COVID-19: What You Need To Know
UPDATED: APRIL 25, 2022 (recently added or updated info marked NEW!!!)
This is your source for current and relevant information to help you, your business, your artists navigate the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are here for you! Contact us at info@mmfcanada.ca or 416-462-9160 to let us know how we can help.
NEW!!! National COVID-19 Guidelines & Restrictions by Province from Global Public Affairs Canada - Jan 19, 2022 - link
FINANCIAL IMPACT RESOURCES
PRESS RELEASE - Oct 9, 2020
CEWS Extended until June 2021
CEBA application deadline extended to Dec 31, 2020 and max amt increased by $20k
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy for Tenants and owners
OFFICIAL: CANADA’S ECONOMIC RESPONSE PLAN link
Includes info about :
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for contract workers and self-employed individuals - link 1 || link 2 || steps on where/how to apply
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) for businesses to cover up to 75% of employees’ wages - link
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) for businesses to apply for up to $40k loan to cover operating costs (as of June 19, 2020 businesses with payroll less than $20k are now eligible and can apply through their financial institution)
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) to lower rent by 75% for small businesses - link
Setting up Direct Deposit - with CRA || with Service Canada
EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUND FOR CULTURAL, HERITAGE, AND SPORT ORGANIZATIONS link (updated July 23, 2020)
Support to help maintain jobs and support business continuity for organizations whose viability has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phase One has now been distributed and included companies already receiving funding from Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, the Canada Media Fund, and Telefilm Canada.
Phase Two to support others not covered by Phase One. PHASE 2 UPDATES (as of July 23, 2020)
Deadline to apply August 5, 2020
FINANCIAL SUPPORT SUMMARIES
Overview of Canadian Relief / Stimulus Measures from Global Public Affairs link (updated July 14, 2020)
Financial help for Canadians by CBC News link
Canadian Financial Benefit Information compiled by Jennifer Robson, Associate Professor of Political Management, Carleton University using public information link
FOR BUSINESSES
Ontario Small Business Grant for up to $20,000 Apply here
Info Session hosted by City of Toronto: webinar | slide deckBusiness Development Bank Canada (BDC) COVID-19 Support for Businesses link
Check out the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee linkSmall Business Loan (up to $100k) through Business Development Bank Canada (BDC) Apply Here - Bars and Lounges are eligible link - General info from BDC link
Info from Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses including a support hotline link
Facebook Small Business Grants Program link
FOR INDIVIDUALS (Performers, Industry, Crew…)
The CLMA's National COVID-19 Concert Guide is live at the link below. Check out this centralized breakdown of all available information, designed to makes regulations easily digestible for fans, industry, and artists.
CLICK here to view: https://www.canadianlivemusic.ca/concertguide
The webpage is based on available information. Please consult provincial regulations as this information is subject to change and should not be taken as legal advice.
Music Together - a living room concert series to support ONTARIO musicians - APPLY HERE for a spot and $1000 - Find concert schedule here.
#CANADAPERFORMS - Short term relief fund paying artists for online performances launched by Facebook Canada and the National Arts Centre - APPLY HERE - Deadline is April 20, 2020
Co-Mission: An Artist Relief Compilation - ARTISTS! Check it out! Folkadelphia is commissioning new recordings by paying musicians for their time and craft to track a song at home or whatever safe space they have. link
FOR TORONTO-BASED ARTISTS/ARTS PROFESSIONALS - $1000 grants from Toronto Arts Council to replace lost revenues between March 12, 2020 and April 30, 2020 link
SOCAN royalty advances for those in need due to COVID-19 link
MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund (for US-based professionals) link
Calgary Arts Development - Short-term relief funding for Artists & Cultural Workers - Deadline April 30 - More info here.
Music PEI - Tiny Island Concert Series - PEI-based performers can be selected for online performance spots for up to $1500.
CBC Creative Relief Fund - not necessarily music specific but applications for innovative, original Canadian storytelling are open until April 24 - APPLY HERE
Crew Nation - Fund to support live music crew link
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR LOSSES
Many granting agencies and other organizations are urging us to track lost income and to keep related documentation for future response and financial support planning.
Helpful link for categories to consider when tracking losses created by Global Public Affairs
RESOURCES FOR BILL PAYMENT RELIEF FROM TORONTO MUSICIANS’ ASSOCIATION LOCAL 149:
Toronto Hydro , Ontario Energy Board, Toronto Utilities, Toronto Property Taxes, resources for bill assistance
Bill Payment arrangements for Rogers(also Fido), Telus, Bell, Koodo, Freedom
Financial Assistance from the AFC
Financial Assistance from Unison Benevolent Fund
REOPENING INFO
The CLMA's National COVID-19 Concert Guide is live at the link below. Check out this centralized breakdown of all available information, designed to makes regulations easily digestible for fans, industry, and artists. Click here to view: https://www.canadianlivemusic.ca/concertguide
NEW!!! National COVID-19 Guidelines link by Global Public Affairs (updated Apr 13, 2022)
THE EVENT SAFETY ALLIANCE REOPENING GUIDE link
Map showing reopening info for Europe from Pearle - Performing Arts Employers Association League Europe
INFO FROM GRANTING AGENCIES
Ontario Creates link
Canada Council for the Arts link
FACTOR link
Department of Canadian Heritage link
Radio Starmaker Fund
The Board of the Radio Starmaker Fund wants to inform all stakeholders that any previous tour dates that were approved and were to take place between February 15th and August 31st of this year will be fully funded if they were canceled as a result of the coronavirus. All you will need to do when filling out final paperwork is indicate the reason for the cancelation was coronavirus – no other proof will be necessary. This same policy will also be in effect with regard to tour dates approved by the Board for Round 74.
We are currently examining the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and the implications it may have on future touring. Currently, when we open our next round we are considering a moratorium on requests for tour funding for all performances from April 1st to May 31st of this year given the very high likelihood of cancellation.
We will be monitoring this situation over the next few weeks and making a final determination on or before April 10th when we plan to open the next round of funding. In the meantime, we wanted everyone to know this is a possibility as tour plans are made this year.
LIVE STREAMING & ROYALTIES
Guide to Live Streaming by Reed Smith LLP published March 2020 link
Effects on Performance Rights for International Rights Holders by Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) link
VISAS & IMMIGRATION
Artist Mobility to the US - FAQs from Covey Law || Updates from Tamizdat || Updates from DMT Law
MMF Canada is part of a group of organizations advocating on behalf of the performing arts community around visas and COVID-19 - See the latest missive send to USCIS and Department of State here.
INSURANCE & LEGAL
COVID-19 and Force Majeure: https://www.torys.com/insights/publications/2020/03/covid-19-and-force-majeure-clauses
Information from MMF-UK: https://themmf.net/2020/03/10/coronavirus-updated-information/
Force Majeure Contracts and Insurance: https://musictech.solutions/2020/03/09/pandemic-force-majeure-contracts-and-insurance-in-the-music-business/
PUBLIC HEALTH, GOVERNMENT, ETC. LINKS
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/
Canada Public Health: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
Provincial / Territorial Updates:
Alberta | British Columbia | Manitoba | Ontario | Quebec - English | Quebec – French | New Brunswick | Northwest Territories | Nova Scotia | Newfoundland and Labrador | Nunavut | Prince Edward Island | Saskatchewan | Yukon
Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak
Canada’s Response: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/11/prime-minister-outlines-canadas-covid-19-response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
HEALTH & WELLNESS
MESSAGE FROM UNISON BENEVOLENT FUND:
For counselling inquiries to help you deal with the financial or emotional impact of coronavirus, please contact 1-855-986-4766.
For emergency financial assistance, know that Unison will carefully review your situation and request in the context of finding the best way to assist you during this difficult time. You are reminded that Unison does not make payments directly to applicants, with the understanding that our resources are limited, dependent on the generosity of our donors, and are allocated in ways to best support as many individuals as possible. Please visit our website here to learn more about our financial assistance program and how to apply.
MORE INFO ABOUT UNISON: https://www.samaritanmag.com/features/qa-questions-answered-about-accessing-music-industrys-unison-benevolent-fund
Sign up for a guide to anxiety relief and self isolation from UK-based Coalition “Music Industry Therapists & Coaches”: http://musicindustrytherapists.com/anxietyrelief_selfisolation/
AIRLINE COVID-19 POLICIES
Master list by Forbes.com: https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/03/11/master-list-of-airline-coronavirus-policies
International Air Transport Association: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm
Air Canada: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19.html
WestJet: https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/coronavirus
ONLINE SESSIONS
Head to our Resources page for a list of upcoming online sessions by other organizations and visit our Event Listing page for details about MMF Canada organized events.
PAST EVENTS
The New Normal with Ty Sticklorius (John Legend’s Manager) by Gupta Media || From April 22, 2020 || Video link (Password: 3T%c49@?)
Conversation with Rachel Bendayan, Parlimentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade presented by Business / Arts || From April 22, 2020 || Video Link
CommUNITY Online Episode 2 - Live Streaming: Earning a Living and Reaching Fans presented by Folk Alliance International || from April 17, 2020 || Video Link not yet available.
Mental Health in Music: Town Hall Discussion presented by CIMA, Unison, CAMH || From April 15, 2020 || Video link
MMF CANADA WEBINAR: Navigating Canada’s Economic Response Plan || From April 7, 2020 || Video link
Ask an Expert: Contracts, insurance, visas, employment and legislation in the COVID-19 era by APAC || from March 27, 2020 || Video link
We Are Stronger Together: Navigating Crises and Sustaining Healthy Relationships in the Era of Coronavirus || from March 18, 2020 || Video Link
Come Together: COVID-19 Crisis Artists + Industry session || Live stream from March 17 || No recording yet. More info here.
COVID-19 & Your Event by FestForums || from March 16, 2020 || Video Link
EVENT CANCELLATIONS & POSTPONEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
JUNE 2020
MAY 2020
ECMA: Festival & Conference - cancelled
CMW - rescheduled for Sep 8 to 13, 2020
APRIL 2020
Coachella - rescheduled to October 2020
Stagecoach - rescheduled to October 2020
IAMA International Conference - cancelled
Atlantic Music Expo - postponed
MARCH 2020
JUNO Awards - cancelled
SXSW - cancelled
Big Ears Festival - cancelled
Ultra Music Festival - rescheduled for March 2021
Tallinn Music Week - rescheduled for Aug 26 to 30, 2020
MISC
Updating page from Billboard
Showcase festivals and conferences updates from European Music Exporters Exchange
MISCELLANEOUS INFO AND RESOURCES
Canadian Business Resilience Network - resources created by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Resources for Live Event Workers: https://liveeventcommunity.org/
Music Industry Resources from Unison: https://www.unisonfund.ca/index.php/blog/post/covid-19-resources-music-community
Suggestions for What Independent Artists Can Do: https://www.cyberprmusic.com/coronavirus-what-can-independent-artists-do/
Resources Page by MMF UK: https://themmf.net/2020/03/17/covid-19-resources-and-useful-information-for-mmf-members/
List of Music Industry Resources from CARAS: https://junoawards.ca/covid-19-music-industry-resources/
Comprehensive list of resources from The Gallery of Eras / CUE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DQ_m4qYnGvFMKKal8elLb1hOAruYNEDgjPmJroME1IE/edit
Resources for Canadian Businesses from Government of Canada Trade Commissioner Service: https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/campaign-campagne/ressources-entreprises-COVID-19-business-resources.aspx?lang=eng
Updating Resource Page for Freelance Canadian Artists, Writers, and Media Workers: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1j5G-290oBGludXRJEV4pS-sdefCX9MWUkwk2WT7K99Y/mobilebasic
Coronavirus FAQs from NAPAMA: https://napama.org/Coronavirus_FAQs
Live data showing number of COVID-19 cases around the world: https://ncov2019.live/
Coronavirus in Europe: https://www.iq-mag.net/2020/03/coronavirus-europe-state-play-updating/#.XmpttpNKjOQ
Resources from On the Move: http://on-the-move.org/news/article/20675/corona-virus-resources-arts-culture-and-cultural/
Arts Ready: https://www.artsready.org/
Coronavirus Preparedness for the Live Performance Sector from CAPACOA (includes link to version française): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QbmCGVff3iFMRE59Kb5Jk0X-9rP-8P13DW3zyk0GWXQ/mobilebasic