News

Province of Manitoba – Phase 3 Re-Opening the Economy
The Province of Manitoba announced it will be proceeding with Phase 3 of the gradual re-opening of the economy.  Full details of the roadmap to recovery can be found at: https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/proactive/2020_2021/restoring-safe-services-phase-3.pdf  Here is a brief summary of some of the details – Indoor Public Gatherings can now be up to 100 people as long as they follow the public health guidelines for the venue they are being held in.  Residents of Western Canada and Northwest Ontario do not have to self-isolate when entering Manitoba.  Child Care Facilities can return to their regular licensed capacity while abiding by the guidelines in place for the facility.  Restaurants, Bars, and other Beverage Rooms may operate at full capacity as long as they can reasonably maintain required separation except for brief exchanges.

Province of Manitoba – RST Remittances
Manitoba businesses hit by the economic downturn from COVID-19 will have more time to submit provincial taxes. The Retail sales tax (RST) returns for small and medium businesses with monthly RST remittances  less than or equal to $10,000 per month that would normally be due on April 20 , May 20 and June 22 will now be due on July 20, 2020. 
Businesses that file on a quarterly basis that have a due date of April 20, 2020 will now have the remittance due date extended to July 20, 2020 as well.  Businesses that qualify for the above filing extension that were not able to file and remit their the February sales tax return by the March 20 due date will not be assessed a late filing penalty and interest will not be applied until after July 20, 2020. You still need to file your returns as it is the remittances that are extended.

Federal Government - CERB
In case you have not heard, the CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) Program has been extended another 8 weeks from its original expiry date of July 4, 2020.  It remains as a program intended for those who are out of work related to COVID-19 and cannot yet find work.  The eligibility criteria remain the same.

Federal Government – National Contact Tracing App
The government announced Thursday it will be testing a “completely voluntary” mobile contact tracing app in Ontario.  The intent is to use it nationwide.  The government intends to make the free app available for download in early July.  The app is supposed to advise people if they have been in close proximity to confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Stay Healthy
Greg Libbrecht and the team at Platinum Business Services