COVID-19 | Support and Resources
2021/01/10
Looking for guidance for your business during the current COVID-19 situation?
The WTC Winnipeg has created the following list of resources to help navigate available support programs. Our team of business and trade advisors are also here to answer your questions. Contact us by email at covid@wtcwinnipeg.com or by phone at 204.253.4888 or 1.800.665.2019 (toll free).
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Please note: On July 27 improvements to the CEWS program were passed by Parliament, which include extending the program to December 19, introduces a sliding scale and made some eligibility improvements. On October 14th, the government committed to extending the wage subsidy through to June 2021, more information to come. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will cover up to 24 weeks of employees’ salaries on the first $58,700 earned this year – to a maximum amount of $847 per week. The program is backdated to March 15, 2020 and is designed to protect jobs and maintain the important link between employees and employers. Canada Revenue Agency opens applications for enhanced Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (Aug. 17). New program changes include:
Eligibility:
How to apply:
More Information:
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Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers The 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers is a three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The subsidy is equal to 10% of the remuneration you pay from March 18, 2020 to June 19, 2020, up to $1,375 for each eligible employee to a maximum of $25,000 total per employer. Associated CCPCs will not be required to share the maximum subsidy of $25,000 per employer. Note: You may be eligible for both the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers (10% temporary wage subsidy). However, for an eligible employer that is eligible for both subsidies for a period, all amounts that the employer claims under the 10% temporary wage subsidy for remuneration paid in a specific claim period, reduce the amount available to be claimed under the CEWS in that same period. Eligibility: You are an eligible employer if you are a(n):
An eligible employee is an individual who is employed in Canada. Partnerships are only eligible for the subsidy if their members consist exclusively of individuals (excluding trusts), registered charities, other partnerships eligible for the subsidy, or eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs). CCPCs are only eligible for the subsidy if they have a business limit for their last taxation year that ended before March 18, 2020, greater than nil (determined without reference to the passive income business limit reduction). For more information on whether your CCPC would have a business limit, see Small Business Deduction in the T2 Corporation Income Tax Guide. For more information on whether your corporation is a CCPC, see Type of Corporation – https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/corporations/type-corporation.html#ccpc How to apply:
More Information:
Grant Thornton: Temporary Wage Subsidy – https://www.grantthornton.ca/globalassets/1.-member-firms/canada/insights/gt-20-154-tempwagesub-final.pdf?utm_source=cbrn&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=covid19&utm_content=text-link |
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) All CEBA applicants have until March 31, 2021 to apply for $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion. If you have already applied for CEBA and have questions, please contact the CEBA Call Centre at 1-888-324-4201. This $55 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 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 25 percent (up to $10,000). Eligibility:
How to apply: Business owners can apply now through their banks and credit unions. More Information:
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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) On August 20th, 2020 the Government of Canada announced changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program and new income support benefits (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2020/08/government-of-canada-announces-plan-to-help-support-canadians-through-the-next-phase-of-the-recovery.html) that will better support Canadians. CERB extended from 24 weeks to 28 weeks for eligible workers. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) gives financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19. If you are eligible, you can receive $2,000 for a 4-week period (the same as $500 a week). Eligibility:
How to apply:
More Information: The government of Canada – CERB – https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html |
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) CECRA is no longer accepting new applications. To learn more, visit: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/finance-and-investing/covid19-cecra-small-business |
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) On October 9th, 2020, the government of Canada announced a new financial rent relief program. The program will provide simple and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19. There will also be a top-up Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy of 25 per cent for organizations temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority, in addition to the 65 per cent subsidy. |
Canada United Small Business Relief Fund Applications are closed at this time. Created and launched by RBC, Canada United is a national movement to support local businesses in communities across the country. The actions of Canadians during the campaign helped establish the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (CUSBRF) to help small businesses offset the cost of expenses required to reopen safely or adopt digital technologies to move more of their business online. Successful applicants will receive a relief grant of up to $5,000. Eligibility:
How to apply: Apply online https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5809871/Canada-United-Application-MB More Information:
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Employment Insurance (EI) Ongoing access to the Employment Insurance (EI) program is available for eligible workers who have lost their job. EI is designed to provide temporary financial support for those workers who have lost their job, are sick, pregnant, caring for a newborn or adopted child, caring for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death or providing care or support to a critically ill family member. If you have recently applied for Employment Insurance (EI) regular or sickness benefits, do not re-apply. Your application will automatically be assessed to determine if you are eligible for the CERB. More Information:
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Canada Recovery Benefit Open for applications. The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. The CRB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you are eligible for the CRB, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period. More Information: Canada Recovery Benefit – https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html
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Economic Support Grant Program Application deadline is February 28th, 2021. Beginning January 8, 2021, the Manitoba Government will begin issuing a second payment to eligible applicants that applied for a Bridge Grant during the period of November 16 – December 31, 2020 Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations can now apply online for a non-repayable grant of $1,500. The grant can be used for rent, utilities, wages, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizing equipment, or other business expenses incurred. More Information: For additional details, please visit: https://winnipeg.ca/emergweb/covid-19/economic-support-grant.stm |
Manitoba Bridge Grant Application deadline has been extended to January 31, 2021. Beginning January 8, 2021, the Manitoba Government will begin issuing a second payment to eligible applicants that applied for a Bridge Grant during the period of November 16 – December 31, 2020 The Manitoba Bridge Grant provides a $10,000 grant to eligible Manitoba businesses and organizations that are required to fully close their premises to the public as a result of Manitoba COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect as of November 12, 2020 or any revisions to those Orders If you operate a business that has been impacted by COVID-19 Prevention Orders, please visit the Manitoba Bridge B – Home-Based Business Support page : https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/programs/bridge-grant-home-based.html More Information: Have more questions? Visit: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/programs/bridge-grant.html |
Manitoba Dine-in Relief Program On Dec. 3, the province announced a $1.5-million commitment from the fund to help support business, and chambers of commerce throughout Manitoba in developing and promoting their community business.
More Information and how to apply: Visit the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program Application web page: https://rrf.mbchamber.mb.ca/ |
Manitoba Gap Protection Program The Gap Protection applications are closed at this time. Update: Businesses who received the Manitoba Gap Protection of $6,000 will no longer have to pay back the Gap Protection loan. This also apllies to Businesses who received both the Manitoba Gap Protection and any other federal assistance. The province will advance each eligible business the non-interest bearing forgivable MGPP loan of $6,000, for a total of up to $120 million. The loan will be forgiven on Dec. 31, 2020, if the recipient attests at that time the business has not received any major non-repayable COVID-19 federal supports such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Business Account, as well as sector-specific grant federal programs specifically developed in response to the pandemic. Eligibility: To be eligible for the MGPP funding, a business must: How to apply:
More Information:
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Back to Work in Manitoba Wage Subsidy Program Update: Employers that applied to the program on or before November 9 are eligible to receive an advance payment of $1,500 for every eligible worker hired or re-hired to date under the program. Employers that re-hire workers laid off as a result of Manitoba public-health orders are also eligible for the subsidy. The Back to Work Manitoba initiative is a hiring program designed to support Manitoba’s economic recovery by encouraging Manitoba employers to bring back their employees or take on new hires. The program covers 50 per cent of wage costs between July 16 and December 31, 2020. Employers can be supported to hire up to 20 employees. Eligibility: The program is open to all private sector and non-profit employers who are operating in Manitoba and meet all of the following criteria:
How to apply: You can apply online – https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/btwmp.html More Information: Manitoba Back to Work Program – https://manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/mbtwp.html |
Support for agriculture, farmers and food processing employers Agriculture Sector Support The Government of Canada has announced $252 million to support farmers, food businesses, and food processors that provide essential services to Canadians every day by ensuring a safe and reliable food supply. A proposal for $200 million in additional borrowing capacity for the sector has also been announced.
More information: Funding for Temporary Foreign Worker Quarantine Costs Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is providing $50 million to help farmers, fish harvesters and all food production and processing employers put in place the measures necessary to follow the mandatory 14-day isolation period required of all workers arriving from abroad. Support of $1,500 for each temporary foreign worker will be provided to employers, or those working with TFWs, to ensure requirements are fully met. The funding is conditional on employers not being found in violation of the mandatory 14-day isolation protocols or any other public health order. This program will be available as long as the Quarantine Act is in force and the isolation protocol is followed. More information: Emergency Processing Fund (EPF) The Emergency Processing Fund (EPF) is a one-time, federal investment of up to $77.5 million to help companies implement changes to safeguard the health and safety of workers and their families due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund also aims to aid companies to invest to improve, automate and modernize facilities needed to increase Canada’s food supply capacity. The fund is one part of the greater Government of Canada response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible criteria include:
You can now apply online (https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agricultural-programs-and-services/emergency-processing-fund/step-3-how-to-apply/?id=1591389940557) . Before you apply, please read the Applicant guide ( https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/agricultural-programs-and-services/emergency-processing-fund/applicant-guide/?id=1591390848110) for detailed information on eligibility criteria and the application process. More information: |
Regional Relief and Recovery Funds (RRRF) The Fund aims to help western Canadian businesses cope with the financial hardship resulting from COVID-19. The funds are divided in four different eligibility groups:
Funding over $40,000. Apply online (https://portal.wd-deo.ca/en-ca/form/?id=808eb560-cf90-ea11-a811-000d3af4a4ca) More Information: Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/20059.asp |
Wage Funding Employment Programs from ECO Canada Your business can get up to 75% of funding and/or training covered with amounts between $15k to $30k available. Working with the federal government, ECO Canada offers three employment funding programs for organizations to hire recent graduates in roles with an environmental focus. Three programs are available:
ECO Canada employment funding programs were created to stimulate skill development, business growth and workforce advancement. Let ECO Canada help you do that. Applications take only 20 minutes. Take the eligibility assessment and apply: https://www.eco.ca/employment-programs/ More Information: Reach out to us at pathways@eco.ca with any questions or visit – https://www.eco.ca/employment-programs/youth-placement/natural-resources/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wf_20&utm_content=ESAAwfYNR |
More Provincial Support For more information on provincial financial program, please visit the Manitoba Protection Plan – https://manitoba.ca/covid19/protection/index.html |
More Federal Support For more information on federal financial program, please visit Canada’s COVIS-19 Economic Response Plan – https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html |
Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)
Eligibility:
How to apply: Applications are available now through the Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation – https://www.cdev.gc.ca/home-ceefc/ More Information:
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Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) Through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC), the new Business Credit Availability Program will increase the credit available to small, medium and large Canadian businesses, providing more than $65 billion in direct lending and other types of financial support. More information is available here – https://www.edc.ca/en/solutions/working-capital/bcap-guarantee.html |
Downtown Winnipeg Biz Grant Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is giving out 50 micro-grants of $1,000 each to qualifying small and medium-sized businesses in the downtown area who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility:
How to apply: Applications are to be submitted online – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4QoUO1I1MVgNwj3rVXF2E-xtqdSuMuUbGmKdq_YCxVKNPoQ/viewform More Information: Downtown Winnipeg Biz – https://downtownwinnipegbiz.com/downtown-businesses-needing-support-through-the-pandemic-can-apply-for-a-1000-grant/ |
Farm Credit Canada COVID-19 Support Program Farm Credit Canada (FCC) will augment credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector by $5 billion, including a deferral of principal and interest payments up to six months for existing loans or a deferral of principal payments up to 12 months, access to an additional credit line up to $500,000, secured by general security agreements or universal movable hypothec (Québec only). More information is available here – https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/covid-19/program-details.html |
Energy sector support from the federal government The federal government has announced $1.7 billion for the cleanup of orphaned oil and gas wells, which includes:
The federal government has also announced $750 million for Natural Resources Canada over two years, starting in 2020-21, to create a new repayable loan program to work with conventional and offshore oil and gas companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Of this amount, $75 million will be allocated to investments in the offshore sector. A portion of these loans will be convertible to grants. The federal government is also continuing to work with EDC and BDC to make additional credit solutions available. |
Additional funding through regional development agencies, industrial research, and Heritage Canada To help reach people and businesses who may not be able to receive funding through other programs and financial lenders, the federal government is also allocating an additional:
Applications for funding can be submitted directly to those organizations. |
Bank of Canada interest rate The Bank of Canada cut its overnight rate to 0.25% – the interest rate at which major financial institutions borrow and lend one-day (or “overnight”) funds among themselves.
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For businesses The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will allow all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020, with no interest or penalties applicable during this period.
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For individuals The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will defer the filing due date for the 2019 individual tax return to June 1, 2020, and to May 1, 2020 for trusts with a taxation year ending on December 31, 2019.
Payments of tax owing are deferred until after August 31, 2020, with no interest or penalties applicable during this period. |
Funding for small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses and financial institutions On March 18, the federal government provided up to $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. The program 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. The funding will allow for interest-free loans, as well as non-repayable contributions, to help Indigenous businesses unable to access the government’s existing COVID-19 support measures. Additional funding will help Aboriginal Financial Institutions cover operational expenses, and help the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association increase its operational capacity. On May 21, the government announced an additional $75 million in funding for Indigenous organizations providing services to Indigenous peoples in urban centres and off reserve. This additional funding will support more community-based projects that address the critical needs of Indigenous populations during this crisis, including food security, mental health support services, and sanitation and protective equipment. It could also help with other needs, such as support for Elders, transportation, and educational materials for Indigenous children and youth. |
Additional Resources
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