Prince Edward Island:

• Health PEI has expanded access to COVID-19 testing with new drop-in, no-appointment screening clinics established across the province.
• Testing is offered on a first-come, first serve basis, with no referral necessary for symptomatic children and any symptomatic household members, as well as essential workers and any of their symptomatic household members. Only people who meet criteria for testing will be swabbed.
• Learn more about COVID-19 testing in Prince Edward Island.

Nova Scotia:

• Nova Scotia will receive about $289 million through the federal-provincial-territorial $19 billion Safe Restart Agreement. The funding will be used to protect Nova Scotians from COVID-19 while safely reopening the economy.
• The $19-billion federal-provincial-territorial Safe Restart Agreement was announced on July 16.
• Read the official Nova Scotia release.
• Learn more about the Safe Restart Agreement.

New Brunswick:

• The COVID Alert exposure notification app is now available in New Brunswick.
• The app is available for free download through the Apple or Google Play app stores. COVID Alert is built with strong privacy protection and uses the Google and Apple Exposure Notification technology.
• Download the COVID Alert app here.

Ontario:

• As part of Ontario’s response to help businesses recover from COVID-19, proposed changes to the Commercial Tenancies Act would extend the temporary ban on evictions of small business tenants and protect them from being locked out or having their assets seized.
• The ban was initially in place from May 1, 2020 until August 31, 2020.
• This extension would continue to apply to businesses that are eligible for federal/provincial rent assistance under the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses program, if their landlord chose not to apply for the program.
• Click here for more details.

 

• The provincial government is committing nearly $1 million to help rural communities diversify their economies, retain skilled workers, and create jobs.
• This funding is being provided through a new targeted intake of the Rural Economic Development program.
• The intake is directed at not-for-profit organizations with a mandate towards regional economic development. Projects would be eligible for up to 70 per cent of total costs to a maximum of $75,000.
• Learn more about Ontario’s Rural Economic Development program.

Manitoba:

• Manitoba’s minimum wage will increase by 25 cents effective Oct. 1. The increase will raise the current minimum wage from $11.65 to $11.90. 
• This adjustment is based on Manitoba’s 2019 inflation rate of 2.2 per cent, rounding up to the nearest five cents.
• Click here for information on Manitoba’s minimum wage and other employment standards.

 

• The provincial government has expanded its Back to Work in Manitoba Wage Subsidy Program
• Through the Back to Work initiative, private-sector and non-profit employers can receive up to $100,000 to subsidize 20 employees (up to $5,000 per employee) hired since July 16, 2020.
• The program has been extended by two months until Dec. 31. Employers are now able to rehire students previously hired through the Manitoba Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program, Canada Summer Job Program and Green Team Program. 
• New start-up companies are eligible, providing they have a business number.
• The Back to Work Manitoba Wage Subsidy application deadline is now Dec. 1.
• Program details and the application form are available online.

Saskatchewan:

• The Health Canada COVID Alert app is now available in Saskatchewan. Once downloaded to a smartphone, subscribers may receive COVID-19 exposure alerts.
• The national COVID Alert app uses Bluetooth technology to detect when users are near each other. If a user tests positive for COVID-19, they can choose to let other users know about potential exposure risk without sharing any personal information.
• Click here to download the COVID Alert app.

Alberta:

• The provincial government will spend $70 million to replace the eastbound bridge over the Bow River in Calgary. The project will directly and indirectly support about 357 jobs.
• This project is part of the more than $10 billion in infrastructure spending announced as part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan.
• Click here to read the official news release.

 

• The provincial government will spend $43 million to enhance, repair and protect Alberta’s provincial parks while creating more than 290 jobs.
• Funds will be used to improve trails and pathways, as well as upgrade day-use areas and campgrounds.
• This funding is part of the more than $10 billion infrastructure spending announced as part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan.
• Click here to read the official news release.

British Columbia:

• The provincial government released Stronger BC for Everyone: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan.
• The plan outlines the steps British Columbia is taking to help people, businesses and communities recover from the effects of COVID-19. B.C.’s total provincial response to the COVID-19 pandemic exceeds $8.25 billion.
• Click here to learn more.

 

• The provincial government is providing support to eligible outdoor adventure businesses, fishing and hunting lodges, guest ranches, ecotourism lodges, seasonal campgrounds and other commercial recreation operators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Holders of Land Act tenures and Park Act permits that are commercial recreation operators may qualify to have the annual base rent they pay to the government waived for one year.
• Tenure and permit holders who are eligible for rent forgiveness will receive a notification letter.
• Learn more about supports for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Northwest Territories:

• The Government of the Northwest Territories announce new and enhanced programs to support harvesters and the traditional economy. 
• Harvesting food from the land can help offset the high cost of living by decreasing reliance on store-bought foods, which have significant cost implications for residents, particularly in remote communities. 
• Three new programs will offer a total of $330,000 in funding for families, a regional harvesting, training and mentorship funding program, and a pilot program for trapper mentorship.
• In addition, under the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program, the Government of the Northwest Territories has enhanced current grubstake payments for eligible trappers in light of COVID-19.
• Changes to the Trapper’s Grubstake Program are effective September 15, 2020. Payments will be made directly to trapper’s accounts.
• Read the official release. Learn more about the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program.

 

• The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is accepting applications for Early Childhood Development scholarships. 
• Valued at $5000 each, the scholarships go to eligible Northwest Territories (NWT) students attending accredited post-secondary institutions to complete Diploma or Degree programs with a direct focus in Early Learning and Child Care/Early Childhood Development studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.
• Applications are due September 30, 2020. 
• Interested students can access the application form.