Dear Treasurers,
Firstly, on behalf of the CBWC, we at the head office would like to wish you all a Blessed New Year and may this year 2019 be an exciting year for your various church ministries to thrive!
Below are some reminders which will be helpful for you to know as you enter 2019.
Changes in statutory deductions for CPP and EI when you calculate payroll
- CPP Enhancement: 2019 is the first of the five years whereby CPP contributions will gradually increase every year until it runs its course in 2023. In 2019, the CPP contributions will increase from 4.95% to 5.10% on earnings between $3,500 to $57,400. By 2023, the CPP contribution rate will reach 5.95% with the increases paying towards the enhanced CPP plan. To read more about the changes, please click on the link below: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-enhancement.html
- EI: In 2019, EI contribution from employees will drop from $1.66 to $1.62 per $100 of insurable earnings. This will somewhat help to compensate for the additional CPP contributions required in the enhanced plan. To read more about the changes, please click on the link below: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/ei/ei-list/reports/premium/rates2019.html
- Canada Workers Benefit (Enhanced version of the Working Income Tax Benefit): 2019 will be the first tax year when low income employees will qualify for the more generous CWB program which assist low income employees to stay employed. Maximum benefits of $1,355 for a single person or $2,335 for a single parent or couple can be expected for those who qualified in the 2019 tax year. To read more about the CWB program, please click on the link below: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/programs/about-canada-revenue-agency-cra/federal-government-budgets/budget-2018-equality-growth-strong-middle-class/canada-workers-benefit.html
Canada Summer Jobs Update:
- In 2018, the attestation for the Canada Summer Job program was viewed by many faith-based organizations essentially as a values test that infringed on the Charter-guaranteed freedoms of conscience, thought, belief, opinion and expression. Since then, faith-based organizations, both at the local and national levels, have raised this problematic attestation with the government and MPs. Because of the concerted efforts by the various groups in raising this concern with the government, the government has decided to remove the problematic values test from the 2019 Canada Summer Job program.
- The new 2019 Canada Summer Job program guide can be downloaded by clicking on this link below: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs.html
- Please kindly take note of the following datelines for the 2019 CSJ application process:
- Applications are due by January 25, 2019
- The earliest job start date is April 23, 2019
- The latest job start date is July 23, 2019
- The latest job end date is September 1, 2019
- The latest date to submit a payment claim is 30 days following the completion of the CSJ-funded work placement.
For consideration:
- There is still some ambiguity in the 2019 CSJ attestation that faith-based groups are questioning. For example, the requirement stated in the application that, “Any funding under the Canada Summer Jobs program will not be used to undermine or restrict the exercise of rights legally protected in Canada.” However, we have been advised by the EFC and CCCC for our ministries to proceed to apply for the 2019 CSJ grant as deemed appropriate by each organization.
- There are other phrases or words used in the 2019 CSJ application guide that appear to be an ongoing concern by faith-based organizations; if you require further information and opinions, please kindly contact the CBWC office for further clarifications.
CBWC The Gathering 2019
The biennial CBWC Assembly will be held from May 23 – 25, 2019 at High River Baptist Church in High River, AB. We look forward to seeing you there! Please be reminded to register early for this general assembly through this link below: https://cbwc.ca/assembly/
New rates for 2019 GWL Basic Life, Optional Life, LTD, AD & D, EAP, Dental & Extended Health Insurance Coverage:
The 2019 new coverage rates are available through J&D Benefits. If you have not received the new rates, please kindly contact the benefits administrator as below.
Linda Bissonnette, J&D Benefits
8901 Woodbine Avenue, Ste 228, Markham, ON L3R 9Y4
T.(905)477-7088 ext. 2222, Toll Free 1-800-218-7018
F.(905)477-2249, E. lbissonnette@jdbenefits.com
Please kindly take note that the Charities Directorate has changed the mailing address for the T3010 as follows, effective immediately:
Charities Directorate
Canada Revenue Agency
Government of Canada
105 – 275 Pope Road
Summerside, PE C1N 6E8
There is no Q & A section for this issue. Starting in February 2019, a series of articles considering implementing cost savings measures will be introduced. The Q & A section will resume then.