If you’re looking to staff up this summer, there’s a program for you!

Applications are open until January 29 for the Canada Summer Jobs subsidy, which can help you to hire young people (15-30 years old).

With COVID-19 still wreaking havoc on small business owners and their staff, the government is specifically prioritizing small businesses affected by the pandemic – so take advantage of the funding available to you!

• The subsidy covers up to 75% of your provincial or territorial minimum wage (up from 50%).
  
  
• It can subsidize employment for a longer period of time, from April 26, 2021 to February 26, 2022.
  
  
• You can use it for part-time work – not only full-time.
  
  
• If COVID-19 affects the proposed project, you’re allowed to change the employee’s duties.

The government has established other priorities and eligibility criteria, so read on to see if you could benefit from the Canada Summer Jobs program. The deadline to apply is January 29, so act fast!




Canada Summer Jobs 2021

Employer Flexibilities

For CSJ 2020, the Department introduced temporary flexibilities to respond to the needs of employers and youth in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will continue to offer these temporary flexibilities for 2021 in order to continue to support employers and youth. The following temporary flexibilities will be in place for CSJ 2021:

• Wage subsidies: Funded public and private sector employers will be eligible to receive a wage subsidy reimbursement of up to 75% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage. Under regular rules, private and public sector employers are only eligible to receive up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum wage.

 

• Part-time employment: All funded employers may offer part-time placements (for example, fewer than 30 hours per week). Under regular rules, all CSJ-funded employment has to be full time (a minimum of 30 hours per week).

 

• Employment period: All funded employers may offer job placements between April 26, 2021 and February 26, 2022. Under regular rules, all CSJ-funded positions have to be completed during the summer months.

 

• Changes to project and job activities: All funded employers may amend project and job activities if the proposed project is impacted by COVID-19 restrictions after an agreement is signed. In such cases, the employer should contact Service Canada to discuss potential amendments. All changes must be approved by Service Canada.

How to submit your application

You can submit your application(s) in several ways:

• Using an online fillable application;
• Using Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS);
• In person; and,
• By mail.

 

• CSJ Applicant guide 2021 (PDF)
• Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Contact information​

PEI Business Federation and Feasible Fuels are pleased to join forces and offer business owners, employees and their family’s significant reductions on home heating furnace oil. With winter fast approaching its time to sign up and save. Feasible Fuels has made a living offering affordable home heating solutions and are recognized as the leader in affordable fuel deliveries. Small business owners are recognized as the backbone of the economy in PEI. Heating fuel is a significant cost to doing business yet most times business are too small to get any significant discount. By joining together and being a member of PEI Business Federation we can balance the needs of big business, big government and big labor with the needs of small business, their families, staff and management.  

The Average Home uses 540 Gallons or 2044 Litres per year: Savings: $81.76

Business owners know some buildings can be 3 times the home average:  Saving $245.28

Sign up is simple. Fill out the form – tell us the PEI Business Federation member you work for. We will e mail back your member code which you can present to your feasible fuel rep and you will receive a 4 cents a litre discount on all your home and business furnace oil.   Minimum $300 delivery size applies.

You can schedule your deliveries with feasible fuels visiting: www.feasiblefuelspei.com

It's tax season and time to think about setting dollars aside for RRSP and TFSA

Retirement savings calculator answers “Will I have enough?”

This RRSP season, your clients may be asking, “Will I have enough for my retirement goals?” Now you have one more tool to help answer that question.

The new retirement savings calculator on manulifebank.ca shows a clients’ savings goals against their projected surplus or shortfall. All you need to do is enter a few client details, and we’ll show you the rest. It’s that quick and easy.

You can use it year-round to:

• Regularly check on clients’ retirement plans
• Show how an RRSP loan1 could help
• Start a conversation about retirement savings options
• Help clients set realistic retirement goals
• Show how life changes can affect retirement savings
• Stress test clients’ retirement plans

Don’t forget – TFSA calculator also available

A TFSA offers tax-free compound growth that could increase your clients’ savings. With our TFSA calculator on manulifebank.ca, simply enter your client’s details and you’ll see how much they could save with a TFSA compared to taxable investments.

1 Borrowing to invest in an RRSP may not be appropriate for everyone. Your clients will need the financial means to meet their loan obligations. In addition, investments held in an RRSP may fluctuate in value. Your clients should be aware that, regardless of their RRSP’s performance or value of any investments held in their RRSP, they will be required to meet their loan obligations in full. Please ensure clients read the terms of their loan agreement and the investment details for important information. Manulife Bank of Canada solely acts in the capacity of lender and loan administrator and does not provide investment advice of any nature to individuals or advisors. The dealer and advisor are responsible for determining the appropriateness of investments for their clients and informing them of the risks associated with borrowing to invest.