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NABET 700-M UNIFOR represents over 3000 Film, Television and New Media Technicians in the province of Ontario.

NABET 700-M UNIFOR
100 Lombard Street
Suite 303
Toronto, ON
M5C 1M3
Tel: 416-536-4827
Toll-free: 1-888-428-0362
Fax: 416-536-0859
Email:
info@nabet700.com

News

March 20, 2020

Important Office Updates Regarding COVID-19 - March 19, 2020

Dear Members,

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to evolve we are continuing to speak with all levels of government to ensure that the needs of those in the Film, Television and Digital Media sector are addressed. This is an unprecedented time, and we will update you as information becomes available.

As we notified you yesterday morning, the Government of Canada announced an $83 billion relief package, they have released more details which helps with some of the most pressing needs of our membership, including support for independent and dependent contractors.

1. The most immediate relief available is the ability for individuals to file their 2019 tax return by June 1, 2020 instead of April 30, 2020. If you owe tax, you will not have to make the first payment until August 2020. If you are due a return likely the best decision will be to file your taxes as early as you can.

2. Businesses will be allowed to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period.

3. Immediately, small businesses, not-for-profits and charities for the next 90 days may take 10% of their payroll, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer, and reduce the amount of income tax they remit to CRA by that amount.

4. Additionally, there are loans available from the Business Development Bank of Canada for those who operate as businesses, and we understand that these loans will not leverage your personal assets.

5. There are a number of measures that will be implemented in April and May, including increased GST benefit per child, increased Canada Child Benefit, and a moratorium on student loan payments.

6. The government will waive the mandatory one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits for a minimum of six months, for workers in imposed quarantine or who have been directed to self-isolate, the requirement for a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits will be waived.

7. Also available in April and May is likely one of the most important supports for those who are deemed independent and dependent contractors who may apply without having paid into Employment Insurance: The Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit. The Emergency Care Benefit supports those who are quarantined, sick, as well as those taking care of the quarantined and sick, and those taking care of children, and will provide individuals with $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks. The Emergency Support Benefit will provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) and who are facing unemployment and supports those who have been gigging and where all gigs have been cancelled.

-Applications are not yet open for either benefit as legislation must be passed, and therefore details may change.

-However it is known that the applications will be processed through My Service Canada - it is highly recommended that if you are considering an application to these funds you set up, or access, your My Service Canada account now and ensure all of your information is up to date in order that you may apply as early as possible.

8. Increased flexibility will be provided to lenders to defer mortgage payments on homeowner government-insured mortgage loans to borrowers who may be experiencing financial difficulties related to the outbreak. Insurers will permit lenders to allow payment deferral beginning immediately.

9. The government will launch an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program to purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). As announced on March 16, this will provide stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders and support continued lending to Canadian businesses and consumers. CMHC stands ready to further support liquidity and the stability of the financial markets through its mortgage funding programs as necessary. The Government will enable these measures by raising CMHC's legislative limits to guarantee securities and insure mortgages by $150 billion each.

Please find a list of additional resources regarding financial reprieves:
-Toronto Hydro, Ontario Energy Board, Toronto Utilities, Toronto Property Taxes, resources for bill assistance - City of Toronto has announced a 30 day grace period for taxes and other City of Toronto payments as of March 16, 2020
-Bill Payment arrangements for Rogers (also Fido), Telus, Bell, Koodo, Freedom
-Financial Assistance from the AFC
-Province of Ontario Social Assistance

As a reminder, our office remains closed until April 1, 2020.  If you need to contact anyone at the office, please do so by email as all accounts will be actively monitored during this time.

Should you have any questions or concerns you are always welcome to reach out to the following:

Peggy Kyriakidou, President 
Jayson Mosek, Business Agent

For RRSPs or membership-related issues, your Membership Services Coordinator, Nicole Matthews, will be actively fielding calls on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 10am – 2pm.  If your call is not urgent and can wait a few days, please send her an email.

For other Member related issues, your Membership Steward, Greg Caley, will be reachable by email and cell phone, Mondays – Fridays, 9am – 5pm.

For inquiries about the Apprenticeship Program, Permittee Application and / or any general inquires please contact the Administrative Assistants, Erika Thoen and Natasha Minott at info@nabet700.com.

We will continue to update you as information and resources become available.

Thank you.

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