RAIC Advocacy: COVID-19 Pulse Survey Extended

Dear ,

As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, the RAIC is continuing to explore avenues to support our members and the larger architectural community in Canada. One way in which we have done this is by building a dedicated page for COVID-19: Updates, Information, and Advocacy. This page is being updated daily and a new “Additional Resources” section has been added

Additionally, a survey was developed to gain better insight into the needs of our members—and how the RAIC can support the profession—during this time. This data will be used to inform RAIC activities (e.g. advocacy, continuing education, practice resources) and results will be shared in April.

The RAIC COVID-19 Pulse Survey was initially shared on March 24, 2020, and has received over 125 responses in the first 24 hours.

Due to overwhelming engagement, the survey deadline has been extended to March 31, 2020, (5:00 pm PST). We would love an insight into your needs. Click here to access the survey.

Background Information

Originally, on March 18, 2020, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the details of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. An aid package bill worth $107 billion was passed in Parliament on March 25, 2020, to help Canadians struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following is a list of some support programs mentioned in the Prime Minister’s address. Some of these initiatives may help alleviate the pressure members, firms, and businesses might experience from an employee support and business continuity perspective:

Direct cash transfers or reduced cash outflows of individuals

An Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly—for up to 15 weeks—to provide income support to workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave
Emergency support benefit for workers who are facing unemployment and who are not eligible for EI
Planned enhancements to the Canada Child Benefit of $300 per child, for those who qualify
Six-month deferment on interest and payments for National student loans

Payroll tax reductions or holidays

10% wage subsidy available to businesses to keep employees on the payroll, for a period of up to three months from March 18, 2020 (capped at $1375 per employee and $25,000 per employer)

Extension of tax deadlines

Federal tax deadlines have been changed for individuals - June 1, 2020 (from April 30)
Deferral of requirements for tax payment for all taxpayers (individual and corporate) to August 31, 2020
Temporary suspension of income tax and GST/HST audits of Small and Medium Enterprises for four weeks

Income tax and other incentives

Enhanced GST credit—averaging close to $400 for individuals and $600 for couples
Reduced minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25% for 2020 in recognition of volatile market conditions and their impact on retirement savings for many seniors

Doubling the funding of the Reaching Home program for homeless individuals
Increased funding for shelters
An Indigenous community support fund

Information on government support for individuals and businesses can be found here.

The RAIC is dedicated to assisting our members, and this Pulse survey will inform our efforts and measures as we navigate COVID-19 together. Click here to access and fill out the survey.

Any questions, or additional comments, contact us at info@raic.org.