FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
Interactive Business Benefits Finder
The Government of Canada has introduced many COVID-19 supports to help businesses weather the storm. To get a tailored list of the ones that fit your business situation or to discover other federal, provincial and territorial programs and services designed to help Canadian businesses grow, try the interactive business benefits finder. You can also sign up for the notification feature to receive emails when there are changes to your favourite programs, when application deadlines are approaching, or when a new program that meets your needs is introduced.
The Government of Canada has introduced many COVID-19 supports to help businesses weather the storm. To get a tailored list of the ones that fit your business situation or to discover other federal, provincial and territorial programs and services designed to help Canadian businesses grow, try the interactive business benefits finder. You can also sign up for the notification feature to receive emails when there are changes to your favourite programs, when application deadlines are approaching, or when a new program that meets your needs is introduced.
Canada Digital Adoption Program
The Government of Canada has set up the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) realize their full potential by adopting digital technologies. CDAP comprises two separate funding components:
More Information
The Government of Canada has set up the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) realize their full potential by adopting digital technologies. CDAP comprises two separate funding components:
- Grow Your Business Online - For smaller, consumer-facing businesses, including those in service industries, Grow Your Business Online grants will help them adopt e-commerce technologies. For-profit businesses, including co-operatives and social enterprises, are eligible for this $2,400 micro-grant.
- Boost Your Business Technology - SMEs that want to further improve their productivity and become more competitive in the digital marketplace can turn to Boost Your Business Technology to apply for a grant to cover 90%, up to a maximum of $15,000, of the cost of developing a digital adoption plan.
More Information
Federal Government Extends Loan Repayment Deadlines
The Government of Canada announced that the repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness is being extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023, for all eligible borrowers in good standing.
Repayment on or before the new deadline of December 31, 2023, will result in loan forgiveness of up to a third of the value of the loans (meaning up to $20,000).
Outstanding loans would subsequently convert to two-year term loans with interest of 5 per cent per annum commencing on January 1, 2024, with the loans fully due by December 31, 2025.
The government is also announcing that the repayment deadline to qualify for partial forgiveness for CEBA-equivalent lending through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund is extended to December 31, 2023.
The Government of Canada announced that the repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness is being extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023, for all eligible borrowers in good standing.
Repayment on or before the new deadline of December 31, 2023, will result in loan forgiveness of up to a third of the value of the loans (meaning up to $20,000).
Outstanding loans would subsequently convert to two-year term loans with interest of 5 per cent per annum commencing on January 1, 2024, with the loans fully due by December 31, 2025.
The government is also announcing that the repayment deadline to qualify for partial forgiveness for CEBA-equivalent lending through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund is extended to December 31, 2023.
Indigenous Community Business Fund
The federal government is providing non-repayable financial contributions to help support operating costs for First Nation, Inuit and Métis community-or collectively-owned businesses and microbusinesses whose revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal government is providing non-repayable financial contributions to help support operating costs for First Nation, Inuit and Métis community-or collectively-owned businesses and microbusinesses whose revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The fund seeks to provide support for businesses that do not qualify for other Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures.
- Note: Indigenous peoples can also access all other government benefits.
- Apply for the Indigenous Community Business Fund
Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and several financial institutions. It will provide loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.
The Government of Canada has announced that the Loan Fund is accepting loan applications from Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE).
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and several financial institutions. It will provide loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.
The Government of Canada has announced that the Loan Fund is accepting loan applications from Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE).
- Visit FACE to apply
- Frequently asked questions
- Learn more about the program
Tips from Federal Minister of Small Business
- Visit Canada Business Resilience Network for information about supporting your employees and your business. It will be constantly updated.
- Download the Canada Business App to find tailored supports to address your specific needs and questions about COVID-19.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
COVID-19 Paid Sick Days Extended to March 31, 2023
Excerpts from Government of Ontario News Release, July 21, 2022
The Ontario government is ensuring employees do not lose pay if they miss work due to COVID-19 by extending paid sick days to March 31, 2023.
Eligible workers will continue to receive up to $200 a day for up to three days if they need to get tested, vaccinated, receive booster shots, self-isolate, or care for a family member who is ill from COVID-19. The government will continue to reimburse eligible employers for the paid leave days.
Excerpts from Government of Ontario News Release, July 21, 2022
The Ontario government is ensuring employees do not lose pay if they miss work due to COVID-19 by extending paid sick days to March 31, 2023.
Eligible workers will continue to receive up to $200 a day for up to three days if they need to get tested, vaccinated, receive booster shots, self-isolate, or care for a family member who is ill from COVID-19. The government will continue to reimburse eligible employers for the paid leave days.
Ontario’s Safe Employers Receiving up to $1.5 Billion Rebate
Excerpts from Government of Ontario News Release, February 16, 2022
Ontario's safe employers are receiving a rebate of up to $1.5 billion as Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) surplus funds are returned for the first time. Starting in April, this rebate will give 300,000 businesses back approximately 30 per cent of their annual premium payments.
Eligible businesses will have their credit amount displayed on their statement of account.
Eligibility/FAQ
Excerpts from Government of Ontario News Release, February 16, 2022
Ontario's safe employers are receiving a rebate of up to $1.5 billion as Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) surplus funds are returned for the first time. Starting in April, this rebate will give 300,000 businesses back approximately 30 per cent of their annual premium payments.
Eligible businesses will have their credit amount displayed on their statement of account.
Eligibility/FAQ
Ontario Extends "COVID-19 Period" and Paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave
Excerpts from Government of Ontario Communication, December 10, 2021
This communication is to inform you about two extensions that have happened under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA):
Extensions
During the COVID-19 period (March 1, 2020 to July 30, 2022):
Paid infectious disease emergency leave was originally set to end September 25, 2021 and was later extended to December 31, 2021. It has now been extended to July 31, 2022.
Eligible employers are entitled to be reimbursed the amount of infectious disease emergency leave pay that they paid to their employees, up to $200 per employee per day taken. Eligible employers must make their application within 120 days of the date the employer paid the employee, or by November 28, 2022, whichever is earlier.
Excerpts from Government of Ontario Communication, December 10, 2021
This communication is to inform you about two extensions that have happened under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA):
- The “COVID-19 period” has been extended to July 30, 2022
- The availability of paid infectious disease emergency leave has been extended to July 31, 2022
Extensions
- The COVID-19 Period
During the COVID-19 period (March 1, 2020 to July 30, 2022):
- A non-unionized employee is deemed to be on unpaid infectious disease emergency leave when they are not performing the duties of their position because their employer temporarily reduced or temporarily eliminated their hours of work for reasons related to COVID-19.
- A non-unionized employee is not considered to be laid off under the ESA if their employer temporarily reduces or temporarily eliminates their hours of work or wages for reasons related to COVID-19.
- A non-unionized employee is not considered to be constructively dismissed under the ESA if their employer temporarily reduces or temporarily eliminates their hours of work or wages for reasons related to COVID-19.
- Non-unionized employees will no longer be deemed to be on unpaid infectious disease emergency leave.
- The ESA’s regular rules around constructive dismissal will resume. This means a significant reduction or elimination of an employee’s hours of work or wages may be considered a constructive dismissal, even if it was done for reasons related to COVID-19.
- The ESA’s regular rules around temporary layoff will also resume. For practical purposes, a non-unionized employee’s temporary layoff clock resets on July 31, 2022.
- Paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave
- up to three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave under the ESA for employees who take time off work because of certain reasons related to COVID-19, and
- an employer reimbursement program.
Paid infectious disease emergency leave was originally set to end September 25, 2021 and was later extended to December 31, 2021. It has now been extended to July 31, 2022.
Eligible employers are entitled to be reimbursed the amount of infectious disease emergency leave pay that they paid to their employees, up to $200 per employee per day taken. Eligible employers must make their application within 120 days of the date the employer paid the employee, or by November 28, 2022, whichever is earlier.
WSIB Safety Excellence Program
The Workplace Safety Insurance Board’s Health and Safety Excellence Program offers rebates to safe employers.
The Workplace Safety Insurance Board’s Health and Safety Excellence Program offers rebates to safe employers.
The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit
The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit supports business investment, economic growth and job creation in designated regions across Ontario (including Peterborough City and County) that lagged in employment growth between 2009 and 2019.
It is a 10% refundable Corporate Income Tax credit for corporations that invest more than $50,000 to construct, renovate or acquire eligible commercial and industrial buildings in these regions. The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit will:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/regional-opportunities-investment-tax-credit
Contact CRA:
For general tax enquiries regarding this tax credit, taxpayers may telephone the CRA at:
The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit supports business investment, economic growth and job creation in designated regions across Ontario (including Peterborough City and County) that lagged in employment growth between 2009 and 2019.
It is a 10% refundable Corporate Income Tax credit for corporations that invest more than $50,000 to construct, renovate or acquire eligible commercial and industrial buildings in these regions. The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit will:
- help address regional disparities by bringing greater opportunities and prosperity to businesses, workers and families in these communities
- help attract investments, boost growth and create jobs by supporting businesses, including those that are recovering from COVID-19, to expand and grow
https://www.ontario.ca/page/regional-opportunities-investment-tax-credit
Contact CRA:
For general tax enquiries regarding this tax credit, taxpayers may telephone the CRA at:
- 1 800 959 5525 (English)
- 1 800 959 7775 (French)
- 1 800 665 0354 for teletypewriter (TTY)
