Last updated January 19, 2022

During this very challenging time for the hotel industry, the MHA has been reaching out to all levels of government seeking programs and assistance to help hotels. We are pleased to provide a summary of the programs that are currently available. We will continue to update this list as these programs change and grow. 

The most timely source of information for MHA hotel members is our bulletins. We send member bulletins often, sometimes multiples times per day, to ensure all our hotel members are kept informed of the latest developments affecting hotels. If you are not receiving the bulletins, or if you would like to access the library of our past bulletins, please contact the MHA office. 

The Manitoba Hotel Association (MHA) has been working very hard this year on behalf of Manitoba hotels. We know what a challenging year this has been for all types of hotel properties, and we have been reaching out to government at all levels to make the case for assistance for our industry. 

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions about the programs and initiatives listed below. 

For more information about any program, call Jerry at the MHA office at (204) 942-0671 or toll-free at 1-888-859-9976.

Current federal programs

The following programs are available for businesses and individuals in the hotel sector:

If your hotel has seen a revenue drop, you may be eligible for several subsidies.   For each applicable claim period, eligible employers can claim one of the following, whichever gives the highest amount:

• Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) 
  Effective: October 24, 2021, to May 7, 2022
• Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP) 
  Effective: October 24, 2021, to May 7, 2022
• Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
  Effective: June 6, 2021, to May 7, 2022
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
  Effective: March 15, 2020, to October 23, 2021

Many of the eligibility and calculation rules for the wage subsidy under the THRP and the HHBRP are the same as they were for the CEWS.  If you have questions about any of these topics, call or email jerry@mha1.ca.

Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP): 

The program is extended until May 7, 2022, with a 50% subsidy rate.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/recovery-hiring-program.html

Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP): 

The Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program was specifically introduced by the federal government for the hotel sector and a small number of other, hardest-hit, tourism-related sectors. 

Your 12-month average revenue drop from March 2020 to February 2021 is 40% or more.  Calculation is against the same month in the prior year (e.g., Oct 2019 vs. Oct 2020). The total number is calculated based on the CEWS claim periods 1 – 13, excluding the revenue drop for either period 10 or 11. CRA provides a tool to calculate this number.

In each THRP reporting period, you’re eligible to claim if you have a revenue drop of 40% or greater compared to the same period prior to the pandemic.  You might not be eligible in all periods, and may claim for the periods where you do qualify without affecting your eligibility in the other periods.

More details here:  https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/wage-rent-subsidies/determine-revenue-drop.html

Calculation error in THRP spreadsheet:

When logging into the CRA website, you should see a notice that there was an error in the spreadsheet used for the calculation of the new THRP program. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/wage-rent-subsidies/tourism-hospitality-recovery-program.html

Relaunch Program for Tourism and Hospitality (Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)): 

Businesses in these sectors will be able to access support through CEWS and CERS if they continue to face revenue losses. The subsidy rate will start at 40% for those with a revenue loss at 40%, and the maximum subsidy is 75%.

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2021/10/targeting-covid-19-support-measures.html

Hardest Hit Recovery Program: 

Similarly, employers who can show they have faced deep and enduring losses will be able to access subsidies through CEWS and CERS. The subsidy rate will start at 10% for applicants with a 50% revenue loss and will provide a maximum 50% subsidy for those with a 75% revenue loss. (CEWS and CERS has now ended for most industries; THRP applies for hotels and some other tourism-related sectors.)

• Lockdown Support: This program is available should the ongoing response to COVID-19 require further lockdowns. Businesses facing temporary local lockdowns can access CEWS and CERS.
• Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit: It will provide $300 a week to workers who are subject to a lockdown.
• Extension of eligibility for Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

Under the federal government's proposed regulations, lockdown support applies if a region restricts capacity to 50% or less.  Shortly after the federal announcement, Manitoba restaurants and licensed premises became limited to 50% capacity.  

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/worker-lockdown-benefit/cwlb-regional-lockdowns.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/covid19-emergency-benefits/designated-lockdown-regions.html

Past programs where you can still file for some eligible periods:

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)

Despite the name, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) is about more than rent. Accommodation properties now qualify to claim a portion of mortgage interest, property tax and commercial property insurance.  This program is of substantial help to properties of all sizes.  Every Manitoba accommodation property, with any amount of revenue decline in 2020, should consider applying.  If your property has not claimed CERS for past periods, call or email Jerry at the MHA office.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-rent-subsidy.html

Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) 

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy offers up to a 75 percent wage subsidy for qualifying small businesses.

Click here for more information. 

This program is now closed:

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) Expanded in November 2020

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) was expanded. An additional $20,000 loan is now available, of which $10,000 is forgivable; for a total of $60,000 loan available, of which $20,000 is forgivable. This expansion is available to all eligible previous and new CEBA applicants.  To apply, ask your primary financial institution.

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)

This program will offer 100% government guaranteed loans of up to $1 million over extended terms, up to ten years, with low interest rates.

This program is now closed:

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

The Canada Emergency Business Account provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits to help cover operating costs. Expanded eligibility criteria now makes the program open to businesses with 2019 total payroll between $20,000 and $1,500,000. Full loan repayment by December 31, 2022 will see a 25% loan forgiveness up to $10,000. Loans will be available through eligible financial institutions and will be fully guaranteed and funded by the Government of Canada. The financial institutions are beginning to roll this out now. Please contact your financial institution to find out if they have been approved to offer the program.

Click here for more information. 

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for Employees 

If you have questions about the CERB program, EI, or how to best help your employees, call the MHA office.

Click here for more information. 

Brandon Economic Restart Program (BERP):

The City of Brandon has created the Brandon Economic Restart Program (BERP) to help businesses rebound as the economy reopens. To be eligible, a business must demonstrate their net income as been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The program provides a one-time refund for an “eligible investment”, up to $2,500. 

Eligible investments include: 

• Professional services (web design, business consulting, accounting, legal advice, strategic planning)
• Marketing (website funneling, social media ads, photography, videography services)
• Technology Improvements (mobile app development, software enhancements)
• Furniture & Equipment (ie. patio furniture / patio walls)

Applications will be evaluated on a first come first serve basis until available funding is depleted, so we encourage you to review this information as soon as possible. 

For more information visit http://www.economicdevelopmentbrandon.com/berp. 

Application guide (PDF)

Application form (PDF)

This program is now closed:

City of Winnipeg Economic Support Grant Program:

The City of Winnipeg has launched the Winnipeg COVID-19 Economic Support Grant Program in order to assist Winnipeg small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that have been forced to prohibit access to their premises  due to COVID-19 public health restrictions effective November 12, 2020. The City will be distributing a total of $3 million to eligible local businesses and organizations with funding provided by the federal Safe Restart Agreement.  Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations can now apply online for a non-repayable grant of $1,500. The grant can be used for rent, utilities, wages, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizing equipment, or other business expenses incurred. 

Click here for more information.

Deferral of Tax Payment Penalties:

The 2021 Winnipeg budget includes a deferral of property tax payment penalties.  This measure will waive penalties for 2021 tax bills normally due on June 30, now extended until September 30, 2021.  It also waives penalties for 2021 business tax bills normally due on May 31, now extended until August 31, 2021.  It does not give any relief to any amounts already outstanding.  Properties on the TIPP program will see no benefit from this measure.

Sector Support Program

NOW OPEN.  APPLICATIONS CLOSE JANUARY 31. 

The Sector Support Program is a $22 million program that provides assistance to businesses affected by the COVID-19 public health order restrictions released on December 17, 2021 and are in effect from December 21, 2021 to January 11, 2022.  

Eligible businesses include food service facilities that rely primarily on dine-in services, including those in hotels.

Unfortunately, only one application can be made per Business Number.  If you have 2+ dining facilities under one Business Number, that is one eligible business.  Your application should declare all Manitoba resident employees on your payroll across all Manitoba locations.

If a different company leases space in your hotel to operate a restaurant, and you also maintain a beverage room (or other facility where dining is primarily indoors), both companies should be eligible to apply. 

Total assistance is based on the number of workers employed for the last pay period that preceded the December 21, 2021 public health orders: 

• $3,000 for businesses with up to 9 employees
• $6,000 for businesses with 10 to 19 employees
• $9,000 for businesses with 20 to 49 employees
• $12,000 for businesses with 50 or more employees

One worker includes either a full-time or part-time employee.

An online assessment tool is online now.  Hotels will have until January 31, 2022 to apply.

Manitoba Hotel Association has sent a bulletin on January 7  to all our members with more details.

https://manitoba.ca/covid19/programs/issp.html

Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave

The Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave program provides employers with up to $600 per employee for up to five full days of COVID-19 related sick leave, which do not have to be taken consecutively. Eligible sick leave related to COVID-19 includes testing, vaccinations and side effects, self-isolation due to COVID-19 symptoms, or care for a loved one in any of the previously mentioned circumstances.

Eligible employees are those who reside in Manitoba and work and receive wages in Manitoba on a full or part-time basis.  Employers who currently provide paid sick leave to their employees would not be eligible. 

The eligibility period began May 7, 2021 and now runs until March 31, 2022, to coincide with the federal programs. Deadline to submit all applications is April 15, 2022.

For more information, visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/programs/pandemic-sick-leave.html

Application can be submitted using this form: https://forms.gov.mb.ca/manitoba-pandemic-sick-leave/

This program is now closed:

Hospitality Sector Relief Program

The Hospitality Sector Relief Program is now complete. The funding for this program was provided by the Province of Manitoba. We thank the government for stepping up to provide this badly needed support for hotels. 

We were pleased to administer the hotel portion of the Hospitality Sector Relief Program on behalf of the government. We can report that every dollar of the $6 million provided by the Province has been expended through the program. 

The MHA worked hard to lobby for this funding, in response to the devastating losses incurred by our industry over the last 15 months. We know it is not enough. Please be assured that we are seeking additional government support, as COVID-19 restrictions will continue to impact hotels for the foreseeable future.

The work of the MHA is made possible by our members. Membership dues fund our efforts to lobby the government, keep our members informed, and provide assistance with health orders, government programs and more. We greatly appreciate the support of every MHA member, and we are proud to work on your behalf. 

This program is now closed:

Manitoba Bridge Grant: 

On December 21, 2020, the Province changed the grant criteria for the Manitoba Bridge Grant. Now all hotels, motels, resorts as well as lodges and outfitters, restaurants and bars, may apply for the Manitoba Bridge Grant. The deadline for the program has now been extended to January 31, 2021. The Manitoba Bridge Grant will provide $10,000 ($5,000 + an additional $5,000, as the public health orders remained in place on January 1.)  Recipients of the first $5,000 will automatically receive an additional $5,000 without needing to make a further application.  All hotels, lodging properties, restaurants & bars should apply.  There is a limit of onegrant per entity.  

Closed:

PST (RST):  You Can Defer Some Remittances

Businesses with retail sales tax (RST) remittances less than $10,000 per month are eligible for an interest and penalty-free payment deferral to June 30, 2021. The deferral is for the January, February, March, April and May 2021 return periods. Businesses are also eligible for an interest and penalty-free payment deferral until June 30, 2021, for the March quarterly RST return.

Closed:

As well, the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy returns for small and medium-sized businesses with remittances of no more than $10,000 per month are eligible for an interest and penalty free payment deferral to June 30, 2021. The deferral is for the January, February, March, April and May 2021 return periods. The RST and tax levy deferrals are optional and for tax payments only. Businesses must continue to file returns by the required due dates.

The province has also extended the previous interest and penalty-free repayment option set to expire March 31, 2021, until June 30, 2021.  

FURTHER INFO AT: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=50919&posted=2021-03-05

Eight-Week Layoff Period Extension Ended 

At the beginning of the pandemic, the Province made a temporary change to employment standards to provide employers with more time to recall employees laid off as a result of COVID-19. The change ensured any layoff period occurring after March 1, 2020, and until the state of emergency ended, would not be counted toward the period after which a temporary layoff would become a permanent termination. This state of emergency ended on October 21, 2021 and so there is no longer an extension beyond that date.  Click here for more information.  

This program is now closed:

Manitoba Gap Protection Program (MGPP) 

(The intake window for the Manitoba Gap Protection Program is now closed.)

Premier Pallister announced the Manitoba government will provide up to $120 million for businesses that do not qualify for the various federal government assistance programs and wage subsidies created because of COVID-19. The Province will advance each eligible business a non-interest-bearing forgivable loan of $6,000. The loan will be forgiven on December 31, 2020 if the recipient attests at that time the business has not received any major non-repayable COVID-19 federal supports. If the applicant has received benefits under a federal COVID program, then the loan will be added to the recipient’s 2020 tax bill. Click here for more information.

This program is now closed:

Back to Work Manitoba Wage Subsidy Program

(Applications for this program are closed.)

The Back to Work Manitoba Initiative is open to all private-sector and non-profit employers and covers 50 per cent of wage costs between July 15 and Oct. 31. Employers can be supported to hire up to 10 workers to a maximum of $5,000 per worker and $50,000 per employer. This program is open to applicants of the Summer Student Recovery Jobs program and Back to Work this Summer Program. The application deadline is Oct. 1. Click here for more information. 

This program is now closed:

Workers Compensation Board – 20% Refund and Deferral of Premium Payments 

On April 21st the Province announced that the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) will be returning a $37-million surplus to employers. Each eligible employer will receive a refund of approximately 20 per cent of their 2019 premium. The payments will be sent out in May. 

The Province also announced previously that the WCB will defer premium payments until the end of May, waive late payment penalties until further notice, and extend the payroll reporting deadline without penalties until the end of May. Click here for more information. 

This program is now closed:

Summer Student Recovery Plan 

The Summer Student Recovery Plan was a wage subsidy program to support employment of high school and post-secondary students in the private and non-profit sectors. 

Under the program, up to $120 million is available for employers to access a $7 per hour wage subsidy, up to a maximum of $5,000 per student. The program is open to Manitoba students aged 15 to 29, with an employment period from May 1 to September 4. Employers can be subsidized for up to 5 students. Reimbursement will be provided at the end of the employment period, upon proof of payment of student wages. Click here for more information. 

This program is now closed:

Manitoba Job Restart Program (MJRP) 

The Manitoba Job Restart Program (MJRP) provides a taxable financial benefit to a maximum of $2,000 to Manitobans who:

•  safely return to work for a cumulative 30 hours/week with one or more eligible employers
•  voluntarily stop collecting Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the Canada Emergency 

Student Benefit (CESB) or similar COVID-19 financial support programs delivered by the federal government.  Individuals must return to work for a cumulative 30 hours per week during the period of June 26, 2020 to July 31, 2020.  Click here for more information. 

Additional information and resources for the hotel industry can be found at:

http://www.hotelassociation.ca/coronavirus/

Additional information about COVID-19 in Manitoba can be found at:

https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/index.html

For more information about any program, call Jerry at the MHA office at (204) 942-0671 or 1-888-859-9976.