On March 31, 2020, the RAIC sent its third letter to the federal Minister of Finance urging the government to quickly make the newly announced wage subsidy available to architects and firms of all sizes. Specifically, we applauded the Government of Canada for the announcement on March 5, 2020, to increase the wage subsidy from 10% to 75% and asked that this fund be immediately available to weather the financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While more details are forthcoming, the government has indicated the following: - If your business revenue has gone down by at least 30%, you will be eligible
- The number of employees you have will not be taken into account
- Eligibility will include operations with employees from 10 people to 1000 people
- The first $58,700 that Canadians earn, up to $847 a week, will be covered
- Backdated to March 15th
We expect a technical briefing from the government with further information soon. and the RAIC will share the details as they become known.
Last week, the RAIC launched a COVID-19 Pulse Survey to obtain a better understanding of our members’ experiences during this crisis. We have heard from hundreds of members thus far. Unsurprisingly, the primary theme identified is financial hardship during this crisis. Many have reported that they have been forced to resort to layoffs—actual and impending—with some indicating they are close to shutting their doors if they do not receive an injection of cash flow in the next few weeks. Other overarching themes include access to technology, physical and mental health, the need for accurate information, and safe resumption of projects to name a few. We plan to share the results of our COVID-19 Pulse Survey with our members and stakeholders later in April with the plan of further addressing the needs of the architectural sector. Architects are a key service provider for critical infrastructure and as such businesses must remain afloat so that they can support rebuilding and restructuring as soon as it is safely possible. Like many other Canadian businesses, many architects and firms have experienced a significant loss of revenue in March. Rapid access to funding is needed so that employers can continue to provide paycheques, rehire staff, protect jobs, increase cash flow and prevent company shutdowns. The impact of COVID-19 continues to put the viability of all businesses at risk, this is validated by hundreds of survey responses. The RAIC is committed to working through these challenging times and supporting the community as best possible. We will continue to advocate for architects and the profession as the rebuilding and restructuring begin as the crisis evolves. We have heard from many of our members who have joined the advocacy effort by writing their member of parliament and federal ministers. Thank you for this support. Our collective voice is strong, and we encourage RAIC members and stakeholders to continue to lend their voice and share the message to amplify the voice of the architectural profession—a vital sector for the Canadian economy. As you continue to send letters, feel free to cc info@raic.org, so we may assist your efforts. RAIC members are top of mind at this unprecedented time. Your health, safety and well-being continue to be our top priority. We will continue to monitor the quickly evolving situation and will keep you informed with regular and ongoing communications. In between these messages, please check the COVID-19: Updates, Information and Advocacy page for more information. Sincerely,
John Brown
President Mike Brennan
CEO |
