There are many different business supports available from all three levels of government. Below is a list of websites that provide information specific to the support offered.
Find the right programs and services with the Government of Canada's Business Benefits Finder!
The City of Red Deer
- On November 23, 2020 Red Deer City Council approved a bylaw temporarily mandating face coverings be worn in indoor public places and public vehicles. For more information on this bylaw and for additional resources including masking signage please visit reddeer.ca/masks.
- We also have more information on permits and inspections, licenses, accounts payable process and procurement, payment options and more on our Doing Business with The City web page.
Provincial Government
- The Alberta Biz Connect webpage outlines workplace guidance and financial supports available to businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19.
- The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations. This program has been extended to June 30, 2021. Eligible organizations can apply for 15 per cent of their pre-COVID-19 revenue, up to a maximum of $5,000 in funding. PROGRAM UPDATE - starting the week of December 14, job creators who have experienced a 30 per cent revenue loss to to the COVID-19 pandemic will now qualify for the program, lowering the threshold from the existing 40 per cent revenue loss requirement. Check out this video on how to apply for this program.
- Alberta Innovates extended the Innovation Relief and Recovery Program (IRR) in an effort to help support small-to-medium businesses affected by the pandemic. The IRR program offers tech businesses access to various technical and business supports that are not covered through other relief programs. Support for each project ranges from $5,000 up to $10,000.
- The Faith-Based and Cultural Facility Relaunch Grant provides a one time reimbursement to relaunch facilities used for cultural, religious, spiritual and ceremonial gatherings and is currently open and is accepting applications until March 1, 2021.
- The Canada-Alberta Job Grant helps cover training expenses for existing employees and new hires with the possibility to cover up to 100% of training costs, up to $15,000 per trainee. Contact the Alberta-Canada Job Grant processing centre at 1-855-638-9424 or email jobgrant@gov.ab.ca.
- The Alberta Jobs Now Program will provide up to $370M to help private and non-profit businesses with job supports to get thousands of Albertans back to work
- The Tourism Levy Abatement permits hotels and other lodging providers to keep tourism levy amounts collected between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.
- WCB Premium Payment Deferrals allow small, medium and large private sector employers to defer WCB payments until 2021.
- COVID-19 Workplace Guidance for Business Owners (pdf) outlines the criteria that should be addressed by business owners prior to re-opening or continuing operations after May 1, 2020 to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 among workers, patrons and volunteers.
- Protecting Alberta's Families and Economy outlines the financial assistance offered to Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- COVID-19 Information is the Alberta Health Services web pages all about the Coronavirus.
- The Workers Compensation Board of Alberta has information specific to COVID-19 and employers as well as information specific for workers on their website.
Federal Government
- The COVID-19 Economic Response Plan web page outlines the Government of Canada's plans and programs to support businesses, individuals and sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Find the most applicable COVID-19 business supports and other programs through this online tool designed by the Government of Canada.
- The Business Resilience Hotline (supported by the Federal Government and operated by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce) will help entrepreneurs and small business owners in need of financial planning advice. Call 1-866-989-1080 (toll-free) seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).
- The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) This program is now closed, however the CRA will continue to accept and process retroactive applications until December 2, 2020. Learn more about how to transition from CERB to new benefits.
- The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced. The application period has been extended to June 30, 2021.
- The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) supports employers whose business has been affected by the pandemic. Employers may be eligible for a subsidy of 65 per cent of employee wages. Calculate your subsidy amount here with the Wage Subsidy Calculator.
- The Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) provides bridge financing to large employers in order to keep their operations going during the pandemic.
- The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) program provides direct relief to businesses, non-profits and charities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A second intake period for applications opened up on November 30th and qualifying organizations can apply directly through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Business Account, or Represent a Client portals.
- The Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) assists businesses that have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 to access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs.
- The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund provides relief grants of up to $5,000 for small businesses.
- The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) - Women's Enterprise Initiative Stream provides financial support directly to small and medium- sized, women-owned or led businesses. Loans of up to $40,000 are available.
- The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) - Community Futures Stream - provides financial support through local Community Future organizations to SME's. Small business owners can apply for loans up to $40,000 through this program.
- Learn more about how to create your organization's business continuity plan to ensure you have the resources and information needed to deal with the risk from potential disasters by visiting the Business Continuity Planning web pages.
- Export Development Canada offers offer expert advice as well as insurance and financial support to businesses. Visit COVID-19 and Canadian Exporters.
- Business Development Bank of Canada offers options for accessing credit as well as additional resources to support you through to a more stable time. Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19.
We also want to encourage you to reach out to your financial institution and insurance provider and inquire about any additional resources and supports that may be available to you and your business.
Last but not least, a pandemic can be a very stressful event for individuals and communities. The Canadian Mental Health Association and Wellness Together Canada have a number of resources to assist you and your employees during this time.