COVID-19 Business Support

Business Resources & Supports

Jan 12, 2022

January 12, 2022: Business supports available

  • Click here to see comprehensive list of COVID-19 Business Support Programs that are available through the Federal & Provincial Government. 

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT:

  • Looking for which government programs may be for your business? Click here to be guided to the programs that may best be suited for you.
  • Do you have questions on the provincial lockdown or on support programs? Call the Stop the Spread Helpline at 1-888-444-3659 (7 days/week).

FINANCIAL HELP:

 

ONTARIO TOURISM AND TRAVEL SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANT: 

  • This grant provides one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and travel sector.

Who is eligible to apply? Businesses who...

  • Did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant
  • Operate a tourism or travel business in Ontario that opened before 2021 was still in operation on April 30, 2021.
  • Had 99 or fewer employees on April 30, 2021.
  • Has experienced a revenue decline of at least 20% if you began operating or acquired the business before July 2, 2019
    • Businesses that began operating or were acquired on or after July 2, 2019 and before January 1, 2021, will receive the $10,000 minimum grant if they meet all the eligibility criteria.
    • Businesses that began operating or were acquired in 2021 are not eligible for the grant.

Click here for more information or to apply.

 

CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY (CEWS):

*This program will be in place until September 25, 2021*

  • The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) applies to qualified employers who have seen a drop in revenue due to COVID-19. This program is meant to prevent more job losses by helping you keep your employees on payroll, allows you to re-hire workers, and assists you in returning to normal operations. Qualified businesses will receive a percentage of your employees' pay to be subsidized, based on your revenue loss. 

Who is eligible to apply? 

  • Click here to see the CRA's online calculator to determine what the subsidy will cover.
  • You had a CRA payroll account on or before March 15, 2020
  • Be one of the following types of employers
  • Have experiences a drop in revenue - click here to see the eligible revenue drops or click here to use the CRA's online calculator 

How can I apply? 

 

CANADA EMERGENCY BUSINESS ACCOUNT (CEBA):

*This program will be in place until June 30, 2021*

Financing programs are available through the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) for SMEs and not-for-profits who have seen their revenue drop:

  • Up to $60,000 (increased from $40,000 to $60,000 as of December 4, 2020)
  • All applicants have until March 31, 2021 to apply for the loan
  • 0% interest until December 31, 2022

     

    Who is eligible to apply?

    • Have an active CRA Business Number (BN) with an effective date of registration on or prior to March 1, 2020
    • Have an active business chequing/operating account with the Lender at the time of applying for CEBA (if Borrower does not have a current business chequing/operating account, you must create one at your primary financial institution before applying) 
    • Has not previously used the CEBA program and will not apply for support under the program at any other financial institution
    • Intends to continue to operate business or resume operations 

How can I apply?

  • You must contact your primary financial institution and apply through them.
  • Click here for more information.

 

CANADA RECOVERY SICKNESS BENEFIT (CRSB) 

  • Provides $500 per week (taxable, tax deducted at source) for up to a maximum of 4 weeks, for workers who are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19, self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19, or have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
  • This benefit will be paid in one-week periods.
  • Employers are listed as someone that can advise an applicant to self-isolate.
  • SEE DETAILS

 

HIGHLY AFFECTED SECTORS CREDIT AVAILABILITY PROGRAM (HASCAP) GUARENTEE:

  • This new program (launched January 26, 2021) will work with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million.
  • Eligible businesses could be eligible for up to $6.25 million to help with day-to-day operating costs during the COVID-19 crisis and will enable investment into  longer-term prosperity.
  • This program is administered through Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) who will work with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer these loans.

Which businesses are eligible?

Any sector  that have been hit hard by the pandemic. This includes restaurants, businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors, and those that rely on in-person service.

What are the eligibility requirements?

  • Your primary financial institution will determine whether you qualify for this program based on the eligibility criteria established by the Government of Canada.
  • Your business must have been financially stable and viable prior to the current economic situation.
  • You must have received payments either from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) by having demonstrated a minimum 50% revenue decline for at least 3 months (not necessarily consecutive) within the 8 month period prior to the date of the HASCAP Guarantee application.
  • The loan will be used to continue to resume operations (it cannot be used to pay or refinance existing loans).

  • Your business is Canadian based.

  • Click here for more information.

How do I apply?

  • You can apply through your primary financial institution.

 

LARGE EMPLOYER EMERGENCY FINANCING FACILITY (LEEFF)

  • The federal government announced a new loan program aimed at providing financing access to large employers impacted by COVID-19.
  • The Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility will allow companies to access additional liquidity to keep their operations going, retain workers on payroll, and avoid bankruptcy.
  • The federal government is offering companies across almost all sectors that have larger financing needs access to loans of up to $60 million per company, and guarantees of up to $80 million.

The new program comes with a series of terms and conditions.

  • Eligible companies must have annual revenues of at least $300 million
  • Businesses in the financial sector are not eligible, nor are any firms convicted of tax evasion in the past.
  • LEEFF applicants must have “significant operations or workforce in Canada”
  • Successful applicants will have to report annually on its climate and sustainability initiatives
  • The federal government intends to implement strict limits on executive pay and share buybacks, and will expect firms to respect all collective bargaining agreements and pensions.

Click here to apply.

 

ONTARIO TOURISM & HOSPITALITY SUPPORT GRANT:

  • The government is introducing the new Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant, which will provide an estimated $100 million in one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses.
  • As they look ahead to the upcoming spring and summer tourism season, these eligible small businesses can apply for support to help them recover from the impacts of COVID‐19 as well as to help create and protect jobs. Businesses must demonstrate they have experienced a minimum 20 per cent revenue decline and have less than 100 employees to qualify.
  • Further application details can be found at Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport.
  • Any small businesses that received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will not be eligible for this new grant.

RENT RELIEF:

CANADA EMERGENCY RENT SUBSIDY (CERS):

*This program will be in place until September 25, 2021*

  • CERS allows Canadian businesses, non-profits, and charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to COVID-19 to apply for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020 - until June 2021. 
  • This subsidy will provide payments directly to qualifying renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of landlords. 
  • Please note that if you are eligible for the base subsidy, you may also be eligible for a lockdown support if your business location is significantly affected by public health order for a week or more. 

Who is eligible to apply?

  • a) You had a CRA business number on September 27, 2020 or
    • b) You had a payroll account on March 15, 2020 / another person or partnership made a payroll remittances on your behalf or
    • c) You purchased the business assets of another person or partnership who meets condition b above and have made an election under the special asset acquisition rules 
  • You are an eligible business, charity, or non-profit 
  • You experienced a drop in revenue
    • The drop in revenue is calculated by comparing your eligible revenue during the preference period with your eligible revenue from a previous period baseline revenue) 
    • Calculate your revenue drop here
  • You have eligible expenses 

For more information, or to apply, click here.

 

REGIONAL RELIEF AND RECOVERY FUND (RRRF):

The Government of Canada has set up a new Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to be delivered by the regional development agencies (RDAs). The RRRF will provide interest-free loans to help support fixed operating costs of SMEs, where business revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The RDA for southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario will work with key partners such as the Community Futures Development Corporations across the region to help southern Ontario businesses during these difficult times. A total of $436.4 million will be available for southern Ontario businesses.

Businesses that are unable to access existing relief measures, can apply for funding under this new initiative.

SMEs will have been expected to have already applied to other Government of Canada emergency credit relief measures, for which they are eligible, including:

  • Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA);
  • Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Co-Lending and Export Development Corporation (EDC) Loan Guarantee programs;
  • BDC COVID-19 Working Capital loans; as well as,
  • Other targeted and sector-specific COVID-19 programs (e.g., funding for Indigenous Entrepreneurs, Farm Credit Canada).

Applications for funding are accepted on an ongoing basis with no submission deadlines, until the Fund is fully committed. One Application for Funding per applicant is permitted. Multiple and concurrent applications from the same applicant will not be considered.

You can apply for the RRRF through FedDev Ontario.

Click here to learn more and apply.

 

SELF-EMPLOYED: CANADA RESPONSE BENEFIT (CRB):

The new CRB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Click here for full eligibility details on the CRB and information on how to apply.

REBATES & GRANTS:

 

ONTARIO'S ENERGY & PROPERTY TAX REBATES:

  • Businesses that are, or were required to shut down or significantly restrict their services due to provincial public health measures can apply for the rebates
  • Provided in the form of grants, these rebates cover municipal/education property taxes and energy costs (electricity/natural gas/propane, etc.)
  • More information

ONTARIO'S COVID-19 ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS (CEAP-SB):

  • A one-time, bill credit to eligible small businesses and registered charities to help them catch up on energy bills and resume regular payments
  • Small businesses and eligible charities may receive up to $1500 in support towards electricity bills (when electricity is primarily used for heating) and up to $425 in support (when natural gas is used)
  • More information 

SECTOR-SPECIFIC SUPPORT:

For more information on sector-specific support, click here. 

PLANS, TOOLS, TEMPLATES: 

COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses 

  • Wellington Dufferin Guelph (WDG) Public Health has released a guide for businesses detailing facts on COVID-19, what employers and employees can do to prevent transmission and what to do if an employee becomes ill, or tests positive for COVID-19.
  • Click here to read the guide. 

Canada Business App

  • A free app that allows you to easily navigate government services.
  • Special COVID-19 section tailored for businesses. 

Ontario Chamber of Commerce's Pandemic Preparedness toolkit for small businesses 

  • The guidelines and resources contained in this toolkit have been prepared to help businesses plan for and adapt to the disruption of COVID-19 and any future influenza pandemics.

BDC's business continuity plan & template for entrepreneurs 

  • This provides you with templates to ensure your business has a continuity plan to ensure your business has the plans and resources needed to deal with emergencies. 

Workplace health & safety

  • Ensure your business is adhering to health & safety standards. 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce's Pandemic Preparedness guide

  • This toolkit provides a checklist to help your business prepare for current and future emergencies. 

JOB PROTECTION AND EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: