Dear Members,
This morning the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Bernadette Jordan, announced that the Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant Program will open for applications on August 24, 2020, through to September 21, 2020.
Plain text of the announcement has been added below this message for those of you at sea with limited data.
This program was announced in May ($469.4 million in funding to establish the new Fish Harvester Benefit and the new Fish Harvester Grant). The Fish Harvester Benefit offers income support to self-employed fish harvesters and sharepersons. The benefit covers up to 75% of income losses beyond a 25% threshold for the 2020 tax year when compared to 2018 or 2019. The maximum benefit is $10,164. The Fish Harvester Grant is a non-repayable grant to self-employed fish harvesters with a valid commercial fishing licence in 2020 (issued by DFO or their Province or Territory for freshwater commercial harvesters), and non-deferrable business costs of up to $40,000. The grant program provides non repayable support of up to $10,000, dependent on the level of the fish harvesters’ historic fishing revenue in 2018 or 2019. A lesser grant amount may be provided on a sliding scale relative to revenue or actual expenses.
DFO and Employment and Social Development Canada have provided detailed information about the application process in advance of its opening. This information is available now to ensure that all interested parties are prepared to apply on August 24th. If you wish to apply for the program visit the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/initiatives/fhgbp-ppsp/index-eng.html) to determine if you are eligible and find out what documentation is required to complete the application process.
The BC Seafood Alliance is closely monitoring the COVID-19 assistance program. If you run into problems applying for this program, please contact the BC Seafood Alliance (Christina Burridge, 604-377-9213 or cburridge@telus.net).
If you have any questions, please contact the BCTFA office: tiare@leewardltd.com