COVID-19

support & recover #here4squamish

Restart BC

The Squamish Chamber brings you a range of tools, resources and events to assist in your business’s recovery and success post pandemic. If your business needs support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at admin@squamishchamber.com.

Economic Supports for Business

WorkSafe BC Safety Plan

Canadian Business-Led Recovery Toolkit

BC's Economic Recovery Plan

Grant Writing Program

Posters & Templates

Business Resources

A range of official resources are detailed in the tabs below, along with guides and FAQs to help your business.

Please reference the information below and observe and communicate the recommended protocols.

Last updated: Jan 17th, 2022.

Financial Support

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 ProgramProvides 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.

Guides & Tools

Other Organizations

For Business

Federal

COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan

List of Federal Funding with Links

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC):

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

Guides, Checklists, FAQs

 

For Residents

Federal

COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan

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).

COVID-19 Advice and Support

Webinars

Finance

Cashflow, Financial Support

Finance

Cashflow, Financial Support

HR & Labour

Employment Law, Mental Health

HR & Labour

Employment Law, Mental Health

Buy Local - #SupportSquamish

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Now, more than ever, Squamish businesses need your continued support. There are many ways you can show your support, from ordering online to leaving a review. Learn more here.  

Explore the range of programs below to help your business. Sign up today.

For more information, email admin@squamishchamber.com

Government Websites

District of Squamish

District of Squamish Information & Updates
local Gov't

Province of BC

Provincial Support & Information
Provincial

Government of Canada

Federal Support & Information
Federal

If you have not done so already, we encourage you to follow the Squamish Chamber on Facebook as this will be our quickest and most nimble communication tool (@squamishchamber). Sign up for our newsletter via the form at the bottom of the page.

The Squamish Chamber continues to work remotely and in hybrid, enabling our organization to continue with important operations and communication. 

What this means:

  • The Squamish Chamber will continue to operate and share important messaging and services for businesses.
  • The team are working remotely, where possible, but are still accessible via email – admin@squamishchamber.com
  • We are assessing all our upcoming events and meetings, exploring options for teleconferencing and alternative dates, as appropriate.
Read our statement from Louise Walker, Executive Director.
 

CONNECT. COMMUNICATE. COLLABORATE.

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