Federal Government: 

The federal government announced $450 million in funding to help Canada’s academic research community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment will:

• Provide wage supports to universities and health research institutes, so they can retain research staff who are funded from industry or philanthropic sources and are unable to access some of the government’s existing COVID-19 support measures. This would apply even if their work has been temporarily suspended. The government will provide up to 75 per cent per individual, with a maximum of $847 per week.
• Support universities and health research institutes to maintain essential research-related activities during the crisis, and to ramp back up to full research operations once physical distancing measures are lifted. This will cover up to 75 per cent of total eligible costs, and will support activities such as the safe storage of dangerous substances, and restarting data sets that were interrupted during the pandemic.

• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy is being extended to the end of August  
• The government will also be broadening eligibility for the benefit 

• The Canada Summer Jobs program officially opens today for students. A first set of postings are already available on jobbank.gc.ca and more positions are expected to be posted over the coming weeks 
• Students and recent graduates can apply for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit starting today 

Newfoundland: 

• The province announced $300,000 in funding to launch a new Students Supporting Communities Program 
• The program provides a $3,500 grant to organizations that enables them to hire students to help seniors and other vulnerable groups facing social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes:
  • $2,880 to hire a 30 hour per week position for eight weeks at $12.00/hour (this can be one position at 30 hours or two part-time)
  • $432 for mandatory employment related costs
  • $188 for incidentals related to position (e.g., gas allowance; long distance charges) 
• The call for applications from employers, including community organizations, will open Friday, May 15, 2020 
• More information about Students Supporting Communities  

Prince Edward Island: 

• Applications are now open for Island businesses and employers to apply for a temporary wage top-up for essential workers and funding to purchase health and safety protective measures in their workplaces 
  • The COVID-19 Support for Essential Workers – Earning $3,000/Month or Less is a temporary income support for essential workers employed during the PEI Public Health State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible employees earning $3,000 per month or less will receive a one-time payment of $1,000, administered through their employer 
  • The COVID-19 Workspace Adaption Assistance Fund helps small businesses purchase and install protective measures, such as plexiglass dividers or handwashing stations to safeguard employees and customers. Businesses can receive up to $2,000 and the program will be retroactive to March 16th to support businesses that have already put measures in place to operate safely 

Saskatchewan: 

• Applications are now open for the Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplement Program 
• For each eligible worker, the temporary wage supplement is $400 for each four-week period, up to 16 weeks, for the period from March 15, 2020 to July 4, 2020. 
• To be eligible, a worker must earn a wage less than $24.00 per hour at an eligible essential care facility, in the four-week period for which the worker has applied for the supplement 
• An eligible worker must also have total earnings less than $2,500, including earnings from work outside an eligible essential care facility, in the four-week period for which the worker has applied for the supplement 
• For more information about or to apply for the wage supplement, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/wage-supplement-program 

Alberta:

Some businesses and facilities can start to resume operations as of May 14 in all areas except the cities of Calgary and Brooks:

• Retail businesses, such as clothing, furniture and bookstores. All vendors at farmers markets will also be able to operate 
• Museums and art galleries 
• Daycares and out-of-school care with limits on occupancy 
• Hairstyling and barbershops 
• Cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars will be permitted to reopen for table service only at 50 per cent capacity 
• Day camps, including summer school, will be permitted with limits on occupancy 
• Post-secondary institutions will continue to deliver courses; however, there will be more flexibility to include in-person delivery once the existing health order prohibiting in-person classes is lifted 
• Places of worship and funeral services, if they follow specific guidance already online 
• The resumption of some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries will continue gradually 
• Regulated health professions are permitted to offer services as long as they continue to follow approved guidelines set by their professional colleges 

British Columbia: 

• Agriculture, seafood, and food processing businesses in British Columbia can begin to access consulting and planning services to help with COVID-19 response and recovery 
• The latest intake of the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program is open to applications and has been expanded to include aquaculture and seafood companies in developing COVID-19 business recovery plans 
• B.C. agriculture, seafood and food processing business owners are encouraged to apply if their revenues have decreased by at least 30% as a result of COVID-19. The funding available includes up to $5,000 in business planning services and coaching for individuals, and up to $20,000 for groups, from a qualified business consultant, to develop an immediate and long-term recovery plan
• More information about the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program