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Newsletter

Newsletter – 2 April 2020

If only Canada issued unicorn cheques…

The good news, is that the CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) application process starts next week, rolling out based on your birth month.To prepare in advance, the CRA recommends that you make sure you can log into, or create a CRA MyAccount. You can also use your Service Canada GCkey account, and then look for the link to “Switch to Canada Revenue Agency”.Secondly, make sure that you have registered for direct deposit. Otherwise, you will be waiting for a physical cheque.Read our blog post for detailed instructions.

Be sure to speak to your landlord, mortgage holder or utility company before you run out of options — see if they will adjust payments or make concessions. Remember that we are all in the same boat. Check out our resources page, or reach us on Facebook Messenger or email.

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Ask for help, be upfront & move forward
The CERB and You

Resources

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT #1

IATSE Canada is collecting data about lost work in our industry. Please take a minute to add your name to the list. [More information]

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT #2

AFC Helps supports entertainment industry professionals working in TV and film, music, theatre, and dance with emergency funding [More information]

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT #3

Unison Fund supports people who worked primarily in the music industry for at least two years, or for 55% of your career. [More information]

Browse our Resource Pages

Sort by type and location to find the grants, benefits and resources that matter to you, no matter where you live in Canada.

Categories
Opinion

Ask for help, be upfront & move forward

Morgan Myler

VP, IATSE Local 58
Co-founder, Live Event Community

On January 25, 2020 the COVID-19 virus hit our shores and has changed the landscape for our industry drastically. This March many workers, professionals and artists, companies, festivals have seen an entire stoppage.

I have heard tell of some of you afraid to contact the various sources of relief offered by the government. Afraid of audits, tax issues and the like. These situations are tough and I understand that our industry has encouraged this underground economy and you can be assured that a recovery will involve our respective governments looking harder to recover the funds for this and all the essential services that require funding ongoing, as they are going to put stimulus packages on the table. This is a team effort and recovery will be all of our responsibility. There is no way the industry will continue the way it has for some of us.

apply for the help you need financially you need to survive this

Firstly apply for the help you need financially you need to survive this. Secondly get financial affairs in order as best you can and get up to date. File your taxes, be open and honest and get through it. Start talking about the way these “Sole proprietor” and or cash jobs are paying out, and get protected for the future. We are all going to need to do our part in moving forward and that will mean (don’t throw fruit at me) paying taxes, becoming proper employees or sorting your taxes and benefits out properly and not getting caught again like this and avoiding future issues when our country is looking to recover from this.

We will all have to do a part when work returns to make the industry stable again and you do not want to be left behind now or in recovery. First and foremost apply for help when the programs are rolled out and get the help you need now.

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News

Our Website has Launched!

We are a not-for-profit group of entertainment professionals just like you! Since the arrival of this crisis, we have been working to support, engage and give voice to the unseen. I want to thank you for signing up — it helps us to help you.

I want to thank you for signing up — it helps us to help you

Signing up is twofold: you get access to the information and resources we have obtained, and are able to include you in our advocacy campaign.

Governments are listening. Every day, political leaders at all levels of government are meeting and making plans to respond to COVID-19. We are talking with the stakeholders at every step to ensure that you are represented.

GET UPDATES

That brings us to why we are sending this email today. It took our little volunteer organization some time, but we have compiled a database of health, financial, and educational resources. It is a wide collection of support and information (and growing!). This information is crowdsourced and updated in real-time. Please take advantage of it. Please contribute to it.

Come see our new resource section!

If you have any other ideas or suggestions on how to serve you, let us know.

Submit a new resource to the database

Nobody knows how long this crisis will last, but we do know that when it finally recedes our world will look very different, and we will all be needed to bring the joy of live events back and bring people together.

Be safe. Stay strong. You are seen. You are heard.
Live Event Community

Categories
News

The CERB and You

The Canadian Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB) includes money designated for distribution to sole-proprietor and small business owners who don’t qualify for EI.

The CERB applies to an extremely broad group of workers in Canada.

The following is a list of questions and answers, which will be updated as new information comes up.

Continue reading “The CERB and You”
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Need emergency financial aid? AFC Helps. Learn more