Newfoundland 

• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a public health state of emergency on March 18, 2020. As a result, some businesses have been ordered to close. 
• Loan payments on business loans administered by the Innovation and Business Investment Corporation are deferred by three months.

Prince Edward Island 

• Prince Edward Island declared a Public Health Emergency on March 16, 2020. As a result, non-essential businesses have been ordered to close. 
• Workers compensation: WCB PEI is deferring all assessment due dates related to 2020 employer payrolls, employers do not have to pay WCB premiums until June 30.
• Supports for the self employed: The Government of Prince Edward Island has announced an Emergency Income Relief Fund for self-employed people who have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Supports for business: The government has announced Emergency Working Capital Financing to help small businesses maintain normal business operations. Each qualified company is eligible to receive up $100,000. 
• The Worker Assistance Program provides funding for employers who have employees working a reduced number of hours. Private sector businesses who have workers who have seen a reduction in weekly hours by at least 8 hours are eligible to apply. Employers will received a maximum of $250 per week per employee whose hours were reduced.
• If you need to lay off employees temporarily, there is no requirement to give or pay notice since the employee is not being terminated, but rather being put on a leave of absence not currently covered by Employment Standards.
• As well, the government is:

• • Deferring all scheduled loan payments for clients of Finance PEI, Island Investment Development Inc., and the PEI Century Fund for the next 3 months
  • Providing $4.5 million to Community Business Development Corporations across the province to deliver financing to small business and entrepreneurs 
  • Providing a temporary allowance of $200 per week for anyone who has experienced a significant drop in their working hours 

Nova Scotia 

• Nova Scotia declared a State of Emergency on March 22, 2020. Under the policy, any workplace or business that is not considered essential may stay open so long as a two metre distance between employees can be maintained.
• Supports for businesses: 
• Government will defer payments until June 30 for all government loans
• Government will defer payments until June 30 for small business renewal fees, including business registration renewal fees and workers compensation premiums
• Changes to the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, administered through credit unions, include deferring principal and interest payments until June 30, enhancing the program to make it easier for businesses to access credit up to $500,000, and for those who might not qualify for a loan, government will guarantee the first $100,000 
• Small businesses which do business with the government will be paid within five days instead of the standard 30 days 
• If you need to lay off employees temporarily, there is no requirement to give or pay notice since the COVID-19 is a circumstance that could not be foreseen by an employer 

New Brunswick 

• New Brunswick declared a state of emergency on March 19, 2020. As a result, some businesses have been ordered to close. All businesses must apply all of the social distancing and hygiene recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
• OpportunitiesNB is providing small- and medium-sized businesses loans of up to $200,000 with no payments or interest for 12 months and larger employers with working capital.
• A one-time income benefit will be provided to self-employed and workers in New Brunswick who have lost their job due to the state of emergency. 
• NB Power will defer electricity bill payments for residential and small business customers for up to 90 days for impacted customers. More information is available on the NBPower website 
• Since the COVID-19 pandemic is an unforeseen circumstance, there is no requirement for an employer to provide notice of lay-off to an employee 

Quebec

• As of March 25, 2020, and until April 13, 2020, the Government of Québec has ordered the minimization of all non-priority services and activities. 
• Official list of priority services 
• Other measures taken by the government: 
  • The suspension of student loan debt repayment for 6 months, including borrowers whose accounts are in collection 
  • 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 
  • The announcement of flexibility measures respecting the terms and conditions of loans already granted by Investissement Québec or through the local investment funds 

Ontario 

• The Government of Ontario declared all non-essential businesses must close on March 24, 2020. The closure will last for a minimum of 14 days. 
• The Ontario government has announced an end to Time-of-Use electricity pricing during the COVID-19 outbreak. Effective immediately, electricity will be priced at “low-peak” – 10.1 cents/kwh – at all hours of the day for the next 45 days.
• If you need to lay off employees temporarily, there is no requirement to give or pay notice since the employee is not being terminated.
• The Government of Ontario announced a new website to help businesses work with the province to meet the challenges of COVID-19. Any business that could produce – or reconfigure to produce – essential equipment, from ventilators and masks to swabs and eye-protection, is encouraged to visit the Ontario Together webpage.

Manitoba 

• Manitoba Government extends tax payment filing deadlines for business: The province is extending the April and May filing deadlines for small and medium-sized businesses with monthly remittances of no more than $10,000. 
  • Businesses will have up to two additional months to remit retail sales taxes and the payroll tax.This extension gives small and medium businesses a two month breather to deal with COVID-19. 
  • The Ministry of Finance will also work with businesses regarding flexible repayment options above the $10,000 cap.
• Retail sales tax (RST) returns for small and medium-sized businesses with monthly RST remittances of no more than $10,000 per month that would normally be due on April 20th and May 20th will now be due on June 20, 2020.
  • Businesses that file on a quarterly basis that have a due date of April 20, 2020 will now have the due date extended to June 22, 2020.
  • Businesses that qualify for the above filing extension that were not able to file and remit their February sales tax return by the March 20th due date will not be assessed a late filing penalty and interest will not be applied until after June 22, 2020.
• Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy (also known as HE Levy) returns for small and medium businesses with monthly HE Levy remittances of no more than $10,000 per month that would normally be due on April 15th and May 15th will now be due on June 15, 2020. 

Saskatchewan 

• The Government of Saskatchewan declared a provincial State of Emergency on March 18. As a result some businesses are being ordered to close. 
• Three Month PST Remittance Deferral and Audit Suspension: Effective immediately, Saskatchewan businesses who are unable to remit their PST due to cashflow concerns will have relief from penalty and interest charges. Businesses that are unable to file their provincial tax return by the due date can submit a request for relief from penalty and interest charges on their returns.
• Changes to Employment Standard Regulations: In addition to changes made to changes to The Saskatchewan Employment Act that introduced a new unpaid public health emergency leave and removed the 13-week employment requirement to access sick leave and the requirement for a doctor’s note to access sick leave, The Employment Standard Regulations have been amended to:
  • Ensure that during a public emergency, businesses will not have to provide notice or pay in lieu of notice when they lay-off staff if it is for a period of 12 weeks or less in a 16-week period 
  • If an employer lays off employees periodically for a total of more than 12 weeks in a 16-week period, the employees are considered to be terminated and are entitled to pay instead of notice. This will be calculated from the date on which the employee was laid off 
• Business Response Team: To provide support to Saskatchewan businesses, the Government of Saskatchewan will be establishing a single window information webpage for businesses to access information and receive timely updates on provincial support initiatives 
  • This will be complemented by the establishment of a Business Response Team, led by the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, which will work with businesses to identify program supports relevant to particular businesses available to them both provincially and federally 
• SaskBuilds Single Procurement Service: The Government of Saskatchewan has been contacted by many businesses, individuals and groups who have offered ideas and solutions. As such, the SaskBuilds Single Procurement Service will serve as a central point of contact and coordination 
  • If you are a Saskatchewan business, innovator, or supplier and you think you have a solution that can help us fight COVID-19, you may direct your submission to procurement@gov.sk.ca 

Alberta

• Alberta declared a State of Emergency on March 17, 2020. As a result, some businesses are being ordered to close. 
• Support for businesses: 
  • corporate income tax balances and instalment payments will be deferred until August 31, 2020 
  • residents, agri-businesses and small businesses can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for the next 90 days
  • the Alberta government canceled the decision made in Budget 2020 and will freeze education property taxes at last year’s level
  • the Alberta government has deferred education property tax for businesses for the next six months
  • WCB premiums have been deferred until early 2021. Employers who have already paid their WCB premium payment for 2020 are eligible for a rebate or credit. For small and medium businesses, the government with cover 50% of the premium when it is due 
• Alberta banks: 
  • Customers can apply for a deferral on their ATB loans, lines of credit, and mortgages for up to six months.
  • Small business customers, in addition to payment deferrals on loans and lines of credit, will be provided access to additional working capital.
  • For other business and agriculture customers, ATB will work with customers on a one-on-one basis and further solutions are being considered at this time. 
• Alberta credit unions: 
  • Credit union members will have access to a variety of programs and solutions designed to ease difficulties with loan payments and short-term cash flow.
• Alberta has an Emergency Isolation Support program that offers paid leave for employees without access to EI for receiving benefits like vacation time or sick leave. This program is also available for small business owners and the self-employed. The benefit is a one-time payment of $1,146 that is meant to bridge the gap until the Federal program commences in April. 

British Columbia 

• British Columbia declared a state of emergency on March 17, 2020. As a result some businesses have been ordered to close. 
• Support for businesses: 
  • The BC Government is deferring many provincial tax filings to Sept 30, 2020. 
  • The BC Government is also delaying the increase of the Carbon Tax to Sept 30, 2020 (initially planned for April 1, 2020), and cutting the Provincial Property tax (i.e. Provincial School Tax) rate in half this year for commercial and industrial properties 
  • To support non-profits, service delivery agencies, and childcare providers, BC will continue to fund these agencies regardless of if they are open, closed or regular operations have been disrupted in any way. 
• BC Hydro:  A “COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program” has been introduced which provides both residential and commercial customers the ability to defer bill payments or arrange flexible payment plans with no penalty.