News

CJA Government Update

With the passing of Bill C-9 on November 20, 2020, the Federal Government is  extending the federal wage subsidy and introducing a new commercial rent subsidy program, as concerns grow for businesses facing a new round of shutdowns amid a second wave of the pandemic. For detailed information and to apply  go to https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#businesses 

• The Federal Government is covering up to 65% of an employee’s wages for qualifying eligible employers, with this subsidy rate in effect until December 19, 2020. The wage subsidy supports businesses to keep and re-hire employees and avoid layoffs. The CEWS is available until June 2021.

• The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides a direct and easy-to-access rent and mortgage subsidy of up to 65% of eligible expenses to qualifying businesses, charities and non-profits. The subsidy rates are in effect until December 19, 2020. This support is available directly to tenants.

• Lockdown Support

  Qualifying organizations that have been significantly restricted by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority can receive an additional 25% of rent support through the Lockdown Support.

  The combined effect of the rent subsidy and the Lockdown Support is that hard-hit businesses, non-profits and charities subject to a lockdown can receive rent support of up to 90%.

  The rent subsidy and the Lockdown Support are available until June 2021.

 Press Release For Immediate Release 

November 2, 2020 

Gail Golberg has been appointed as the new Chair of the  Canadian Jewellers Association Board of Directors 

At the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA) Annual Meeting held on October 26, 2020, the new CJA Board of Directors was voted and accepted by the members. The CJA is pleased to announce the appointment of Gail Golberg as the new Chair of the CJA Board for 2020-2022. 

Gail is the Principal at Custom Creations by GG and M&G Management Services in Thornhill, Ontario. Gail is a third generation jeweller and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at McGill University. She has also completed various diamond grading and jewellery related courses at GIA and other institutions. Over the years, Gail was the Past-President of JVC, President at Fabrikant (Canadian division), Director of Sales at Diarough Canada, and Director of Sales & Purchasing at Beverly Hills Jewellers Mfg. 

Gail is joined on the Board by the following: 

Past Chairman – Marco Miserendino, Bijouterie Italienne P.M. Inc., Montreal, Quebec 

1st Vice Chair - Angela Betteridge, Angela Betteridge Jewellery Inc., Kelowna, B.C. 

2nd Vice Chair - Stephen Cole, Spicer Cole Fine Jewellers Ltd, Fredericton, N.B. 

Treasurer - Kevin Kaye, Citizen Watch Canada, Ltd., Markham, Ontario 

Director - Marco Pasteris, Birks Group, Montreal, Quebec 

Director – Chau Lui, Paris Jewellers, Edmonton, Alberta 

Director – Mark Devereaux , Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group, Neenah, Wisconsin 

Director – Kevin Vantyghem, Vantyghem Diamonds, Kitchener, Ontario 

Director – Sergio Chamahyan, Orosergio Jewellery, Toronto, Ontario 

Director – Shant Purutoglu, Gem Lab Appraisal Services, Toronto, Ontario 

Contact: Carla Adams 

Office Manager 

Canadian Jewellers Association 

Phone: 800-580-0942 

Email: Carla@canadianjewellers.com 

Notice of Annual Meeting Canadian Jewellers Association Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA) is scheduled as follows: Monday, October 26, 2020 11:15 a.m. On Line Video Conference Call Please REGISTER using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlce-sqjopE9FWKg7Z-Bi0T7jhpGXbVsl6 All members are invited to attend this business meeting, and voting members are welcome to participate. The following related documents are available with this notice by clicking on the links: 1.     Meeting Agenda 2.  A proposed slate of Directors for 2020-2021 as proposed by the Nominating Committee. 3.     Proxy Form – Please complete this form and fax or email back to the CJA office if you will not be attending the AGM. 4.    If you would like a copy of the 2019 Audited Financial Statements, please contact Carla Adams at the CJA office at carla@canadianjewellers.com. 5.     If you would like a copy of the Minutes of the AGM of October 28, 2019, please contact Carla Adams at the CJA office or at carla@canadianjewellers.com.

CJA Government Update- October 16, 2020

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) extended the wage subsidy until June 2021

The Federal Government intends to introduce legislation that would implement the extended wage subsidy.

As such, the government will issue a technical backgrounder on the extended wage subsidy, including details on eligibility. For more information go to https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/10/extending-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy.html 

For now, until November 21, 2020, eligible employers who had any drop in revenue can qualify for the wage subsidy. For more information go to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-what-changes.html. 

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) extension

CEBA has been extended to December 31, 2020, making the program accessible longer to Canadians. If you have already applied for CEBA and have questions, please contact the CEBA Call Centre at 1-888-324-4201 or go to  https://ceba-cuec.ca/ .  Originally launched on April 9, 2020, CEBA is intended to support businesses by providing financing for their expenses that cannot be avoided or deferred as they take steps to safely navigate a period of shutdown, thereby helping to position businesses for successful relaunch when the economy reopens. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000). 

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER HERE

CJA update - Government implements changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

The Federal Government recently implemented changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) that broaden the reach of the program. Applications are now open for Period 5 – the first period of the enhanced CEWS program.

Program changes for Periods 5-9 include: 

• The extension of the CEWS, including redesigned program details, until November 21, 2020.
  
• Increased eligibility, meaning that all eligible employers who've experienced a revenue drop can now qualify for a base subsidy. The subsidy amount is based on the revenue drop. 
  
• Employers who are especially hard-hit can qualify for a top-up of up to 25%. 
  
• Provide certainty for employers that have already made business decisions for July and August, by ensuring they will not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have under the previous rules.

The CRA's updated CEWS calculator can help small and large employers alike, by guiding them through a step-by-step process to prepare their applications and giving them a preview of the subsidy they may qualify for, based on the information they enter. 

Eligible employers can apply for period 5 of the CEWS through My Business Account or through the CRA's web form application. The CRA reassures applicants that they have added new security measures to the My Business Account portal following the recent cyber attack. Employers can submit their application securely as planned.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/2020/08/canada-revenue-agency-opens-applications-for-enhanced-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy.html?_cldee=cGh5bGxpcy5yaWNoYXJkQHN5bXBhdGljby5jYQ%3d%3d&recipientid=contact-258e1f978dbce811a973000d3af3eb40-5c8882fa37bb4c00ab6bc5e4eed3e055&utm_source=ClickDimensions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=coronavirus-daily-bulletin&esid=ade9fbce-a9e0-ea11-a813-000d3af3a7a7 

Health Canada has expanded its recall list of hand sanitizers that are made with ethanol or denaturants that are not acceptable ingredients for use in hand sanitizers in Canada. 

For more information and a complete up-to-date list go to https://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2020/73385a-eng.php

 Press Release 

For Immediate Release 

July 15, 2020 

CANADIAN JEWELLERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES REPLACEMENT ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The CJA is pleased to announce that Mark Devereaux has replaced David Sexton as the Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group (JM) representative on the CJA Board of Directors upon David’s retirement. 

Mark is Vice President of Sales at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin. Jewelers Mutual is the only insurance company in the U.S. and Canada that specializes exclusively in protecting jewellery and the jewellery industry. 

Mark’s responsibilities at JM include leading top line distribution and growth in both the commercial and personal lines segments as well as managing the business development efforts in strategic partnerships and jeweller programs. 

Prior to joining Jewelers Mutual, Mark was the Vice President of Marketing and Sales at National General Insurance (formerly GMAC Insurance) in Winston Salem, North Carolina. His responsibilities included overseeing a variety of property and casualty products including auto, property, flood and commercial vehicle totaling over 400 million in direct written premium. His experience also extends into insurance agency automation, holding roles as the Vice President of Marketing/Sales and distribution for Jenesis Software, a leading agency automation provider. 

Mark serves on the Board of Directors of MJSA, a jewellery trade organization supporting jewellery makers, designers, and suppliers. 

The CJA welcomes Mark to the CJA Board of Directors and looks forward to working with Mark. 

Contact: Carla Adams 

Office Manager 

Canadian Jewellers Association 

Phone: 800-580-0942 

Email: carla@canadianjewellers.com 

July 14, 2020 - The Canadian/US border will remain closed to non-essential travel until August 21st. - The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will be extended until December. The government covers 75% of an employee's wages – up to $847 per week – for eligible employers. Details will follow later this week. Government Update - July 13, 2020 The Canadian Chamber of Commerce representative appears Before The House Standing Committee On International Trade: On July 9, 2020, Mark Agnew, Senior Director of International Policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, appeared as a witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT). In his remarks, he discussed the Canadian Chamber’s recommendations for supply chain resiliency, the coming into force of CUSMA and addressing remaining trade concerns with the US, and the urgency of Canada completing a bilateral trade agreement with the UK. To read Mr. Agnew's remarks click on the link below. https://www.canadianbusinessresiliencenetwork.ca/news-and-insights/2020/07/09/canadian-chambers-mark-agnew-appears-before-house-standing-committee-on-international-trade/