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.
For a quick and easy way to determine which government support/funding programs your business may be eligible for, check out the Loop QuickMatch tool today.
The City of Red Deer
- As part of the ongoing response to COVID-19 residential, small commercial and farm customers were offered a 90-day deferral on water, sewer and waste payments which ends on June 15.
- The 2020 property tax and BIA (Business Improvement Area) tax deadlines have been extended to September 30.
- 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 Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations. Eligible organizations can apply for 15 per cent of their pre-COVID-19 revenue, up to a maximum of $5,000 in funding.
- 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.
- COVID-19 Support for Employers and Employees provides information on provincial programs including small business advice, tax changes, payment deferrals and banks and credit unions.
- 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
- Learn more about the Government of Canada's plans and programs to support businesses, individuals and sectors on their COVID-19 Economic Response Plan web page.
- 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) web page provides information on how to apply for temporary income support if you have had to stop working due to COVID-19. The Federal Government will soon be working to transition everyone on CERB to Employment Insurance with more details to be revealed by the end of August.
- The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) has been created to help Canadian businesses obtain financing during the current period of significant uncertainty.
- The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced.
- The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) supports employers whose business has been affected by the pandemic. Employers may be eligible for a subsidy of 75% of employee wages for up to 12 weeks.
- 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 Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program will lower rent by 75% for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19 and has been extended to the end of August.
- The Canadian Business Resilience Network (in partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce) has created the Small Business Relief Fund which will provide 62 small Canadian businesses with $10,000 grants to help with their recovery efforts.
- 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.
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)- Women's Enterprise Initiative Steam - provides financial support directly to small and medium-sized women-owned or led businesses. Loans of up to $40,000 are available through Women's Enterprise Initiative (WEI) organizations to address COVID-19 impacts on short-term stability.
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.