COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses

Last updated: June 18, 2020

With constant updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping on top of all the information available can be overwhelming, especially when you’re also trying to run a small business. Our team has been combing through the information available online and has curated some resources we think will be most useful for small business owners.

We will continue to update these resources with new information as it becomes available.

Financial Support to Businesses and Workers
Access to Capital for Small Businesses
Business Development Bank Resources
Government Tools and Resources
Digital Marketing and eCommerce
Supply Chain Management
COVID-19 – FAQs
Regional Support Programs

Government of Canada – Overview of COVID-19 Economic Support

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Financial Support for Businesses and Workers

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Provides eligible businesses, charitable or not-for-profit organizations that have experienced a drop in gross revenues of at least 15 per cent in March, and 30 per cent in April and May, with a 75 per cent wage subsidy for up to six months.
Covers employees’ salaries on the first $58,700 earned this year – to a maximum amount of $847 per week.
Backdated to March 15, 2020

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Only apply for this benefit through either Service Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)–not both.
Replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit
Provides direct financial support of $2,000 per month, for up to six months, to workers who have stopped working because of COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures.
Questions? More Information

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

Provides small businesses and not-for-profits with interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to help cover operating costs
Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000).
Businesses must have paid total employment income of between $20,000 to $1.5 million in 2019.
Businesses must apply through their current financial institution:
- RBC
- TD Bank
- CIBC
- Scotiabank
- BMO
- National Bank
- Desjardins

Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)

Regional Development Agencies provide federal funding for tourism operators, small businesses or organizations.
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), implemented by the six regional development agencies in collaboration with the national network of Community Futures Development Corporations, supports businesses that are unable to access other government relief measures. For details, see the region closest to you:

Work-Sharing Program

Helps employers avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in business activity beyond their control.
Provides Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce their normal working hours and share the available work while their employer recovers.
A WS agreement has to be at least 6 consecutive weeks long and can last up to 26 consecutive weeks. Employers may be able to extend their agreements up to a total of 76 weeks.

Access to Capital for Small Businesses

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)

Increases the credit available to small, medium and large Canadian businesses.
Businesses must have been generating revenues for at least 24 months.
Businesses must work with their existing financial institution to access it.
If their needs exceed the level of support the financial institution is able to provide, the financial institution will work alongside BDC or EDC to access additional resources available under BCAP.
Through BCAP, BDC and EDC will provide more than $65 billion in loans and other forms of credit at market rates to businesses with viable business models.

Farm Credit Canada (FCC)

Provides additional financing for farmers, agribusinesses and food processors.

Purchase Order Financing

Cover up to 90% of the purchase order amount to ease cash flow to your suppliers.

Business Development Bank Resources

Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs

Templates and tools to help entrepreneurs create and maintain their business continuity plans.

How to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 on your business (video)

Advice for entrepreneurs on how to manage their business through this crisis period.

Well-being resources for entrepreneurs

Resources intended to offer a range of services on mental health and well-being.

Best practices for the prevention of COVID-19 in the workplace

A guide (PDF) summarizing practical advice for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in your business

COVID-19 business-planning tools for entrepreneurs

Tools and tips to help you map out your next steps, identify new opportunities, mitigate risk and create resilience in your company, so you can emerge strong in recovery

Government Tools and Resources

Questions about which government relief programs are most appropriate to support your small business? Call the Business Resilience Service hotline seven days a week to get free advice from a business advisor.
Use this interactive tool to determine which COVID-19 supports are available to you (includes programs and services offered by federal, provincial and territorial governments)
Questions about federal financing options? Download the Canada Business App.
Call to Action: Canadian Manufacturers Needed to Help Combat COVID-19
Canadian Business Resilience Network: Offered by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, tools and resources for small businesses to manage through the COVID-19 pandemic