We have heard from small business owners describing how difficult this time has been, and we’ve made significant progress to alleviate your troubles. Here you'll find some of what we have successfully pushed the federal government to do, as well as what we are still asking to help businesses make it through the crisis.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
Applications open
The government is providing a wage subsidy from April 27, 2020 until June 2021 to businesses whose revenues are impacted by COVID-19.
Questions? Here are some helpful resources:
- CFIB’s COVID-19 CEWS page
- the CRA’s CEWS website
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$60,000 Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
Applications open
CEBA is a lending program that can help small firms pay expenses that cannot be deferred during this challenging period. The loans are interest-free, backed by the Government of Canada and forgivable up to $20,000 when paid back by December 31, 2022.
Questions? Here are some helpful resources:
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Rent (CECRA & CERS)
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) - Applications closed
From April to October of 2020, the CECRA allowed commercial property owners apply for rent assistance for their tenants. This program is now closed and no longer taking application.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) – Applications open
The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) was created to provide rent and mortgage support directly to small businesses, charities and non-profits affected by COVID-19. The subsidy is available on a sliding scale (with a maximum amount of 65%) for businesses that can demonstrate a revenue loss.
An additional top-up of 25% (i.e a maximum possible subsidy of 90%) will be available for organizations temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority.
Questions? Here are some helpful resources:
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Work-Sharing Program
Applications open
The Work-Sharing Program is a three-way agreement that can be negotiated between Service Canada, the employer and the employee to provide EI benefits to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hours as a result of developments beyond the control of their employers.
Questions? Here are some helpful resources:
- CFIB’s COVID-19 Work-Sharing page
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Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
Applications open
The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) provides loans to businesses experiencing challenges through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). This program aims to help businesses cover their operating costs. Speak to your financial institution account manager to determine what help is available to your business.
Questions? Here are some helpful resources:
- CFIB’s COVID-19 FAQ
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Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
Applications open
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund is a program administered by the Regional Development Agency (RDA) to provide support to local businesses and particularly those not eligible to current federal programs. Each agency is independent.
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Questions? Here are some helpful resources:
- CFIB’s COVID-19 RRRF page
- Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (NS, NB, PEI, NL)
- Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (QC)
- Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (YT, NWT, NU)
- FedDev Ontario (Southern Ontario)
- Western Economic Diversifiation Canada (AB, BC, MB, SC)
10% Wage Subsidy
Applications retroactively open
The 10% wage subsidy allows you to reduce the remittance of federal, provincial or territorial income tax that you send to the CRA by 10%, allowing you to keep a portion of your employees’ income tax. The subsidy only applies to remuneration paid from March 18 to June 19, 2020. It is available retroactively from CRA for eligible business owners who have not claimed it yet.
We’re dedicated to supporting your business through this difficult time by compiling answers to the most common COVID-19 questions and keeping you up to date on the latest relief measures from the provincial governments. Visit our COVID-19 Small Business Help Center to learn more.
More resources
Watch our COVID-19 webinars
We host weekly COVID-19 webinars aimed at helping your business cope with the ongoing pandemic. We also partner with other organizations to cover a variety of topics useful to you.
Join the fight for more relief
We know your business needs more help from government if it's going to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Sign our petition to join CFIB and business owners across Canada in the fight for greater relief.
Surveying small business concerns
We're surveying our members on the impact of COVID-19 on their business. Policy makers are telling us these surveys are invaluable to them as the situation unfolds.