My apologies.
All right. Let me continue until we give up here.
Of course, we are encouraged by some of the programs the government has put in place. The number one concern of our members, of course, is their wage bill, the top expense for small business owners. We are, of course, encouraged that as of Monday businesses can start to apply for the Canada emergency wage subsidy. That is good news. Also, the bank accounts, the emergency business accounts, have added a second positive tool.
We are most encouraged that there are ongoing discussions between the federal government and the provinces for a substantive subsidy to help pay for commercial rent.
On slide 6, I share with you that 70% of small firms rent their locations and pay rent each month, but many are worried about their ability to pay. Fifty-five per cent have said they do not have the funds to pay their rent for the month of May, but they are encouraged that government is looking to step in and help them with these costs. Remember, businesses have been ordered to shut down to protect society, and it is deeply unfair that they would have to pick up the costs of keeping real estate open and paying those bills while they are essentially unable to earn an income. Many of our members are saying that the government really does need to make sure the rent relief would provide forgiveness, not just loans or deferrals, for their rent.
Moving to CEBA, the changes the government recently made to allow businesses between $20,000 and $1.5 million are positive steps, but 20% of businesses remain ineligible for the CEBA in several categories. I'll share more about that in just a second.
In terms of the recommendations we are making about the major programs right now, with respect to the wage subsidy we want to make sure there is flexibility for firms that fall short of the revenue test—that 15% or 30% revenue test—to make sure they don't lose the full 75% subsidy. I agree strongly with the earlier speaker that a universal subsidy would not cause business owners to be worried about whether or not they're going to hit the subsidy and would help them focus on keeping their employees rather than trying to artificially find ways to ensure they get the subsidy, or perhaps focus their attention on that rather than on growing their businesses as much as they possibly can.
The government has put in place a payroll tax rebate for staff, which is welcome news, so if you're using the wage subsidy for staff who [Technical difficulty—Editor], you will no longer have to pay EI and CPP or you can get a rebate on those dollars. We're asking for that to be expanded to all firms, not just those that have staff on furlough.
We also believe that government should be considering extending the wage subsidy beyond June 2. There are so many businesses in tourism and other key sectors that will be able to use this if it continues during what might be a rocky summer season ahead.
We also want to make sure the government clarifies that it won't be the responsibility of employers to go after employees who are using CERB or employment insurance, and that the government will take that responsibility and not require employers to do it.
With respect to CEBA, the loan program, the groups that are excluded right now include family businesses that pay dividends only. We had a speaker earlier talk about just that. Most of those who use contract workers, for example gyms, or those businesses that rent chairs to other parties, like hair salons, are excluded from benefiting from the CEBA program—a very positive one.
We also want to make sure that this program allows access to new firms. There was an extension made to the wage subsidy for newer firms that has not been provided for CEBA. We're suggesting that if you can demonstrate $1,700 in payroll for January or February, you should be allowed access to the program. For those other sectors that I mentioned, we should allow businesses paying dividends or contract wages or having rental chair income to use that to satisfy the payroll test, to allow them access.
We're asking government to [Technical Difficulty—Editor] into May, or potentially June, God forbid, and that governments look to ensure they expand the amount of the CEBA loan and expand the amount of the loan forgiveness that comes along with it.
Finally, as we look forward to a successful rent subsidy, we are urging the federal government and the provinces to ensure that something is in place before May 1 [Technical difficulty—Editor].