Supporting Albertans through COVID-19
Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk
MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville
Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant.
Q: How has Alberta’s Government been supporting small businesses while they have restrictions?
A: Alberta’s government had launched the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant, which offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations. This program offers two payments to eligible applicants, with up to 20 thousand dollars in available funding.
Worker’s Compensation Board deferrals and payments
Q: How is Alberta’s government helping with deferrals and payments for small and medium sized businesses?
A: Alberta’s government is deferring Worker’s Compensation Board premiums until early 2021. The government will cover 50% of the premiums for small and medium-sized businesses when it is due. Large employers also received a break by having their 2020 WCB premium payments deferred until 2021.
Education Property Tax freeze
Q: How is Alberta’s government helping with inflation of taxes?
A: We understand that Albertans, and their businesses are going through difficult times during this pandemic. That is why Alberta’s government has frozen education property taxes at 2019 levels, reversing a 3.4 % population and inflation adjustment. This will save Albertans households and businesses about 87 million dollars in 2020 and 2021.
Faith-based and Cultural Facility Relaunch Grant
Q: Are faith-based and cultural facilities able to receive any grants during these difficult times?
A: The faith-based and cultural facility relaunch grant supports faith-based and cultural organizations that have a mandate that includes a religious, spiritual, and ceremonial component and operate facilities which are used for cultural, religious, spiritual and ceremonial gatherings. One-time reimbursement funding will help offset additional costs incurred by these organizations to meet the appropriate public health directives.
Job Creation Tax Cut
Q: How is Alberta’s Government trying to create jobs in Alberta during this difficult time?
A: The Job Creation Tax Cut (Alberta’s Corporate Tax Amendment) Act reduced the tax burden on job creators. The corporate tax rate was towered from 12 percent to 8 percent as part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan. Alberta is now the most tax-competitive business jurisdiction and among the most attractive investment destinations in North America.