Reopen Canada Plan

Why do we not have a plan to reopen Canada? We should have had one the day we started to lockdown. Some would say why would we have a reopening plan when we are just locking down. What is causing lockdown measures? The answer to those questions is the ones we need to address so we can plan to remove the measures. It really is that simple. Identify the problem, explore solutions, invite discussion, make adjustments, communicate openly and honestly.

The plan needs to address the issues that are preventing the reopening or causing the measures, all depends on which side of the table you are sitting on.

I don't have all the answers, but I have some ideas that can start the discussions so that we can feel that we are actually in this together. The govt continues to speak we are in this together, but their actions clearly show that it is a one-sided conversation, with poor communication, and a clear lack of ideas.

Staff going to work because they feel they have to choose between paying the bills and staying home when they should.

1. Adopt a co-funded Sick Leave Program 

Provide full-time employees with 15 fully paid days by the employer per year with a doctor’s note. Five days per year can be without supporting documentation. Part-time employees can receive pro-rata sick days based on their previous 90-day work history. Five sick days apply to all employees per year. 

Funding - 25% employer-paid, with the other 75% being funded by a deduction from the next employer CRA remittances. 

Employers with current or better sick plans can stay with their current plans or opt in. This will be the baseline for all.  

Allows for employees to take the necessary days off, and not have to apply or wait for government benefits. System is currently in place and will add very little administrative burden. Could be implemented as an emergency measures act and then added as a permanent program. 

2. Isolation Alternatives 

For people testing positive, they would be provided with the opportunity to isolate in designated hotels at no charge other than a reasonable daily meal charge. Hotel accommodations would be provided for a period of 14 days. No in and out privileges would be allowed. Medical staff would monitor the health of the individual on a daily basis to see if needed to move to a hospital. 

Home spread is one of the greatest points of infection, allowing people to isolate will be of great benefit to stop the spread. 

3. Close off flights from everywhere except the United States and open the borders to the US.  

Allow Canadians to go south to get the vaccine. Add other countries back in when their numbers are less than Canada. The USA is our neighbour and our friend, and they want the borders open. At this point they are safer than we are. And they have incentives for the vaccine, you can get free baseball tickets, beer and doughnuts to take the jab.

4. Bring in Rapid Testing for workplaces larger than 15 people. 

Fund rapid random testing for those that wish to participate to stem the spread of Covid. Mine sites are doing it with great success. This is just starting to roll out in some areas of Ontario. Mining companies have been doing this for months with success.

5. Wind down CERB and replace it with hiring incentives

Provide 50/50 hiring incentives of up to $2,000 per employee hired for a period of three months where the government pays 50% of the wage up to the max of $2,000 per month per employee returned to the workforce.

6. Vacation, Meals, and Entertainment Tax Credit

Provide a $10,000 tax credit per family or $5,000 per individual for vacations, meals, and entertainment for expenditures that occur in Canada per calendar year for the next five years This will add a significant boost to the industries that were hardest hit and help get Canadians feeling better. 

7. Fitness tax credit

Provide each Canadian a $2,000 tax credit for gym or activity fees that take place in Canada in person. This will improve the health, both physically and mentally of Canadians. And help and sector that has been hard hit while improving the overall health of Canadians.

8. Flow-through Investment tax credits

Provide flow-through financing opportunities that are used by mining companies to a broad range of sectors fueling investment into Canada companies. Extend this into private companies as well as public doing over $2 million in revenues.  This will spur investment into Canada.

9. Interest-free housing loans

Provide a one-time interest-free loan of $25,000 per individual and $50,000 per couple on a purchase of a home over $250,000. Loan would be interest and payment-free for a period of 10 years. After 10 years the Canadian government prime would apply and loans can be paid back over 20 years or added as income to the taxpayer's income tax return over 20 years. Loan would become fully due and payable unless ported to a new mortgage within 90 days. Monies would be held in trust from proceeds for home sale. 

10. Student education 

Invest in our future with free education. Provide up to 4 years of tuition to Canadian universities and colleges that offer degree and or trades programs. Tuition and books to be covered. No living expenses. This would be a one-time offer per person. Forgiveness of up to 4 years of tuition and books for outstanding loans for completed programs. 

I am sure I have missed a lot of areas that need addressing. The point is that we need a plan that addresses the issues that are preventing a reopening and a safer way to do so. We need a government that communicates openly and honestly, and lays out the problems, and ask for some of the greatest minds to help with solutions. For instance, if the NHL is allowed to operate because they have a plan that health has reviewed and approved, share the plan with the business community so that we know the expectations.

The lack of leadership, communication, and transparency is dividing this country. And we need to work together, not against each other. The current plan is not working and neither are the actions of the ruling governments.

Leadership is what is missing, leadership starts with never asking for a sacrifice you will not demonstrate. Our leaders have viewed much of this as an opportunity for themselves and the people who lobby them.

The solution is in our hands. We have the power, we just need to realize it and then come together and exercise it.

Add your ideas, thoughts, share this, consider it a working document where we can take back control of our destiny.