Navigating COVD-19: Government Updates

Published September 29, 2020

This page will be updated as new information becomes available. We encourage you to check back on a regular basis to stay informed.

Restaurants Canada is engaging with governments across the country to ensure the concerns of the foodservice community are addressed as part of evolving responses to COVID-19. Below is a summary of current relief measures at the federal and provincial levels.

Reopening Plans Tracker

Stay updated on how and when each province is planning to permit restaurants to reopen: This tracker provides weekly updates on government announcements and activities across the country related to lifting restrictions and reopening the economy.

Raising the Voice of Foodservice: Feeding the Recovery

Working together with Restaurants Canada, all levels of government can help foodservice businesses continue playing an integral part of the social and economic fabric of communities across the country. Together we can raise awareness about how critically important the restaurant industry is to Canada’s recovery from COVID-19. Learn more at: feedingtherecovery.ca.

Navigating COVID-19: Federal and provincial government resources

COVID-19 wage and hiring support for businesses

As an employer in Canada who has seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of the wages you pay employees. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations.

Many of the eligibility and calculation rules for the wage subsidy under the THRP and the HHBRP are the same as they were for the CEWS.

Local Lockdown Program

The government is temporarily expanding the Local Lockdown Program such that a business can now also qualify if:

  • one or more of its locations is subject to a public health order that has the effect of reducing the entity’s capacity at the location by 50 per cent or more, and
  • activities restricted by the public health order accounted for at least 50 per cent of the entity’s total qualifying revenues during the prior reference period.

In addition, the government intends to temporarily lower the current-month revenue loss threshold from 40 per cent to 25 per cent. Employers would continue to need to demonstrate current-month losses only, without the requirement for a historical 12-month revenue decline.

The rate would start at 25 per cent for eligible organizations with a 25-per-cent current-month revenue decline, increasing thereafter in proportion to current-month revenue loss up to a maximum rate of 75 per cent for those with a current-month revenue decline of 75 per cent or higher.

These temporary changes would be in effect for qualifying periods from December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022 (Periods 24 and 25).

Table 1, below, details the proposed wage and rent subsidy rate structure for the Local Lockdown Program from December 19, 2021, until February 12, 2022.

Table 1
Wage and Rent Subsidy Rate Structure under the Local Lockdown Program
Current-month revenue decline Period 24-25
December 19, 2021 – February 12, 2022
75% and over 75%
25-74% Revenue decline e.g., 50% revenue decline = 50% subsidy rate
0-24% 0%

 

Extending The Work-Sharing program

The Government of Canada has put in place Work-Sharing special measures for employers affected by the downturn in business related to COVID-19. Special measures are effective March 15, 2020 to September 24, 2022. These measures extend the duration of Work-Sharing agreements by an additional 38 weeks. That brings the total to 76 weeks (regardless of how many weeks a business has used prior to March 14, 2020) followed by a possible new 26-week subsequent agreement.

The Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)

Provides businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19, access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs.

HASCAP is available to businesses that operate in sectors such as tourism and hospitality, restaurants, and those that primarily rely on in-person services.

The program is available at some participating financial institutions. Other participating financial institutions will deploy the program progressively over the days that follow.


For a full list of federal support for businesses, click here.

GRANTS

Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant

Funding for small- and medium-sized businesses, co-ops, and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 to offset a portion of their costs.

 

TESTING & VACCINES

Rapid Testing Program

Employers and service providers can apply to implement a rapid COVID-19 testing program in their organization.

 

Providing paid COVID-19 vaccination leave

All working Albertans are eligible for paid, job-protected leave to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Small Business Advice

Talk to a small business strategist at Business Link for one-on-one coaching, advice, and information on COVID-19 resources and supports.

 

To connect with a Business Link strategist:

Submit your question online or contact them directly:

Toll free: 1-800-272-9675 (Canada only)

TTY: 1-800-457-8466 (For the deaf or hard of hearing)

Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed weekends and statutory holidays)

 

Guidance Documents

Workplace guidance documents to help businesses reopen and resume operations safely.

 

Public Health Measures

Mandatory, provincewide restrictions are in effect to protect the health system and slow the spread of COVID-19.

For a full list of provincial support for businesses, click here.

B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service

The B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service provides information and support to business owners to help navigate challenges from COVID-19. 

Advisors are ready to help, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Call 1-833-254-4357

Email: covid@smallbusinessbc.ca

COVID-19 Support for Businesses Guide

The COVID-19 Supports for Businesses Guide is a comprehensive resource about government and private sector financial supports.

This guide is updated regularly to reflect new supports and information.

<<Download Guide>> 

 

GRANTS

Economic supports for businesses, non-profits and community groups

For a full list of provincial support for businesses, click here.

Latest Provincial Recovery Updates

Manitoba Economic Support Centre

Many businesses and not-for-profits in Manitoba are facing significant challenges due to COVID-19. If you’re one of them, the Manitoba Economic Support Centre is here for you.

Call us to learn more about provincial and federal support programs like wage subsidies, loans, rent assistance, hiring students, and the new Manitoba Gap Protection Program.

Dial 1-888-805-7554 today to speak with a service representative at the Manitoba Economic Support Centre.

 

For a full list of provincial support for businesses, click here.

Latest Provincial Recovery Updates

LOANS & MORTGAGES

Small business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for working capital loans up to $100,000 through the NB Small Business Emergency Working Capital Program.

  • Accessible to small businesses employing 1 to 49 employees, including sole proprietors/self-employed, with sales of less than $10 million in the most recent fiscal year.
  • Examples of sectors that would benefit from this support include restaurants, full-time & seasonal tourism operations, service sectors, and self-employed business owners impacted directly by the pandemic.
  • The loans are funded by Government of New Brunswick and are administered by the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC). Applications can be completed online.

General provincial health information about COVID-19

Latest Provincial Recovery Updates

Tourism and Hospitality Support Program

The Tourism and Hospitality Support Program is a short-term program offered by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and delivered by the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology to assist eligible tourism and hospitality-based operators impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidance for Restaurants and Lounges

It is important to monitor the public health guidance from the Department of Health and Community Services as the situation can change quickly. Please check www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19, which is updated daily.

Latest Provincial Recovery Updates

Licensed establishments are now permitted to sell liquor products with takeout and delivery orders.

Home delivery of alcohol with food purchases for takeout or delivery is permitted by those licensed establishments that have a valid Food Safety Permit. Only employees of the licensee may deliver alcohol with food. More information for licensees (PDF).

Sector Impact Support Program

Nova Scotia restaurateurs impacted by the latest public health restrictions in Nova Scotia can now apply for support through the Sector Impact Support Program. 

The Sector Impact Support Program will provide a one-time grant to help small business owners in industries such as restaurants, bars, gyms, live performing arts facilities and recreation facilities. Eligible businesses can receive a grant of $2,500, $5,000 or $7,500 based on gross payroll cost or gross revenue in November 2021.

  • To be eligible, businesses must have had a minimum gross monthly payroll of $1,000 or a minimum of $2,500 of gross monthly revenue for November 2021; be registered to do business in Nova Scotia; have an active Canada Revenue Agency business number; and have gross revenue of $5 million or less in its most recently filed tax year.
  • Incorporated businesses that operate more than one eligible business location under a single corporate entity may claim a rebate for each business location.

For more information on eligibility and to apply, click here.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Digital Assistance Program for Small Business

The Digital Assistance Program for Small Business connects eligible businesses with digital consultants for services like website development, digital marketing strategies and e-commerce tools, up to a value of $5,000. Small businesses that qualified for the Small Business Impact Grant Part 3 are automatically qualified for the program. Applications from eligible businesses will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

LABOUR

  • Ensuring more Nova Scotians can access the internet to work from home, by providing $15 million as an incentive to providers to speed up projects under the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative and complete them as soon as possible.

Halifax Municipal updates

General provincial health information about COVID-19

Latest Provincial Recovery Updates

Supports for businesses include:

Restaurant and food services health and safety during COVID-19

Find resources, best practices and information to help keep your workers safe and healthy, and your business in operation, during COVID-19.

Businesses: Get help with COVID-19 costs

Find out if your business is eligible for grants to help with the cost of property taxes, energy bills and extra support if you have to close or significantly restrict services because of provincial public health measures.

RENT / UTILITIES

  • Electricity cost relief as the government sets electricity prices for time-of-use customers at the lowest rate, known as the off-peak price, 24 hours a day for 45 days

TAXES & OTHER GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS

Jobs Training Tax Credit

The temporary Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit will help workers get the training they need.

It will provide up to $2,000 to individuals with eligible training expenses in 2021. This measure would provide about $260 million in support to 230,000 Ontario individuals.

Learn more about the tax credit.

For a full list of provincial support for businesses, click here.

Latest Provincial Recovery Updates

LOANS & MORTGAGES

Emergency Working Capital Financing

A financing program has been developed to provide emergency working capital financing to assist PEI’s small business during this unprecedented economic disruption to business, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This new loan program is to assist qualifying companies to maintain normal business operations during these difficult times.

Eligible applicants can apply to receive a working capital loan of up to $100,000 with a fixed interest rate of 4% per annum to be used to assist with fixed operating costs (including payroll, rent, utilities etc) with principal & interest payments deferred for a minimum of 12 months.

TAXES & OTHER GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS

COVID-19 Special Leave Fund

The COVID-19 Special Leave Fund is a temporary support for workers and self-employed people who are unable to work due to illness or COVID-19 testing or self-isolation requirements, and who do not qualify for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit

Emergency Working Capital Financing

A financing program has been developed to provide emergency working capital financing to assist PEI’s small business during this unprecedented economic disruption to business, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Employers: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

As part of the provincial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Government has announced a new Emergency Contingency Fund as an initial step to help support Island businesses.

Tourism Assistance Loan Program

A funding program has been developed by the Province of PEI to support the PEI Tourism Operators through a joint partnership of Finance PEI and Tourism PEI.

Tourism Interest Relief Program

The Tourism Interest Relief Program announced by the Province of Prince Edward Island will provide assistance to Island tourism operators through a joint partnership of Finance PEI and Tourism PEI.

RENT / UTILITIES

Broadband Fund for Businesses

The Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund provides financial assistance to local Prince Edward Island internet service providers (ISPs), communities and businesses for the installation of infrastructure for enhanced broadband services. Through this program, partnerships and collaborations are encouraged and support is provided for increased service levels, improved access and consumer choice for connectivity.

LABOUR

Emergency Income Relief for the Self-Employed

The Emergency Income Relief Fund is a temporary program put in place to support the self-employed who have been significantly affected by COVID-19.

General provincial health information about COVID-19

Latest Provincial Recovery Updates

The following measures have been announced to help businesses impacted by COVID-19:

LOANS & MORTGAGES

  • The announcement of the Concerted temporary action program for businesses (PACTE) offering financial support to businesses experiencing difficulties obtaining supplies of raw materials or products (goods or services) or whose ability to deliver products is halted or reduced.
  • $2.5 billion dollars to help and support businesses with cash flow in loans and loan guarantees.
  • $50,000 minimum help, granted through Investissement Québec. Small and medium businesses from all sectors are eligible, as long as their cash flow problems are related to COVID-19.
  • Flexibility measures respecting the terms and conditions of loans already granted by Investissement Québec or through the local investment funds

TAXES & OTHER GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS

General provincial health information about COVID-19

For a full list of provincial support for businesses, click here.

Latest Provincial Recovery Updates

Business Response Team: Call: 1-844-800-8688 or supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca

 

For a full list of provincial support for businesses, click here.

General provincial health information about COVID-19

General provincial health information about COVID-19

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