COVID-19 Resource Guide for Businesses
- Published on April 27, 2020
- Revised on May 1, 2023
- 5 min read
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Julie Calce
Content Writer | RenoAssistance
There are many governmental programs put in place to financially support Canadian businesses during these unprecedented times. To better help you find what you need to know, we’ve put together a resource guide. It is divided by federal and provincial measures. Take a look at all the important information you need to know along with links to more information
While regulations regarding closures and safety measures on construction sites are under the authority of provincial governments, the federal government has set up relief measures to help businesses at this time.
This program allows Canadian businesses to subsidize up to 75% of their employees’ salary, for up to 12 weeks. The goal of this subsidy is to allow businesses to keep their skilled labour, avoid layoffs, and be better prepared to relaunch businesses when our economy returns to normal.
For more details on eligibility, how to apply, and other information visit the attached link.
Through the nation’s banks, small and medium businesses can access interest-free loans to help stimulate their cash flow.
For more details on eligibility, how to apply, and other services available under the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) visit the attached link.
Important Note: Your financial institution will likely have their own relief measures in place, so be sure to consult your account director to see what best serves your business’s needs at this time.
This program aims to support small businesses to help pay rent in April, May, and June. In his daily briefing on COVID-19 on April 16, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that due to the provincial regulation of rent, more details on how this program will come to light as collaborations between his government and the provinces and territories gets underway.
For additional details on changes made to income tax filing and payment for 2019 under COVID-19, please follow the link attached.
In the province of Ontario, construction has been deemed an essential service since the beginning of the lock down (with some exceptions). In most situations, renovation and construction projects already in progress have continued on, with an emphasis on the security and safety of the workers (at the employer’s discretion).
The Ontario government has provided a tax relief program for businesses unable to pay their taxes during this lock down. There is a penalty-free five-month Tax Relief Period.
For more information eligibility and more, please follow the link attached.
Note that construction in the province of Quebec is halted until May 11, with the exception to:
To see which services and activities are deemed essential, take a look at this link.
For small and medium-sized business, the provincial government has launched the Aide d’urgence aux petites et moyennes entreprises COVID-19 (french only). This emergency assistance program aims to support, for a limited period, eligible businesses who are experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19 and who need liquid assets under $50,000.
For details on admissibility and more, see the link attached.
Inquiries on Financial Assistance |
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week 1-877-644-4545 (toll free) |
With many areas of the construction and renovation industry not functioning as usual, many contractors may be looking to further the expertise of their teams. The Programme actions concertées pour le maintien en emploi (French only) is a program with the goal to provide direct support to businesses experiencing a reduction in their activities, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the self-employed, in particular through collective promoters recognized by the Commission des Partenaires du Marché du Travail (CPMT).
For details on admissibility and more, see the link attached.
For any additional provisions, questions and details on the Revenue Quebec COVID-19 Measures for Businesses, see the attached link.
In addition to the support offer by the various governments, RenoAssistance’s entire team remains present to help its network of Verified Contractors throughout these uncertain times.
We are always here to offer tons of new, interesting projects so our contractors can reboot their businesses and make them stronger than they ever were.