recovery.
  • The $7.5 billion stimulus package will be committed over the next two years and includes the $2.7 billion Crown and executive government capital spending already accounted for in the province’s 2020-21 Estimates, and the $2.8 billion Crown and executive government capital spending projected for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The $2.0 billion stimulus injection will balance the need for smaller, short term projects to jump-start economic activity and get people back to work quickly with longer-term, large-scale projects that leverage multiple sectors over the next several years.  The capital injection includes new capital funding of more than $300 million for highways projects, $200 million for health infrastructure and $135 million for education infrastructure. Read the full press release here. 

Emergency Support Program For Saskatchewan Small Businesses

  • On Thursday, April 9, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that small businesses will receive additional provincial support to help deal with current COVID-19 challenges through the new Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP). The SSBEP provides a one-time grant for small and medium-sized enterprises directly affected by government public health orders related to COVID-19.  Grants will be paid based on 15 per cent of a business’ monthly sales revenue, to a maximum of $5,000. To be eligible for the SSBEP, a business must:
    • have been fully operational on February 29, 2020;
    • have ceased or curtailed operations as a result of the COVID-19 public health order;
    • have less than 500 employees; and
    • commit to reopen business operations following the cancellation of the COVID-19 public health order.
  • For more details on the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment Program, click here.

Updates on PST

  • Amidst the shock of this new social-distancing economy, the RRHBA & SRHBA sent a joint letter of thanks to Minister Harpauer for all the work she has done for our industry over the past 2 years in developing a PST Rebate Program. Please take a moment to read the letter and remember to thank your local MLA for supporting residential construction, especially amidst this new reality.

    Government of Saskatchewan: Supports for Businesses during COVID-19

    • As of June 17, the Saskatchewan WCB has announced they will be providing an extension to employer relief measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Relief measures have been extended until July 31, 2020 and will be monitored monthly. Learn more here.
    • On Friday, May 1, the Government of Saskatchewan announced they would be providing $1 million to support a province-wide marketing campaign to encourage Saskatchewan residents to support local businesses and their employees. The funding will be provided to the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce to work in partnership with other regional chambers to expand its successful “Together We Stand” campaign across the province. Read more here. 
    • The Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Immigration and Career Training (ICT) recognizes that these are unprecedented and difficult times for Saskatchewan employers and industries who are facing issues and the impacts of COVID-19. Therefore, the Employer Services Branch within the ministry of ICT is reaching out to offer support through their concierge services for employers. This is a customizable suite of services that can assist with navigation and selection of Government of Saskatchewan and Government of Canada programs and services to help your business. For more information on this service, click here
    • The Provincial Government has created a Financial Support Plan to help Saskatchewan employers and employees hit by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Financial Support Plan includes a number of mechanisms for reducing costs for businesses and individuals providing support to self-employed individuals not covered by new federal support measures. For more details on the Financial Support Plan, click here.
    • Another great resource is the recently launched Business Response Team within the Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development. This team has been set up to support businesses and workers dealing with the economic challenges resulting from COVID-19 and contains valuable information about the available federal and provincial programming. Please review their website here.

    New Rules Surrounding Execution of Documents via Electronic Means

    • Together with the SRHBA, on Monday March 23, we reached out to the Saskatchewan Minister of Justice, Don Morgan, to request that the Ministry of Justice enact the necessary legislative changes to allow for the virtual witnessing of documents. We stated that in order to meet document signing requirements on things like mortgages, affidavits, ISC documents etc., the virtual signing of documents is not a matter of convenience but rather a matter of public health and safety at a time where this should be of the utmost importance. To read our full letter to Minister Morgan, click here.
    • As a result of collective advocacy efforts with the SRHBA, we are happy to announce that our recommendations were received. On March 26, 2020, the Government of Saskatchewan enacted emergency regulations to enable lawyers, during public emergency periods (like the one currently in effect in Saskatchewan), to execute and witness certain documents via electronic means (i.e. a video conference on platforms like Skype or Facetime). To view the full release from the Law Society of Saskatchewan on this matter, click here.

    “Allowable Services” (a.k.a Essential Services)

    • A list of critical public services and allowable business services has been created by the Province of Saskatchewan to inform the local business community of which businesses can continue to operate in accordance with social distancing practices. All changes are effective as of March 26, 2020. To read the full News Release from the Government of Saskatchewan click here.
    • To view the full list of “allowable businesses” (which includes construction) click here.

    SCSA Standardized Safety Protocol Manual

    • We encourage you to review the SCSA Standardized Safety Protocol Manual for Saskatchewan to ensure you are doing your part to keep workplaces, work sites, and the community safe. It is very important to follow these safety protocols, as continued on-site work will NOT be “business as usual”. We must recognize that these are truly unprecedented times and the Residential Construction Industry needs to do our part to support the health and safety of the greater community. If there is any indication that COVID-19 is being spread throughout the construction industry, the Government will not hesitate to remove construction from the list of allowable services, essential or not. Please also make sure individuals with any symptoms and/or those who have come into contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 are self-isolating at home as required by the Government of Saskatchewan.
    • In partnership with the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association, we had communicated to Premier Scott Moe the importance of considering residential construction an “essential service” throughout the COVID-19 crisis. To read our letter to the Premier, click here. 

    Self-Assessment Tool

    • The COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool, provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, will help determine whether you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19. You can complete this assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to.

      Updates from the City of Regina

      Building Permits and Inspections

      • As of June 15, Regina’s City Hall has been reopened to the public. Limited services at main floor counters are available for customers to pay water bills, property taxes, parking tickets and for licensing services. The Building and Development Permit Counter is also open for limited services. Permit applications and plans are still encouraged to be submitted electronically. You can do so by emailing permits@regina.caOpens in new window or bringing in an external hard drive to City Hall.
      • As of June 15, parking meter fees and parking enforcement will be phased back in.
        • Payment and time restrictions at parking meters will be enforced as of June 15.
        • Parking enforcement will resume in timed zones, and for oversized vehicles and loading zones as of June 29.
        • As many residents continue to work from home, the 24-hour overpark regulation which directs that vehicles must be moved within a 24-hour period in residential areas will remain on hold.
      • Visit Regina.ca/covid19 for more updates on City services, facilities and programs.

        Updates from Economic Development Regina

        • EDR Audacity Mentorship Program: On Tuesday, April 21, Economic Development Regina launched the Audacity Mentorship Program. This new program connects Regina businesses with local, purpose-driven leaders to help solve problems, build and grow businesses together. Entrepreneurs in Regina are encouraged to visit the Audacity YQR website, where they will have the opportunity to request a mentor.
        • Mentors can help motivate and reassure you, enhance your community connections, and keep you focused on your short- and long-term goals. The first wave of mentors will be members of the Council for Entrepreneurship Growth, joined by Board members of Economic Development Regina and other business leaders in the community. Together, they form a diverse group of high-energy, committed entrepreneurs from multiple sectors of Regina’s economy.
        • If you, or someone you know may be interested in finding a mentor, visit the Audacity YQR website to start the process.

        News Releases

        • City Council has approved a plan to make up for a $20.7-million shortfall projected by the end of September due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan includes a postponement of nine projects totalling $6.4 million under the Residential Road Renewal Program that are already four to six weeks behind schedule due to the pandemic and would be challenging to complete while respecting social distancing guidelines. The expansion of transit routes to the airport and Westerra development as well as the on-demand transit pilot will be delayed until August. Approximately $7.4 million in “expense reduction measures” were also approved, which includes everything from a hiring freeze except for essential workers to the option of dipping into the Winter Road Maintenance Program reserve fund. Read the full news release here.

        Important COVID-19 Information for the Local Residential Construction Industry

        Buying a New Home in Times of Concern

        • Buying a New Home in Times of Concern is a new informational page on the RRHBA website. It provides links for consumers to know all of the incentive measures that have been put in place to stimulate the housing market and help potential homebuyers find a new home. In addition, we are using our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages to promote home buying tools for consumers. We’d ask that you visit the RRHBA social media links and repost/share on your social media pages so we can ease the concerns some individuals and families may have, and show that this might be a great time to consider a new home.

          SCSA Virtual Town Hall Webinar

          • The SCSA hosted a Virtual Town Hall Webinar in partnership with the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association and the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association. We heard answers to some common questions builders may have at this time such as:
            • Can OH&S shut down my site if my workers are not social distancing?
            • How many workers are allowed on a worksite?
            • What are the requirements around washroom facilities on site?
          • If you were unable to attend or unable to login to our Virtual Town Hall Webinar due to the Webinar reaching capacity, we strongly encourage you to view the live recording or, at a minimum, check out the Q & A.

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