COVID-19

Last updated: Jan 17th, 2022.

Financial Support

• Canadas COVID Economic Response Plan

Road to Recovery

• Tourism Squamish and the Squamish Chamber partner to support businesses on the Road to Recovery.

Last updated: Jan 17th, 2022.

Rent and Wage Subsidy

Not sure which wage and rent support program you qualify for?  Click here and answer a few questions or read below.  Note: some provincial and federal grants can be stacked.

NEWLY ANNOUNCED: 

• The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides a rent subsidy to qualifying organizations that have experienced a decline in revenue in 2021. Claim period 24 will be open for applications in February 2022.
• Provincial Closure relief grant – Eligible businesses that were ordered to fully close due to public health orders introduced on Dec. 22, 2021, can now apply for provincial relief grants between $1,000 and $10,000.
• Summer Jobs Grant: provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years.  Jobs must be for a minimum of 6 weeks and maximum of 4 months and at least 30 hours a week.  Apply by Jan 25th, 2022 for grants of up to 50% of wages paid (provincial minimum wage)

ONGOING SUPPORT:

• Canada Recovery Hiring Program – For eligible employers with current revenue losses above 10% with the subsidy rate increasing to 50%.  Able to apply for up to 3 previous periods.  Can be both arms length and non (as long as employed before covid).
• Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program – Provides support through wage and rent subsidies to, for example, operation and maintenance of recreation and amusement facilities and services (gyms & fitness facilities, river rafting, curling, hunting & fishing camps, amateur sports leagues), ski rental services, hotels, casinos, charter bus services, cultural and artistic events, tour operators, travel agencies, cafes, bars and restaurants, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent. 
• Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program –  Provides support through wage and rent subsidies to other businesses that are not covered by THRP but have faced losses of 50% in the last year and , with a subsidy rate of up to 50%.
• Organizations temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order may be eligible for the Lockdown Support, which provides a top-up rent subsidy of 25%, in addition to the 65% subsidy.
• Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit – This program has been temporarily expanded to include workers in regions where provincial or territorial governments have introduced capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more.  Up to $300 for contractors.

Grants and Loans

• Jobs and Growth Fund – Eligible businesses (under 500 employees) with a specific project they will be working on may be eligible for an interest free loan for up to 50% of eligible costs (100% for indigenous led businesses).  Loans are considered for projects that support the transition to a green economy, foster an inclusive recovery, preserve Canada’s competitiveness and future-proof SMEs through digital adoption, activities that strengthen capacity in sectors critical to Canada’s recovery and growth.
• Tourism Relief Fund – Tourism businesses including suppliers, tourism clusters, key products (not hotels, restaurants or retailers) may qualify for financial assistance (to be spent by May 23rd, 2023)
• Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative – Major, recurring festivals and events with annual revenues exceeding $10 million may qualify for financial assistance
• Recovery Fund for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sport Sectors – Provides $300 million over two years to support arts, culture heritage, music and sport organizations. 

Please reference the most up-to-date information from official / government agencies.

• UPDATED: Vancouver Coastal Health – Regional Health Authority updates and resources –Environmental Health Inspections, COVID-19, Shareable Resources.
• HealthLink BC – Provincial Health Link
• Office of the Provincial Health Officer – official Orders and Notices
• BC Provincial COVID-19 Resource Website 
• BC Centre for Disease Control 
• Health Canada – Canada-specific advice, preparedness, & Canada’s response 
• World Health Organization– for FAQs, Global Travel Advice & Situation Reports 

Guides & Tools

• BC COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool
• Hand Washing Poster (download)
• Infographic – Be Prepared
• How to Isolate at Home
• Mental Health in the Workplace – Mini Guide

Other Organizations

• HealthLink BC
• BC College of Pharmacists
• Province of BC – Pandemic Preparedness Plan
• Federal Government – Travel Advice

Federal

• COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Managing your business during COVID-19
• Western Economic Diversification Canada
  • Resources from the Western Region Development Agency

Provincial

• Provincial Support and Information
• BC Economic Development Association

Guides, Checklists, FAQs:

• FAQ – Federal Support for SMEs
• Business Preparedness Guide (Canadian Chamber)
• Planning for COVID: A Guide for Business (BCEDA)
• Business Continuity Checklist (SBBC)
• Crisis Preparedness & Business Continuity (Restaurants Canada)
• FAQ: COVID & Small Business (SBBC)

Organizations:

• Small Business BC (SBBC)
• Restaurants Canada

Free Grant Search Tools:

Civic Info BC grant search tool

Government of BC Economic Development Funding & Grants search tool 

Government of BC Grants & Funding search tool 

Government of Canada Grants & Funding search tool

Federal

COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Apply EI Sickness Benefit

Provincial

WorkSafe BC – reopening and safe operations

Provincial Information for Employees

Guides, Checklists, FAQs

• Downloadable Posters (Canadian Government)
• COVID-19 & The Workplace (WorkSafe BC)
• What Workers & Employers Need to Know (WorkSafe BC)
• Responding to COVID in the Workplace (go2HR)
• Workplace & Employer Resources (BCEDA)
• FAW – Federal Government Support for Workers 
• Payroll Q&A (Canadian Payroll Association)

Organizations

go2HR

WorkSafe BC

For Business

Federal

COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan

List of Federal Funding with Links

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC):

• Small Business Loan: Up to $100,000 can be obtained online in as little 48 hours from time of approval.
• Working capital loan: Get extra funds to bridge cash flow gaps and support everyday operations.
• Purchase Order Financing: Increase your cash flow to fulfill domestic or international orders with very flexible terms.
• BDC’s Advisory Services experts are offering tools and support to review your financial management and operations.

Export Development Canada

Canada’s largest financial institutions as well as some credit unions are working with small business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible financing solutions such as:

• Payment deferrals, reduced interest rates on credit cards and temporary limit increases
• Term loans of up to $6.25 million through the Business Credit Availability Program’s co-lending and guaranteed loan option
• Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is offering loan payment deferrals and other financing products to the agriculture and food industry

Western Economic Diversification Canada  can help businesses access federal funding and provide advice on other federal programs and services. Tourism operators or small- or medium- sized organizations that are impacted by COVID-19 and have received RDA funding may be eligible to receive additional funding and/or flexible arrangements.

Provincial

• BC Business Support
• Provincial Support & Information
• Tax Remittance Deferrals  

Guides, Checklists, FAQs

• FAQ – Federal Support for SMEs 
• Financing Options, Article (SBBC) 

For Residents

Federal

COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan

• FAQ – Federal Government Support for Workers
• Apply EI Sickness Benefit

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) If you are eligible for the CRCB, your household can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period.

Employment Insurance  changes to the EI program include waiving the one-week waiting period for and priority application processing for COVID-19 related claims.

Provincial

Provincial Support & Information

Boosting the Climate Action Tax Credit 

Eligible families of four will receive up to $564 and eligible individuals will receive up to $218 in an enhanced payment. This will help complement federal income supports for those struggling with job loss reduced income or increased costs. 

Support for Renters and Homeowners 

The provincial government, working with banks and credit unions, will ensure mortgage deferral options are available as well as enhanced support for rentals via Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Rental Assistance Program (RAP). 

 Private & Crown Corporations

BC Hydro

• If you had overdue payments you may be eligible for a Customer Crisis Fund grant of up to $600.
• If you’ve fallen behind on bill payments, we encourage you to set up a flexible, catch-up payment plan to pay the overdue amount. Log in MyHydro to set up a catch-up payment plan online, or request a plan by calling us at 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376).