Recent Updates
- Today, further details were provided on the eligibility criteria for businesses to access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). (April 8, 2020)
- Canada Post emergency mail forwarding for business customers who need it will be offered free of charge online as of April 3. (April 7, 2020)
- To avoid critical retail employees choosing CERB over their jobs, or to help those making less than they would on CERB, the government announced it will be providing additional incentives to keep those currently working. RCC will provide more details as soon as they are available. (April 6, 2020)
- Applications to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) application for employees now available. (April 1, 2020)
- View more federal and regional updates on our Relief Measures by Regions page.
- Wage subsidy details hugely important for retailers and retail employees (April 1, 2020)
- RCC continues to push for details regarding yesterday’s wage subsidy announcement which allows any retailer or business who has seen at least a 30% decrease in revenue to be eligible for a 75% wage subsidy for its employees. (The 75% wage subsidy is available regardless of the size of the business or how many people it employs.) (March 31, 2020)
- Premier Ford has announced new Price Gouging Regulations, increasing penalties and fines on excessive pricing on necessary goods such as masks, gloves, protective equipment in relation to infections, non-prescription medication for the treatment of COVID-19, disinfecting products, personal hygiene products. (March 28, 2020)
- The Federal Government has announced new steps to support businesses. View details in our Regional updates section. (March 27, 2020)
- Alberta has announced closure of non-essential retailers (March 27, 2020)
- British Columbia announced additional COVID-19 measures (March 26, 2020)
- Message for retailers from CN Rail: Canada – United States border remains open to rail (March 23, 2020)
- The Government of Canada has released a list of helpful frequently asked questions on the new Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers
- Open letter from Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada (March 20, 2020)
- Ontario lifts time-of-day restrictions on deliveries and introduces 24-7 service to help keep good on store shelves (March 19, 2020)
- RCC and retail members met with Premier Ford to talk about the many ways in which retail is currently serving the varied needs of Ontarians. (March 19, 2020)
- Federal Government Announces that the Canada-U.S. border is closing to non-essential traffic. Shipments, trade and commerce will not be affected by the new restrictions at the border. The Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, will provide an $82 billion aid package. (March 18, 2020)
Read RCC’s in-depth analysis of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
View more information on Government of Canada website - The Bank of Canada has advocated for retailers to continue to accepting cash to ensure Canadians can have access to the goods and services they need. The risks involved with accepting cash are the same as other commons surfaces, although it is not mandatory for Canadian businesses to accept cash. (March 18, 2020)
Retail Council of Canada is working closely with the retail industry and all levels of government and health agencies to ensure the health, safety and security of all employees, consumers and citizens. Retailers are playing a vital role in ensuring Canadians get the goods they need, when they need them. As The Voice of Retail™, RCC is here to help retailers navigate through this crisis as safely and as quickly as possible.
RCC members are invited to participate in calls and webinars where we talk with experts, provide the latest information about COVID-19, regional information and any suggested best practices for retailers provided from public health authorities. To receive notices about COVID-19 information sessions, retailers can subscribe or contact jwhite@retailcouncil.org.
Relief Measures by Region
Updates and current COVID-19 measures in place both federally and in each province and territory.
Municipal Property Tax and Utility Relief Measures
Many municipalities and utility companies have delayed their deadlines for property tax payments and utility bills.
Q & As for Retailers on COVID-19
Frequently asked questions from our members on working through COVID-19 and its operational challenges.
Is my business an essential service?
Multiple provinces have ordered the closure of non essential businesses. Find out if your business is an essential service.
Job Connect Employment Network
RCC is here to assist retailers in finding employees, while also helping displaced workers find jobs.
Additional Resources
- Federal support: Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Support for individuals | Support for businesses | Support for industries - Federal wage subsidy: The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy – Backgrounder
- Work-sharing: Government of Canada Work-Share overview and contact
- Payroll: Canadian Payroll Association on ROE coding
- Loans for small and medium sized businesses: Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
- Municipal property tax and utility relief measures: RCC’s database of payment extensions, municipal relief and more
- Health and safety: Best practices for retail stores during COVID-19 | Health and safety posters
- Consumer education: #ShopSmart campaign – Guidelines shoppers should follow during COVID-19 (RCC)
- Business continuity: A guide to robust business continuity planning (KPMG)
- Impact on consumer behaviour: Tracking the impact of FMCG, retail and media (Neilson)
- Guide for senior executives: The heart of resilient leadership: Responding to COVID-19 (Deloitte)
- Pandemic planning for retailers: RCC COVID-19 planning checklist for retailers
- Emergency planning: 8 steps for planning your emergency and disaster plan (BDC)
- Impact on Canadian retailers: COVID-19 Voice of Canadians and impact to retailers (Deloitte)
- Small business resources: Government relief programs for small businesses affected by COVID-19 (Shopify)
- Resources for retailers: Retail Industry Leaders Association
- Fraud Prevention: Tips to protect yourself from COVID-19 related payment scams
If you have specific questions, please contact the RCC team in your area:
- Pacific: Greg Wilson, gwilson@retailcouncil.org, 604-730-5254
- Prairies: John Graham, jgraham@retailcouncil.org, 204-926-8624
- Ontario: Sebastian Prins, sprins@retailcouncil.org, 416-467-3759
- Quebec: Jean-Francois Belleau, jfbelleau@cccd-rcc.org, 514-316-7659
- Atlantic: Jim Cormier, jcormier@retailcouncil.org, 902-818-7738
- Loss Prevention/Health & Safety/Accessibility, Sonny Brar, sbrar@retailcouncil.org, 416-467-3778
- Media: Michelle Wasylyshen, mwasylyshen@retailcouncil.org
- President & CEO: Diane J. Brisebois, djbrisebois@retailcouncil.org, 416-801-3793