Business & Industry
COVID-19 Provincial and Federal Government Relief Measures Update
Federal Government:
On March 3, 2021, the federal government announced that they will extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, as well as the Lockdown Support programs, until June 5, 2021.
The extension of the current rate structures for these subsidies are as follows:
Carbon Tax Rates Increase April 1
Carbon tax rate changes announced in BC Budget 2020, which were deferred to provide relief to British Columbians as part of COVID-19 support measures, will take effect on April 1, 2021.
The carbon tax on diesel fuel will rise from 10.23 cents/litre to 11.71 cents/litre, an increase of 1.48 cents/litre. The tax on gasoline will rise from 8.89 cents/litre to 9.96 cents/litre, an increase of 1.07 cents.
Watch for the Carbon Tax Inventory Notice and Inventory Tax Return to be available on March 1, 2021.
International Roadcheck: May 4-6
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has set May 4 to 6, 2021, as the dates for this year’s International Roadcheck, with emphasis on hours of service and lighting.
Inspectors will be looking for critical vehicle inspection item violations, outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. As well, inspectors will check the driver’s operating credentials, hours-of-service documentation, seat belt usage, and for alcohol and/or drug impairment.
Regulations Approved for New Basic Vehicle Damage Coverage
Government has approved regulations to support a new Basic Vehicle Damage coverage, which will be introduced alongside Enhanced Care and included in ICBC’s Basic Autoplan insurance as of May 1, 2021. BCTA will be consulting with ICBC on details for fleets.
New: HASCAP Provides Low-interest Loans to Hardest Hit Businesses
The federal government has launched a Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program to help businesses hardest hit by the pandemic through government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million from the Business Development Bank of Canada and participating Canadian financial institutions.
HASCAP is available to small and medium-sized businesses across the country, in all sectors, negatively impacted by the pandemic.
Do Digital Shipping Documents Work for You? Participate in a Transport Canada TDG Pilot Project
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, Health & Safety Report, Vol. 18, Issue 12
Transport Canada invites input about the benefits of using digital shipping documents from companies transporting dangerous goods. This is a longer-term study and there are some requirements for taking part, but participants accepted to the pilot would use electronic documents until spring 2022.
More Savings for Carriers: Clean BC SUVI
Motor carriers interested in adding battery electric or hydrogen fueled vehicles to their fleets now have access to 33 percent of the cost through the CleanBC Specialty-Use Vehicle Incentive – with double the savings for eligible passenger vehicles.
Vehicles eligible for SUVI rebates include medium- and heavy-duty vehicles such as battery electric or hydrogen-fuelled passenger buses, airport and port service vehicles and heavy-duty transport trucks, as well as smaller specialty-use vehicles such as motorcycles, cargo e-bikes, and low-speed utility trucks.
CRA Home Office Expenses Q&A Session
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many Canadian employees working from home to help minimize the spread of the virus. This has raised legitimate questions about how eligible employees can claim supplies and work-space-in-the-home expenses.
The Government of Canada is taking targeted action to support Canadians and Canadian businesses, non-profits, and charities that continue to face uncertainty and economic challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CleanBC HDVE Program Application Window Opens Jan 25
Beginning January 25 until February 5, 2021, BCTA will be accepting applications from BC motor carriers for incentives to purchase eligible fuel-efficient technology under the CleanBC Heavy-duty Vehicle Efficiency Program.
The Program, funded by the Province of British Columbia, offers rebates upon successful completion of the CleanBC HDVE Program Course, to a maximum of $15,000 per vehicle or $100,000 per fleet per year (April 1- March 30).