Highlights of the Speech from the Throne

The federal government highlighted its priorities for Canada’s economic recovery plan through its Speech from the Throne last week. CDA was pleased to hear promises to support the performing arts, take new steps to support the artistic contributions of Black Canadians, invest in a national early learning and child care system and develop an Action Plan for Women in the Economy.

Click HERE to read learn more.

The federal government passed Bill C-20 to extend the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy program (CEWS). The approved legislation extends the program until November 21, with the possibility of further extensions until December 31, 2020. Various changes were made to calculations for the program, introducing a base rate for those who have experienced any decline in revenue (including those less than 30%), and top-up rates for those who have experienced revenue losses of over 50%. The new changes take effect retroactively to July 5, 2020. You can review the Backgrounder HERE which goes into further details.

November 23rd – While the wage subsidy program is already extended until June 2021, the current proposed changes freeze the current subsidy rate until December 19, 2020. Read further details in the Backgrounder HERE.

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy – CERS would provide up to 65% of a company’s rent, property tax, property insurance, and/or mortgage interest payments per month. This program helps to provide relief to businesses, non-profits, and charities that continue to be negatively impacted by the pandemic. Backgrounder HERE

There is also additional Lockdown Support which would provide an extra 25% towards a company’s rent, property tax, property insurance, and/or mortgage interest payment if the business is forced to close due to a mandatory lockdown order.
Click HERE to read learn more

See previous updates and announcements HERE

COVID-19 ASO Response Group

The COVID-19 ASO Response Group submitted a joint letter to government officials, including the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of Finance, outlining the dire impacts of the pandemic on our sector and advocating for continued supports for arts and culture.

ASO Response Group, a group of Canadian arts service organizations and networks, working in solidarity to represent more than 2591 arts organizations, 15,482 artists, along with over 1000 affiliated supporters.

As arts service organizations representing broad constituencies, we stand together in solidarity with individuals, networks and organizations to advocate the centrality of arts in our society and create a path forward out of the COVID-19 crisis for the arts and culture ecosystem of Canada.

To complement the work of our individual organizations, we work in collaboration with a variety of sector partners – including but not limited to the Canadian Arts Coalition, Mass Culture, Imagine Canada, and Canada’s Performing Arts Alliance – that share our commitment to transparency, authentic consultation, and research.

Guidelines for Re-Opening

The CDA has collected resources around guidelines for re-opening of studios and facilities:

Please check your region for more information.

The Government of Canada, The Fundamentals – Return-to-Work Plan

A return-to-work plan is a tool for managers to proactively help ill or injured employees return to productive employment in a timely and safe manner:

• A number of employees can safely perform productive and meaningful work while they are recovering.
• Returning to work is beneficial to the employee and is part of the recovery process.
• Different situations require different solutions.

For more information, click here

British Columbia

Work Safe BC Safety Plan
Work Safe BC, Arts
Work Safe BC, Performing Arts: Protocols for returning to operation
Scotiabank Dance Centre Rental Protocols
Scotiabank Dance Centre: COVID-19 Protocols and Policies
Act Safe – Live Event Relaunch Reference
Act Safe – Performing Arts Industry Relaunch Framework

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Dance Re-opening Guidelines for COVID-19
Gyms and Fitness Facilities Guidelines
Live Theatre Guidelines

Manitoba

Manitoba Risk Assessment and Mitigation Tool for Recreational Activities
RWB Re-opening Safely

Alberta

Government of Alberta Relaunch Guide
Crossings Dance Studio – reopening video tour

Ontario

Returning to the Studio created by Shelaina Anderson, MD, CCFP, BSc Kin
Ontario Dance and Performing Arts (Studios) Workplace Guidelines for COVID-19
Ontario Dance and Performing Arts (Schools) Workplace Guideline for COVID-19
Ontario – A Framework for Reopening our Province Stage 3

Quebec

Workplace Sanitary Standards Guide for the Performing Acts Sector, Performance Halls and Movie Theatres – COVID-19

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Re-opening Guide Arts & Culture
Nova Scotia Theatres

Newfoundland

Nova Scotia Re-opening Guide Arts & Culture

Other Resources

The Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide
Work Safe BC – How to Wear Mask Safely
Work Safe BC – COVID-19 Health and Safety
Work Safe BC – Help prevent the spread of COVID-19, designing effective barriers

In response to these extraordinary circumstances, and to help lead the Canadian performing arts sector toward recovery, the National Arts Centre developed a series of tools for the re-opening of performing arts centres and venues. These tools were developed in collaboration with leaders from more than 40 performing arts organizations from across the country.

Support – Health and Wellness

Dancer Transition Resource Centre – counselling support
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) – Dedicated mental health resources for coping with COVID-19
Peer to peer discussion forum – CAMH
Wellness Together Canada – provides free online resources, tools, apps and connections
Self-Care in challenging times by Dr. Blessyl Buan – View slide presentation HERE.
Helping Dancers Help Themselves. The International Association for Dance Medicine and Science has responded to COVID-19 with lives streams and webinars that address dancer mental health and safe dance practice during the current pandemic.
takecare19. A compilation of accessible—mostly free or low-cost, and inclusive resources to help cope and support mental wellness through COVID-19 (and beyond).
TOOLS to Manage Mental Health