Updates for April 9, 2020
Federal Government:
Prince Edward Island:
- Announced a new $750,000 COVID-19 Strategic Fund for Agriculture under the Canada Agriculture Partnership to help commodities and small processors adapt to the pandemic
- The province also announced that they are looking at ways to address some of the labour challenges facing the industry, including enhancing the Farm Team Student bursary
Nova Scotia:
- Measures announced today include:
- Applications for the $40 million Worker Emergency Bridge Fund and Small Business Impact Grant will be available and accepted starting Friday, April 10
- Payment for more than 480 small-business fees will be deferred until June 30
- 211 will launch on April 11 – a new service to connect people needing COVID-19 assistance with the Canadian Red Cross. The Red Cross will act as a navigator to link people to the services they need
New Brunswick:
Ontario:
- The Ontario government has launched a new Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee which will focus on getting businesses up and running after the COVID-19 pandemic is over
- The Committee will be consulting with a wide variety of people, including business associations, chambers of commerce, municipal leaders, corporate leaders, small business owners, and entrepreneurs
- The government launched Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19
- The plan includes $3.7 billion to support people and jobs, and relief of $6 billion by temporarily deferring taxes for 100,000 Ontario businesses, $1.9 billion to allow employers to defer Workplace Safety and Insurance Board payments, and $1.8 billion to defer municipal education property tax payments
- The Ontario government has also worked with the federal government to develop the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan that will enable up to $40 billion in lending, supported through Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank
- The province is providing a supplemental online resource for Manitoba families whose children are learning at home during the suspension of in-school classes – the My Learning at Home portal
- The Manitoba government is seeking the following items:
- medical swabs
- non-medical cotton gloves
- non-medical cotton gowns
- previously requested supplies (i.e., medical gowns, suits, gloves and masks)
Saskatchewan:
- The Saskatchewan government will make up to $1.5 million in emergency financial aid available to help at-risk post-secondary students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Will support both domestic and international students in need through one-time emergency bursaries
Alberta:
- Business Link will serve as a one-stop shop to help small businesses learn about and connect to available COVID-19 supports based on their unique business needs
- Business Link can provide one-on-one guidance to Albertans who operate a small business or are pursuing an entrepreneurial venture
- Small businesses can access a list of available supports on Business Link’s website, or connect with a business strategist by phone, email or live chat
- To access Business Link services, contact 1-800-272-9675 or visit www.businesslink.ca
- The provincial government is doubling the capital maintenance and renewal (CMR) funding in 2020-21 from $937 million to $1.9 billion by accelerating the capital plan
- This will allow the government to act quickly and work with companies across the province so they can keep their workers employed during these challenging times
- Alberta is temporarily modifying some regulations for truck drivers and railway operators to protect the supply chain and ensure Canadians can access necessities like medical supplies, groceries and fuel
British Columbia:
