Nova Scotia:

• The provincial government is contributing $5 million to Sandpiper Ventures, the first venture capital fund of the Atlantic Women’s Venture Fund.
• The province’s contribution to Sandpiper is expected to be a catalyst for others. It will also help further develop Nova Scotia’s technology and digital start-up ecosystem.
• Sandpiper Ventures focuses on initiatives developed and led by women and supports other ideas that drive growth and innovation in the Atlantic region. The fund is looking to raise capital from private and public investors with a target of $20 million.
• Learn more about Sandpiper Ventures.

Quebec:

• The provincial government announced that business owners who have been targeted by a COVID-19 closure order will be able to get a refund of their fixed costs during the restart period.
• This additional assistance represents the equivalent of one or two months of additional non-repayable contributions, in addition to those of previous months. It may be claimed following the reopening of the affected company.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• The provincial government will invest $25 million over the next five years to award $2,000 scholarships in computer science, computer engineering, computer construction, and electrical, electronic and communications engineering.
• The scholarships are intended to encourage students to undertake and complete their studies in high-demand fields, part of an effort to revive Quebec’s economy following the pandemic.
• The scholarship program will be in effect until the 2024-2025 academic year.
• Read the official release to learn more.

Ontario:

• The provincial government has extended the availability of emergency child care to additional frontline workers in Toronto, York Region and Peel, including the children of construction workers working on essential projects that have been permitted to continue during the provincial shutdown, and transit workers who are unable to work remotely.
• Access to emergency child care services in the public health units of York Region, Toronto and Peel will end on Friday, February 12, 2021, in advance of the return to in-person learning on February 16, 2021.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• Applications are open for the two-year, $115 million Skills Development Fund. The fund, which will support workers and apprentices, is specifically designed to address the challenges brought on by COVID-19 and help reduce obstacles to hiring, training and retaining while preparing workers for the province’s economic recovery.
• Applicants, including employers, apprenticeship training delivery agents, unions, post-secondary institutions, community organizations, and others can submit proposals until February 28, 2021.
• To learn more about the Skills Development Fund, or submit a proposal, click here.

Alberta:

• Expansions to the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant program announced in January are now included on the Government of Alberta’s application portal. New businesses that began operating between March and October 2020, as well as unregistered sole proprietors, can now apply for COVID relief funding.
• The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees that have faced restrictions or closures due to COVID-related public health orders, and have experienced revenue losses of at least 30 per cent.
• Application intake will be open until March 31, 2021.
• Learn more about the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant.

 

• All Albertans are now eligible to receive self-isolation supports to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Previously, only Albertans in Edmonton and Calgary were eligible for the $625 payment when they completed self-isolating in their assigned hotel.
• Upon referral by Alberta Health Services, Albertans who must isolate or quarantine and cannot do so safely at home are eligible for a free-of-charge hotel room stay of up to 14 days, complete with culturally appropriate food and other supports.
• For information on isolation and quarantine requirements and how to access supports, visit alberta.ca/isolation.

 

• The provincial government is providing $68.5 million to protect vulnerable Albertans and staff in continuing care and residential addiction and mental health treatment facilities, as well as home care clients, from COVID-19.
• This one-time funding will support operators of non-contracted licensed supportive living and both contracted and non-contracted home care, hospices and residential addiction and mental health treatment centres. It will help operators pay for increased staffing, additional cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment.
• Information on how to apply for funding will be posted on alberta.ca in the coming weeks.
• Read the official release to learn more.

British Columbia:

• The B.C. government is investing $12 million to help businesses launch or upgrade an online store that will provide the platform they need to increase their sales revenues, become more competitive and grow. 
• The new Launch Online Grant program is designed to help over 1,500 eligible small- and medium-sized British Columbia businesses adapt to changes in consumer behaviour and pivot to market their products online.
• Up to 25% of the program funds will be reserved for regional and Indigenous businesses.
• Small- and medium-sized businesses are encouraged to apply online.

 

• The provincial government is investing $20 million to provide short-term skills training to people most affected by COVID-19, allowing them to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies for good job opportunities while the economy recovers. 
• The Skills Training for Economic Recovery stream within the Community Workforce Response Grant program is providing funding for training providers to equip British Columbians with skills for new jobs. Almost 2,500 British Columbians will be able to quickly build the skills needed to access jobs that are in demand and get back to work sooner.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• The provincial government has invested $2 million to fund up to 2,500 seats in the Digital Marketing Bootcamp.
• The bootcamp is free for small and medium-sized businesses with one to 149 employees, and sole proprietors.
• The bootcamp runs for eight weeks, covering 40 key topics offered by 10 expert mentors.
• To be eligible, a business must be B.C.-based and registered to do business in the province.
• Enrolment is open until the end of March 2021.
• Read the official release to learn more.

 

• ICBC customers will receive one-time rebates averaging $190 this spring, their part of $600 million that was saved due to a major decrease in crashes and costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Most customers who had an active policy from April 1 to Sept. 30, 2020, will be eligible, with their rebate amount based on a portion of what they paid for coverage during that period.
• ICBC will begin mailing rebate cheques in mid-March 2021. This one-time rebate is separate from the Enhanced Care refunds customers will start to receive in May 2021.
• Read the official release to learn more.

Northwest Territories:

• The territorial government has created a streamlined labour market recovery program to support broad sectors of our economy in response to the pandemic.
• This time-limited funding is available now to support immediate labour market recovery. The funding includes three categories of support: Labour Market Recovery Wage Subsidy, Labour Market Recovery Project Fund, and Community Support.
• Employers, organizations and community partners can get more information and apply for funding by contacting or visiting their local Department of Education, Culture and Employment Service Centre.