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1. ACCESS TO CREDIT THROUGH THE BUSINESS CREDIT AVAILABILITY PROGRAM (BCAP)

 

 

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

 

About

CEBA is intended to support businesses by providing financing for their expenses that cannot be avoided or deferred as they take steps to safely navigate a period of shutdown

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Eligibility

Two Tier ;

1. The Payroll Stream (applicants with employment income paid in the 2019 calendar year between CAD $20,000 and CAD $1,500,000) or

2. The Non-Deferrable Expenses Stream  (applicant with CAD $20,000 or less in total employment income paid in the 2019 calendar year.)

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Requirements: Has an Active CRA Business Number with an effective date registration on or prior to March 1 2020.

Has an active business chequing/operating account.

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** As of October 26th, 2020 eligible Canadian businesses that operate under a personal bank account will be able to apply for CEBA.

Must not have previously used the Canada Emergency Business Account Program. And will not apply for support under the CEBA at another financial institution. 

Intends to continue to operate its business or to resume operations. 

Relief measures: interest free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits.

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**On Oct 9th 2020, the Canadian government made an announcement to expand CEBA by $20,000. This expansion will be available to all eligible previous and new CEBA applicants. More detail pending. 

 

For further information we recommend visiting:  https://ceba-cuec.ca/ 

 

 

 

Co-Lending Program

 

About

In partnership with your business’s primary financial institution the BDC is providing support with its Co-Lending Program. Up to 12.5 million for operating cash flow. 

 

Eligibility

Subject to your primary financial institution’s credit criteria.

• The business must have been directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19.

• Your business was financially stable and viable prior to the current economic situation. 

• The financing must be used solely to support operational cashflow requirements.

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Relief measures

Commercial loans: between $1,000,000 and $12,500,000 for cashflow needs, including regularly scheduled principal and interest payments on existing debt.

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Flexible Terms: postone principal payment for up to 12 months if you need additional breathing room. Available until or before June 2021. 

 

For further information contact your primary financial institution and visit https://www.bdc.ca/en/special-support/special-support-co-lending-program 

 

 

Mid-Market Financing Program

 

About

Junior loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million for medium-sized businesses particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and/or the recent decline in oil and gas prices

 

Eligibility

For medium-sized businesses with annual revenues in excess of about $100 million to $500 million, from any sector or industry

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Relief Measures

Junior loans: Loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million each, available until or before June 2021. These loans are provided jointly by BDC and your primary financial institution.

 

Flexible terms: Spanning on four years, after which principal is to be repaid as a balloon payment. Interest payments for the first 12 months will be capitalized and due at maturity.

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https://www.bdc.ca/en/special-support/special-support-mid-market-financing-program 

 

 

2. OTHER RELIEF PROGRAMS

 

 

Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)

 

About 

LEEFF is a program under the Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation (CEEFC) is a subsidiary of CDev a Canadian crown corporation. This entity has been developed to support large enterprises with significant economic impact in Canada. To support these businesses in our current economic situation. 

 

Eligibility

LEEFF will be open to large Canadian employers who:

1. have a significant impact on Canada’s economy, as demonstrated by 

(i) having significant operations in Canada or 

(ii) supporting a significant workforce in Canada; 

2.can generally demonstrate approximately $300 million or more in annual revenues

3.require a minimum loan size of about $60 million.

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**Broader sectoral dynamics for LEEFF applicants will be considered by Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada. As part of this process, applicants will also be contacted by ISED officials.

Relief Measures:This program will provide emergency funding support for large Canadian enterprises facing financial challenges in light of the economic impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

 

For further information please visit https://www.cdev.gc.ca/home-ceefc/ 

 

 

New Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)

 

About

On October 9, the government proposed the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to provide direct relief to businesses, non-profits, and charities that continue to be economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new rent subsidy would be available retroactive to September 27, 2020, until June 2021. CERS will mirror Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, providing a simple, easy-to understand program for affected qualifying organizations. The new rent subsidy would provide benefits directly to qualifying renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of landlords.

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Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for the new rent subsidy would generally align with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.  Eligible entities include individuals, taxable corporations and trusts, non-profit organizations and registered charities.

 

Public institutions are generally not eligible for the subsidy. Eligible entities also include the following groups:

• Partnerships that are up to 50 per cent owned by non-eligible members;

• Indigenous government-owned corporations that are carrying on a business, as well as partnerships where the partners are Indigenous governments and eligible entities;

• Registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Associations;

• Registered Journalism Organizations; and

• Non-public colleges and schools, including institutions that offer specialized services, such as arts schools, driving schools, language schools or flight schools.

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In addition, an eligible entity must meet one of the following criteria:

• have a payroll account as of March 15, 2020 or have been using a payroll service provider;

• have a business number as of September 27, 2020 (and satisfy the Canada Revenue Agency that it is a bona fide rent subsidy claim); or

• meet other conditions that may be prescribed in the future.

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Relief Measures:

 

Rent subsidy calculation ;

 

Revenue Decline

Base Subsidy Rate

70% and over

65%

50% to 69%

40% + (revenue drop - 50%) x 1.25

(e.g., 40% + (60% revenue drop – 50%) x 1.25 = 52.5% subsidy rate)

1% to 49%

Revenue drop x 0.8

(e.g., 25% revenue drop x 0.8 = 20% subsidy rate)

 

For Further information please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/11/canada-emergency-rent-subsidy.html 

 

 

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

 

About

As part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) is providing over $1.5 billion in assistance to businesses and communities that may require additional support to cope with and recover from the pandemic.

 

Eligibility

To review RRRF eligibility requirements and to apply for support, contact your local regional development agency: 

For Quebec: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

 

For businesses located in Quebec

1-800-561-0633

 

Relief Measures:

The fund will help to: mitigate the financial pressure experienced by businesses and organizations to allow them to continue their operations, including paying their employees; and support projects by businesses, organizations and communities to prepare now for a successful recovery.

 

For further information please visit: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/h_07682.html 

 

 

 

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

 

About

Canadian employers who have seen a drop in revenue due to COVID-19 may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of employee wages, retroactive to March 15. 

 

Eligibility

Must have a CRA payroll account on March 15 2020. 

**if you didn’t have a payroll account on March 15 you may still be eligible. (see details on website).

Must have experience a drop in Revenue

Must have eligible revenues from selling goods, rendering services and other use of your resources. 

Must be one of the following type of employers

1. Individual 

2. Corporation or trust, that are not exempt from income tax

3. Registered Charity

4. Partnership consisting of eligible employers

5. Other prescribed organizations: (for list click here)

 

**Public institutions are not eligible for the subsidy.

 

Relief Measures

This subsidy will enable employers to re-hire workers, and help prevent further job losses, and ease businesses back into normal operations. 

 

For further inquiry please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy.html 

 

 

 

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

 

Avoiding layoffs, rehiring employees and creating new jobs

 

Many programs are offered by the government of Canada to help businesses: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), Extension of lay-off periods, Extending the Work-Sharing program etc.

 

Financial support, loans and access to credit

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Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program

• Details pending, Announcement : https://www.edc.ca/en/about-us/newsroom/edc-coronavirus-medium-sized-support.html 

 

Businesses in the territories

• For Yukon, NWT and Nunavut https://www.cannor.gc.ca/eng/1587153226618/1587153246025 

 

Supporting Black-led business organizations through the National Ecosystem Fund

• Details pending

 

Supporting Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Black Entrepreneurship

• Details pending 

 

 

3. TARGETED SUPPORT

 

 

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES Ecosystem Fund)

 

About

The Government of Canada is committed to advancing gender equality, women's economic empowerment, and supporting women entrepreneurs through the new Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (the Strategy), announced in Budget 2018. As part of the Strategy, the Government has made funding available over five years to ensure women across Canada have access to the business supports they need to start or grow a business.

 

Eligibility

Applicants may apply independently or as a partnership with other organizations to deliver project activities. Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organizations such as:

• Business and entrepreneur support organizations

• Innovation hubs

• Organizations that certify diverse suppliers in Canada

• Indigenous organizations

• Accelerators

• Organizations that support social enterprises or cooperatives, and

• Post-secondary institutions.

• For partnerships, the lead applicant is responsible for completing and signing the application form, managing the project and contribution funding and reporting on results.

• For details on Eligible projects, activities and costs please refer to website

 

Relief Measures

The Ecosystem Fund will do this by providing non-repayable contribution funding to approved projects led by non-profit organizations to deliver support for women entrepreneurs. All projects must address the needs of diverse groups of women.

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There are two streams under the Ecosystem Fund: National/multi-regional Stream and Regional Stream

 

Further details can be found on website:  https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/129.nsf/eng/00003.html 

 

 

Futurpreneur 

 

About

In partnership with the BDC Futurpreneur Canada is incentivizing young entrepreneurs (ages 18-39) with financing prospects. Offering collateral-free loans at better interest rates than most banks and with additional financing through the BDC. Along with business mentorship. 

 

Eligibility

• Must be between the ages of 18-39, Canadian citizen, or permanent resident currently living in Canada.

• The Entrepreneur must demonstrate some training/ experience related to the business.

• Create full-time sustainable employment for the applicant(s).

• Agree to work with a mentor for up to two years.

• Produce a complete and viable business plan by the end of the application process.

• Business fully operating for fewer than 12 months.

• Agree to complete Futurpreneur Canada status updates every month.

• Agree to provide authorization for Furturpreneur Canada to carry out a credit check.

• Supply two personal references.

• Assure that the business is NOT in the R&D stage.

• Assure that financing proceeds may not be used to refinance existing debt.

• BDC financing through a Futurpreneur Canada application is not available to all persons corporations, firms and companies who are already a BDC borrower. 

 

Relief Measures

• Mentorship program with: How to’s & templates, Build your Network, In house Experts, local support with partners.

• Financing up to $20,000 with Futurpreneur and up-to $40,000 with BDC

 

For further details please visit: https://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/get-started/financing-and-mentoring/ 

 

 

 

INDIGENOUS BUSINESSES

 

Relief measures for Indigenous businesses

 

About

The Government of Canada will provide up to $306.8 million in interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses.

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This measure is part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Financial support will be provided through Aboriginal Financial Institutions and administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, as well as the Métis Capital Corporations in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada. These federal support measures should complement support offered by the provinces and territories.

 

Eligibility

• Small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses that are current or former clients of an Aboriginal Financial Institution.

 

Relief Measures

Up to $40,000 will be available to small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses: an interest-free loan up to $30,000 and a non-repayable contribution up to $10,000.

If your business has an established relationship with a major bank, you may choose to get support from the Canada Emergency Business Account instead.

 

For more information please visit https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1588079295625/1588079326171 

 

 

Indigenous Community Business Fund

 

About

The Indigenous Community Business Fund will provide $117 million in non-repayable financial contributions to help support operating costs for First Nation, Inuit and Métis community-or collectively-owned businesses and microbusinesses whose revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund seeks to provide support for businesses that do not qualify for other Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures.

It is intended to relieve financial pressure and allow these businesses and microbusinesses to strengthen operations and support their viability during the pandemic, with the goal of positioning them for recovery.

 

Eligibility

Community or collectives are eligible and can apply for stream 2 funding if the business:

• is First Nations, Inuit or Métis community-or collectively-owned

• is located in the provinces

• has been in operation since October 1, 2019

• has either incurred a negative financial impact due to COVID-19 or that financial support will prevent layoffs, bankruptcy or permanent closure

• has been solvent, financially viable, and not declared bankrupt prior to the economic disruptions associated with COVID-19

• currently operates and expects to continue to operate with a reduction in revenues from the previous year over the coming months as a result of COVID-19

• 15% reduction in revenues from March 15 to April 11, 2020

• 30% reduction in revenues from April 12 to July 4, 2020

• has previously applied for federal business support and been declined, in whole or in part, or do not qualify under business support eligibility criteria:

• this may include applications to more than 1 federal program depending on the requested support

• A First Nation, Inuit or Métis community or collective may apply for funding for 1 or more community-owned businesses.

• Businesses in the territories must apply to the Northern Business Relief Fund.

 

Relief Measures

The fund has 2 streams:

 

Stream 1

Funding will be transferred directly to communities and collectives to immediately support their COVID-19 economic priorities. No applications are required for stream 1 funding.

 

Stream 2

Funding will be proposal-based. Applications must be submitted by the community or collectives on behalf of the business. Funding will be transferred directly to communities and collectives. For First Nations and Inuit community-owned businesses, the funding will be administered by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) regional offices. For Métis collectively-owned businesses, funding will be administered by delivery partners.

 

 For further details please visit https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1596809415775/1596809469296 

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Managing your business during COVID-19

 

Reopening

-Guidance for workplaces and businesses: How to reopen safely.

 

Small businesses and self-employed

-Small Business Help Centre

-Posters and signage

-Rules for federally-regulated workplaces

-Taxes and benefits

-Work-sharing program

-Advice and tools to overcome the crisis

-Record of employment

-Fill a position

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaining-your-business.html

 

PME MTL

 

Businesses Located in a Red Zone and Ordered to Close

-Eligible businesses can take advantage of loan forgiveness for amounts up to 80% of eligible fixed expenses, to a maximum of $15,000 per month of closure.

 

Emergency Assistance for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

-The Quebec government’s Emergency Assistance Program for SMEs will support eligible companies experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and who require working capital of less than $50,000.

 

$50M in Additional Funding for Montreal’s SMEs

-The governments of Canada and Quebec, along with Ville de Montréal, have announced an additional $50M in funding to support the city’s businesses. These funds will be administered by PME MTL.

 

$1.8 Million to support Montréal’s social economy 

-To support social economy enterprises affected by COVID-19, the city of Montréal is announcing reduced eligibility conditions for the Social Economy Development Fund.

 

There are many more measures taken by PME MTL to help businesses during Covid-19.