Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

August 20, 2020

The Government of Canada launched CEWS in March 2020 to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian businesses. It aimed at preventing job loss and encouraging employers to rehire previously laid-off employees due to the pandemic.

Eligible employers can receive up to 75% of eligible remuneration paid to their employees. It was originally created to run from March to July 2020 but has been extended to December 19, 2020, with a few amendments.

The eligibility criteria include having a CRA payroll account as at March 15, 2020, and a decrease in current revenue as compared to the previous period. The wage subsidy covers employee earnings to a maximum of $847 weekly. See CEWS for details on how the subsidy is calculated.