COVID-19 Programs and Measures – NPOs

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)

Government of Canada

If you have a Canadian business with a viable commercial model, you could receive a financial aid from the federal government to weather the crisis.

The Business credit availability program (BCAP) includes:

The BCAP will promote access to financing for businesses in every sector and region.

For more information, contact your financial institution.

Some conditions apply.

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

Ministère des Finances

The Canada Emergency Business Account will make $60,000 available to eligible Canadian businesses in the form of an interest-free loan.

Every business could receive up to $40,000 to pay operating costs during the crisis. This loan will be supplemented by a second loan of $20,000 for those who were more impacted by the pandemic.

Businesses should contact their financial institution to request the loan and show that they paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019 or that they have non-deferrable expenses.

Repayment of the balance of the loan at the latest by December 31, 2022 will generate a writeoff of 25% of the loan, up to $10,000.

Businesses have until December 31, 2020 to apply.

For more details, the list of participating financial institutions and complet admission criteria, visit program's website.

Some conditions apply.

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - CMHC

Please note that this program has ended.
CMHC will contact Quebec property owners to inform them of the procedure to follow to receive the Quebec bonus refund.
You can now apply for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS).

This assistance offers business owners that rent to small businesses a forgivable loan of 50% of the cost of rent provided they offer tenants a rent reduction of at least 75% for the months of April, May, June, July, August and September, 2020.

Non-exhaustive eligibility criteria:

Own a building with at least one small business tenant that is affected;
Conclude (or have concluded) a legally binding agreement to reduce rent for the months of April, May, June, July, August and September, 2020.

Owners can apply through a specially designed portal.

Some conditions apply.

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

The CERS was implemented by the federal government to support eligible businesses, charitable organizations, and non-profit organizations during the pandemic.

The subsidy can cover up to 65% of eligible expenses and can be combined with an additional rent subsidy of 25%: the Lockdown Support. The hardest hit businesses will have access to a rent subsidy rate of up to 90%.

The two aid measures will be available until June 2020.

Some conditions apply.

Canada emergency wage subsidy

Government of Canada

The federal government will make available to eligible businesses a wage subsidy to cover up to 75% of salaries.

This subsidy, for a maximum period of six months, retroactive from March 15, 2020 until June, 2021 is designed to help businesses retain or rehire their employees.

Eligibility critirea for employers:

Being an eligible employer;
Having experienced an eligible reduction in revenue; and
Having had a CRA payroll account on March 15, 2020.

Calculate your subsidy amount here.

To view the changes made to the CEWS, click here.

Some conditions apply.

COVID-19 – Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

The Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund, put in place by CED in Quebec, is designed to inject $62.5 million into businesses in the fishing, aquaculture and processing sectors.

The Fund has four components:

Storage capacity;
Adaptation of businesses;
Automation;
Market development.

To apply:

If you are a CED client Contact the advisor assigned to your project at the business office for your region.
If you are not a CED client Select your administrative region to find the business office for your region.

Some conditions apply.

Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF)

Government of Canada

The ECSF provides financial aid to charitable and non-profit organizations to help them adapt and increase front-line services offered to vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications are being accepted and must be submitted by July 27, 2020 for activities taking place between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

For more information, consult the Applicant Guide.

Some conditions apply.

Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations

Canadian Heritage

This fund, administered by Canadian Heritage, will be divided among select departmental programs, portfolio agencies and key delivery organizations.

Funds will be distributed in two phases through a range of existing programs, funds and organizations.

The way funds will be distributed will depend on whether:

Your organization is currently financed by Canadian Heritage;
Your organization is currently financed by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Canada Media Fund or Telefilm Canada;
Your organization is not currently financed by Canadian Heritage.

For more information, you can also consult the FAQ.

Some conditions apply.

FCC Advancer

Farm Credit Canada

If you are a Canadian agri-food or agricultural entrepreneur with a growing operation, you could be eligible for an FCC Advancer.

Some of the benefits:

Funds readvanced with no paperwork;
Lower payments than with a regular loan;
Ability to set your own interest rate.

Loan features:

Renewable, pre-approved loan;
Open variable rate;
Ongoing re-advance of funds;
Ability to make only interest payments;
Guarantee negotiated in advance.

Some conditions apply.

FCC line of credit

Farm Credit Canada

If you are a Canadian agri-food or agricultural entrepreneur, you could have access to an FCC line of credit to meet your cash flow requirements.

Some of the benefits:

Release of funds and consultation of information through your online account;
Immediate access to working capital;
Loan renewal based on your production cycle.

Loan features:

Renewable, pre-approved loan;
Open variable rate;
Ongoing re-advance of funds;
Ability to make only interest payments;
Monthly statements;
No guarantee required.

Some conditions apply.

Purchase Order Financing

Business Development Bank of Canada

Do you want to take advantage of new business opportunities, but are short on cash? Receive financing for up to 90% of the purchase order.

Purchase order financing is the ideal solution for:

Accepting major contracts;
Preserving your line of credit and your working capital;
Extending your activities to national and international markets.

Advantages for your company:

Flexible terms adapted to the terms of the purchase order;
Payment in Canadian or American dollars;
Building trust with your clients and suppliers;
Peace of mind.

Conditions apply.

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

The RRRF, managed by CED, is designed to help businesses and affected communities deal with the crisis and kick start their economic recovery.

The Fund makes it possible to:

Offer immediate mitigation measures for businesses that are in difficulty because of a lack of cash.
Prepare for post-COVID-19 through support focused on the economic recovery.

More than $280 million is available for eligible companies and organizations in Quebec.

For a complete description of the program, visit the SADC-CAE website.

Some conditions apply.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Employment and Social Development Canada

PLEASE NOTE!

BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19), CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THIS PROGRAM.

YOU CAN CONSULT THEM HERE.

Your business may be eligible to access a pool of foreign workers to hire on a temporary basis when Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not available.

You can hire workers under a variety of streams:

Skilled workers
Global talent / highly skilled workers
Workers in high wage or low wage positions
Agricultural workers
Academics

Fees and conditions apply.

Temporary wage subsidy for employers

Government of Canada

Take advantage of a wage subsidy equal to 10% of compensation paid from March 18, 2020 to June 20, 2020, up to $1,375 per employee and a maximum of $25,000 per employer.

Eligibility:

You are a or an:
- individual (excluding trusts);
- partnership;
- non-profit organization;
- registered charitable organization; or
- Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) (including a cooperative corporation) eligible for the small business deduction.
You have a business number and a payroll program account with the Agency as of March 18, 2020;
You have paid a salary, stipend, bonuses or other compensation to an employee from March18 to June 19, 2020.

Some conditions apply.

Work sharing program – Temporary special measures in response to the slowdown in activities due to COVID-19

Government of Canada

Temporary special work sharing (WS) measures for workers and employers are in effect March 15, 2020 to March 14, 2021.

Eligibility:

You are experiencing a slowdown in commercial activities because of the global COVID-19 epidemic and have WS agreements:

Signed between March 15, 2020 and March 14, 2021;
That started or ended between March 15, 2020 and March 14, 2021;
That ended between June 23, 2019 and March 14, 2020 and that are in a mandatory waiting period.

applicant guide available here.

Some conditions apply.

Learn more Form(s)

Work sharing program – Temporary special measures in response to the slowdown of activities in the forestry sector due to COVID-19

Government of Canada

Temporary special work sharing (WS) measures for workers and employers in the forestry sector are in effect July 30, 2017 to March 28, 2020.

Eligibility:

Your company has been directly or indirectly affected by the slowdown in the forestry sector and you have:

Signed a work sharing agreement that ended between October 30, 2016 and July 29, 2017;
Entered into a work sharing agreement that was or will be signed between July 30, 2017 and March 28, 2020 (the date of the start of the agreement should be no later than March 29, 2020); or
Entered into a work sharing agreement that will start or end between July 30, 2017 and March 28, 2020.

Applicant guide available here.

Some conditions apply.

Learn more Form(s)

Work sharing program – Temporary special measures in response to the slowdown of activities in the steel and aluminium sector due to COVID-19

Government of Canada

Temporary special work sharing (WS) measures for workers and employers in the steel and aluminium sector are in effect August 19, 2018 to March 27, 2021.

Eligibility:

Your company has been directly or indirectly affected by the slowdown in the steel and aluminium sector and you have:

Signed a work sharing agreement that ended between November 25, 2017 and August 18, 2018;
Entered into a work sharing agreement that was or will be signed between August 19, 2018 and March 27, 2021 (the date of the start of the agreement should be no later than March 28, 2021); or
Entered into a work sharing agreement that will start or end between August 19, 2018 and March 27, 2021.

Applicant guide available here.

Some conditions apply.

Learn more Form(s)

Working Capital Loan

Business Development Bank of Canada

Get your operations back to their pre-pandemic level. Receive up to $2 million to cover your operational activities to increase sales, stimulate revenue growth or support your recovery plan.

Principal payments for this loan can be postponed for the first 12 months. Thereafter, they can be made according to a flexible schedule.

Eligibility requirements:

Your business has been impacted by COVID-19;
Your business was stable and financially viable prior to the pandemic;
You have a plan in place that demonstrates the effectiveness of this loan in adjusting your business;
The loan is for the maintenance or recovery of your business.

Conditions apply.

Federal measures

Government announces greater flexibility and extension of Canada Emergency Business Account to October 31, 2020

Speech from the Throne – Extension of the Canada emergency wage subsidy to the 2021 summer season, extension of the Canada Emergency Business Account, and enhancement to the Business Credit Availability Program

Creation of a $50 million compensation fund to give a boost to the country's audio-visual sector

Prime Minister announces infrastructure plan to create jobs and grow the economy

The Canada Emergency Business Account will be extended until December 2020.

As of October 26, 2020, eligible Canadian businesses that currently operating through a personal bank account will be able to apply for CEBA.

Ottawa and Washington extend Canada-U.S. land border closure agreement to December 21, 2020

CED is applying a moratorium on all payments due from April to December 2020

Investment of $1.5 billion in the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) with provinces and territories to help Canadians in underrepresented groups and those in sectors that have been hardest hit by the pandemic – such as construction, transportation, and hospitality – quickly access supports to re-enter the workforce.

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: implementation of new targeted support to help hard-hit businesses.

The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) is extended until June 2021

Government of Canada expands Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to provide further support for businesses

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2. Provincial government

CALQ emergency aid for artists and organizations

The CALQ has made available special support drawn from existing program budgets to address situations in the short term, such as cash flow problems to deliver essential services for the next month and difficulties faced by artists abroad who are incurring additional expenses to return to Quebec.

Emergency aid for artists supported by the CALQ

Download the form
Send an email

Emergency aid for organizations supported by the CALQ

Download the form (French only)
Send an email

Some conditions apply.

Learn more (in French only)

Concerted Temporary Action Program for Businesses (CTAPB)

Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation

Eligible businesses, including cooperatives, non-profit organizations and social economy businesses engaged in commercial activities, could benefit from financial support of at least $50,000 in a loan and loan guarantee to make up for cash flow shortages related to COVID-19 due to:

a supply problem for raw materials or products;
the inability to deliver or a reduction in delivery capacity for products and services.

The main terms and processes for receiving this aid are presented on the Investissement Québec website.

Eligible companies that want more information or to avail themselves of this funding can call 1 844 474-6367 or the phone number for their regional office.

NOTE : A new component has been added to this program for companies in the red zone : ABRUMA

Some conditions apply.

COVID-19 aid fund

The CIDAL’s COVID-19 aid fund gives eligible businesses recourse to an interest-free loan to cover their working capital (cash flow).

The loan offers a moratorium of up to 12 months and covers only expenses related to the company’s working capital.

Eligible businesses:

Cooperatives;
Private enterprises;
Social economy enterprises.

Eligibility criteria:

At least two full-time direct jobs;
Cash flow deemed insufficient to handle the situation;
Be a Canadian citizen, have a registered, valid business number in Canada and be at least 18 years of age.

Analysis criteria:

Show that the company’s current situation and needs are caused by the effects of COVID-19;
Long-term viability.

Some conditions apply.

Learn more (in French only) Find contacts (in French only) Form(s) (in French only)

Digital cultural initiatives – Call for projects

Ministère de la Culture et des Communications

The purpose of this call for projects is to provide financial support for digital initiatives that will promote Quebec’s cultural sector through funding of up to 90% of the project or $45,000.

Main project eligibility criteria:

Give artists and rights-holders adequate compensation based on collective agreements or fee structures in force.
Be complete and based on accurate data.
Applicants must demonstrate that they can carry out the project in its entirety, within the submitted budget, and in keeping with sustainable development principles.
The applicant may submit only one project to this program.

The program is open from June 8 to July 31, 2020.

Conditions apply.

Learn more (in French only) Find contacts (in French only)

Digital transformation – Call for projects

Ministère de la Culture et des Communications

The government has set up financial support for digital transformation projects in Quebec’s cultural sector through direct credits of between $300,000 and $1,000,000.

Main project eligibility criteria:

The project description must be complete and clear.
Have at least one partner involved in the project implementation.
Contribute to one or more of the credit provider’s areas of activity.
The project strategy must be rooted in a digital approach.
The project must relate to one or more of the following activities:
- Implementation of new business processes.
- Implementation of a system, tool or piece of infrastructure aimed at the discoverability, marketing, export, or improved monetization of cultural products.
- Development of marketing mechanisms that are tailored to current consumer practices.
- Deployment of digital infrastructure relating to one or more areas of activity.

The program is open from June 8 to December 1, 2020.

Conditions apply.

Learn more (in French only) Find contacts (in French only)

Emergency aid for small and medium-sized businesses (COVID-19)

Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation

SMEs affected by COVID-19 that need under $50,000 in cash can benefit from this aid introduced by the Government of Quebec.

Non-exhaustive eligibility criteria:

Be operating in Quebec for at least one year;
Be temporarily closed, likely to close or show the warning signs of closing;
Be maintaining, consolidating or resuming activities.

The lack of cash flow must be caused by:

an inability or substantial reduction in the ability to deliver products or merchandise;
a procurement problem for raw materials or products.

NOTE: A new component has been added to this program for companies in the red zone: ABRUMA

Some conditions apply.

Financial aid program for festivals and tourist events – component 1: major festivals and tourist events

Tourisme Québec

PLEASE NOTE!

HERE (IN FRENCH ONLY) ARE THE DETAILS OF THIS FUNDING PROGRAM FOR FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

The first component of financial aid for festivals and tourist events is for organizers of major festivals and tourist events.

Non-exhaustive eligibility criteria:

Attract a significant number of tourists;
Have a proven economic impact;
Have eligible costs of $6 million or more.

Financial aid forms (annual or three-year agreement):

Financial aid for performance;
Financial aid for growth.

Some of the eligible costs:

Administration;
Programming;
Site management;
Promotion.

Registration period:

Festivals and events taking place between November 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021: one month in Spring 2020 (usually in June);
Festivals and events taking place between May 1 and October 31, 2021: one month in the fall of 2020 (usually in November).

The program expires on March 31, 2022.

Some conditions apply.

Financial aid program for festivals and tourist events – component 2: tourist festivals and events

Tourisme Québec

PLEASE NOTE!

HERE (IN FRENCH ONLY) ARE THE DETAILS OF THIS FUNDING PROGRAM FOR FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

The first component of financial aid for festivals and tourist events is for organizers of major festivals and tourist events.

Non-exhaustive eligibility criteria:

Attract a significant number of tourists;
Have a proven economic impact;
Have eligible costs of $6 million or more.

Financial aid forms (annual or three-year agreement):

Financial aid for performance;
Financial aid for growth.

Some of the eligible costs:

Administration;
Programming;
Site management;
Promotion.

Registration period:

Festivals and events taking place between November 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021: one month in Spring 2020 (usually in June);
Festivals and events taking place between May 1 and October 31, 2021: one month in the fall of 2020 (usually in November).

The program expires on March 31, 2022.

Some conditions apply.

Financial aid program for festivals and tourist events – component 3: innovation and opportunity

Tourisme Québec

PLEASE NOTE!

HERE (IN FRENCH ONLY) ARE THE DETAILS OF THIS FUNDING PROGRAM FOR FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

The third component of financial aid for festivals and tourist events is for organizers of innovative festivals and events that offer promising opportunities for promoting Quebec.

Non-exhaustive eligibility criteria:

Be developing the product;
Demonstrate the exceptional character of the project;
Be holding a one-time, non-recurring event;
Have eligible costs of $1 million or more.

Characteristics of the financial aid:

One-time, non-recurring;
Not exceed 25% of the cost of the project (maximum of $500,000).

Some of the eligible costs:

Administration;
Programming;
Site management;
Promotion.

Registration period:

Festivals and events taking place between November 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021: one month in Spring 2020 (usually in June);
Festivals and events taking place between May 1 and October 31, 2021: one month in the fall of 2020 (usually in November).

The program expires March 31, 2022.

Some conditions apply.

Learn more Find contacts Form(s)

Financing from the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

The CDPQ is making available to Quebec companies affected by measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 additional financial aid of $4 billion.

To be eligible, businesses must meet the following criteria:

have been profitable before the start of the COVID-19 crisis;
have a promising outlook for growth in their sector;
be seeking financing of over $5 million.

Some conditions apply.

Joint loan program

Business Development Bank of Canada

Whether your business is directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic, it could receive between $1 million and $12.5 million in the form of a loan to meet its cash flow needs.

The loan is made jointly with participating banks.

Principal repayments on the loan can be deferred by 12 months.

Eligibility criteria:

Be a viable business pre-pandemic;
Meet your bank’s criteria.

Contact your primary financial institution to apply.

The loan is available until June 2021.

Some conditions apply.