Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Fri September 22, 2023
Last Thursday, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that more time --one year-- would be
provided for small businesses, including travel agencies and independent travel advisors, to repay CEBA
loans – the Canada Emergency Business Account-- which were due to be repaid by Dec. 31, 2023.
At the time, ACTA and many other business associations were delighted to hear of this measure of
temporary relief that offered hope to heavily indebted businesses struggling to repay their loans.
However, ACTA was very disappointed to read the actual details of the announcement that came later.
“ Hours after the announcement, new details appeared on the Department of Finance website that
described a very different picture,” said Wendy Paradis, ACTA president.
“Although more time to repay CEBA loans was being offered, the government was taking away the key
element of the program – the interest-free partial loan forgiveness offered (worth up to $60,000---if
businesses repay the full amount by the deadline.”
She added: “Instead of carrying forward the interest-free partial loan forgiveness to the new deadline,
the government instead is providing only an 18-day extension to qualify for it –until January 18, 2024. If
the loan is not repaid by this date, outstanding CEBA loans will be administered by financial institutions
subject to 5% interest. Instead of extending forgiveness, the government is charging interest. This is
unacceptable.“
Paradis said that while ACTA is thankful that the government announced more time to repay CEBA and
RRRF loans, it is critical that the interest-free forgivable portion of both also be extended immediately.
According to a recent ACTA survey, travel agencies and independent travel advisors continue to struggle
with significant debt as a result of enduring and recovering from the covid-19 pandemic. 27% of
businesses owe at least $100,000; 56% owe at least $50,000; 80% owe at least $10,000. 36% of
respondents say it is likely or somewhat likely their business will close within 3 years.
ACTA will double down on advocacy efforts
With Parliament’s return this week, advocacy efforts will intensify through Dec 3, 2023 with a vigorous
advocacy strategy which includes the letter writing campaign that began on August 29 and collaboration
with stakeholders.
“We need to make it clear that this CEBA extension is by no means enough to help our members,” said
Paradis. “We will continue to work alongside other stakeholders in our coalition to make sure the
message gets through.”
ACTA is asking that the deadline to repay CEBA and RRRF loans be extended by two years from Dec 31,
2023 to Dec. 31, 2025 –and that the government extend access to the interest-free forgivable portion of
both for two years.
ACTA will also advocate for relief on federal HASCAP (Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability
Program) loans, though terms of that program are different than CEBA and RRRF.
ACTA will target the Government of Canada in their efforts including Members of Parliament, Finance
Minister Chrystia Freeland and additional cabinet members.
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