Legislative Costing Notes - 2020-21

• Increasing the maximum number of EI regular weeks of benefits
  Mar 31, 2021 • LEG-2021-073-S
  The number of EI regular weeks of benefits will be increased to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims made between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
• Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB) – 12 Week Extension
  Mar 18, 2021 • LEG-2021-070-S
  On February 19, the Government announced it was extending the eligibility of the Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB) by an additional 12 weeks, bringing the maximum benefit period to 38 weeks. The CRCB provides a $500 weekly taxable benefit per household for workers who miss at least 50% of their normal time at work during a week to care for someone for reasons related to COVID-19. Reasons that a worker could claim the CRCB include caring for a child under 12 or another family member 12 or over who cannot be left alone without supervision; whose school, childcare, or other type of care program is closed due to COVID-19; whose normal caregiver cannot provide care due to COVID-19; or who is staying home because they have an increased risk of severe health consequences if they become infected with COVID-19. Eligible workers must have earned at least $5,000 in any of 2019, 2020, or the span of 12 months before they apply for the CRCB. They are ineligible for the CRCB if they are receiving certain other benefits (for example, the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, Employment Insurance). This program sunsets on September 25, 2021. Eligible workers must have earned at least $5,000 in any of 2019, 2020, or the span of 12 months before they apply for the CRCB. They are ineligible for the CRCB if they are receiving certain other benefits (for example, the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, Employment Insurance ). This program sunsets on September 25, 2021.
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB): 2-week extension
  Mar 18, 2021 • LEG-2021-071-S
  On February 19, 2021, the government announced the extension of the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB). The extension will allow workers to take an additional two weeks of benefits, bringing the total maximum benefit to four weeks. The CRSB provides $500 per week to those who are absent from at least 50% of their typical time at work in a given week because of being ill from COVID-19, self-isolating due to COVID-19, or having a medical condition that would cause them to be more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. This benefit is taxable. The CRSB program is in effect from September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021.
• Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) – update and increase in the maximum number of weeks available
  Mar 18, 2021 • LEG-2021-072-S
  The CRB, introduced on September 27, 2020, provides $500 per week to workers who do not qualify for EI, who earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or 2020 and who are unable to return to work or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19. The program will last for one year. Claimants will need to repay $0.50 of the benefit for each dollar of their annual income above $38,000 in the calendar year, up to a maximum of the amount of benefit they received. The $38,000 threshold will not include amounts received under the benefit. The benefit will be taxable. In February, the program was amended to increase the maximum number of weeks for which the CRB can be claimed from 26 to 38 weeks.
• Cost Estimate of Bill C-246: Tuition for Persons with Disabilities
  Mar 11, 2021 • LEG-2021-069-S
  This private member’s bill would amend the *Income Tax Act* and the *Canada Student Financial Assistance Act* so that students enrolled in a designated educational institution with a Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate will receive a grant equal to their annual tuition fees. It is assumed that the bill will come into effect on August 2021, the start of the 2021-22 loan year.
• Strengthening Tax Compliance
  Feb 18, 2021 • LEG-2021-067-S
  Starting in 2021–2022, the government will invest an additional $606 million over five years to allow the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to combat tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance. Specifically, the CRA will hire additional offshore-focused auditors to focus on individuals who avoid taxes by hiding income and assets offshore. It will enhance the audit function targeting higher-risk tax filings, including those of high-net worth Canadians, and strengthen its ability to fight tax crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing.
• The collection of GST from foreign-based sellers on the final price of goods sold to Canadian residents from Canadian fulfillment warehouses
  Feb 18, 2021 • LEG-2021-068-S
  Certain foreign-based sellers store goods in warehouses within Canada in anticipation of the goods being sold to buyers located in Canada. Once an item is purchased, it is shipped from the warehouse to the buyer. While GST is paid on the wholesale value of the good when it is imported into Canada, GST is not necessarily collected on the gap between the wholesale value and the final price of the good. The proposed measure would ensure that GST is collected on this price gap. If a seller is registered to collect GST, the seller themselves would be responsible for collecting GST on the final price. If a seller is not registered but they sell through a distribution platform, the platform would be responsible for collecting GST on the final price on behalf of the seller. This policy would come into effect on July 1, 2021.
• Taxing sales of digital products and services
  Feb 10, 2021 • LEG-2021-065-S
  This measure would require foreign-based vendors selling digital products or services to consumers in Canada and digital marketplace platforms to register for, collect and remit the GST/HST on their taxable sales to Canadian consumers.
• Financial compensation for supply-managed sectors
  Feb 10, 2021 • LEG-2021-066-S
  The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) provided increased access to domestic markets for dairy, poultry and egg. Given Canada’s supply management system in those sectors, this will lead to reduced market share for existing producers and processors. Past trade agreements such as CETA and CPTPP have resulted in compensation to supply managed sectors. This note estimates the cost of the Government’s CUSMA-related commitment to provide full and fair compensation to existing producers and processors. Fall Economic Statement 2020 reiterated the Government’s commitment to compensate the supply managed sector for CUSMA but did not provide a cost estimate.
• Financial support for training 4,000 personal support workers
  Feb 9, 2021 • LEG-2021-064-M
  The Government of Canada proposes to spend $38.5 million over 2 years to train 4,000 personal support workers through a 6-week accelerated online program and an accompanying 4-month internship.
• RCMP National Body-worn Camera (BWC) Program and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS)
  Feb 4, 2021 • LEG-2021-062-S
  Introducing a National Body-worn Camera (BWC) Program for the RCMP’s front-line police officers and a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) to store and manage camera footage.
• Simplifying the Home Office Expense Deduction
  Feb 4, 2021 • LEG-2021-063-S
  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in many Canadians working from home, the government introduced a simplified flat rate home office expense deduction for the 2020 tax year. This will allow Canadians to claim deductions up to $400, based on the length of time working from home, without the need to track detailed expenses.
• Expansion of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
  Jan 28, 2021 • LEG-2021-056-S
  Expanding the maximum amount of the CEBA loan from $40K to $60K and extending the CEBA eligibility to Canadian businesses who haven’t been operating from a commercial banking account. The Canada Emergency Business Account, launched in March 2020, provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help them cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus. To qualify for this program, these organizations need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. The program is implemented by banks and credit unions in collaboration with Export Development Canada. The eligibility criteria of the CEBA was expanded in May 19, 2020 to include sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll. To qualify under that version, applicants must have payroll lower than $20,000 and demonstrate that they have: - a business operating account at a participating financial institution - a Canada Revenue Agency business number and have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return. - eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance. As of December 4, 2020, the maximum amount of the CEBA loan has been increased from $40K to $60K for all eligible, previous and new, applicants. New applicants are eligible businesses who haven’t been operating from a commercial banking account. These businesses are now able to apply after opening a business chequing/operating account with their primary financial institution. Approved CEBA applicants will now receive up to $60,000 and all applicants have until March 31, 2021, to apply for the $60,000 CEBA loan or a $20,000 expansion. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 33.33% (up to $20,000).
• Financial Support for Planting 2 Billion Trees
  Jan 28, 2021 • LEG-2021-060-S
  The Government of Canada proposes to provide up to $3.16 billion, over ten years, to partner with provinces, territories, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous communities and municipalities to plant 2 billion trees.
• International corporate tax and digitalization
  Jan 28, 2021 • LEG-2021-061-S
  Implementation of a new corporate income tax for companies offering digital services. The tax will take effect January 1, 2022 and details will be revealed in the 2021 budget. It is assumed that it will be a 3% tax introduced as a value-added tax (VAT), targeting advertising and digital intermediation services, and will apply to businesses with worldwide revenues of at least $1 billion and Canadian revenues of more than $40 million. This assumption is consistent with the cost estimate of the tax on digital services carried out during the last election campaign and is based on article 1 of Law No. 2019-759 passed in France.
• Cost Estimate of Bill C-256, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (donations involving private corporation shares or real estate)
  Jan 25, 2021 • LEG-2021-059-M
  This private member’s bill would amend the Income Tax Act so that charitable donations of the cash proceeds of the disposition of real-estate and privately-held shares would not be subject to capital gains tax. The table below shows the fiscal cost of the policy, the value of the increase in donations that would be due to the policy, and the total value of donations that could benefit from the policy (including the value of donations that may have been made in the absence of the policy). |$ millions|2020-21|2021-22|2022-23|2023-24|2024-25|Total| |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- | |Fiscal cost|42.1|170.4|178.3|187.9|198.8|777.5| |Additional Donations due to behavioural effects of the policy|53.2|215.0|225.0|237.1|250.8|981.0| |Total donations that could benefit from the policy|212.2|858.3|898.4|946.4|1,001.2|3,916.4|
• Fiscal Stabilization Program – Indexing the maximum per capita payment
  Jan 20, 2021 • LEG-2021-057-S
  In the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government proposed to index the maximum payment of $60 per capita (set in 1987) available to a province each year through the Fiscal Stabilization Program (FSP). This indexation increases the maximum payment to $169.82 per capita for both fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 and will grow with the Canadian economy, that is, nominal gross domestic product (GDP) per person, for subsequent years.
• GST/HST on Platform-based Short-Term Accommodation
  Jan 20, 2021 • LEG-2021-058-S
  The GST/HST would apply to all taxable supplies of short-term accommodation facilitated through digital accommodation platforms. Notably, where the traditional supplier (e.g. property owner) is not registered for the GST/HST, the accommodation platform would be deemed the supplier and would be responsible for the collection and remittance of the GST/HST.
• Financial support for families with children
  Jan 14, 2021 • LEG-2021-053-S
  Increasing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) in 2021 by $1,200 for each child under the age of 6 for families with an adjusted net income at or below $120,000 who are entitled to the CCB. Increasing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) in 2021 by $600 for each child under the age of 6 for families with an adjusted net income above $120,000 who are entitled to the CCB. Increasing the Children’s Special Allowance in 2021 by $1,200 for each child under the age of 6 that is under the care of child protection services.
• Elimination of interest on Canada Student Loans
  Jan 14, 2021 • LEG-2021-054-S
  Removing interest charges on the repayment of the federal portion of Canada Student Loans (CSL) and on Canada Apprentice Loans (CAL) for the fiscal year 2021-22.
• Change in the tax treatment of employee stock options
  Jan 14, 2021 • LEG-2021-055-S
  Applying an annual limit of $200,000 on the amount of employee stock options qualifying for the 50% stock option deduction. The limit will be based on the fair market value of the shares at the time the options are granted. Stock options granted in excess of the $200,000 threshold will be considered ineligible, meaning that the entire benefit realized from the exercise of ineligible options by the employee will now be considered taxable income. For stock options that are considered ineligible, the employer will now be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the total benefit realized by the exercise of these options by the employee. Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) and corporations with revenues of $500 million or less will not be subject to the new rules. This measure will be introduced on 1 July 2021. Only options granted after that date will be subject to the new rules.
• Supporting Jobs and Safe Operations of Junior Mining Companies
  Dec 16, 2020 • LEG-2021-050-S
  This policy extends the period that junior mining exploration companies and other issuers of flow through shares (FTS) have to spend the capital raised through the use of FTS agreements by an additional 12 months. This policy applies to FTS agreements that were entered into to fund Canadian exploration expenditures (CEE) using the general rule after March 2018 and before the end of 2020 or, in the case of the look-back rule, in 2019 and 2020. The policy provides an additional 12 months for firms to incur eligible CEE before losing the tax benefits tied to the FTS or having to pay fines associated with failing to incur expenses within the time frame specified by the agreement. PBO estimates that the net cost of the policy will be $32.5 million from 2019-2020 to 2021-2022.
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – March 2020 to June 2021
  Dec 16, 2020 • LEG-2021-051-S
  Providing a wage subsidy to employers with reduced revenues due to COVID. The subsidy is available for wages paid in sixteen 4-week periods from 15 March 2020 to June 2021. The subsidy rate for March 2021 is assumed to also apply for the April to June 2021 periods. Consistent with the magnitude of the Department of Finance’s estimates, it is assumed that for April to June of 2021, revenues will be compared to a reasonably constant baseline unaffected by COVID-19. The revenue decline required for eligibility is 15% for March, and 30% for April, May and June 2020. For July onwards, employers are eligible for the subsidy if in a period they have any revenue decline. The revenue decline is measured relative to either the average of January/February 2020 or the corresponding month in the previous year. The subsidy rate that an employer will receive depends on the extent of the employer’s revenue losses in the corresponding calendar month. The employee remuneration eligible for subsides is capped at $1,129 per week. For Periods 1 to 4, the subsidy is 75% of wages up to the lesser of the weekly cap and wages actually paid. For new employees, the subsidy is 75% of wages paid up to the cap. For employees on leave with pay, employers can also recover 100% of employer-paid contributions to Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, the Quebec Pension Plan, and the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan. Eligible employers include individuals, taxable corporations, partnerships, non-profit institutions and registered charities; public bodies are not eligible.
• Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support up to June 2021
  Dec 16, 2020 • LEG-2021-052-S
  Providing rent assistance to businesses. The rent assistance will be provided as direct transfers to businesses with revenue declines, covering the period from 27 September 2020 to June 2021. The subsidy rate for March 2021 is assumed to also apply for the April to June 2021 periods. Consistent with the magnitude of the Department of Finance’s estimates, it is assumed that for April to June of 2021, revenues will be compared to a reasonably constant baseline unaffected by COVID-19. Rent assistance is calculated as a percentage of eligible expenses which is greater for businesses with greater revenue declines. An additional 25% subsidy is available to businesses that are forced to temporarily close certain locations or have their business activities significantly restricted by a direct mandatory public health order. Eligible expenses include commercial rent, property taxes, property insurance, and interest on commercial mortgages (subject to conditions), less any subleasing revenues. Expenses for each qualifying period would be capped at $75,000 per month per location with an overall cap of $300,000 per month shared among affiliated entities. The program is not cost-shared with provinces or territories.
• Bill C-206: Extension of the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to marketable natural gas and propane
  Dec 3, 2020 • LEG-2021-049-M
  This bill amends the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to marketable natural gas and propane. The exemption will cover marketable natural gas and propane used for all farm operations. Currently, carbon charge exemptions for these fuels apply only to greenhouse operations. The exemption applies only to provinces and territories that are subject to federal carbon pricing because they do not have climate pricing plans that meet federal standards. Fuel used for farming activities, but not personal use, is eligible for the exemption.
• Employment Insurance Temporary Benefit Enhancements
  Oct 19, 2020 • LEG-2021-046-S
  The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) eligibility period expired on September 26, 2020. To support those who remain unable to work, the Government has made several modifications to Employment Insurance (EI) regular, maternity and parental programs: 1. Reduce, to 120 hours through a credit, the minimum number of hours of insurable employment required for a regular, maternity and parental claim; 2. Set a minimum EI regular, maternity and parental benefit rate of $500 per week ($300 for extended parental benefits); 3. Provide a minimum entitlement of 26 weeks for regular EI beneficiaries. The weekly benefit rate is calculated based on the 14 best weeks of earnings. In general, these changes are effective on September 27, 2020 for one year. There are a few exceptions: the hours credit is retroactive to March 15, 2020 and the 26 week minimum entitlement is effective on August 9, 2020.
• Bill S-208 (43rd Parliament, 2nd Sessions) An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (expiry of criminal records without application or fee)
  Oct 8, 2020 • LEG-2021-039-M
  Establishing a process for the expiry of criminal records without requiring an application or the payment of an application fee. The waiting period for the expiry of a sentence would also be shorter than that currently applicable to record suspensions. The criteria for a record expiry are simplified so that eligibility depends on the automated criminal conviction records retrieval system maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police instead of depending on criminal record checks obtained and submitted by applicants. This bill is expected to decrease user fee revenues by $5 million per year.
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – Four Week Extension
  Oct 7, 2020 • LEG-2021-043-S
  On August 20, 2020 the Government announced a transition plan from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to new benefits and a modified Employment Insurance program. This plan includes extending eligibility of CERB benefits an additional 4 weeks to the end of September 2020, bringing the maximum period of benefits to 28 weeks. The CERB is a taxable benefit that provides $500 a week for workers who lose their income due to reasons related to COVID-19. This includes Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19 as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are at home because of school and daycare closures. Workers are defined as anyone who received at least $5,000 in the previous 12 months in employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance benefits, or other provincial benefits as outlined in Bill C-13. Workers who earn less than $1,000 in a 4-week period are eligible for the CERB. Individuals who have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 are also eligible for the CERB. PBO estimates the cost to extend the maximum duration of benefits from 24 to 28 weeks under the CERB program to be $6.3 billion. This would bring the total estimated program cost to $82.3 billion.
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
  Oct 7, 2020 • LEG-2021-044-S
  The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) is a proposed measure to provide Canadians with paid sick leave for reasons related to COVID-19. Workers who miss at least 50% of their normal time at work during a week due to being sick from or self-isolating because of COVID-19, or due to having a medical issue that would make them more vulnerable to being infected with COVID-19, can receive a taxable benefit of $500. A worker can take the CRSB for a total of 2 weeks between Sept 27, 2020 and Sept 25, 2021. Workers cannot claim CRSB at the same time they are on employer-provided paid sick leave, or certain other types of benefits or leave. Claimants must have earned at least $5,000 in any of 2019, 2020, or the span of 12 months before they apply for the CRCB. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $599 million in 2020-2021 and $550 million in 2021-2022.
• Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
  Oct 7, 2020 • LEG-2021-045-S
  The Canada Recovery Benefit, introduced on September 27, 2020, will provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks to workers who do not qualify for EI, who earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or 2020 and who are unable to return to work or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19. The program will last for one year. Claimants will need to repay $0.50 of the benefit for each dollar of their annual income above $38,000 in the calendar year up to a maximum of the amount of benefit they received. The $38,000 threshold will not include amounts received under the benefit. The benefit will be taxable. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $12.853 billion in 2020-2021 and $5.087 billion in 2021-2022.
• Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB)
  Oct 7, 2020 • LEG-2021-047-S
  The proposed Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB) would provide a $500 taxable benefit for up to 26 weeks per household for workers who miss at least 50% of their normal time at work during a week to care for someone for reasons due to COVID-19. Reasons that a worker could claim the CRCB include caring for a child under 12 or another family member 12 or over who cannot be left alone without supervision: whose school, childcare, or other type of care program is closed due to COVID-19; whose normal caregiver cannot provide care due to COVID-19; or who is staying home because they have an increased risk of severe health consequences if they become infected with COVID-19. Eligible workers must have earned at least $5,000 in any of 2019, 2020, or the span of 12 months before they apply for the CRCB and are ineligible for the CRCB if they are receiving certain other benefits (e.g. the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, EI benefits). This benefit would be available from September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $1.188 billion in 2020-21 and $214 million in 2021-22.
• Full Depreciation for Business Investment in Zero-Emission Vehicles
  Oct 1, 2020 • LEG-2021-036-S
  The government is introducing a 100% depreciation rate in the year of purchase for eligible zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) purchased by a business. This policy will provide full (i.e. 100%) depreciation to used on-road battery electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The 100% rate will also apply to new and used automotive equipment and vehicles that are fully electric, or hydrogen powered and that are used for the purpose of rail, air, marine or off-road transportation. The 100% rate will apply to eligible vehicles purchased on or after March 2, 2020 and will expire on December 31, 2027 with a gradual phase out beginning January 1, 2024. Specifically, a 75% rate will apply to eligible vehicles purchased between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025 and a 55% rate will apply to purchases made between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2027. The estimated net cost of the full tax-write off for businesses investing in eligible zero-emission vehicles is $94 million between 2020-21 and 2024-25.
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance – As extended to September 2020
  Sep 29, 2020 • LEG-2021-042-S
  The rent assistance will be provided through forgivable loans to property owners leasing property to eligible small businesses. In order to qualify for a forgivable loan in relation to the rent paid by an eligible small business, the property owners must have signed an agreement to lower the rent of a tenant small business by at least 75% and to not evict the tenant during the period of reduced rents. The loan will be forgiven if rents are in fact lowered by at least 75%. The loans cover 50% of the gross rent owed by impacted small business tenants during the 3-month period of April, May and June 2020, prior to any rent reductions. Eligible small businesses are those who: 1. pay no more than $50,000 in monthly gross rent per location; 2. generate no more than $20 million in annual gross revenues, calculated on a consolidated basis; and 3. have temporarily ceased operations (i.e. generating no revenues) or have experienced at least a 70% decline compared to pre-COVID-19 revenues over the period. Forgivable loans are extendable to include July, August and/or September rent where landlords choose to grant rent relief for July, August and/or September to eligible tenants based on their revenue declines in April to June. Loans and loan forgiveness will be available retroactively. Most provinces bear 25% of the cost of the program, up to a cap based on 25% of the initially estimated cost of the program; however, the cost of the program will not be shared in the territories or Prince Edward Island. PBO estimates federal cost of this measure to be $1,516 million in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to the PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario.
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance – As extended to August 2020
  Aug 31, 2020 • LEG-2021-040-S
  The rent assistance will be provided through forgivable loans to property owners leasing property to eligible small businesses. In order to qualify for a forgivable loan in relation to the rent paid by an eligible small business, the property owners must have signed an agreement to lower the rent of a tenant small business by at least 75% and to not evict the tenant during the period of reduced rents. The loan will be forgiven if rents are in fact lowered by at least 75%. The loans cover 50% of the gross rent owed by impacted small business tenants during the 3-month period of April, May and June 2020, prior to any rent reductions. Eligible small businesses are those who: 1. pay no more than $50,000 in monthly gross rent per location; 2. generate no more than $20 million in annual gross revenues, calculated on a consolidated basis; and 3. have temporarily ceased operations (i.e. generating no revenues) or have experienced at least a 70% decline compared to pre-COVID-19 revenues over the period. Forgivable loans are extendable to include July and/or August rent where landlords choose to grant rent relief for July and/or August to eligible tenants based on their revenue declines in April to June. Loans and loan forgiveness will be available retroactively. Most provinces bear 25% of the cost of the program, up to a cap based on 25% of the initially estimated cost of the program; however, the cost of the program will not be shared in the territories or Prince Edward Island. PBO estimates federal cost of this measure to be $931 million in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to the PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario.
• COVID-19: Special payment to individuals receiving disability supports
  Aug 26, 2020 • LEG-2021-037-S
  Introducing a one-time, tax-free payment to individuals receiving certain disability supports, including: - Individuals holding a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate, or who are eligible for one and apply by 25 September 2020; - Individuals receiving the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) disability benefit as of 1 July 2020; or - Individuals receiving disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) as of 1 July 2020 Eligible individuals will receive one of the following payment amounts: - $600; or - $300 for individuals who are eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension; or - $100 for individuals who are eligible for both the OAS pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance PBO estimates 1.67 million Canadians will receive a special payment and that the total net cost of this measure will be $792 million in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years.
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – 40-week program
  Aug 13, 2020 • LEG-2021-035-S
  Introducing a wage subsidy for employers with reduced revenues. The subsidy is available for wages paid in ten 4-week periods from 15 March 2020 to 19 December 2020. The parameters for the tenth period have not yet been announced but were assumed to be the same as the parameters for the ninth period for the purposes of this analysis. For Periods 1 to 4, employers are eligible for the subsidy if they have a qualifying revenue decline. Revenue declines are calculated based on calendar months, rather than the 4-week periods, with the first period corresponding to March 2020. Revenues in the corresponding calendar month are usually compared to revenues in the same calendar month in the prior year. The revenue decline required for eligibility is 15% for March, and 30% for April, May and June. For July onwards, employers are eligible for the subsidy if in a period they have any revenue decline. For Periods 1 to 4, the subsidy is 75% of wages up to the lesser of the weekly cap and wages actually paid. For new employees, the subsidy is 75% of wages paid up to the cap. For Periods 5 to 10, the subsidy rate that an employer will receive depends on the extent of the employer’s revenue losses in the corresponding calendar month (for the base subsidy) and the preceding three calendar months (for the top-up). The level of subsidy declines over periods 7 to 9 as shown in the annexed tables. The employee remuneration eligible for subsides is capped at $1,129 per week. For employees on leave with pay, employers can also recover 100% of employer-paid contributions to Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, the Quebec Pension Plan, and the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan. Eligible employers include individuals, taxable corporations, and partnerships as well as non-profit institutions and registered charities. Public bodies are not eligible. The PBO estimates the total net cost of this measure to be $59.2 billion - $67.9 billion in wage subsidies and $0.5 billion in forgone employer payroll contributions, offset by $9.1 billion in corporate income tax revenues from wage subsidies.
• Introduction of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
  Jun 30, 2020 • LEG-2021-033-S
  The Canada Emergency Business Account provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help them cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus. To qualify for this program, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25%. The program will be implemented by banks and credit unions in collaboration with Export Development Canada. Sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll are also eligible for the CEBA after the expansion of the eligibility criteria in May 19, 2020. To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants must have payroll lower than $20,000 and will need to demonstrate that they have: - a business operating account at a participating financial institution - a Canada Revenue Agency business number and have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return. - eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance. PBO estimates this program to cost $9.335 billion in 2020-2021. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario.
• Special payment to Disability Tax Credit certificate holders
  Jun 25, 2020 • LEG-2021-031-S
  Introducing a one-time, tax-free payment to individuals who are certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) as of 1 June 2020. Payments will be equivalent to: - $600 for Canadians with a valid DTC certificate; - $300 for Canadians with a valid DTC certificate and who are eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension; and - $100 for Canadians with a valid DTC certificate and who are eligible for the OAS pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). PBO estimates 1.33 million Canadians will receive a special payment and that the total net cost of this measure will be $595 million in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years.
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – Eight Week Extension
  Jun 23, 2020 • LEG-2021-032-S
  On June 16, 2020 the Government announced that eligibility for benefits under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be extended by an additional 8 weeks, bringing the maximum to 24 weeks total. The CERB is a taxable benefit that provides $500 a week for workers who lose their income due to reasons related to COVID-19. This includes Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19 as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are at home because of school and daycare closures. Workers are defined as anyone who received at least $5,000 in the previous 12 months in employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance benefits, or other provincial benefits as outlined in Bill C-13. Workers who earn less than $1,000 in a 4-week period are eligible for the CERB. Individuals who have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 are also eligible for the CERB. PBO estimates the cost to extend the maximum duration of benefits from 16 to 24 weeks under the CERB program to be $17.9 billion. This would bring the total estimated program cost to $71.3 billion.
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – Update
  Jun 18, 2020 • LEG-2021-030-S
  Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is a taxable benefit that would provide $500 a week for up to 16 weeks for workers who lose their income due to reasons related to COVID-19. This includes Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19 as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are at home because of school and daycare closures. Workers are defined as anyone who received at least $5,000 in the previous 12 months in employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance benefits, or other provincial benefits as outlined in Bill C-13. Workers who earn less than $1,000 in a 4-week period are eligible for the CERB. Individuals who have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 are also eligible for the CERB. PBO estimates the CERB program will have a total cost of $53.4 billion in 2020-2021.
• Financial Support for Indigenous Businesses and Aboriginal Financial Institutions
  Jun 18, 2020 • LEG-2021-028-S
  Introducing the Financial Support for Indigenous Businesses and Aboriginal Financial Institutions (FSIBAFI) to provide up to $40,000, interest-free loan of $30,000 and non-repayable contribution of $10,000, to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis small and medium-sized businesses, to help them cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus. The financial support will be provided through Aboriginal Financial Institutions and administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association and the Métis Capital Corporations in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada. PBO estimates this program to cost $75 million in 2020-2021. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s June 18, 2020 Economic and Fiscal Scenario.
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) for employers with reduced revenues
  Jun 18, 2020 • LEG-2021-029-S
  Introducing a wage subsidy for employers with reduced revenues. The subsidy is available for wages paid in six 4-week periods from 15 March 2020 to 29 August 2020. Employers are eligible for the subsidy in relation to a period if they have a qualifying revenue decline based on the leading calendar month. The required revenue decline is 15% for March, 30% for April and May, and is assumed to remain 30% for June, July and August. Employers may choose to compare their revenue level to the average of January and February or to the same month in the prior year. Once an eligible employer has determined that it has experienced the qualifying reduction in revenue for a particular claim period, it is also deemed eligible for the immediately subsequent claim period. For existing employees, the subsidy is up to the lesser of 75% of pre-crisis wages and $847 per week. For new employees, the subsidy is 75% of wages paid, up to $847 per week. “Pre-crisis” refers to the period of January 1 to March 15th. The level of subsidy is assumed to remain the same for June, July and August. Employers do not have to pay employees their full pre-crisis wages to qualify for the wage subsidy. Eligible employers can also recover 100% of employer-paid contributions to Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, the Quebec Pension Plan, and the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan in relation to employees on leave with pay. Eligible employers include individuals, taxable corporations, and partnerships as well as non-profit institutions and registered charities. Public bodies are not eligible. For employers that are eligible for both the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the 10% wage subsidy for a period, any benefit from the 10% wage subsidy for remuneration paid in a specific period would generally reduce the amount available to be claimed under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy in that same period. The PBO estimates the total net cost of this measure to be $56 billion in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years.
• Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
  Jun 9, 2020 • LEG-2021-027-S
  Providing $1,250 per month for eligible students or $2,000 per month for eligible students with dependents or a disability from May to August 2020. Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) is a taxable benefit that would provide support to students and new graduates who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or Employment Insurance or who are unable to work due to COVID-19. Students who earn less than $1,000 in a 4-week period are also eligible for the CESB. Students are defined as Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Canada enrolled in a post-secondary educational program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate, at any time between December 1, 2019, and August 31, 2020. In addition, secondary school graduates this year that applied for or plan to enroll in programs that will begin before February 1, 2021, are eligible. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $5.9 billion in 2020-21 reaching approximately 1.1 million unique recipients. This includes an estimated cost of $6.0 billion for the benefit and an estimated cost recovery of $163 million for 2020 tax revenues. No additional administrative costs are anticipated. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years.
• Suspension of audit activities
  Jun 4, 2020 • LEG-2021-024-S
  Providing additional support to individuals and businesses. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will not initiate contact with taxpayers for audits, with certain exceptions. There will be: - no new audits being launched, - no requests for information related to existing audits; and - no audits should be finalized, and no reassessments should be issued. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $616 million in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years. For example, should there be an increase in audit activities in subsequent years, a portion of the lost revenue in 2020-21 could be recouped.
• Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP)
  Jun 4, 2020 • LEG-2021-025-S
  The Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP) is a subsidy for employers that hire temporary foreign workers (TFW) to work in occupations related to the food supply chain, such as agriculture, fishing, food production, and processing. The program reimburses employers for costs associated with the mandatory 14-day isolation period for temporary foreign workers after entering Canada. Employers are reimbursed for expenses incurred after March 25th, 2020 up to a maximum of $1,500 per TFW. PBO estimates 39,689 workers will be eligible for the program and the program will have a total cost of $59.5 million in 2020-2021.
• The Fish Harvester Benefit and Fish Harvester Grant
  Jun 4, 2020 • LEG-2021-026-S
  The Fish Harvester Benefit offers income support to self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons. This benefit covers up to 75% of income losses beyond a 25% threshold in the 2020 tax year. The maximum benefit is $847 per week for a period of up to 12 weeks, equivalent to that of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The Fish Harvester Grant provides grants to self-employed fish harvesters in order to address non-deferrable business costs. The grant program provides non-repayable support of up to $10,000, dependent on the level of the fish harvesters’ historic revenue. The estimated net cost of the Fish Harvester Benefit is $271 million. The estimated cost of the Fish Harvester Grant is $90 million.
• Measures to assist seniors during COVID-19
  Jun 2, 2020 • LEG-2021-022-S
  Seniors who qualify for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension will receive $300. Individuals who also qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) will receive another $200. Individuals receiving a spousal allowance will receive $500. All are tax-free one-time payments. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $2,478 million in the 2020-21 fiscal year. This includes a cost of $2,015 million for the one-time OAS pension payments, $426 million for the one-time GIS payments, and $37 million for the one-time spousal allowance payments.
• Temporary changes to the Canada Student Loans Program in loan year 2020-21
  Jun 2, 2020 • LEG-2021-023-S
  A series of temporary changes to the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) that are in effect for one loan year, 2020-21 : - Doubling of maximum Canada Student Grant (CSG) amounts for full-time students and part-time students, as well as for students with permanent disabilities and students with dependents; - Suspending student and spousal contributions; and - Raising the maximum weekly Canada Student Loan (CSL) amount from $210 per week to $350 per week. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2020-21. This includes $259 million in additional compensation to Quebec, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. PBO does not expect a financial cost in federal tax expenditures for the Student Loan Interest Credit in fiscal year 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years.
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
  May 27, 2020 • LEG-2021-021-S
  Introducing rent assistance for small businesses. The rent assistance will be provided through forgivable loans to property owners leasing property to eligible small businesses. In order to qualify for a forgivable loan in relation to the rent paid by an eligible small business, the property owners must have signed an agreement to lower the rent of a tenant small business by at least 75% and to not evict the tenant in April, May, or June of 2020. The loan will be forgiven if rents are in fact lowered by at least 75%. Eligible small businesses are those who: 1. pay no more than $50,000 in monthly gross rent per location; 2. generate no more than $20 million in annual gross revenues, calculated on a consolidated basis; and 3. have temporarily ceased operations (i.e. generating no revenues) or have experienced at least a 70% decline compared to pre-COVID-19 revenues. The loans will cover 50% of the gross rent owed by impacted small business tenants during the 3-month period of April, May and June 2020. Loans and loan forgiveness will be available retroactively, provided an application is made by 31 August 2020. Most provinces bear 25% of the cost of the program, up to a cap based on 25% of the initially estimated cost of the program; however, the cost of the program will not be shared in the territories or PEI.
• Cost Estimate of Bill S-209: An Act to Amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act
  May 7, 2020 • LEG-2021-020-M
  The passage of this act would require the government to prepare a statement on potential effects on women for bills introduced in either House of Parliament by a representative of the Crown and all bills that are referred to a committee. The PBO interprets this to mean that a Gender Based Analysis+ (GBA+) statement, similar in nature to those included in the 2019 GBA+ Budget Annex, would be prepared by the government for all qualifying bills.
• 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers
  Apr 30, 2020 • LEG-2021-017-S
  Providing eligible employers with a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months from March 18, 2020 to June 19, 2020. The subsidy will be equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period up to $1,375 per eligible employee to a maximum total of $25,000 per employer. Employers benefiting from this measure will include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as non-profit organizations and charities. For employers that are eligible for both the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the 10% wage subsidy for a period, any benefit from the 10% wage subsidy for remuneration paid in a specific period would generally reduce the amount available to be claimed under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy in that same period. PBO estimates the cost of this measure to be $844 million for the first quarter of 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) for employers with reduced revenues
  Apr 30, 2020 • LEG-2021-018-S
  Introducing a wage subsidy for employers with reduced revenues. Employers will be eligible for the subsidy: • between March 15th and April 11th if their revenues in March 2020 are 15% lower than March 2019; • between April 12th and May 9th if their revenues in April 2020 are 30% lower than April 2019; • between May 10th and June 6th if their revenues in May 2020 are 30% lower than May 2019; Employers may choose to compare their revenue level to the average of January and February rather than to the prior year. The PBO estimates the total net cost of this measure to be $76 billion in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years.
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
  Apr 30, 2020 • LEG-2021-019-S
  Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is a taxable benefit that would provide $500 a week for up to 16 weeks for workers who lose their income due to reasons related to COVID-19.1 This includes Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19 as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are at home because of school and daycare closures. Workers are defined as anyone who received at least $5,000 in the previous 12 months in employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance benefits, or other provincial benefits as outlined in Bill C-13. Workers who earn less than $1,000 in a 4-week period are eligible for the CERB. Individuals who have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 are also eligible for the CERB. After taking into account the interaction between the CERB and CEWS, PBO estimates there will be 8.5 million unique recipients the CERB and the program will have a total cost of $35.5 billion in 2020-2021.
• The Incremental Cost of Employing 10,000 Reservists as Part of CAF Readiness Efforts in Response to COVID-19
  Apr 28, 2020 • LEG-2021-015-S
  The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are employing a projected total of 10,000 reservists on full-time contracts in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and potential operational requirements associated with seasonal flooding and forest fires during the Spring and Summer months. This estimate covers the incremental salary cost of employing reservists on full-time contracts for a period beginning in April, 2020 and ending on August 31st for a total of 144 days and includes employee benefit costs, temporary duty allowances, deployment costs, and support costs. This policy has an estimated total cost of 456 million in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
• Deferral of Sales Tax Remittance and Customs Duty Payments until June
  Apr 28, 2020 • LEG-2021-016-S
  Businesses, including self-employed individuals, can defer until June 30, 2020 payments of the Goods and services tax (GST)/Harmonized sales tax (HST), as well as customs duty owing on their imports. Any GST/HST payment that becomes owing from March 27 until the end of May can be deferred until the end of June. For GST and customs duty payments for imported goods, deferral includes amounts owing for March, April and May. PBO estimates a total of $12.3 billion in tax payments (GST/HST and custom import duties) will be deferred between March 27 and June 30, 2020. The cost of borrowing for the government to avoid cash-flow issues during this period is estimated at $3.9 million. By extending the payment deadlines, PBO estimates the government will forgo a total of $27.1 million in interest and penalties for late payment. Finally, by extending the payment deadline, PBO estimates the government could lose an additional $61.0 million because of increased defaults. The total cost of the measure is thus estimated at $92.0 million.
• Work-Sharing program for those affected by COVID-19
  Apr 24, 2020 • LEG-2021-011-S
  Effective March 15, 2020 to March 14, 2021, and not limited to one specific sector or industry, the Government of Canada introduced temporary special measures to the Work-Sharing (WS) program to support employers and employees affected by COVID-19. These include extending the maximum duration of a WS agreement from 38 weeks to 76 weeks, waiving the mandatory cooling off period for those already using the WS program, easing recovery plan requirements, and expanding eligibility. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $125 million in 2020-21. This includes an estimated program cost of $144 million and an estimated saving of $19 million from personal income taxes on the EI benefits. The EI Account is financed by employee and employer contributions; under legislation, any additional costs have to be recouped by contributions over the next seven years. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to the Economic and Fiscal Scenario PBO published on March 27, 2020, which only extends to 2020-21. There are likely fiscal impacts from this measure for subsequent years.
• Waiving Part I Broadcasting Licence Fees and Providing Equivalent Funding to CRTC
  Apr 24, 2020 • LEG-2021-012-S
  Providing the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) with funding to offset the revenue loss from waiving the Part I Broadcasting Licence Fees for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Part I Broadcasting Licence Fees are paid by broadcasters to CRTC as per the Broadcasting Licence Fee Regulations, 1997, based on CRTC’s estimated regulatory costs for the current fiscal year and the broadcasters’ revenues from the most recently completed return year. As such, the 2020-21 Part I Fee amount is not expected to be directly impacted by economic uncertainties related to COVID-19. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $33 million in 2020-21.
• Introduction of the Canada Emergency Business Account
  Apr 24, 2020 • LEG-2021-013-S
  The Canada Emergency Business Account provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help them cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus. To qualify for this program, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25%. PBO estimates this program to cost $9.106 billion in 2020-2021. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario
• Loan Guarantee Program for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
  Apr 24, 2020 • LEG-2021-014-S
  Export Development Canada (EDC) guarantees 80% of new loans to SMEs, up to $6.25 million, with a total program envelope of $20 billion. PBO estimates total net income of this measure to be $3 million in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years.
• A Moratorium on the Repayment of Canada Student Loans
  Apr 9, 2020 • LEG-2021-005-S
  Automatically pausing the repayment of Canada Student Loans (CSL) and Canada Apprentice Loans (CAL) for six months, starting March 30, 2020 until September 30, 2020. Interest will not accrue during this time. PBO estimates total net cost of this measure to be $150 million in 2020-21. This includes an estimated program cost of $153 million for CSL and CAL combined and an estimated saving of $4 million from the Student Loan Interest Credit to federal tax expenditures. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years.
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
  Apr 9, 2020 • LEG-2021-006-S
  Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is a taxable benefit that would provide $500 a week for up to 16 weeks for workers who lose their income due to reasons related to COVID-19.1 This includes Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19 as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are at home because of school and daycare closures. Workers are defined as anyone who received at least $5,000 in the previous 12 months in employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance benefits, or other provincial benefits as outlined in Bill C-13. PBO estimates 5.4 million individuals will receive the CERB and the program will have a total cost of $22.3 billion in 2020-2021.
• Financial support for Canada’s Air Transportation Sector
  Apr 9, 2020 • LEG-2021-007-S
  Waiving rents paid on ground leases for the 21 airport authorities that form part of the National Airport System and for PortsToronto which operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport for March 2020 through December 2020. Waiving rents paid on ground leases for the 21 airport authorities that form part of the National Airport System and for PortsToronto which operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport for March 2020 through December 2020.
• Extended deadlines to file income tax returns and pay income taxes
  Apr 9, 2020 • LEG-2021-008-S
  For individuals, the deadline to file a tax return will be deferred until June 1, 2020. For corporations that would have a filing due date between March 18 and June 1, 2020, the filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020. For trusts with a tax year end date of December 31, 2019, the filing due date will be deferred until May 1, 2020. For trusts that would have a filing due date in April or May, the filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020. For these taxpayers (individuals, corporations and trusts), the payment of any income tax balance due or tax installments after March 18 will be deferred until September 1, 2020. No interest or penalties will accrue on these amounts PBO estimates a total of $63.7 billion in tax payments (balance due and tax installments) will be deferred between March 18 and September 1, 2020. The cost of borrowing for the government to avoid cash-flow issues during this period is estimated at $56.1 million. By extending the filing and payment deadlines, PBO estimates the government will forgo a total of $241.8 million in interest and penalties for late filing and late payment. Finally, by extending the payment deadline, PBO estimates the government could lose an additional $381.1 million because of increased defaults. The total cost of the measure is thus estimated at $679.0 million.
• Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
  Apr 9, 2020 • LEG-2021-009-S
  Increasing the lending capacity of Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) by an additional $20 billion. PBO estimates total net income generated by this measure to be $389 million in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to the Economic and Fiscal Scenario PBO published on March 27, 2020, which only extends to 2020-21. There are likely fiscal impacts from this measure for subsequent years.
• Additional Lending Capacity for Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
  Apr 9, 2020 • LEG-2021-010-S
  Increasing the lending capacity of Farm Credit Canada by an additional $5 billion. PBO estimates total net income generated by this measure to be $96 million in 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to the Economic and Fiscal Scenario PBO published on March 27, 2020, which only extends to 2020-21. There are likely fiscal impacts from this measure for subsequent years.
• GST Credit special payment (Bill C-13)
  Apr 2, 2020 • LEG-2021-001-S
  Doubling the maximum Goods and Services Tax Credit claimable for tax filers for the 2019-20 benefit year. A one-time special payment will be provided by early May 2020. PBO estimates the cost of this one-time special payment to be $5.67 billion in 2020-21. PBO estimates 13.2 million individuals will benefit from the special payment.
• Insured Mortgage Purchase Program (IMPP)
  Apr 2, 2020 • LEG-2021-002-S
  As part of the IMPP, the Government will purchase up to $150 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The objective of the IMPP is to provide financial market liquidity to ensure continued lending to businesses and individuals. The IMPP was last used in 2008 2010. PBO estimates the total net savings of this measure to be $13 million in 2019-20 and $428 million 2020-21. The time horizon for this costing is aligned to PBO’s current Economic and Fiscal Scenario, although there may be potential fiscal impacts for subsequent years.
• Increase to the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts
  Apr 2, 2020 • LEG-2021-003-S
  Increasing the Canada Child Benefit by $300 per child for the month of May 2020. The benefit for children under the age of six will increase from $6,639 to $6,939 and the benefit for children ages six to seventeen will increase from $5,602 to $5,902. $1.9 billion for 2020-21; 3.4 million recipients with an average benefit of $556 per recipient
• Decreasing the minimum withdrawal rate from Registered Retirement Income Funds by 25%
  Apr 2, 2020 • LEG-2021-004-S
  Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) holders are required to withdraw a prescribed percentage of their RRIF each year. The prescribed amounts are determined by the holder’s age, or optionally the age of their spouse. This policy calls for the reduction of the prescribed minimum withdrawal rates from RRIFs by 25% across all ages. This would be in effect for the 2020 calendar year only. This policy has an estimated total cost of 506.5 million in the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Consistent with the current time horizon for our Economic and Fiscal Scenario, costs are only presented up to March 31st, 2021.