Newfoundland and Labrador:

• The provincial government announced a new digital service option for residents seeking to book online appointments with the Crown Lands Division.
• While some in-person appointments are being scheduled, the majority are being conducted virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• Read the official release to learn more.

Prince Edward Island:

• The Prince Edward Island Emergency Payment for Workers is a $500 payment for workers and self-employed Islanders who have completely lost their income or had their hours reduced by at least 12 hours per week from December 7 to 21, 2020.
• The province is relaunching the Employee Gift Card Program. These $100 grocery gift cards are for workers who have been laid off between December 7 and 21, 2020. The application form is to be completed by the employer, who will distribute cards to recipients.
• Learn more about COVID-19 financial support for workers and businesses in PEI.

Nova Scotia:

• Approximately 13,000 post-secondary students will receive a one-time grant to help cover shortfalls in earnings and unexpected costs associated with their studies.
• The one-time COVID-19 Response Grant of $750 will go to all recipients of Nova Scotia Student Assistance in 2020-21. Students do not have to apply.
• Most of the funding will be distributed to eligible students in January while some will receive the grant in spring/summer.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• Nova Scotia public school students are extending the Christmas holiday by one week. The last day of classes will be December 18. School will resume January 11, 2021.
• School-based staff will return on January 4 for five days of professional learning.
• Learn more about Nova Scotia’s Back to School plan.

Quebec:

• The provincial government announced changes to assistance measures intended to help SMEs deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
• An additional $50 million in funding is being provided through the Emergency Assistance to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises program, bringing the total amount of funding for this program to $300 million.
• Funding programs are now open to SMEs that have been operating for at least six months, down from 12 months previously.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• The provincial government will provide $11 million to offer more support to family caregivers.
• $6.6 million will go to psychosocial support for caregivers living with the impacts of COVID-19, while $4.4 million will help develop and improve services in day centers.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• The provincial government announced eligibility changes to the Enriched Access Program to Driving Heavy Vehicles, which is intended to address worker shortages in the transportation sector.
• Holders of a class 5 probationary license who meet certain conditions will be able to take advantage of the new program.
• Young people aged 17 and 18 will be able to participate in an adapted study program and an internship with a business, helping to prepare them for work as a truck or bus operator.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• The provincial government announced the creation of an Innovation Council, which will work to boost the development of innovation within Quebec companies and society.
• The Council will be made up of Quebec stakeholders, both from the public and private sectors, recognized for their strategic vision and their ability to stimulate innovation in Quebec.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• The provincial government announced an additional $3,059,118 in funding for art training organizations, such as dance, music or circus schools.
• Learn more about operating assistance for Quebec art training organizations.

 

• The provincial government is responding to the labor shortage in educational childcare services by posting more than 1,300 positions on the JeTravaille digital platform, and investing $1 million to implement two pilot short-term early childhood education training projects.
• Additionally, the government is investing $364,547 for a paid training project for 20 early childhood educators in Montérégie, and $696,715 for a paid training project for 30 early childhood educators on the North Shore.
• Search job postings on JeTravaille.

Ontario:

• The provincial government is investing an additional $21 million in pre-apprenticeship training programs for up to 2,000 people, including at-risk youth, new Canadians, Indigenous peoples and women.
• The call for proposals ends January 5, 2021.
• Submit a training proposal online or read the official release to learn more.

 

• The federal and provincial governments are investing over $3.5 million to help more than 700 businesses in Ontario’s agri-food sector establish or expand their online presence. This initiative is intended to provide consumers with more local food choices when shopping from home during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• The Agri-Food Open for E-Business initiative featured two streams of funding. One provided grants of up to $5,000 for eligible applicants to establish an online and marketing presence.
• The second stream allows eligible organizations, businesses and collaborations to apply for cost-share funding to implement high-impact e-business projects.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• The provincial government is supporting restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries and distilleries by making the sale of alcohol with food takeout and delivery orders permanent.
• Ontario previously approved some of these changes on a temporary basis to support businesses significantly impacted by the spread of COVID-19.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• The provincial government is temporarily waiving multiple driver’s licence renewal requirements so that all Class G and M drivers can now safely renew their licences online.
• Drivers aged 80 and above may renew their driver’s licences without completing a Group Education Session.
• Drivers who would normally be required to visit a ServiceOntario centre to update their driver’s licence photo may now renew online using their current driver’s licence photo. 
• These changes mean that all Class G and M drivers are now eligible to renew their licences online through Service Ontario.
• Read the official release to learn more.

Manitoba:

• The provincial government is expanding the Manitoba Bridge Grant program and extending the program deadline to protect more small businesses.
• The second stream of the Manitoba Bridge Grant program provides up to $5,000 in support to home-based businesses that were ineligible in the first round. This may include event planners, photographers, artists, and tradespeople who do not operate a retail location.
• The deadline for applications to the Manitoba Bridge Grant is December 31.
• Learn more about the Manitoba Bridge Grant.

 

• The provincial government is partnering with Red River College to ensure people who will administer the COVID-19 vaccine have the opportunity to upgrade or extend their skills with a new micro-credential.
• The free eight-hour course includes an online portion and an in-person lab. Participants will learn about the virus, safe COVID-19 vaccine procedures, immunization and related anatomy, and best practices.
• The micro-credential course begins December 15 in Winnipeg and will be offered in additional communities in the near future. To participate, individuals must first be hired as immunization team members through Shared Health Manitoba.
• Learn more about employment opportunities in Manitoba’s pandemic response.

 

• The provincial government has expedited the proclamation of new legislation that allows retailers to stay open later on Sundays and holidays.
• Bill 4 – The Retail Business Hours of Operation Act eliminates retail shopping hour restrictions so businesses are no longer required to close after 6 p.m. on Sundays and certain holidays.The bill gives municipalities the authority to pass bylaws that keep some restrictions in place.
• The province will maintain its current restrictions on Remembrance Day.
• Read the official release to learn more.

Saskatchewan:

• The provincial government announced the Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate, which will assist businesses as they adapt to COVID-19.
• The rebate will assist businesses who have adapted to different business models, such as changing the use of square footage, installing physical infrastructure to comply with COVID-19 mitigation guidelines, and upgrading technology, such as websites, to enhance their business.
• Eligible applicants will receive a rebate of 50 per cent up to a maximum of $5,000.
• Read the official release to learn more.

Alberta:

• The provincial government is expanding and increasing the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant. 
• This second payment will now be 15 percent of pre-pandemic monthly revenues, up to a maximum of $15,000, for a total of $20,000 in potential funding available to each business, up from the original $5,000.
• The program is also expanding to include job creators who have experienced a 30 per cent revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This lowers the threshold from the existing requirement of 40 per cent.
• Read the official release to learn more.

British Columbia:

• The provincial government introduced legislation to secure funding for approximately 3.7 million British Columbians to receive the tax-free B.C. Recovery Benefit. 
• Passage of the bill will ensure British Columbians can apply for the benefit starting December 18.
• Learn more about the B.C. Recovery Benefit.

 

• Applications are open for the new Agritech Grant program. Eligible companies can receive grants of up to $500,000.
• The program is open to B.C.-based agritech and agriculture businesses, as well as international agritech companies that are partnered with B.C.-based businesses.
• Applications close on Feb. 12, 2021. Successful applicants will be notified in early March 2021.
• Learn more about the Agritech Grant program.