Federal Government: 

• The federal government announced new measures to support businesses 
• The federal government will: 
  • Establish a Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) to provide bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers 
  • Use key guiding principles in providing support through the LEEFF
    • Protection of taxpayers and workers: Companies seeking support must demonstrate how they intend to preserve employment and maintain investment activities 
    • Fairness: To ensure support across the Canadian economy, the financing is intended to be applicable to all eligible sectors in a consistent manner
    • Timeliness: To ensure timely support, the LEEFF program will apply a standard set of economic terms and conditions  
  • Expand the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to mid-sized companies with larger financing needs. Support for mid-market businesses will include loans of up to $60 million per company, and guarantees of up to $80 million 
  • Continue to provide financing to businesses through Farm Credit Canada, the BDC, and EDC, including through the Canada Account 

Newfoundland: 

• Effective May 11, 2020, Newfoundland will enter Alert Level 4 – this alert permits the gradual resumption of some activities and business operations 
• Professional services, such as accounting firms, law firms, and financial services, can offer in-person services, provided the principles of physical distancing and hand hygiene can be maintained. Work from home policies are encouraged, where possible.
• In-person worker and workplace safety training are permitted as long as physical distancing and hand hygiene measures can be maintained. This includes Standard First Aid Training, Basic Safety Training, and Food Safety Training.
• Animal daycare centres can open.
• Garden centres can open for in-person sales and service. Landscaping and lawn care services can also resume.
• Retail stores that do not offer essential services remain closed to in-person service during Alert Level 4. These retail stores can offer online or telephone sales with delivery or curbside pick-up options.
• Bars and lounges remain closed, as do cinemas.
• Personal service establishments including spas, esthetic services, hair salons, body piercing and tattooing salons, and tanning salons remain closed during this level.
• In-person dining in restaurants also remains closed. Take-out, delivery and drive-thru options are still permitted.
• A Business Response Team is in place to support businesses as they prepare to re-open. Businesses who have questions can email covid19info@gov.nl.ca or call 1-833-771-0696

Ontario: 

• As of May 11, 2020 the Ontario government will allow retail stores with a street entrance to offer curbside pickup and delivery 
• Over the weekend, garden centres, nurseries, hardware stores and safety supply stores began offering in-store purchasing 
• The province has now released over 80 sector-specific health and safety guidelines, including guidelines for curbside pickup and delivery services 
• The Ministry of Health has also released a Guidance Document for Essential Workplaces 
• Business owners should use these guidelines to develop reopening plans that work for their business and protect workers, customers and the general public as the province prepares for the gradual reopening of the economy