Funders’ Forum: Recovery and Beyond

A conversation with members of both private and public institutions.  Discussing current trends and upcoming funding available for both COVID recovery and small business growth.
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.
​Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CHRP) Q & A Sessions
With the recently announced Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP), hard-hit businesses will be able to hire the workers they need to recover as local economies reopen. The CRHP supports payroll as businesses grow, whether it’s related to hiring staff, increasing shifts, or increasing overall pay.

Please visit the CRHP web pages for detailed information about eligibility requirements, how payment periods are structured, and how the CRHP is calculated.
 
To complement these resources, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will host a series of interactive question and answer sessions for eligible employers.
 
Please select a session below to register. If there are no more sessions available, you will be able to add your name to a waitlist and we will contact you if we organize future sessions.
 
English language sessions
Wednesday July 7, 2021 @ 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT
Friday July 9, 2021 @ 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT
Thursday July 15, 2021 @ 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING
 
 
French language sessions
Wednesday July 7, 2021 @ 3:00 - 4:00 PM EDT
Friday July 9, 2021 @ 3:00 - 4:00 PM EDT
Thursday July 15, 2021 @ 3:00 - 4:00 PM EDT WITH CLOSED CAPTIONING
 
If there are no more sessions available, please add your name to the waitlist.
Please note, there is no decision on a future session at this time. You will be emailed if a session becomes available.
Government of Canada Announces Details of the New Canada Recovery Hiring Program and Extension of Business Support Programs
Excerpts from Government of Canada News Release, June 2, 2021

The new Canada Recovery Hiring Program will be available retroactively to June 6, 2021.

The proposed Canada Recovery Hiring Program would help hard hit businesses hire the workers they need to recover and grow as local economies reopen. The program would provide a subsidy of up to 50 per cent of eligible salary or wages. It would be available to eligible employers who have experienced qualifying revenue declines so they can hire more workers, increase workers’ hours, or increase wages. This support would afford businesses with certainty that they can take on the extra costs needed to rehire and be ready to return to growth. Like with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, businesses would be able to access the program through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Support would be available retroactively to this Sunday, June 6, 2021, and businesses would be able to hire workers as their local economy reopens, or as they are ready.

The government also detailed the proposed extension of business support programs, including the proposed extension of the Wage Subsidy, Rent Subsidy, and Lockdown Support until September 25, 2021. These programs are currently set to expire this month. Both the Hiring Program and proposed extensions are part of Bill C-30, the Budget Implementation Act, which is currently before Parliament.

The Hiring Program is designed to interact with the Wage Subsidy. The programs overlap so that, as Wage Subsidy rates gradually decline, eligible employers would still be able to receive the maximum support from the Hiring Program this summer if they hire more workers or increase workers’ hours or wages. This will make it easy for businesses to quickly hire new workers and do so at a pace that works best for them, as different jurisdictions reopen their economies at different paces.

The government also announced that the Business Credit Availability Program and Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program are being extended to December 31, 2021. Both programs were set to expire on June 30, 2021.

​Quick facts
  • The proposed Canada Recovery Hiring Program would be available to support active employees from June 6, 2021 to November 20, 2021. This will allow eligible employers to use the program at a pace that works for them.
    • As with the Wage Subsidy, eligible employers would receive support after each four week period of the program.
    • Support would be available retroactively once Bill C-30 receives Royal Assent.
    • Eligible employers would be able to access support through the CRA and the application portal would be available after Royal Assent.
    • The program is estimated to cost $595 million in 2021-22.
  • The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy is currently set to expire in June 2021.
    • To give workers and employers certainty and stability over the coming months, the recent federal budget proposed to extend the Wage Subsidy until September 25, 2021.
    • This extension would see a gradual decrease of the Wage Subsidy rate, beginning July 4, 2021, in order to ensure an orderly phase-out of the program as the economy reopens.
    • Employers would be able to shift to the Canada Recovery Hiring Program as they transition to recovery and hire new workers.
  • The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support program is currently set to expire in June 2021.
    • To bridge Canadians through to recovery, the recent federal budget proposed to extend the Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until September 25, 2021.
    • This extension would see a gradual decrease of the Rent Subsidy rate, beginning July 4, 2021, in order to ensure an orderly phase-out of this program as the economy reopens.
  • The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) loan guarantee and co-lending programs provide credit of up to $6.25 million and $12.5 million respectively. BCAP also provides support for mid-sized businesses including loans of up to $60 million per company, and guarantees of up to $80 million.  
  • Through the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program(HASCAP), BDC partners with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to businesses across the country, with repayment periods of up to 10 years, in all sectors 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.
  • For additional information on BCAP or HASCAP or to apply, businesses should contact their primary financial institution with whom they have a pre-existing relationship.​
Budget 2021 Support for Small Business
Excerpts from Government of Canada 2021 Budget Backgrounder

​Extension of Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support Beyond June 2021
The wage subsidy, the rent subsidy, and Lockdown Support programs are currently set to expire in June 2021. In order to bridge Canadians through the rest of this crisis to recovery, continued support is needed. To give workers and employers certainty and stability over the coming months:
  • Budget 2021 proposes to extend the wage subsidy, the rent subsidy, and Lockdown Support until September 25, 2021. It also proposes to gradually decrease the rates for the wage subsidy and rent subsidy, beginning July 4, 2021, in order to ensure an orderly phase-out of the programs as vaccinations are completed and the economy reopens.
Extending this support will mean that millions of jobs will continue to be protected.
Further details on these measures can be found in Annex 6 of the budget.

Extending the Canada Emergency Business Account
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) has provided interest-free, partially forgivable loans to more than 850,000 Canadian small businesses. In December 2020, the government increased the value of the loan from $40,000 to $60,000 to help small businesses bridge to recovery. If a business repays their loans by December 31, 2022, up to a third of the value of their loans (meaning up to $20,000) will be forgiven. In further recognition of the ongoing pandemic, the government recently extended the application deadline for CEBA to June 30, 2021.

A small number of businesses have faced challenges accessing the program, including Indigenous and rural businesses. To make sure these businesses are not left behind, the government provides similar support through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund and Indigenous Business Initiative. To make sure these businesses can continue to access support:
  • Budget 2021 proposes to extend the application deadline for similar support under the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund and the Indigenous Business Initiative until June 30, 2021.
  • Budget 2021 proposes to provide up to $80 million in 2021-22, on a cash basis, for the Community Futures Network of Canada and regional development agencies, and to shift remaining funds under the Indigenous Business Initiative into 2021-22, to support an extended application deadline for the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund and Indigenous Business Initiative until June 30, 2021. This would support small businesses in rural communities so they can continue to serve local populations.

Helping Hard-hit Businesses Hire More Workers
For businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, hiring the workers they need to grow is a cost they may worry about taking on. The government wants these businesses to be able to recover and grow by hiring more people so that workers are at the forefront of our recovery: 
  • Budget 2021 proposes to introduce the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program for eligible employers that continue to experience qualifying declines in revenues relative to before the pandemic. The proposed subsidy would offset a portion of the extra costs employers take on as they reopen, either by increasing wages or hours worked, or hiring more staff. This support would only be available for active employees and will be available from June 6 to November 20, 2021. Eligible employers would claim the higher of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or the new proposed subsidy. The aim is to make it as easy as possible for businesses to hire new workers as the economy reopens.
As the rates for both the wage subsidy and the hiring program will slowly ramp down over time, employers will have a strong incentive to begin hiring as soon as possible and maximize their benefit.

Helping Small and Medium-sized Businesses Move into the Digital Age
The pandemic has hastened the economy's digital transformation as companies, workers, and consumers conduct more and more business online. Canadian businesses need to adopt new technologies and digitize to meet customer needs and stay competitive.

To fuel the recovery, jobs, and growth, the government is launching the Canada Digital Adoption Program, which will create thousands of jobs for young Canadians and help as many as 160,000 small- and medium-sized businesses adopt new digital technologies.

This program will provide businesses with two streams of support. Eligible businesses will receive micro-grants to help offset the costs of going digital—and provide support to digital trainers from a network of up to 28,000 well trained young Canadians.
  • Budget 2021 proposes to provide $1.4 billion over four years, starting in 2021-22, to:
    • Work with organizations across Canada to provide access to skills, training, and advisory services for all businesses accessing this program.
    • Provide micro-grants to smaller, main street businesses to support costs associated with technology adoption.
    • Create training and work opportunities for as many as 28,000 young people to help small- and medium-sized businesses across Canada adopt new technology.
  • Budget 2021 proposes to provide $2.6 billion over four years, on a cash basis, starting in 2021-22, to the Business Development Bank of Canada to help small- and medium-sized businesses finance technology adoption.

Supporting Business Investments
For Canada's economic recovery to take root, businesses will need to invest in new technologies and move forward with capital projects. Building on the significant tax incentives introduced in the 2018 Fall Economic Statement, additional support is needed to further boost business investments that will create jobs today and in the future.
  • Budget 2021 proposes to allow immediate expensing of up to $1.5 million of eligible investments by Canadian-controlled private corporations made on or after Budget Day, and before 2024. Eligible investments will cover over 60 per cent of capital investments typically made by Canadian-controlled private corporations.
This incentive targets short- and medium-term capital investments that can accelerate our recovery. This includes investments in a broad range of assets, including, but not limited to, digital assets and intellectual property, helping to further incentivize businesses to transition to a more productive, knowledge-intensive economy and will include digital assets and intellectual property. These larger deductions will help businesses—particularly small- and medium-sized businesses—by making it more attractive to invest in assets that drive growth. Larger deductions will also free up capital that businesses can use to create more good middle class jobs.

Enhancing the Canada Small Business Financing Program
Small businesses need access to financing in order to invest in people and innovation, and to have the space to operate and grow. To make sure small business and independent entrepreneurs can access the capital they need to recover, innovate, and grow in the long-term: 
  • Budget 2021 proposes to improve the Canada Small Business Financing Program through amendments to the Canada Small Business Financing Act and its regulations. These proposed amendments are projected to increase annual financing by $560 million, supporting approximately 2,900 additional small businesses. Proposed amendments include:
    • Expanding loan class eligibility to include lending against intellectual property and start-up assets and expenses.
    • Increasing the maximum loan amount from $350,000 to $500,000 and extending the loan coverage period from 10 to 15 years for equipment and leasehold improvements.
    • Expanding borrower eligibility to include non-profit and charitable social enterprises.
    • Introducing a new line of credit product to help with liquidity and cover short-term working capital needs.

Lowering the Cost of Doing Business by Reducing Credit Card Transaction Fees
The pandemic has brought about a rapid and significant increase in electronic payments and online transactions. Small- and medium-sized businesses, which have been hard hit by COVID-19, incur fees for these transactions, also known as interchange fees, which are amongst the highest in the world.
The government will engage with key stakeholders to work towards three objectives:
  • Lower the average overall cost of interchange fees for merchants.
  • Ensure that small businesses benefit from pricing that is similar to large businesses.
  • Protect existing rewards points of consumers.
Following consultations with stakeholders, detailed next steps will be outlined as part of the 2021 Fall Economic Statement, including legislative amendments to the Payment Card Networks Act that would provide authority to regulate interchange fees, if necessary.

Removing Barriers to Internal Trade
For too long, trade barriers within our own country have held back Canadian businesses from reaching the full force of the Canadian market. Removing barriers to trade between provinces and territories will help build a more prosperous economy—creating jobs, fueling business expansion, expanding consumer choice of Canadian goods and services, and helping regional economies grow. 
  • Budget 2021 proposes to allocate $21 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to:
    • Work with provincial and territorial partners to enhance the capacity of the Internal Trade Secretariat that supports the Canadian Free Trade Agreement in order to accelerate the reduction of trade barriers within Canada.
    • Advance work with willing partners towards creating a repository of open and accessible pan-Canadian internal trade data to identify barriers, including licensing and professional certification requirements, that we can work together to reduce them.
    • Pursue internal trade objectives through new or renewed discretionary federal transfers to provinces and territories.

Supporting Jobs and Growth in All Communities
As Canada builds back better, no community will be left behind. From the outset of the pandemic, regional development agencies have been on the ground across Canada, helping businesses weather the effects of the pandemic. Through the $2 billion Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, they have been providing liquidity to businesses, helping bridge them to the recovery, and preserving more than 125,000 jobs. To ensure businesses in every corner of Canada have the support they need to get through the pandemic and that they are brought along in our economic recovery:
  • Budget 2021 proposes to provide $700 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, for the regional development agencies to support business financing. This would position local economies for long-term growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs in every corner of the country.
  • Budget 2021 proposes to create a new agency for British Columbia and to provide $553.1 million over five years, starting in 2021 22, and $110.6 million ongoing, to support the new agency and ensure businesses in B.C. can grow and create good jobs for British Columbians. Existing core program funding from Western Economic Diversification will remain to support the Prairies, making additional support available for businesses in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
  • Furthermore, the federal government will work to make FedNor a standalone regional development agency and strengthen the economic development of Northern Ontario.

Canada Community Revitalization Fund
Main streets, farmers' markets, and other gathering places underpin local economies. In many communities, the most vibrant spaces in our communities have laid dormant as Canadians took precautions to stay safe. Recognizing that economic recovery is tightly linked to the vitality of our local communities:
  • Budget 2021 proposes to provide $500 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to the regional development agencies for community infrastructure. These projects will stimulate local economies, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
  • Budget 2021 includes $101.4 billion over three years in proposed investments as part of the Government of Canada’s growth plan that will create good jobs and support a resilient and inclusive recovery. Key measures include:
    • Establishing a Canada-wide early learning and child care system, in partnership with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners, which will help all families access affordable, high-quality, and flexible child care no matter where they live, and no longer shoulder the burden of high child care costs. The budget proposes new investments totalling almost $30 billion over the next five years and $8.3 billion ongoing to support this vision.
    • Extending emergency supports to bridge Canadians and Canadian businesses through to recovery, including:
      • Extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until September 25, 2021.
      • Extending the number of weeks available for important income support for Canadians such as the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.
    • Enhancing Employment Insurance sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks.
    • Supporting small and medium-sized businesses through several transformative programs, such as:
      • A new Canada Digital Adoption Program that will assist over 160,000 businesses with the cost of new technology. And it will provide them with the advice they need to get the most of new technology with the help of 28,000 young Canadians who will be trained to work with them.
      • Allowing Canadian small businesses to fully expense up to $1.5 million in capital investments in a broad range of assets, including digital technology and intellectual property. This represents an additional $2.2 billion investment in the growth of Canada’s entrepreneurs over the next five years.
    • Revitalizing Canada’s tourism sector through $1 billion to help tourism businesses recover and support festivals and cultural events that provide jobs and growth in many of our cities and communities.
    • Supporting women, Black Canadians, and other underrepresented entrepreneurs who face barriers to launching and owning businesses through $300 million to enhance initiatives like the Black Entrepreneurship Program and the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.

Read the full Backgrounder
New ​Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Opens February 1
Excerpts from Government of Canada News Release, January 26, 2021

Through HASCAP, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million. Hard-hit businesses, like a chain of hotels or restaurants with multiple locations under one related entity, could be eligible for up to $6.25 million. HASCAP will help businesses with their day-to-day operating costs during the COVID-19 crisis and enable them to invest in their longer-term prosperity.

HASCAP is available to businesses across the country, in all sectors, 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.

To be eligible for HASCAP, businesses need to show a year-over-year revenue decline of at least 50% in three months, within the eight months prior to their application. They must also be able to show their financial institutions that they have previously applied for either the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.
​
Eligible businesses can start applying as early as February 1 at principal financial institutions and more widely by February 15. Interested businesses should contact their primary lender to get more information and to apply.
Learn more about the credit
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15, 2020. The government has extended the wage subsidy to June 30, 2021.
  • UPDATE: Details for claim periods 11 to 13 (December 20, 2020, to March 13, 2021)
    • the maximum top-up subsidy rate is 35%
    • the maximum subsidy amount for employees on leave with pay is $595
    • the base revenue drop comparison months for period 11 will be the same as period 10
    • More information on the changes

  • UPDATE - March 3, 2021: Current fee structure extended
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
The RRRF provides liquidity support to businesses and organizations affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, that are unable to access other federal relief measures, or require additional support.

UPDATE:
  • The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) has been extended and expanded in southern Ontario. The expanded parameters include increases in contribution amounts and forgivable portions and the timeframe for eligible costs. These parameters are available to new applicants and existing recipients.
  • Key new features for RRRF liquidity support:
    • As of January 20, 2021, conditionally repayable loans for eligible applicants will increase from $40,000 to $60,000.
    • Recipients who have already received RRRF conditionally repayable financial assistance may apply for a top-up to a maximum total amount of $60,000 (also conditionally repayable).
    • Repayable RRRF funding may support fixed operating costs incurred during the pandemic, up to a maximum of $1 million.
    • Organizations such as chambers of commerce, business sector associations and other economic development organizations that provide support to businesses are eligible to apply for the RRRF for non-repayable loans.
What features have not changed?
  • Financial assistance is interest-free.
  • Support under $100,000 will be advanced in a single payment directly to organizations.
  • Financial assistance covers up to 100 percent of eligible costs. Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) will deliver the RRRF in their regions; working closely with Community Futures organizations, businesses and innovators in their communities.

Applications accepted under two streams:  
 Regional Economy: 
  • This stream supports provides $213 million in support to southern Ontario SMEs that do not qualify for, or have been declined for, current Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures.
  • If you are a rural business seeking $60,000 or less in support, you are encouraged to apply for RRRF support through Community Futures (see below).
  • Apply: FedDev Ontario website 
 
Community Futures:
  • This stream supports businesses in rural and smaller communities through additional funding for the existing Community Futures Program (CFP).
  • In order to provide targeted assistance to the small towns and communities they serve, CFDCs, who will deliver this stream of funding, will focus on assisting “main street” businesses, such as retail shops, restaurants and corner stores, etc., and businesses of strategic importance to their communities, with loans up to $60,000. 
  • Apply: Community Futures Peterborough

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)                                         
This $55 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits.  Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 33 percent (up to $20,000). ​Businesses should contact their financial institution to apply for a CEBA loan.

  • *DEADLINE EXTENDED*: All applicants now have until June 30, 2021, to apply for $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion.
  • As of December 4, 2020 approved CEBA applicants can now receive a $60,000 loan.
  • CEBA applicants who have received the $40,000 CEBA loan may apply for the CEBA expansion, which provides eligible businesses with an additional $20,000 of financing.
  • All applicants can now check the status of their CEBA Loan online at https://status-statut.ceba-cuec.ca/. Please wait 5 to 7 business days after finalizing your application before checking your loan status on this loan status website or with the call centre. If you try before the 5 to 7 business days you will not receive an update. The loan status website will be able to address the following types of questions.
  • CEBA FAQ
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible 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.
  • If you are eligible for the base subsidy, you may also be eligible for lockdown support if your business location is significantly affected by a public health order for a week or more.

  • UPDATE - March 3, 2021: Current rate structures extended
    • Canada will extend the current rate structures for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support from March 14 - June 5, 2021.  This means the  maximum rent subsidy rate will remain at 65%, and Lockdown Support will remain at 25%, providing hard hit businesses with rent support of up to 90%.​
    • CERS FAQ
    • ​Apply for the CERS
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) 

Loan Guarantee for SMEs
Through the Business Credit Availability Program, Export Development Canada (EDC) is working with financial institutions to guarantee 80% of new operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
  • This financing support is to be used for operational expenses and is available to both exporting and non-exporting companies.
  • This program is now available at various banks and credit unions.
  • This support is available until June 2021.
  • More information about the loan guarantee

Co-Lending Program for SMEs
Through the Business Credit Availability Program, Business Development Canada (BDC) is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans of up to $6.25 million to SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements.
  • The program offers differing maximum finance amounts based on business revenues.
  • This program is now available at various banks and credit unions.
  • This support is available until June 2021.
  • More information about the co-lending program
Funding for Indigenous SMEs
The federal government is providing $306.8 million in funding to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that offer financing to these businesses.
  • The funding will allow for short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, which offer financing and business support services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses.
  • Financial support for Indigenous businesses will be provided through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, and administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association and the Métis capital corporations in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada.
  • Note: Indigenous peoples can also access all other government benefits.
  • Learn more about funding for Indigenous SMEs​
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 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 federal government is supporting Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund that will provide loans of between $25,000 and $250,000.
  • This initiative is part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program, in which we are investing up to nearly $93 million.
  • More details on eligibility requirements and how to apply will be available soon
Support for Employees & Self-Employed Individuals

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
The 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.
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
The CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who:
  • Are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
  • Are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
  • 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.
  • Apply for the CRSB

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
The CRCB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:
  • unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19
  • because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.
  • Apply for the CRCB
Transition from CERB to Employment Insurance (EI)
The Government of Canada announced changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program and new recovery benefits.
​Tips from Federal Minister of Small Business
  1. ​Visit Canada Business Resilience Network for information about supporting your employees and your business. It will be constantly updated. 
  2. Download the Canada Business App to find tailored supports to address your specific needs and questions about COVID-19.​
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
Province Launches New Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant
Applications open for eligible small businesses in tourism and travel industries
Excerpts from Government of Ontario Media Release, May 13, 2021 

The Ontario government is providing one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible small tourism and travel businesses struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through the new $100-million Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant.

This grant will support eligible small tourism and travel businesses that did not receive the Ontario Small Business Support Grant (OSBSG), such as travel agents, hotels, motels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts. To qualify, businesses must have fewer than 100 employees and demonstrate they have experienced a minimum 20 per cent revenue decline between 2019 and 2020.

Small business owners can use the grant in whatever way makes the most sense for their business. Applications for this grant will close on Friday, June 25, 2021.

For information on eligibility and how to apply: www.ontario.ca/covidsupport.
Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit
​
Paid infectious disease emergency leave
On April 29, 2021, the Ontario Government amended the Employment Standards Act, 2000 to require employers to provide employees with up to three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave because of certain reasons related to COVID-19.  This entitlement is in addition to employees’ rights to unpaid infectious disease emergency leave.

Paid infectious disease emergency leave is available for certain reasons related to COVID-19, including:
  • going for a COVID-19 test
  • staying home awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test
  • being sick with COVID-19
  • going to get vaccinated
  • experiencing a side effect from a COVID-19 vaccination
  • having been advised to self-isolate due to COVID-19 by an employer, medical practitioner or other specified authority
  • providing care or support to certain relatives for COVID-19 related reasons, such as when they are:
    • sick with COVID-19covid 19 or have symptoms of COVID-19
    • self-isolating due to COVID-19 on the advice of a medical practitioner or other specified authority

For more information please call the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Information Centre 1-888-999-2248 ( TTY: 1-866-567-8893).

Employers are required to pay employees up to $200 a day for up to three days. The three days do not have to be taken consecutively.

Eligibility
The three days of paid leave are available to employees who are covered by the Employment Standards Act (ESA) (independent contractors or federally regulated employees do not qualify for these days. Learn more about who is an employee under the ESA). Independent contractors and federally regulated employees may be entitled to federal income support benefits, including the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CSRB).

Paid leave under existing contract
Some employees may be entitled under their employment contract to a paid leave for one or more of the same reasons that paid infectious disease emergency leave can be taken. Where that is the case on April 19, 2021, the number of paid days under the contract would reduce the employee’s right to three paid days under the ESA. This applies only if the amount of pay under the employment contract is at least as much as the employee would be entitled to under the ESA.

Doctor’s note not required
Employers cannot require an employee to provide a certificate from a doctor or nurse as evidence.

Employer reimbursement for paid leave
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 for reimbursement to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board within 120 days of the date the employer paid the employee. The ministry is providing funding to the board to administer this program. This program is not a WSIB program and will not be funded by the WSIB’s insurance fund. More information on how employers can apply will be available on this page soon.

Example
Sofia works in a grocery store stocking shelves. She normally makes $16 an hour and works 8-hour shifts, earning $128 per day. She does not have a right to paid leave under her employment contract. If Sofia is feeling unwell and takes a day off work to go for a COVID-19 test, her employer is required to pay her regular rate of pay for that day. The employer can then apply for a reimbursement of $128 from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board .

Employee opt-out of paid leave
Receiving paid infectious disease emergency leave may affect an employee’s eligibility for, or amount of, benefits under other programs. To avoid this outcome, employees may choose not to receive the infectious disease emergency leave pay they are entitled to.

To do this, employees must advise their employer in writing of their decision to take the time as unpaid infectious disease emergency leave.  This written decision must be made before the end of the pay period in which the leave occurs.

Employers and their workers can call a dedicated COVID-19 Sick Days Information Centre hotline at 1-888-999-2248 or visit Ontario.ca/COVIDworkerbenefit to get more information and updates about the Ontario COVID-19 paid leave days.
​
The province continues to visit workplaces to ensure they are adhering to COVID-19 safety requirements.
Ontario Small Business Support Grant
​Applications for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant closed on March 31, 2021​
Main Street Relief Grant
​Applications for the Main Street Relief Grant closed on April 7, 2021
Ontario Announces New Grant Program for Non-Profit Tourism, Culture, Sport and Recreation Organizations
Excerpts from Government of Ontario News Release, March 16, 2021

The Community Building Fund will be administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) through two program streams: 
  • The $55-million operating funding stream will provide community non-profits with the support they need to help sustain their operations and create new experiences and events - such as trail systems, heritage attractions, winter activities and local sport and recreation programming - that are critical to the economic and social well-being of their communities. 
  • The $50-million capital funding stream will go to municipalities and non-profit organizations to carry out sport- and recreation-facility infrastructure repairs, including retrofits and rehabilitation to meet COVID-19 public health protocol requirements and local community needs. 

The operating stream of the Community Building Fund will open for applications on March 31, 2021, while the fund's capital stream will open later in 2021. 
​
  • Arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities are eligible to apply for the Community Building Fund streams. For more information, eligibility requirements and deadlines, see here.
  • For organizations interested in applying for the Community Building Fund, OTF will provide support via webinars and information sessions, as well as one-on-on coaching calls.
Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebates
For businesses that were required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures (modified Stage 2 restrictions or, going forward, in areas categorized as control, Lockdown or Provincewide Shutdown). This provincial application-based grant provides a rebate to eligible businesses in respect of property taxes and energy bills.
Businesses struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of COVID-19 may also be eligible for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB), which you can apply to through your utility provider.

​The Ontario Energy Board updated the eligibility criteria on January 14, 2021, so that more customers may qualify for CEAP-SB. Small business and registered charity electricity or natural gas customers are now eligible for CEAP-SB if they meet all of the following criteria:
  • The customer has an active account with an electricity distributor, a USMP or a natural gas distributor. 
  • The customer’s account falls within the following class:
    • For customers of an electricity distributor, the General Service less than 50 kW rate class
    • For customers of a USMP, the relevant commercial class that uses less than 150,000 kWh of electricity annually
    • For customers of a natural gas distributor, is a non-residential customer that uses less than 50,000 cubic meters of gas annually
    • Customers can find information about their class on their bill, or they can contact their utility or USMP.  
  • The customer has a registered business number or charitable registration number for the small business or registered charity operating out of the premises.
  • The customer has overdue amounts owing from one or more electricity or gas bills since March 17, 2020. 

Customers who previously applied but were denied will have their original applications reviewed by utilities and will be contacted directly if they meet the new eligibility criteria. Customers who previously applied and received an on-bill credit will be notified by their utilities that the funding limits have been increased, and that they can file a new application for additional credits under the new funding limits, to be applied against any current overdue amounts. No customer can receive total CEAP-SB funding that exceeds the new funding limit of $1,500.
​
Eligible small business and registered charity customers may qualify for a one-time CEAP-SB credit for the electricity or natural gas charges that are overdue on the date of their application for CEAP-SB, up to a maximum of $1,500.

More Information about CEAP-SB and How to Apply
WSIB Safety Excellence Program

The Workplace Safety Insurance Board’s Health and Safety Excellence Program offers rebates to safe employers.
Support for the Arts Sector
The Ontario government is supporting the arts sector with a one-time investment of $25 million to help artists and arts organizations survive the COVID-19 pandemic, remain solvent and prepare for a time when they can fully re-open their facilities, resume full programming and welcome back their visitors and audiences.
Arts organizations: Applications are now closed.

Artists & creators: $1 million will provide much-needed support directly to artists and creators from across the province. More information on this, including eligibility requirements and application deadlines, will be available soon on the Ontario Arts Council website.
​Ontario Helps Farmers and Agri-food Operators Keep Workers Safe During COVID-19
Excerpts from Government of Ontario News Release, April 8, 2021

The Ontario government is providing $10 million to allow more farmers and agri-food operators to purchase personal protective equipment, enhance cleaning and disinfection and redesign workstations to better protect workers. This announcement is part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy.

Under the new Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program, farms and agri-food businesses that hire three or more employees will be eligible for funding. Additional businesses and workers will be eligible including corn detasselers, transporters, hatcheries, and primary processing (e.g., cutting, cleaning, packaging, storage and refrigeration of raw plant foods to prevent food from spoiling before it reaches consumers).

​The funding will help farmers who experience unexpected costs for short-term or temporary housing and transportation as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak among on-farm employees. In addition, increased flexibility has been built into the program to ensure it can respond to emerging issues and risks.

Detailed program information and application forms will be available when the intake opens on April 22, 2021 and cover costs retroactive to March 13, 2021. Applications will be accepted while funding is available or until November 30, 2021. The approval process has been simplified and will be expedited to help support workplace health and safety in the agri-food sector.

Last year’s Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program (EAWPP) committed $26.6 million to help farmers and other agri-food places with expenses related to protecting workers against COVID-19.

Ontario is encouraging the use of rapid antigen point-of-care tests by agri-food businesses, including primary agricultural production, food and beverage processing and key distribution centres. Businesses who are interested in participating can contact omafra.labour@ontario.ca for more information on how to join this free program.
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:
  • 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
Here is a link with more detail:
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)
Or visit the CRA website
OTHER SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Ontario Restaurant & Bar Support Fund
A registered Not-For-Profit organization raising funds to save as many Food and Beverage establishments and jobs in Ontario as possible via one-time grants (up to $5000 per business).

Learn more about the fund
Arts Alive Fund Now Accepting Applications for Grants up to $10,000
Local arts organizations are now eligible to apply for Strategic Recovery and Resilience Grants through the Peterborough Arts Alive Fund.  An initiative of Electric City Culture Council (EC3) in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, the Arts Alive Fund will provide grants of up to $10,000 to support local arts organizations recovering from the pandemic. Local arts organizations working in any discipline and in any capacity (creation, production, exhibition, presentation, performance, etc.) are eligible to apply for funding to assist them in managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, respond creatively to the current situation and prepare to effectively reopen and relaunch when they can. 

​Read eligibility criteria 
Apply for the grant
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