COVID-19 Response Plan - Manitoba Government - Support for Canadians

MB Support for Businesses

Manitoba Bridge Grant (MBG)

Eligibility

• Businesses eligible for the grant include:
  • Non-essential retailers;
  • Restaurants, bars, beverage rooms, brewpubs, microbreweries, distilleries;
  • Recreation and sports facilities;
  • Museums and galleries;
  • Theatres and concert halls;
  • Not-for-profit organizations, faith-based organizations;
  • Home-based businesses including but not limited to: event planners, photographers, artists, tradespeople; and
• Registered charities

Benefit

• MGB provides immediate, one-time payment of $5,000 to small and medium-sized businesses and organizations that were impacted as a result of MB COVID-19 protection orders

• Second and third streams announced; eligible businesses that applied during period of November 16 – December 31, 2020 can receive additional payments of $5,000

• On May 10, 2021, MB Government announced eligible businesses to receive fourth payment – to begin distribution mid-May (no application necessary; prior bridge grant recipients automatically eligible)

Action Needed

• Deadline for applications was March 31, 2021; intake period is now closed

Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave

Eligibility

• Private-sector, non-profit and charitable employers who employ an eligible employee and do not currently provide 5 or more days of paid sick leave to all employees
• Employees who have exhausted paid sick leave benefits will not be covered
• Employees must be resident in MB and work and receive wages and salaries in MB on a full or part-time basis
• Self-employed persons and employees who work from home would not be covered

Benefit

• The program would compensate wages and salaries paid to eligible employees
• Excludes other payroll taxes incurred by the employer such as EI or CPP premiums and MB payroll tax
• Provides support for sick leave taken between May 7, 2021 and September 25, 2021

Action Needed

• Online application available here

Manitoba Gap Protection Program (MGPP) (closed)

Eligibility

• Applicable to businesses that:
• Were operational on March 20, 2020;
• Have temporarily ceased or curtailed operations as a result of a COVID-19 public health order and have been harmed by the order;
• Are registered and in good standing with the MB Business and Corporate Registry;
• Have not qualified for federal government COVID-19 grant support; and
• Have an email address and bank account

Benefit

• Eligible businesses may receive non-interest bearing forgivable MGPP loan of $6,000
• Loan will be forgiven on December 31, 2020, if recipient attests at that time that no other major non-repayable COVID-19 federal supports received

Action Needed

• More details available:
  • MGPP

Manitoba Protection Plan (closed)

Eligibility

• Applicable to Manitoba businesses

Benefit

• Among other non-tax measures, MB not charging interest or penalties on education property taxes and Workers Compensation Board

Action Needed

• No action required
• More details available:
  • Supports for Businesses

Manitoba Back to Work Program (closed)

Eligibility

• Open to all Manitoba-based, private-sector and non-profit employers operating in Manitoba and meet following criteria:
  • Possess active and valid Business Number, business bank account and email address;
  • Registered and in good standing with Companies Office (not required for sole proprietors); and
  • Has not received funding support from another

Benefit

• government program for same position (not including the federal TWS)
• 50 percent of wage costs between July 16 and December 31, 2020, to a maximum of $5,000 per worker
• Employers can hire 20 new or rehired employees under this program
• Employers that applied on or after November 10 will receive a lump sum upon submitting final claims

Action Needed

• Applications must have be submitted on or before December 1, 2020
• Employers must provide proof of payment of wages and supporting payroll documentation by February 1, 2021
• More details available: Back to Work MB Program

Retail Sales Tax (RST) Deadlines Extended (closed)

Eligibility

• Applicable to small- and medium-sized businesses with monthly RST remittances of no more than $10,000

Benefit

• Extension to April and May tax filing deadlines to June 22, 2020
• Additionally, businesses that file on a quarterly basis with a due date of April 20, 2020 are also eligible for extension to June 22, 2020

Action Needed

• No action required

MB Support for Individuals

Caregiver Wage Support Program (CWSP) (closed)

Eligibility

• To be eligible for the program applicants must meet all the criteria:
  • Earn a regular wage of $25/hr or less excluding shift premiums and overtime rates
  • Work in one or more of the following positions:
    • Health care aide or equivalent
    • Housekeeping staff
    • House Supervisor
    • Direct Service Worker
    • Your Care Worker / Practitioner
    • Recreation Worker
    • Rehabilitation Worker
  • Work in one or more of the following facilities:
    • Child and Family Services Group Home
    • Community Living disability Services (CLDS) shift-staffed group home or 24/7 cluster living arrangement
    • Emergency Placement Resources shelter
    • Family violence prevention shelter
    • Homeless shelter
    • Personal care home
    • Retirement residence
    • Supportive housing residence
  • Possess a valid SIN, email address and a valid Canadian bank account

Benefit

• Eligible applicants will receive a $5 per hour wage supplement
• Eligible hours include actual regular and overtime hours worked between November 1, 2020 and January 10, 2021, performed in an eligible position and facility
• A 10% withholding tax will be remitted to the CRA on the applicant’s behalf
• A T4A information slip will be issued to applicants for inclusion in their 2020 and 2021 income tax returns

Action Needed

• Applications accepted in following intake windows:
  • Intake 1: December 7 – December 14, 2020
  • Intake 2: January 11 – January 18, 2021
• For more details, see here

Manitoba Protection Plan (closed)

Eligibility

• Applicable to Manitoba individuals

Benefit

• Among other non-tax measures, the MB has instructed Manitoba Hydro, Centra Gas and Manitoba Public Insurance to not charge interest and penalties in the event Manitobans are unable to pay at this time (applicable until October 1, 2020)

Action Needed

• No action required
• More details available:
  • Supports for Individuals

Federal Support for Canadians

• For our summary of the Federal support programs for businesses and individuals, please visit HERE