COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses

Last updated: February 26, 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 collected some details on the benefits and supports available to small business owners, as well as a number of helpful resources and guides. 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)

Covers up to 75 per cent (as of December 2020) of an employee’s wages for qualifying employers. Note that benefit amounts vary depending on which time period you are applying for.
Available retroactive to March 2020; available until June 2021
In November 2020, the federal government announced a number of changes to the program designed to make it more accessible.

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

Provides $1,000 ($900 after taxes) per two-week period to employed and self-employed individuals not entitled to EI benefits.
Administered by the Canada Revenue Agency
Replaced the previously-announced Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Recipients must reapply for each period, and can apply for up to a total of 13 two-week periods (or 26 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

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. (In October 2020, the federal government announced plans to increase this amount to $60,000.)
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.
As of October 2020, eligible businesses operating through a personal bank account will also be able to apply.
Deadline to apply is March 31, 2021.
Businesses must apply through their current financial institution:
- RBC
- TD Bank
- CIBC
- Scotiabank
- BMO
- National Bank
- Desjardins

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)

Available to eligible businesses, non-profits or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the pandemic
Directly available subsidy meant to help cover commercial rent or property expenses
Eligible expenses can be claimed up to a max of $75,000 per business location or $300,000 for all locations
Benefits available retroactive to September 27, 2020 and will extend until June 2021.

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 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.

Canada Small Business Financing Program

Easier access to loans for small businesses from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lender
Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower
financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) 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

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, these tools and resources are designed to help small businesses during COVID-19.
Overview of Federal Government Services for Small Business web page highlights programs and initiatives for small businesses.