COVID-19 Programs and Measures – Self-employed workers | Employees

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.

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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Government of Canada

PLEASE NOTE!

1. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.
2. 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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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 August 29, 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)

Some conditions apply.

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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:

• The closest office of the Government of Canada

or

• The Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at 1 613-996-8885 (collect, if the service is available) or at CAN.finances.CV19@international.gc.ca.

Some conditions apply.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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• More time to pay income taxes


• Deferral of Sales Tax Remittance and Customs Duty Payments until June


• CED: repayments due in July, August and September are being deferred


• Travel restrictions and exemptions


• Canada Council for the Arts – Important Information related to COVID-19


• Canada Post – Emergency Mail Forwarding for business customers who need it is offered free of charge online as of April 3


• Canada-U.S. border restrictions prohibiting all non-essential travel across the border extended to July 21, 2020


• Expansion of support for workers and small businesses: the program will now be available to a greater number of businesses that are sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll.


• Canada Summer Jobs 2020 temporary flexibilities for employers


• Enhancement of the Youth Employment and Skills Program to help create new positions for youth in the agriculture sector


• Updated measures for cruise ships and passenger vessels in Canadian waters up to October 31, 2020


• Canada-U.S. border closure to be extended beyond June 21 (in French only)


• Government of Canada announces additional support for Indigenous businesses and the Indigenous tourism industry


• More small businesses can soon access the Canada Emergency Business Account


• $30 million to help businesses and organizations in Québec's tourism sector adapt to new economic circumstances


• Relief measures for Indigenous businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak


• Prime Minister announces support for students serving their communities and opportunities to gain paid work experience

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

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.

Some conditions apply.

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

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.

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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