Consult this updated directory of key programs intended for self-employed workers and employees to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Federal government
- Provincial government
- Municipal government (Montréal)
- Private sector
- Other resources
1. Federal government
Bridge Financing Program
Business Development Bank of Canada
The Bridge Program provides eligible companies with financing in the form of a convertible note to match a current financing round being raised through qualified investors into Canadian start-up companies.
Eligibility criteria:
- Must be Canadian incorporated with Canadian operations and senior management residing in Canada.
- Have previously raised at least $500,000 and be specifically impacted by COVID-19.
- Be part of traditional high-growth venture-capital backed industries.
- Have at least one qualified investor investing in the round being matched by BDC.
Interested companies must first speak to their investors.
For more information, please write to programrelaisCR@bdc.ca.
Conditions apply.
Learn more
Find contacts
Canada Emergency Business Account
Ministère des Finances
The Canada Emergency Business Account will make $25 billion 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.
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.
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.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Find contacts
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Government of Canada
PLEASE NOTE!
- The Canada Emergency Response Benefit replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.
- To help more Canadians benefit from the CERB, the government is announcing changes to the eligibility rules to:
- Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
- Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their regular seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Extend the CERB to workers who have recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job or return to work because of COVID-19.
*These changes will be retroactive to March 15, 2020 . More details will be posted on the portal shortly.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) offers Canadian workers who lose their income because of the COVID‑19 pandemic a taxable benefit of $2000 for up to four weeks ($500 per week).
Eligible workers include:
- those who have stopped working because of COVID‑19;
- those who have COVID‑19 or are caring for someone with the virus;
- parents who must stay at home with no salary.
The CERB applies to contract and self-employed workers who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.
A backgrounder is available here.
Some conditions apply.
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Find contacts
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, to December 19, 2020 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.
Current claim periods open for application:
- March 15 to April 11 (period 1)
- April 12 to May 9 (period 2)
- May 10 to June 6 (period 3)
- June 7 to July 4 (period 4)
To view the changes made to the CEWS, click here.
Some conditions apply.
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Find contacts
COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad
Government of Canada
The COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad was introduced to help Canadians with no source of financing to come home.
Canadians and some Canadian permanent residents abroad who are directly affected by the impact of the COVID-19 can request a repayable emergency loan to help them return to Canada.
To apply, contact:
or
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
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.
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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.
Learn more
Find contacts
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.
Learn more
Find contacts
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.
Learn more
Find contacts
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.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Find contacts
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
Increase inventory to meet demand, take advantage of discounts from your suppliers or add to your line of credit, without jeopardizing your cash flow.
Benefits for your company:
-
Flexible repayment terms to protect your cash flow;
- Limited personal risk;
- Peace of mind.
Conditions apply.
Learn more
Find contacts
Federal measures
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
Emergency aid for organizations supported by the CALQ
- Download the form (French only)
- Send an email
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
COVID-19: $40 million budget from Fondaction for Quebec SMEs in the agri-food sector
Fondaction
Over the next year, Fondaction will make available to Quebec SMEs in the agri-food sector $40 million in funding to ensure their vitality.
Main eligibility criteria:
-
Profitability before the crisis
- Strong prospects for growth
- Solid management team
Business that would like to benefit from this funding should complete a form.They will be contacted by Fondaction’s investment experts who will evaluate their application and discuss flexible, personalized solutions.
It should also be noted that Fondaction has made its funding offer more flexible for projects of $500,000 or more.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
(in French only)
Find contacts
(in French only)
Form(s)
(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)
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.
Learn more
Find contacts
Form(s)
Incentive Program to Retain Essential Workers (IPREW)
Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED.
Eligible essential workers during the pandemic could benefit from the IPREW to make up the difference between their salary and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
The application for aid can be completed online starting May 19, and the first payment is planned for May 27, 2020.
Non-exhaustive eligibility criteria:
- Earn a gross salary of $550 or less per week;
- Have annual employment income of at least $5,000 and total annual income of $28,600 or less;
- Be at least 15 years old when you apply for IPREW benefits.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Find contacts
Local investment fund (LIF)
Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation
WARNING!
A SIX-MONTH MORATORY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE REPAYMENT (CAPITAL AND INTEREST) OF THE LOANS ALREADY GRANTED BY THE INTERMEDIARY OF THE FLI.
If you are starting or expanding a business, you could be eligible for financing in the form of various types of loans or loan guarantees.
Loans can cover eligible expenses such as:
- Capital expenditures
- Technology acquisition
- Working capital for operations
You could get an interest-free loan to help you acquire at least 25% of an existing rural business that you plan to take over.
Learn more
(in French only)
Find contacts
(in French only)
Programme actions concertées pour le maintien en emploi (PACME–COVID-19) (joint action program for employee retention)
Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale
Please note that the program components Entreprises and Promoteurs collectifs have reached their maximum budgetary capacity. You can still check the possibility of joining a training project accepted under the Promoteurs collectifs component.
The PACME offers direct financial support to promote the training and management of employees of companies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reimbursement of eligible expenses for corporate training programs:
-
100% of expenses of $100,000 or less;
- 50% of expenses between $100,000 and $500,000.
Projects are accepted until September 30, 2020 or until the funding envelope of $100 million runs out.
Businesses and self-employed workers should contact a business advisor for their region.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
(in French only)
Find contacts
Temporary Aid for Workers Program (PATT COVID-19)
Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation
WARNING!!
THE PROGRAM ENDED ON APRIL 10, 2020 TO PREVENT PROGRAM DUPLICATION (WITH THE CERB).
- IF YOU REGISTERED OR SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION BEFOR 4:00 PM ON APRIL 10, 2020
- YOUR FILE WILL BE PROCESSED AS USUAL.
If you are a Quebec worker who has been ordered into isolation by the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec or another authority, you could receive $573 per week, for a period of at least 14 days of isolation.
To be eligible, you need to:
-
Be in isolation for one of the following reasons:
- You have contracted the virus or have symptoms;
- You have been in contact with an infected person;
- You have returned from abroad.
- Receive no compensation from your employer;
- Have no private insurance;
- Not be covered by government programs.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Find contacts
Provincial measures
3. Municipal government (Montréal)
City of Laval’s COVID-19 loan
The City of Laval’s COVID-19 term loan offers eligible businesses financial assistance of up to $100,000 to cover their working capital costs.
Main eligibility criteria:
- Apply for a minimum loan amount of $25,000
- Operate in an eligible sector and offer B2B services or products
- Have a Beacon score above 650
- Have been in operation for more than 2 years
- Was financially healthy before the current crisis
Main documents to be submitted:
- Financial statements for the last 3 years and the current year
- Business owner’s personal balance sheet and credit record
- Cash budget for the next 12 months
To make an appointment, contact the Service du développement économique:
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
(in French only)
Free support to merchants to make a rapid digital shift - Lachine
City of Montreal
The Ville de Montréal offers small businesses and merchants free personalized support from experts.
These professionals can guide local merchants in developing a crisis action plan, choosing suppliers, implementing an e-commerce platform and more.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Find contacts
Form(s)
(in French only)
Municipal measures (Montréal)
4. Private sector
Aid to Canadian manufacturers from the NGen Supercluster
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) will invest up to $50 million in next-generation manufacturing projects by Canadian companies.
To be eligible, projects must target the production of technology, equipment and medical materials critical in the fight against COVID-19.
For projects that will have an immediate impact between April and the end of June 2020, up to 100% of eligible costs could be reimbursed. For projects that will have an impact after June 30, up to 50% of eligible costs could be covered.
For details, consult the presentation and project guides here and this descriptive document.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Find contacts
Business assistance – Temporary support for working capital – COVID-19
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
SODEC is offering financial assistance in the form of revolving credit, a term loan or a loan guarantee of between $10,000 and $2,000,000.
Main eligibility criteria for the company:
- Have its head office in Quebec and demonstrate that it is primarily controlled by people whose tax residence is in Quebec.
- Have been in operation for at least one year.
- Be experiencing uncertainty and temporary difficulties due to COVID-19.
- Demonstrate that the company’s financial structure has good potential for profitability.
Conditions apply.
Learn more
(in French only)
DEL's COVID-19 Loan
DEL's COVID-19 Loan offers eligible businesses located (or that plan to be located) in the DEL region with a term loan of up to $100,000 (repayable in 12 months) at an interest rate of 6% to provide them with the working capital they need to get through the current crisis.
Main eligibility criteria:
- Apply for a minimum loan of $25,000.
- Be legally constituted.
- Operate in an eligible industry and offer B2B services.
- Have a Beacon credit score that is greater than 750.
- Submit a project with demonstrated economic benefits in terms of maintaining jobs.
Main documents to be submitted:
- Financial statements for the last 3 years and the current year.
- Entrepreneur’s personal financial statement and credit report.
- A cash budget for the next 12 months.
Conditions apply.
Learn more
Emergency financial aid from the AFC
The AFC offers financial support to meet basic needs for two to three weeks following the application.
To access it, you must:
- Be eligible professionally;
- Show an immediate financial need;
- Explore all other avenues for support;
- Provide the documentation required.
Note that this assistance is for people in the greatest need, i.e. people without the funds in their bank to pay their bills (rent, mortgage, food, utilities, insurance, etc.).
To submit an application, please complete the AFC application form and send it to contact@AFChelps.ca.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
FCC – COVID-19 support program
Farm Credit Canada
The FCC – COVID-19 support program has two components:
1. Deferral program for payments and credit line
- Deferral of principal and interest payments for up to six months for existing loans;
- Deferral of principal payments for up to 12 months;
- Access to an additional credit line of up to $500,000.
2. Term loans for eligible clients
- Term loan of a maximum of $2.5 million, with no fees, with an interest-only payment option for 18 months and a maximum amortization of 10 years.
For more information, please contact your local office or call the Customer Service Centre at 1 888 332-3301.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Fondation des artistes aid
The Fondation des artistes offers financial support to artists whose professional activities have been disrupted by the pandemic.
To access the aid, complete the application form for your profession:
- Actor, host, singer or dancer
- Film, soap opera, ad or web content director
- Theatre set, costume or lighting designer
- Musician or composer for any musical genre
- Film, soap opera, ad, etc. writer, scriptwriter or screenwriter.
- Painter, sculptor, photographer, digital artist, land artist, textile artist, etc.
- Image and sound technician
- Artists in another discipline
and send all supporting documents requested to accueil@fondationdesartistes.ca
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
(in French only)
MTL Resto Relief Fund
If you work at a Montréal restaurant, bar or café and you need monetary support to meet your urgent financial obligations, you can apply to the MTL Resto Relief Fund.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Shopify Capital Funding
Shopify has launched a program for loans of up to $500,000 to support small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
This program is solely for Shopify clients.
Loans will be reimbursed from future sales.
For more information, connect to your Shopify account.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Find contacts
SOCAN emergency aid program
The SOCAN has put in place a $2 million emergency aid program to help its members.
The financial aid is intended primarily for songwriters and screen composers affected by the crisis, particularly those whose shows have been cancelled or TV and film productions suspended.
The program takes the form of emergency advances on royalties.
Members who would like to submit an application can do so at
or
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
Temporary assistance in the audiovisual sector (film and television)
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
This SODEC assistance program, the goal of which is to relaunch the film and television industry, has two components:
- Assistance to maintain production capacity in the audiovisual sector
- Temporary pilot component (shoot interruption because of COVID-19)
The two components are designed to combat the effects of production stoppages due to the pandemic. The first component is for productions stopped because of government measures, and the second is for productions stopped because of an infection on the team.
Consult full details for the program and its two components here.
Some conditions apply.
Learn more
(in French only)
Private sector measures
5. Other resources
You can also consult our other directories of programs not related to COVID-19.