Federal government:

• The federal government announced $10 billion in new major infrastructure initiatives to create jobs and economic growth. 
• The Canada Infrastructure Bank’s (CIB) Growth Plan will help Canadians get back to work and is expected to create approximately 60,000 jobs. 
• The three-year plan will connect more households and small businesses to high-speed Internet, strengthen Canadian agriculture, and help build a low-carbon economy.
• Learn more about the Growth Plan.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• The provincial government tabled its budget, which includes a $30 million Small Business Assistance Program to help offset expenses and innovation required to respond to COVID-19. Under the budget, $25 million will be directed towards small businesses and $5 million towards community-based organizations.
• The budget also includes $25 per day child care, to be introduced in 2021, to help ensure young families can enter or stay in the workforce while having access to affordable childcare.
• The budget broadens the eligibility under the Tourism and Hospitality Support Program to include professional artists and musicians impacted by COVID-19.
• To encourage and support craft brewing, further discounts will be introduced to save the industry more than $1 million.
• Read the official release.

 

• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada announced an investment of $2.7 million for the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology and Innovation (NATI) to offer the Business Tech Solutions Program to Newfoundland and Labrador companies.
• The program will help businesses purchase digital solutions and access expertise so they can create online sales systems and generate new revenue streams. NATI anticipates that the program will help more than 170 small- and medium-sized businesses in the province.
• Read the official release.

 

• The province is accepting applications for the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Sport.
• This temporary funding program will allocate approximately $2 million to organizations to help maintain jobs, support business continuity, and provide short-term operational viability that has been impacted by COVID-19.  
• This funding is part of a $72 million federal financial relief package announced by the Government of Canada in May.
• The initial application deadline is Friday, October 30.
• Get more information and apply online.

 

• The provincial minimum wage increased by 50 cents on October 1, 2020, rising to $12.15 per hour. This is the second of four increases announced in February 2020.
• The third increase, on April 1, 2021, will be based on the National Consumer Price Index at that time, plus an increase of 25 cents. A fourth increase of 25 cents is set for October 1, 2021.

Nova Scotia:

• The provincial government showcased public service careers at Canada’s largest virtual career fair on Oct. 6 and 7.
• To explore job opportunities, visit, jobs.novascotia.ca.
• Click here to learn more. 

Quebec:

• The provincial government announced funding worth $524,372 for Tourisme Laval and $797,908 to Tourisme Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
• The aid will be used to support businesses suffering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The money comes from the 2020-2022 Regional Tourism Partnership Agreement.
• Learn more about Quebec’s support for tourism businesses.

 

• The provincial government is providing funding worth $50 million to support producers and broadcasters in Quebec’s cultural sector.
• The money will help eligible organizations recover lost income from unsold tickets due to public health restrictions intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19
• Learn more about supports for Quebec’s cultural sector.

Ontario:

• A new short-term Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) will help businesses adapt to new COVID-19 public health guidelines and protect employees and customers.
• Companies can apply to NORP for assistance with projects that help them adjust to the impacts of COVID-19.
• Applications are open until December 31, 2020, with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) administering the new program.
• Learn more.

 

• The provincial government is supporting personal support workers and direct support workers in the home and community care, long-term care, public hospitals, and social services sectors by investing $461 million to temporarily enhance wages.
• The province is providing a temporary wage increase, effective October 1, 2020, to over 147,000 workers who deliver publicly funded personal support services.
• Read the official release.

 

• The Ontario government is investing $52.5 million to recruit, retain and support over 3,700 more frontline health care workers and caregivers.
• This investment is part of the province’s COVID-19 fall preparedness plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19.
• Read the official release.

Manitoba:

• The Health Canada COVID Alert app is now available in Manitoba.
• The 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.
• Download the app here.

Alberta:

• The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta will provide more than $52.7 million to complete four infrastructure projects in southern Alberta through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
• Construction projects at colleges and a university will bring about 300 jobs to Medicine Hat, Standoff, and Lethbridge.
• Learn more.

Northwest Territories:

• As part of the Government of Northwest Territories’ economic relief measures, Deh Cho Bridge tolls and commercial truck permit fees will continue to be waived until October 31, 2020. As of November 1, 2020, those fees will resume.
• Airport fees including aircraft landing fees, lease fees, and licence fees for all businesses operating at NWT airports will continue to be waived until December 31, 2020. These measures will be implemented automatically and there is no application process.
• Learn more.