Today, Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, announced action to further ensure Canadians have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessary medical equipment.

“Our first priority is the health and safety of Canadians. By removing financial barriers, we’re making sure Canadians and Canadian businesses can access the critical medical goods they need during the COVID-19 crisis. Our government remains focused on making sure workers have the protective equipment they need, that our supply chains continue to work well, and that Canadians remain safe and healthy.”

- Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance

“We know that the demand for personal protective equipment will continue to be important through the next phases of this crisis. By working with procurement ministers across the country and members of our COVID-19 Supply Council, we are actively supporting front-line health care workers and all Canadians as the pandemic evolves, including by reducing barriers to access personal protective equipment.”

- Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

• While certain medical goods and equipment, including PPE, can be imported duty-free, some tariffs remain. Tariffs can be as high as 18 per cent and are a non-recoverable cost for importers.

• This measure builds on other relief from tariffs and sales taxes—starting March 16, 2020—for goods imported for emergency use by, or on behalf of, certain health-related entities, including hospitals, first-response organizations and care homes.

• Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 is providing $50 million to help source PPE here at home and build domestic industrial capability needed to manufacture critical equipment.

• The National Research Council of Canada’s COVID-19 Challenge Program, composed of teams of government, academic and private sector partners, is addressing a range of medium term needs of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada, including PPE.

• The government has taken action to support Canadian businesses through the outbreak of COVID-19, with targeted new initiatives:

  • The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses, which will provide a forgivable loan to qualifying commercial property owners, who in turn give a rent reduction of at least 75 per cent for April and May (retroactive) and June to impacted small business tenants who have experienced at least a 70 per cent drop in pre-COVID-19 revenues.
  • Launching the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) calculator to support employers as they prepare to apply for the CEWS. On April 27, 2020, the Canada Revenue Agency launched the application process for the CEWS. The CEWS applies at a rate of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees—representing a benefit of up to $847 per week, per employee. The program is in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020. Employers of all sizes and across all sectors of the economy are eligible, with certain exceptions.
  • Providing support to businesses through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) under the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP). As part of this program, EDC and BDC will provide direct lending and other types of financial support at market rates to otherwise viable businesses and organizations whose access to financing may be restricted. By working in close cooperation with financial institutions, this program is filling gaps in market access and leveraging additional lending by private sector institutions. Employers with a total payroll of $20,000 to $1.5 million in 2019 will also be eligible to access the Canada Emergency Business Account, which will provide interest-free, partially forgivable loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses, including not-for-profits.
  • Allowing businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) payments, as well as customs duty payments owed for imports, until June. This measure is the equivalent of providing up to $30 billion in interest-free loans to Canadian businesses. It will help businesses so they can continue to pay their employees and their bills, and help ease cash-flow challenges across the country.
  • Deferring the payment of income taxes. The government is allowing taxpayers to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020. This relief, amounting to $55 billion in liquidity support, would apply to new 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.

Related products

• CBSA Customs Notice CN20-19, Certain Goods Remission Order (COVID-19)

Associated links

• Supporting Canada’s farmers, food businesses, and food supply
• Prime Minister announces partnerships with provinces and territories to deliver the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses
• Support for Students and Recent Graduates Impacted by COVID-19
• Government of Canada Clarifies Support for Canadian Journalism
• Government announces relief for federally regulated pension plan sponsors
• COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2 receives Royal Assent to help businesses keep Canadians in their jobs
• Government Introduces COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2 to Help Businesses Keep Canadians in their Jobs
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Launch of the Canada Emergency Business Account
• Additional Support for Canadian Businesses from the Economic Impacts of COVID-19
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and businesses
• Prime Minister announces more support for workers and businesses through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Media may contact:

Maéva Proteau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance
maeva.proteau@canada.ca
613-369-5696

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca
613-369-4000

General enquiries

Phone: 613-369-3710
Facsimile: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: fin.financepublic-financepublique.fin@canada.ca

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