Entries by Armando Iannuzzi

Federal Fiscal and Economic Update 2021: Few gifts (or lumps of coal) for business

The federal government tabled its Fiscal and Economic Update 2021 last week and the business community across Canada wondered if it had been all but forgotten. The update was heavy on COVID-19 relief spending and made direct references to the potential uncertainty ahead—including the looming economic impact of the omicron coronavirus variant, global supply chain […]

Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement sets the stage for the spring election

Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement, released late last week, was clearly drafted with the province’s upcoming spring election in mind. With a focus on infrastructure and economic development, the statement is aimed at positioning the Progressive Conservatives as the party focused on economic growth, which is their traditional political wheelhouse. But it was also a decidedly […]

Ottawa unveils targeted COVID-19 business support benefits

While the coronavirus pandemic has by no means subsided, the federal government clearly believes that the economy is regaining its footing, with recent job performance data confirming a return to pre-pandemic employment levels. Accordingly, Ottawa last week allowed three key COVID-19 business benefits—the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support—to […]

Bill C-208 improves tax treatment on intergenerational business transfers, but changes to come

Until recently, it was more financially beneficial to sell a business to a third party in Canada, rather than passing it along to children or grandchildren through an intergenerational business transfer. This had been a longstanding bone of contention among entrepreneurs. Bill C-208, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (transfer of small business […]

COVID-19: CEWS, CERS, Lockdown Support rates extended

The federal government today announced that it will extend the rate structures for three COVID-19 relief benefits—the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) and the Lockdown Support—until June 5th, 2021. The rates for each of the programs were set to expire on March 13th, 2021. The maximum CEWS wage subsidy […]

Ottawa won’t require some self-employed Canadians to repay CERB

In the face of widespread confusion, complaints and a looming class action lawsuit, the federal government has changed course, cancelling plans to require some self-employed individuals to repay the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) funds they received at the height of the COVID-19 crisis. Controversy erupted late last year when the Canada Revenue Agency informed […]