COVID-19 UPDATES | MARCH 26, 2020

27 March 2020
Nouvelles, Nouvelles

GOVERNEMENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
On March 24, the federal government announced emergency benefit payments of $2,000 per month for a period of four months for people that qualify for this program. Indeed, this new measure is intended for unemployed workers due to COVID-19, employees too ill to work or under forced quarantine, people responsible for children or for an elderly person at home as well as people who still have their jobs but who no longer have a salary due to COVID-19.

This measure combines two programs, the Emergency Care Allowance and the Emergency Support Allowance, which were set up last week in order to facilitate access to financial assistance for all. The money received will be taxable where benefits will be paid every four weeks.

BUSINESS CLOSURES
The Legault government has announced the closure of all non-essential businesses starting at midnight on March 24 until April 13. The list of essential businesses is updated on a regular basis, so please take the time to consult the complete list. To do so, click here.

Need support?
ACCOUNTING SERVICES
If you have any questions regarding the impact COVID-19 may have on your business from an ccounting and/or tax point of view, two West Island accounting firms are available to advise you on your situation.
LCA CPA LLP by phone at 514 276-9499 or by email.
Whitrod Leduc CPA Inc. by phone at 514 426-2011 or by email.

COMMERCIAL, BUSINESS AND CIVIL LAW
For any legal issue you may have, we invite you to contact the Paquette & Associés law firm. Their team of professionals will be able to support you in this crisis. You can reach them at 514 693-1180 or by email at info@paquette.legal.

ONLINE COMMUNICATION TOOLS
The Chamber’s subject-matter-expert in digital marketing, WSI Digital Marketing, has written an article on the recommended types of web software to allow your team to work remotely as well as best practices in remote settings. To find out more, click here.

HEALTH
For Chamber members that benefit from the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan do not hesitate to consult the list of health professionals available to you. In this time of crisis, several healthcare professionals are offering online consultations.

If you do not have any insurance coverage and would like to find out more, please click here.

COVID-19 SCREENING CLINIC
You can also now call the new West Island of Montreal CIUSSS telephone line if you have questions / symptoms related to COVID-19. Their virus testing clinic is located in Beaconsfield on Elm Avenue. You must call 1 877 644-4545 to make an appointment before going to the clinic.

If you are not sure whether you have COVID-19, you may want to consult this Self-Care Guide as a first step.