By CTV News |
Deep Cove Kayak was supposed to open for the season this past weekend. That didn’t happen.
“With the news of COVID, we had held our opening optimistically ’til Easter weekend,” said co-owner Erian Baxter. “We realize that’s not going to work either.”
Baxter has already been forced to let her part-time workers go, and was preparing to lay off some full-time, year-round staff who’ve worked for her for over a decade. But, the new federal wage subsidy could save those jobs.
“I was so thrilled,” said Baxter, who admits to breaking down in tears at the news the government will cover 75 per cent of her employees’ salaries up to $847 a week.
“As an employer, you’ll need to attest to that you’re doing everything you can to pay the remaining 25 per cent of your workers’ income,” said federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau. “We know this may not always be possible. The system will be flexible.”