The Manitoba government is adjusting the Small Business Minimum Wage Adjustment Program to streamline the application process and enable small businesses to receive support as one-time funding, Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Jeff Wharton announced Wednesday (Mar 1).
“Small businesses contribute to the provincial economy by providing employment opportunities and helping to grow local workforces,” said Wharton. “As our government continues to take important steps to help Manitobans make ends meet, it recognizes the importance of supporting small businesses so they can continue to grow and thrive, for the benefit of all.”
A media release states, “the previous bi-weekly application and submission process has been replaced by an application for a one-time lump sum payment to support businesses, reduce red tape and get payments to businesses faster. Eligible small businesses can now apply online to receive a one-time direct deposit payment of $520 per eligible employee to a maximum of $10,400.
Small businesses that employ minimum wage seasonal (summer) employees are also now eligible to apply and receive the one-time lump sum payment, the minister said.
Small businesses that have received previous payments under the Small Business Minimum Wage Adjustment Program can still apply for the one-time direct deposit funding; funding received previously will be deducted from the one-time payment.
The Small Business Minimum Wage Adjustment Program was introduced to provide support to small businesses to help offset the impact of the minimum wage increase on Oct. 1, 2022, to $13.50 per hour from $11.95 per hour.
As per the recently introduced Minimum Wage Adjustment Act, a further increase of 65 cents on April 1, 2023, will raise minimum wage to $14.15 per hour. The next regular adjustment will bring minimum wage over $15 in October 2023.
The program is open to all private sector, non-profit and charitable employers who are operating in the province of Manitoba and meet specific criteria.”
For more information on eligibility or to apply by March 31, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/sbwa/index.html
