SUPPORTS FOR BUSINESSES

 

Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant

To support Alberta’s small businesses as they adapt to the realities of the ongoing public health crisis, the GOA is expanding & increasing the Small/Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant.
Starting early the week of December 14, job creators who have experienced a 30% revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic will qualify for the program- it will be available to impacted businesses retroactive to March.
Alberta businesses affected by the public health orders in effect from November 6, 2020 and later will also be eligible to apply for a second payment through the program.
Job creators that meet the program’s eligibility criteria will be able to apply for 15% of their pre-COVID-19 monthly revenue up to:
a maximum of $5,000 in funding for their first payment, and
a maximum of $15,000 for their second payment

 

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

  • The new changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will help Canadian Ag keep and bring back workers by removing the requirement for revenue declines of at least 30%, and adding an extension until Nov 21, 2020.
  • APPLY NOW :

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy.html

 

 

Farm Credit Canada – COVID-19 support program

• a deferral of principal and interest payments up to six months for existing loans; or
• a deferral of principal payments up to 12 months
• If you’d like more information on these options or on how FCC can help improve your financial position, please contact your local office or the Customer Service Centre at 1-888-332-3301 for further details.

https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/covid-19/program-details.html

 

 

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)


The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) will allow the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) to provide more than $10 billion of additional support, largely targeted to small and medium-sized businesses. This will be an effective tool for helping viable Canadian businesses remain resilient during these very uncertain times. BDC and EDC are cooperating with private sector lenders to coordinate on credit solutions for individual businesses, including in sectors such as oil and gas, air transportation and tourism. The near term credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector will also be increased through Farm Credit Canada.

https://www.edc.ca/en/solutions/working-capital/bcap-guarantee.html

 

 

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

CEBA provides much needed credit for small businesses to pay for immediate operating costs such as payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, property tax, or debt service.  It is 100 per cent funded by the Government of Canada.

  • It is available to Canadian employers with $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019, and operating as of March 1, 2020. This includes smaller (i.e., micro) businesses and other eligible employers such as not-for-profits.
  • Under CEBA, financial institutions will be able to provide interest-free credit facilities of up to $40,000 to eligible businesses.
  • If the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022, 25 per cent (up to $10,000) will be forgiven.
  • If the loan is not repaid by December 31, 2022, the remaining balance will be converted to a three-year term loan at 5 per cent interest.   

This program is now available at various financial institutions and credit unions.

 

Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium Enterprises

EDC Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

This program provides credit and cash flow term loans to small and medium-sized enterprises. Canadian businesses in all sectors that were otherwise financially viable and revenue generating prior to the COVID-19 outbreak are eligible to apply.

It allows financial institutions to issue operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to existing clients, with 80 per cent guaranteed by EDC. 

This money is to be used for operational expenses, not for dividend payouts, shareholder loans, bonuses, stock buyback, option issuance, increases to executive compensation or repayment/refinancing of other debt.

This program is now available at various financial institutions and credit unions.

BDC Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium Enterprises

This program provides term loans for operational and liquidity needs of businesses, which could include interest payments on existing debt. Similar to the EDC program, this program is available to businesses that were financially viable and revenue-generating prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The program is designed in three segments to target support to different business sizes.

  • Loans of up to $312,500 to businesses with revenues of less than $1 million.
  • Up to $3.125 million for businesses with revenues between $1 million and $50 million.
  • Up to $6.25 million for businesses with revenues in excess of $50 million.

Loans would be interest-only for the first 12 months, with a 10-year repayment period.

Applications details will be made available in the days to come by financial institutions.

Role/Description of BDC and EDC

As part of BCAP, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC), both financial Crown corporations, are working closely with private sector lenders to improve access to financing for Canadian businesses.

BDC helps create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financingadvisory services and capital, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.

More information on the BDC’s products and services.

EDC is Canada’s export credit agency, offering innovative financing, insurance and risk management solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. 

More information on EDC’s products and services.

Participating private sector lenders have committed to:

  • Working with BDC/EDC to find solutions for creditworthy business clients who would otherwise have insufficient access to credit.
  • Ensuring that the extension of credit by BDC/EDC is incremental for Canadian businesses and does not displace or substitute for private credit in aggregate.

 

Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) – COVID 19 Small Business Help Desk –

 CFIB is Canada’s largest small business association with 110,000 members across all provinces and industries.             

https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/small-business-resources-dealing-covid-19 

 

 

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)

 enabling women to build successful businesses is providing free remote supports:

Information on Alberta Employment Standards for layoffs and terminationshttps://www.alberta.ca/temporary-layoffs.aspx  https://www.alberta.ca/Layoff-and-recall-directive.aspx

AB GOVT – Support for Employers:

 https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-support-for-employers.aspx#toc-1

 

Corporate income tax changes

Alberta corporate income tax balances and instalment payments coming due between March 18, 2020 and August 31, 2020 are deferred until August 31, 2020 to increase employers’ access to cash so they can pay employees, address debts and continue operations.

Due dates for filing corporate income tax returns due after March 18, 2020 and before June 1, 2020 have been extended to June 1, 2020.

 

WCB premium payment deferral

Small, medium and large private sector employers can defer WCB premium payments until 2021.

  • For small and medium businesses, the government will cover 50% of the 2020 premium when it is due in 2021 – saving businesses $350 million.
  • Large employers will have their 2020 WCB premium payments deferred until 2021, at which time their premiums will be due.

Employers who have already paid WCB premiums in 2020 are eligible for a rebate or credit.

Community Futures Funding

https://www.communityfutures.ca/covid-19-resources

Canada Summer Jobs

If you had a successful application in for this program, there are changes to help ensure you are still able to take advantage of the program. Changes include: an increase to the wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee; an extension to the end date for employment to February 28, 2021; allowing employers to adapt their projects and job activities to support essential services; allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis. You will be contacted if you were approved for the program or you can also contact them at 1-800-935-5555 (TTY: 1-800-926-9105)

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs.html

Work-share Program:

(designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer.

Employer Contact Centre: 1-800-367-5693. Extending Work-Sharing program: The Government of Canada is Implementing the EI Work Sharing Program, which provides EI benefits to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hour as a result of developments beyond the control of their employers, by extending the eligibility of such agreements to 76 weeks, easing eligibility requirements, and streamlining the application process. This was announced by the Prime Minister on March 11, 2020.)

 www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing.html 

 

Temporary Foreign Worker Program compliance

The Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Workers Regarding COVID-19 outlines the expectations for employers of foreign workers entering Canada. This document issued March 27, 2020, and updated to reflect amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations that have come into effect as of April 20, 2020, assists employers and temporary foreign workers in understanding how to adhere to the latest program health requirements in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

 

Agriculture and Agri-Food –  Job Connector

Agriculture employers and workers can use these tools and resources to find jobs, skilled workers, financial help and other supports. Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food industry has never been more critical to the health and safety of Albertans and to our economy.

https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-job-connector.aspx

 

 

Community Initiatives Program Project-Based grant 

re-opens with a September 15, 2020 intake

Alberta’s government is reopening the Community Initiatives Program Project-Based grant stream to support economic recovery and build social connections. 

  • Alberta’s non-profit and community organizations can now apply to the September 15 intake, which aims to foster healthy and vibrant communities across Alberta. Funding will focus on events, festivals, programs and projects delivered in innovative and creative ways that align with public health measures.

The Community Initiatives Program Project-Based grant was paused in May 2020 to reallocate funds to help struggling front-line charities and non-profits maintain their core operations and provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The May 15 intake will be combined with the September 15 intake, with notifications to organizations in March 2021. For more information and to apply, visit Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project-Based grant.

 

 

 

Cooperative Investment Program 

will incentivize tourism operators and regions across Alberta to RESTART consumer marketing activities and aid in the development of traveler products, experiences, and packaging in a COVID-19 travel environment. The program is to support partners with product/experience development and partnership marketing. 
Go to the Industry Hub for revised guidelines and new program highlights including:

  • Fall / Winter intake is September 1-30, 2020
  • The program does not require partners to match funds
  • Capital costs related to COVID-19 for product development will be eligible up to $5,000
  • Support for e-commerce, on-line booking/ticketing platforms are eligible for funding
  • Development and delivery of virtual experiences are eligible

The main intent with the revised program is to assist businesses in developing and delivering experiences in a COVID-19 travel environment, stimulate revenue to tourism businesses, get Albertans back to work and inspire pride of place in local communities and the province. 

 

 

 

Futurpreneur Canada 

supports young entrepreneurs with up to $60,000* in financing, an expert business mentor for up to two years, and resources to help plan, manage and grow your business.

  • Side Hustle Program  Side hustling entrepreneurs ages 18 to 39 may be eligible for up to $15,000 in loan financing to support the launch and growth of their side business. Entrepreneurs are also matched with a business mentor who can help the entrepreneur navigate the first two years of business.  

 

 

Labour Market Partnership Grant

  • Alberta Labour and Immigration is accepting Expressions of Interest for the Industry – Labour Market Partnerships (LMP) grant program from August 4 to August 31, 2020. The LMP program supports workplace human resource development and labour market strategies through partnerships. It is designed to develop and support projects with Alberta’s industry sectors and employer associations with common labour market needs. For more information, important dates and the Application Guidelines, please click here.

 

 

 

Relaunch grant to help businesses recover

Starting June 29, eligible small- and medium-sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits can apply for funding so they can open their doors and get Albertans back to work.

  • Eligible job creators can apply for up to $5,000 through this program
  • Must have 500 or fewer employees
  • Full program details can be found in the program guidelines
  • If you have specific questions about the program, email inquiries can be sent to: SMErelaunch.program@gov.ab.ca

 

 

 

SEE LINK BELOW TO FIND  COVID-19 

support and other programs and services.

https://innovation.ised-isde.canada.ca/s/?language=en