Resources For Business During COVID-19 Pandemic

April 17, 2020

Updated as of December 23 2020 Economic Development has compiled a list of resources for local businesses affected by the current pandemic and global health crisis. This list of resources will be continually updated as we receive information on programs.

Follow us on social media for announcements as new programs are announced.

During this time our staff is available to answer questions and provide assistance as required. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you operate a tourism related business, please see Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board’s additional list of resources.

WAGE SUBSIDY PROGRAMS

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy – What it means for Canadian Business 

Claim Period March 15 – July 4th As a Canadian employer whose business has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for a subsidy of 75% of employee wages for up to 12 weeks, retroactive from March 15, 2020, to June 6, 2020. Canadian Businesses can apply starting April 27th through the portal on the Canada Revenue Agency Site 

Claim Period July 5th – November 2 Eligible employers who had any drop in revenue can now quality for the wage subsidy, starting with the claim periods that began July 5. Learn More.

Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers is available to companies who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy – Frequently Asked Questions 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

Canada Emergency Business Account – Financial Support For Small business

The CEBA will provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus.

Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000).

Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program – The OCECRA will provide forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners experiencing potential rent shortfalls because their small business tenants have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be managed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national Chamber network in support of other chambers and partners to help small Canadian businesses with their recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19.

If awarded, a relief grant can be used for any of the following activities:

Purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, face shields, and latex gloves.
Renovating physical space to adhere to local, Provincial or Federal reopening guidelines.
Developing or improving e-commerce capabilities for your business.

Successful applicants will receive a relief grant of up to $5,000. We intend to support local businesses of all kinds from across the country (from retailers to barbershops to farmers).

January 20201
NEW ONTARIO SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANT
he Ontario government is offering one-time grants of a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to eligible small business owners to help navigate the new Provincewide Shutdown. MORE HERE

Fed Dev Ontario
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) provides financial contributions (interest-free loans) to help support fixed operating costs of SMEs, where business revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Fund, valued at more than $962 million nationally, is delivered by Canada’s six regional development agencies. In Bay of Quinte it will be delivered by Trenval

Trenval Local Financing Assistance – COVID-19 Response. Recovery. Resilience
Trenval has committed an additional $400,000 in business financing as a second phase to help financially stabilize existing and future loan clients who do not qualify for any existing support. Phase II “Recovery” loans open to a maximum of $20,000 and are for fixed costs up to six months to assist local businesses.

Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) to provide bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers, whose needs during the pandemic are not being met through conventional financing, in order to keep their operations going. This is a bridge loan available to large and midsize companies with revenues of $300M+ and require funding in excess of $60M. Eligible companies must have significant operations in Canada. Additional details to come on eligibility and the application process.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Canadian Business Resilience Network - Small Business Relief Fund

Business Development Bank Of Canada 
Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 

Farm Credit Canada  Our Response to Covid-19

Main Street Relief Grant for Personal protective equipment (PPE) providing up to $1,000 for PPE costs to eligible small businesses across Ontario with 2 to 9 employees. https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/msrf/#/

Export Development Canada 
EDC stands ready to support Canadian exporters impacted by COVID-19  

National Research Council – The COVID-19 Challenges Procurement Program: NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program and Innovative Solutions Canada  Register (this program is designed to assist firms that have not qualified for other Federal subsidies). 

Next Generation Manufacturing – COVID-19 Project Funding

Ontario Centres of Excellence – COVID-19 Collaboration Platform & Voucher Program

Grow Agri-food e-Business During COVID-19 – Funding is available now for Agri-Food Open for E-Business Targeted Intake. Eligible applications are received and assessed on a continuous basis, while funding is available. The Agri-Food Open for E-Business initiative will help food producers, farmers markets, retailers, garden centres, greenhouses, nurseries, and agricultural associations develop online business, providing consumers with greater access to a wide variety of food and agriculture products.

Addressing Labour Supply and Training Challenges – Funding Intake

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1 million in new funding to connect workers with in-demand jobs in the agri-food sector to keep the nation’s supply chains strong and store shelves stocked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), the federal and provincial governments will provide support that will help people connect with job opportunities in the sector quickly. This program would help primary agriculture, food processing companies and grocery retail to recruit and train workers who are important to keeping the essential food supply chain functioning.

Program information is available here: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/labour_supply_training.htm

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Government of Canada : Support for Business 

The Government of Canada : Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses · 

Canada’s Regional Development Agencies – COVID-19 Assistance

Canada Business App Adds Dedicated COVID-19 Tile
A dedicated COVID-19 tile has been added to the Canada Business App, providing links to government announcements and information for businesses. More information about the App can be found at www.canada.ca/business-app. 

National Research Council – Covid-19 Response 

The COVID-19 Challenges Procurement Program: NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program and Innovative Solutions Canada  Register (this program is designed to assist firms that have not qualified for other Federal subsidies).

The Pandemic Response Challenge Program: National Research Council of Canada  Register

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT

June 16, the Ontario Government has released a tool kit to help employers Learn how to create a plan to help protect workers and others from novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

Ontario Providing Employers with Workplace Safety Guidelines – Press Release, April 30^th & The 61 sector-specific guidelines are available here from Ontario’s health and safety associations.

Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19  

Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade 
COVID-19 Ontario Specific Supports (March 23, 2020) 

Regional Opportunities Tax Credit – Bay of Quinte is an eligible region 

Ontario List of Essential Workplaces – Updated April 3, 2020 

Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open at 1-888-444-3659
The Province of Ontario has launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province’s recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.  FULL DETAILS

Ontario Together: help fight Coronavirus 
We welcome help from businesses and organizations who can supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support our response to COVID-19. How you can help  

New $50 million Ontario Together Fund will support the development of essential equipment and supplies 

Ontario Helping Businesses Overcome the Unique Challenges Created by COVID-19

The Ontario government is launching the COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers website to help businesses overcome the unique challenges created by the global pandemic. Businesses working to retool their operations to produce health-related products, or those that want to continue their operations in this new environment of physical distancing, can submit any potential roadblocks to the website. The province is prepared to allow temporary changes to provincial rules and regulations in order to remove any barriers that are hindering business and negatively impacting Ontario’s supply chain.

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP – see our dedicated post

HUMAN RESOURCES LINKS AND INFORMATION 

Employment and Social Development Canada: Covid-19 
Employment & Insurance Canada – How to complete a record of employment   

Note to employers for ROE’s
Service Canada Employer Contact Centre now have a pre-recorded message stating the following in regard to ROE’s and Coronavirus: 

Use Code D (Injury/Illness) if the employee is sick/quarantined – Do not add comments  
Use Code A if there is a shutdown/shortage of work related to Coronavirus – Do not add comments 
Use Code E (Quit) or N (LOA) if the employee is not sick or quarantined but is absent due to other Coronavirus concerns
Only add comments when absolutely necessary

Employment & Social Development:  Work-Sharing Program 

HEALTH AND SAFETY LINKS AND INFORMATION

Health and Safety Excellence program: https://www.wsib.ca/en/healthandsafety 

WSIB COVID-19 link 

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety – Free Resources 

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services Helpful Tips and Tools

Pandemic Recovery-Return to Business Checklist: This checklist is intended as a self-assessment tool to assist you in ramping back up to regular business operations.
Pandemic Preparedness Checklist (PDF): This tool can help you set priorities, get plans in place and protect your people.
Pandemic Awareness eCourse: This free online course describes what a pandemic is, how an influenza virus spreads, and the impact a pandemic may have on workplaces and communities.
Coronavirus Preparedness for Employers and Employees eCourse | French Version
Checklist: Home Office Workstation Set-Up (PDF) | French Version (PDF)
Quick Steps: Setting Up Your Temporary Laptop Workstation (PDF) | French Version (PDF)
At Home Flexibility Stretches: Work Warm-Up, Stretch and Flexibility Program (PDF) | French Version (PDF)
Webinar and FAQ from our friends at Mathews Dinsdale: These resources will help answer the questions you have about COVID-19 and employment standards, human rights and more

Find PPE suppliers

Before your business reopens, review sector-specific guidelines to identify personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to keep your employees and customers safe. Supplies are in high demand and the needs of frontline health care workers and first responders will continue to be prioritized.
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/how-your-organization-can-help-fight-coronavirus/#find-ppe

HAND AND HARD SURFACE SANITIZERS 

Health Canada – Hard Surface Disinfectants and Hand Sanitizers Approved  
Hard Surface Disinfectants and Hand Sanitizers: Information for manufacturers 
Hand Sanitizer Exchange (Cosmetic Alliance Canada)
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations – NEW from Center for Disease Control and Prevention

PUBLIC HEALTH LINKS
Ministry of Health- COVID-19 Updates 
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): how COVID-19 spreads  
World Health Organization (WHO): how COVID-19 is spread –  (See FAQ near the bottom: “Is it safe to receive a package…”) 
Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit 
Information sheet (available in multiple languages) – Ontario Ministry of Health
Online self-assessment – Ontario Ministry of Health
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Awareness Resources – Government of Canada
Infection Prevention & Control Canada – Public Health Agency of Canada
Infection control information and resources – Public Services Health and Safety Association

MENTAL HEALTH LINKS

FOOD SAFETY 

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | Government of Canada  

COVID-19 Logistics & Border-Related Labour Questions
Over the past few weeks, AAFC have received many questions related to labour issues, in particular Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs). AAFC are aware that Labour and TFWs remain an important area of concern for the sector. The FAQ related to labour and TFWs can be found at this LINK. 

CFIA expectations on the prevention of and response to suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 by operators 

New expectations for operators have been posted on the CFIA website about preventing and responding to COVID-19 in establishments regulated by CFIA. 

The document outlines steps that the CFIA expects operators to take to address exposure risks for both the establishment and CFIA employees. 

This document is not intended for meat slaughter and processing establishments. Separate CFIA guidance about preventing and responding to COVID-19 in meat slaughter and processing establishments exists. 

FOOD & BEVERAGE ONTARIO:  

COVID-19 Updates 

COVID-19 services & tools available to processor businesses in Ontario? Download our Associates Support for Processors Guide or visit our Associates Page. 
Real time, applicable resources shared by Ontario processors? View examples such as Maple Leaf Foods’ COVID-19 Plan.

WEBINARS, TRAINING AND COURSES
See our dedicated post

OTHER BUSINESS RESOURCES: 

Canadian Banks  
Contact your bank. Canada’s banks have made a commitment to support businesses and individuals through these difficult times in a responsible, fair, and compassionate way. To help provide some stability for businesses through this time of uncertainty, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) is lowering the Domestic Stability Buffer requirement, releasing more than $300 billion of additional lending capacity for Canadian financial institutions.  

Business Development Bank Of Canada  
Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs 

Recorded Webinar How to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 on your business  

Export Development Canada 

Updated FAQs: what Canadian exporters need to know about the coronavirus 

The expanding coronavirus (COVID-19) threat 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Managing the impact on global supply chains

Ontario Chamber of Commerce: Covid-19 Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit 
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce: “COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness for Business” 
Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Canadian Business Resilience Network  
World Health Organization: Business and Employees 
Supply Chain Canada: The Coronavirus Impact on Global Supply Chains – Link to Webinar Presentation
MaRS – Covid-19 collection of tools and tactics for business 