British Columbia

On March 23, 2020, the B.C. Government announced a $5 billion COVID-19 Action Plan investing in the Province's people and businesses.

The following summary of the B.C. Government's COVID-19 Action Plan for British Columbians has been created from the following B.C. Government resources:

B.C. takes steps to support people, businesses during COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 Action Plan - Provincial Tax Changes

Support for Individuals

Financial support for British Columbians

The B.C. Government is dedicating $1.1 billion in financial support to British Columbians.

Emergency Benefit for Workers

A new B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers will provide a tax-free $1,000 payment to British Columbians whose ability to work has been affected by COVID-19. The benefit will be a one-time payment for B.C. residents who receive federal Employment Insurance (EI), or the new federal Emergency Care Benefit, or the new federal Emergency Support Benefit. The benefit will be available for workers who have been laid-off, who are sick or quarantined, parents with sick children, parents who stay at home from work while child care centres and schools are closed, and those caring for sick family members, such as an elderly parent.

The workers can be EI-eligible and non-EI eligible, such as the self-employed. The benefit will be paid to B.C. residents, in addition to their federal income supports. Additionally, the one-week waiting period and medical certificate requirements for Employment Insurance have been removed.

Climate Action Tax Credit

The B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit will be expanding and increasing in July 2020. Eligible families of four will receive up to $564 and eligible individuals will receive up to $218 in an enhanced payment. This boosts the regular climate action tax credit payment of up to $112.50 per family of four and up to $43.50 per adult.

Utility and automobile insurance payment deferrals

BC Hydro customers have the option to defer bill payments or arrange for flexible payment plans with no penalty. Customers who are dealing with job loss, illness or loss of wages due to COVID-19 will be able to use BC Hydro's Customer Crisis Fund grant program for up to $600.

ICBC customers on a monthly payment plan who are facing financial challenges due to COVID-19 may defer their payment for up to 90 days with no penalty.

Freezing B.C. student loans

Starting March 30, 2020, the Province is freezing B.C. student loan payments for six months. Federal student loan payments are being frozen as well.

Housing Support

In response to the pandemic and resulting financial stress, B.C. has increased funding for housing supports and is working to ensure people can maintain their housing in the event of job or income loss.

The list of measures introduced to keep British Columbians housed include:

  • A temporary rental supplement of up to $500 per month that will help renters who are experiencing a loss of income. The supplement will be paid directly to landlords on behalf of the renters.
  • Halting evictions by ensuring a landlord may not issue a new notice to end tenancy for any reason. However, in exceptional cases where it may be needed to protect health and safety or to prevent undue damage to the property, landlords will be able to apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for a hearing.
  • Halting the enforcement of existing eviction notices issued by the Residential Tenancy Branch, except in extreme cases where there are safety concerns. Court ordered evictions however, are up to the courts, which operate independently of government.
  • Freezing new annual rent increases during the state of emergency.
  • Preventing landlords from accessing rental units without the consent of the tenant (for example, for showings or routine maintenance), except in exceptional cases where access is needed to protect health and safety or to prevent undue damage to the unit.
  • Restricting methods that renters and landlords can use to serve notices to reduce the potential transmission of COVID-19 (no personal service and allowing email).
  • Allowing landlords to restrict the use of common areas by tenants or guests to protect against the transmission of COVID-19.

To further support renters and landlords, the Residential Tenancy Branch will implement several additional actions, including adjourning and rescheduling hearings in situations where people need additional time to prepare and extending timelines for filing applications for dispute resolution.

Critical Services

The Province is providing an additional $1.7 billion in funding to critical services:

  • This should help to address health-care pressures from the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Additional support for social services and vulnerable populations.
  • Additional support for housing and shelter programs.
  • Funding for the First Nations Health Authority.
  • Non-profits and other agencies will continue to receive support, even if regular operations have been disrupted.
  • Support for licensed child care providers that are staying open.

Support for Businesses

Tax support for businesses

Effective immediately, many provincial tax filing and payment deadlines are deferred to September 30, 2020.

  • Businesses with a payroll over $500,000 can defer their employer health tax payments until September 30, 2020. Businesses with a payroll under this threshold are already exempt.
  • Payments for provincial sales tax (PST), employer health tax, municipal and regional district tax, carbon tax, motor fuel tax, and tobacco tax are also deferred.
  • The scheduled increase to the carbon tax rate, and application of PST to e-commerce transactions and sweetened and carbonated drinks, will be delayed.

Relief for commercial property owners and tenants

Business and light and major industry property classes will see their school property tax cut in half for the 2020 tax year, providing $500 million in relief for businesses that own their property and for tenants on triple-net leases.

Investing in a longer-term economic plan

$1.5 billion in provincial funding will support economic stimulus once the pandemic has passed. The Province is also working in partnership with the business and labour sectors to develop a long-term plan for economic recovery.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.