With the COVID-19 pandemic catching the world off-guard, many businesses that have been able to traditionally sustain themselves are now looking for new ways to access cash.
Navigating cash flow options during these uncertain times can be quite a challenge.
To support businesses through this transition, Mentor Works has put together a list of Canadian government funding programs that includes COVID-19-related support and ongoing government loan/grant programs.
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
The federal government has allocated over $65 billion in business stimulus for Canadian companies seeking access to cash. The funding from this initiative will be provided by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). Both BDC and EDC are working with private sectors to find credit solutions that will work for individual businesses, including the tourism, air transportation, and oil and gas industries.
Interest-Free $60K Loan for Small Businesses and Not-For-Profits
UPDATE: The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is now providing up to $60K in loans, and an additional $20K in loans to those who received the original $40K through the program. Read the latest information on CEBA.
The Canadian federal government has allocated $25 billion to the recently introduced Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), letting small businesses and not-for-profits apply for interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced.
- Amount: Applicants may receive a repayable contribution (no-interest loan) of up to $60,000 with a loan forgiveness of 25% (up to $20,000) if the balance of the loan has been repaid on or before December 31, 2022.
Canadian small businesses and not-for-profits can contact their financial institution to apply for the CEBA loan. Deadline to submit an application is June 30, 2021.
Export Development Canada Business Credit Availability Program (EDC BCAP) Loan Guarantee
The EDC BCAP loan guarantee is offering qualified businesses up to $6.25 million in credit through their financial institution to cover rent, payroll, and other operating costs caused by the current crisis. This program has an 80% guarantee and is required to be repaid within one year.
Businesses that have been denied through BCAP now have support options through the Regional Relief & Recovery Fund (RRRF).
Learn more about government grants for Canadian exporters.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Co-Lending Program
The BDC is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans to Canadian SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements. Eligible businesses may obtain incremental credit amounts of up to $6.25M through the program. The co-lending program will have a commercial interest rate, 10-year repayment period, and will be available through your primary financial institution.
Read the latest funding updates about the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
Non-COVID-19-Related Government Funding Programs
Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program
The FedDev Ontario Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program offsets upfront project costs and helps southern Ontario businesses grow more quickly.
- Amount: Applicants may receive a repayable contribution (no-interest loan) of up to 35% of eligible project expenses to a maximum of $500,000 to $10M.
- Eligibility: Must maintain profitable operations in southern Ontario for 2+ years, have more than 5 employees, and be an incorporated business or Indigenous organization.
- Project Examples: Commercializing/producing new innovative products, processes, or services; acquiring, adopting, or adapting innovative technologies; and late-stage technology development to support new markets and/or industrial applications.
Learn more about funding through the BSP program.
Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD)
The CEDD program, made available through FedDev Ontario, supports businesses undertaking projects that will improve their productivity, capacity, and competitiveness, resulting in increased employment and growth opportunities.
- Amount: Incorporated, for-profit businesses may receive a no-interest, repayable contribution from $250,000 up to $5M per project.
- Eligibility: Legally incorporated businesses, including Indigenous-owned businesses, with operations in rural areas of eastern and western Ontario.
- Project Examples: Adoption of new equipment; market development, diversification, and expansion; and facility improvement or expansion to support greater economic diversification.
Learn more about the FedDev Ontario funding provided through the CEDD program.
Receive a Maximum of $75K Through CanExport
Available to most established businesses looking to export, CanExport provides support for marketing and expansion activities involving new international markets. The program helps exporters improve their sales and brand exposure in international markets through marketing activities, packaging modifications, market research, and other initiatives.
- Amount: Canadian businesses may access up to 75% of costs associated with export marketing projects to a maximum $75,000 per application.
- Eligibility: 1-500 FTEs on payroll, $100,000-$100M in annual revenue, 1+ years incorporated with taxes filed, and project expenses must be at least $20,000. The applicant’s sales must be under $100,000 (or less than 10% of total sales) in the target export market over the previous 24 months.
- Project Examples: The CanExport SMEs program is not currently approving travel or event-related project costs due to the COVID-19 crisis. Many other categories of market development activities remain eligible, including marketing tools creation, IP protection, and market research.
Learn more about funding updates from the CanExport program.
Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
Farm Credit Canada has received $5B from the federal government to extend their lending capacity to agri-businesses facing financial hardships due to COVID-19.
Farm Credit Canada is contributing the following for agri-businesses, producers, and food processors:
- Deferral of principal payments up to 12 months; or
- Deferral of principal and interest payments up to six months for existing loans; and
- Access to an additional 24-month credit line up to $500,000 at a rate of Prime +1% and no fees, secured by general security agreements.
FCC is asking existing customers to contact their FCC relationship manager.
Read our full blog on agri-business support during COVID-19.
Apply for COVID-19 Loan and Grant Programs
Take the next step and find out if your business is applicable for Canadian government loan and grant programs related to COVID-19. The team at Mentor Works will match your business with available government funding programs and assist you throughout the application process.
View the latest COVID-19 funding program updates on our support page or register for a free COVID-19 business support webinar to learn about the latest funding updates.
COVID-19 Government Support Program Webinars
Updated: May 21, 2020