COVID-19 Government Funding for Canadian Businesses

COVID-19 Canadian News and External Resources

Canadian COVID-19 Business Support, Financing, and Resources

• Innovative Solutions Canada: New COVID-19 R&D Challenges Announced: Canadian innovators can access grants and procurement contracts to research and develop solutions for government COVID-19 challenges. Browse ISC’s current challenges.
• Canadian Government Funding for Agribusiness: Here’s an overview of some of the most popular Canadian government funding programs available to position your agriculture or agri-food business for success.
• CanExport SMEs During COVID-19: The popular international marketing grant CanExport has halted funding for travel-related activities. Learn what is now eligible to receive up to $75K in grants.
• NRC IRAP Funding Helps Businesses Provide PPE and Sanitizer: The National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is using funding to help companies make PPE and sanitization equipment.
• $250M Wage Subsidy Announced for NRC IRAP Innovation Assistance Program (IAP): NRC IRAP has launched the Innovation Assistance Program (IAP) with a total of $250 million in wage subsidies for innovative businesses ineligible for CEWS.
• COVID-19 Recovery for Ontario ICT Businesses: We’ve highlighted some of the top government funding programs that Information & Communications Technology (ICT) businesses should take note of.
• Mitacs Offering 3-to-1 Investment Ratio for COVID-19 R&D Projects: Mitacs has announced they will be offering a 3-to-1 investment ratio to support Canadian researchers to develop solutions to COVID-19.
• Farm Credit Canada Receives $5B to Support Agri-Businesses During COVID-19: 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.
• Digital Technology Supercluster COVID-19 Program: The Digital Technology Supercluster COVID-19 Program has allocated $60M for projects to improve the health and safety of Canadians during COVID-19.
• Canadian Banks Offer Relief to Canadians Impacted by COVID-19: Six of Canada’s biggest banks are helping clients experiencing financial interruptions from COVID-19. Read more about the support available.
• BDC Support For Entrepreneurs Impacted By Coronavirus: The Minister of Finance recently announced increased financing amounts available towards working capital, domestic/international purchase orders, and small business loans in response to COVID-19.
• Help Canada Combat Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Submission Form: The federal government recently released a call regarding medical supplies for assisting the government with the COVID19 response.
• $50M in COVID-19 Support from NGen Canada: NGen Manufacturing Canada will invest $50M to fund projects that can provide positive impacts to health care workers and individuals in response to COVID-19.
• NSERC Alliance Announces $15M in Grants for COVID-19 Projects: NSERC Alliance has made $15M available for research and development projects responding to COVID-19 challenges.
• Apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.
• Business Continuity Plan And Templates For Entrepreneurs: A suite of resources that businesses can leverage for planning key aspects of their business throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.

Get notified of new government COVID-19 funding program announcements.

Federal Responses to COVID-19

• Avoid COVID-19-Related Layoffs with Government Funding Programs: Mentor Works has outlined COVID-19-related funding programs and wage subsidies to avoid layoffs and bring back employees.
• Loan and Grant Programs for Business Cash Flow During COVID-19: Mentor Works has put together a list of Canadian government funding programs related to COVID-19, as well as other ongoing loan/grant programs for business cash flow.
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA): Learn how the CECRA program will lower small businesses’ rent by up to 75% for three months if their revenue has decreased 70% from pre-COVID-19 revenues.
• Applications Open for the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF): The government loan program, Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility, is accepting applications for businesses requiring financial support in response to COVID-19.
• Subsidize 75% of Employee Wages with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program: Get up to 75% of employee wages reimbursed through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.
• COVID-19 Support: Temporary Enhancements to Work-Sharing (WS) Program: The government of Canada has increased support and flexibility to the Work-Sharing (WS) program to support families and businesses throughout COVID-19.
• CanExport SMEs During COVID-19: The popular international marketing grant CanExport has halted funding for travel-related activities. Learn what is now eligible to receive up to $75K in grants.
• Recap of Canada’s Economic Response to COVID-19: Mentor Works breaks down what the Canadian government’s $27 billion economic support response plan against COVID-19 means for your business and personal income.
• COVID-19 Help For Businesses and Employees: Support for workers, considerations for businesses navigating COVID-19 disruptions, Economic Response Plan, guidance for federal employees
• Canada.ca Advice for Essential Retailers During COVID-19 Pandemic: During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for these retailers to implement appropriate public health measures and to adjust their operations to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19
• Risk-Informed Decision-Making Guidelines: Canada.ca helps to provide a framework for risk-informed decision making about public health actions for workplaces/businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Bank of Canada Asks Retailers to Continue Accepting Cash: Canadians handling cash should follow the public health guidelines on COVID-19 and wash their hands often, as they would do for other activities.

Provincial Responses to COVID-19

Ontario

• Ontario Together Fund: $50M for Helping Businesses Fight COVID-19: The provincial government has allocated $50M in funding towards the Ontario Together Fund, which seeks to provide medical grade equipment to healthcare workers.
• Ontario Provincial Government’s Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Page: The Ontario provincial government has coordinated a wealth of information on COVID-19, including how Ontario is responding, testing information, self-isolation tips, the status of cases/testing, and other critical information for both individuals and businesses.
• Immediate Actions York Region Employers Should Take in Response to COVID-19: Written in partnership with Mentor Works. The York Region Economic Strategy in supporting the business community during this difficult and uncertain time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Key to COVID-19 Business Survival: Cash Flow Support Programs: Written in partnership with Mentor Works. It’s critical to look to the future and how companies can manage their cash flows to sustain their activity in the coming months and beyond.
• Government Funding For Industry Sectors – Information Technology and Communications (ICT): York Region Economic Strategy has partnered with Mentor Works to outline additional longer-term government funding programs.
• Ontario List of Essential Services: Ontario Premier Doug Ford has ordered all non-essential stores and services to close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
• March 25, 2020: Ontario’s $17B Action Plan to COVID-19: This $17 billion response is a critical first step to ensure Ontario’s health care system, communities, and economy are positioned to weather the challenges ahead.
• Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open: The province 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.
• Response to COVID-19: Ontario Employer Health Tax Exemption Increase for 2020: There has been an increase to the Ontario Employer Health Tax exemption for 2020 from $490,000 to $1 million due to COVID-19.
• The Power of Government Funding: COVID-19 Recovery for Ontario ICT Businesses: We’ve highlighted some of the top government funding programs that Information & Communications Technology (ICT) businesses should take note of.

British Columbia

• COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information: BC’s official webpage for essential information, including self-assessments, child care, education, employment/finances, businesses, housing/monthly bills, transportation, travel/tourism, and healthcare.

Québec

• Novel Coronavirus Situation Update: Québec has a dedicated page to report on the cases confirmed by region, measures taken by the government, FAQs, and information on school/childcare closures.

Alberta

• General Alberta COVID-19 Info for Albertans: Reference information for Albertans related to affected organization availability, government service changes, and the government’s response.
• Support for Albertans: The provincial government’s response and resources related to COVID-19, including emergency isolation support, utility payment deferral, student loan repayment deferral, banks/credit unions information, education property tax frees, news, and federal government support.

Manitoba

• Manitoba’s COVID-19 Resources: Manitoba’s COVID-19 resource page provides access to Health Links, a self-screening tool, a news feed of updates, COVID-19 resources, and reported cases.

Saskatchewan

• Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Resources: Saskatchewan’s provincial government page dedicated to COVID-19 is providing a self-assessment tool, Public Health orders, as well as information on self-isolation, testing, cases/risks, latest updates, and other resources.

East Coast (Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

• Newfoundland & Labrador COVID-19 Resources: Newfoundland and Labrador’s site is dedicated to educating locals of pandemic updates, resources, tips, FAQs, travel advice, business closures, and the latest media briefings. They also offer forms fro public reporting and essential worker child care.
• Nova Scotia Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources: Nova Scotia is providing its residents with alerts & notices, testing data, guidance on when to seek help, tips, support for businesses/health care, and changes to education.
• New Brunswick COVID-19 Resources: The Government of New Brunswick is offering self-assessments, updates on cases/testing, the latest news, and actions that the province is taking in response to COVID-19.
• Prince Edward Island (PEI) COVID-19 Resources: The PEI provincial government has a dedicated site to provide updates on cases and testing results, advice for individuals/families, closure information, FAQs, business resources, travel advisories, public orders, and other information.

Tips & Resources for Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

Infographic on Navigating COVID-19 Income Support Options (Updated April 8, 2020)

• Leveraging Webinars to Connect with Customers During COVID-19: While we’ve shifted to remote working, webinars are a great tool to help develop and strengthen relationships with customers.
• Individual Income Support Infographic: Find income support options that are available to Canadians affected by COVID-19.
• Improve Your Working from Home Productivity: The team at Mentor Works has put together a list of ways you can increase your productivity when working from home and how to adapt to the working-from-home lifestyle.
• Top Business Funding for CRM & Online Marketing: The Canadian government offers small business grants to support the adoption of CRM and Marketing Automation systems and related training. Are you eligible?
• How to Apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit: The Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit have been merged into the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The application form will be available on April 6.
• Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: The effort to address COVID-19 is extremely important for us all and poses a range of challenges on individuals and families as they respond to the demands of the situation. This resource is designed to provide information and suggestions about how best to cope with this difficult time.
• Yes, it is Possible to Train Your Team and Work from Home: Remote employee training requires a shift in mindset, but doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some tips and tricks for a successful transition.
• CME is Collecting a List of Manufacturers Interested in Helping: If you are a Canadian manufacturer that wants to contribute towards the fight against COVID-19, the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) association is collecting a list of manufacturers.

COVID-19 Related Webinars

All webinars are in Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Watch Anytime: On-Demand Webinars

• Export Development Canada (EDC) Resources: EDC offered a webinar that’s now available “on demand” to guide businesses as they manage the impact of COVID-19 on their global supply chains, which included Peter Hall, VP and Chief Economist of EDC.
• BDC’s How to Cope with the Impacts of COVID-19 on Your Business: The spread of COVID-19 poses important challenges to Canadian businesses. With the situation constantly evolving, you need to be prepared for any disruptions. Join BDC experts as they share short-term economic perspectives and advice on how to manage through the crisis.

Register for Mentor Works’ upcoming COVID-19 Support for Canadian Businesses Webinar!