We are here for the business community as a credible resource as we navigate these uncertain times. We’ve compiled this list of resources to help you. We are collaborating with organizations to work with all orders of Government on their economic recovery and resiliency.
Please stay in touch and reach out with questions or comments about business challenges via email (info@elgin.ca) and on our social media channels (@elgincounty).
Federal and Provincial Supports
Below is a list that represents federal and provincial supports for businesses that have been made public through federal and provincial announcements and other resources. This is not necessarily a comprehensive list, as things change rapidly.
The Government of Canada is maintaining a list of supports, which is available on Canada.ca.
The Province of Ontario is maintaining a list of supports, which is available on Covid-19.Ontario.ca
We have broken down the types of supports into the following categories:
- Passive Measures: Those that don't require any action on the part of your businesses to benefit
- Active/Application Based Measures: These items require businesses to apply or actively participate in
- Small Business Supports: Current information and resources available to you as you work through the implications this has on you and your business
- Agricultural Specific Supports: Programs and services in place specifically for our agricultural sector
To view these categories, please click the titles below to read more
Passive Measures
These items do not directly require any action on the part of your businesses to benefit, these are primarily for information-sharing purposes
Ontario Electricity Relief - Households, Small Businesses and Farms
As of 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 2021, customers who pay time-of-use or tiered electricity rates, including households, farms and small businesses, will be charged the off-peak rate of 8.5 cents/kWh, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This temporary emergency rate relief will be in effect for 40 days until February 9, 2021, to support households and businesses impacted by COVID-19covid 19 public health restrictions. Customers will automatically see this lower rate applied to their bills.
We are temporarily stopping or reversing evictions of commercial tenants and protecting them from being locked out or having their assets seized during COVID-19covid 19. This applies to businesses that were eligible for the previous Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses program or who have been approved for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). Full details can be found here.
Cutting Interest Rate to 0.25%
Canada’s coordinated approach to supporting the economy and the financial sector includes the Governor of the Bank of Canada cutting the interest rate to 0.25%. Full details can be found here.
Business Credit Availability Program
The Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will provide more than $65 billion in direct lending and other types of financial support at market rates to businesses with viable business models whose access to financing would otherwise be restricted. Full details can be found here.
Active/Application-Based Measures
(These items require businesses to apply or actively participate in)
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations. Full details can be found here.
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
CEBA is intended to support businesses by providing financing for their expenses that cannot be avoided or deferred as they take steps to safely navigate a period of shutdown, thereby helping to position businesses for successful relaunch when the economy reopens. This $55 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022, will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000).
Full details can be found here.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
The new rent subsidy would support businesses, charities, and non-profits that have suffered a revenue drop, by subsidizing a percentage of their expenses, on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 65 percent of eligible expenses until December 19, 2020. Organizations would be able to make claims retroactively for the period that began September 27 and ends October 24, 2020. Full details can be found here.
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
HASCAP will help businesses with their day-to-day operating costs during the COVID-19 crisis and enable them to invest in their longer-term prosperity. Eligible businesses can start applying now at their principal financial institutions and more widely by February 15. Interested businesses should contact their primary lender to get more information and to apply. Full details can be found here.
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
If your business needs access to working capital to cover operational costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for the EDC BCAP Guarantee. This guarantee is for new operating lines of credit or new term loans to support your cash flow needs. Full details can be found here.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund has been extended and expanded in southern Ontario. The expanded parameters include increases in contribution amounts and forgivable portions and the timeframe for eligible costs. These parameters are available to new applicants and existing recipients. The RRRF provides liquidity support to businesses and organizations affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, that are unable to access other federal relief measures or require additional support. Full details can be found here.
Ontario Small Business Support Grant
Applications are open for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant which helps small businesses that are required to close or significantly restrict services under the Provincewide Shutdown effective December 26, 2020. Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant provides businesses with funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Provincewide Shutdown. Full details can be found here.
Trade Commissioner Service – Access to Funding
Looking to grow your business globally? Apply online for up to $75,000 in CanExport Small Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) funding to cover up to 75% of your international market development activities. Canadian SMEs may choose up to (5) export markets to target, where your company has no or minimal business. We are committed to providing a decision within 60 business days. Full details can be found here.
Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
Businesses can apply to be reimbursed for COVID-19 related expenses, such as purchases of PPE, physical space renovations and developing website and e-commerce capabilities. With another $12 million contributed by the Federal Government, this relief fund has been expanded and is accepting more applications from small businesses across Canada. Full details can be found here.
Small Business Supports:
As a small business owner, you may be facing immediate challenges or be worrying about the weeks to come in light of the actions taken by our Government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 further. We’ve gathered current information and resources available to you as you work through the implications this has on you and your business.
Government of Canada: Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more about this plan by clicking the link in the title.
Canada Centre for Organizational Health and Living: Business Continuity Plan – Infectious Diseases
A business continuity plan describes how an organization will continue to function during or after some kind of emergency, disaster or event. This publication focuses specifically on situations involving infectious diseases. It involves planning how your key services or operations can be continued. Learn more about this plan by clicking the link in the title.
Canadian Trade Commissioner Service: Key considerations for Canadian Businesses
Canada is committed to supporting Canadian exporters and the free flow of goods and services across our international borders. In today's interconnected global business climate, the new coronavirus (or COVID‑19) is affecting the way Canadian companies operate. Efforts to control and mitigate the spread of the virus include travel restrictions and temporary border restrictions. These efforts could have further implications on international business development activities. Learn more by clicking the link in the title.
KPMG Canada: The business implications of coronavirus
KPMG has created steps to help you understand your exposure to COVID-19, and more importantly, position your business to be resilient in the face of this and the next global threat. Learn more by clicking the link in the title.
PWC Canada: Responding to the potential business impacts of COVID-19
PwC Crisis and Resilience teams are experienced in working with companies, governments, regulators, NGOs and international organizations around the world, helping them to prepare for and respond to some of the most high-profile pandemics Key areas that they provide support include:
- Developing and assessing crisis and response plans
- Designing and implementing timely and targeted communications
- Managing, collecting and identifying patient treatment data
Get in touch with them to discuss the implications for your organization by clicking the link in the title.
Farm Credit Canada: Response to COVID-19
To ensure producers, agribusinesses and food processors can remain focused on business-critical functions, FCC has put customer support programs in place. Learn more about their support programs by clicking the link in the title.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Pandemic Preparedness Guide for Businesses
In addition to the work of the health care industry when a pandemic hits, businesses play a critical role in protecting the health and safety of employees, and limiting the negative impact on the economy and communities. They also need to have business continuity plans that will minimize the impact on the business itself and facilitate a speedy resumption of activities if the business has been forced to scale back or close during the pandemic. Preparedness, not panic, is the best way to mitigate the risks posed by a COVID-19 pandemic to the Canadian economy and our citizens. Learn more about this plan by clicking the link in the title.
Stop the Spread Business Information Line 1-888-444-3659
The province has launched a toll-free line to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province's recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health. Full details can be found here.
St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce: Local COVID-19 Updates
The Chamber’s main goal is to provide you with accurate and timely information surrounding COVID-19 and what it means for our community and businesses. Learn more by clicking the link in the title.
Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC): Loans and Business Counselling
The EBRC is available for quick business loans and business counselling. Learn more by clicking the link in the title.
Elgin – St. Thomas Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC): COVID-19 Toolkit
SBEC and EBRC have created a COVID-19 Toolkit to help businesses navigate financial resources for small businesses. Gain access to this toolkit by clicking the link in the title.
Passive Measures
Farm Credit Canada: Response to COVID-19
To ensure producers, agribusinesses and food processors can remain focused on business-critical functions, FCC has put customer support programs in place. Learn more about their support programs by clicking the link in the title.
$5B Increase Farm Credit Canada’s Lending Capacity
Farm Credit Canada and the Government have made a commitment to the agriculture and food industry to ensure producers, agribusinesses and food processors continue to have access to necessary capital at this challenging time. Full details can be found here.
Keeping Canadians and workers in the food supply chain safe
The Government of Canada is announcing $50 million to help farmers, fish harvesters, and all food production and processing employers put in place the measures necessary to follow the mandatory 14-day isolation period required of all workers arriving from abroad. Full details can be found here.
Application-Based Measures
Supporting Agri-food Sector Supply Chain During COVID-19
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1 million in new funding to connect workers with in-demand jobs in the agri-food sector to keep the nation's supply chains strong and store shelves stocked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full details can be found here.
Online Portal Connecting Workers with Employers Looking to Fill Positions in the Agri-Food Sector
The commitment and dedication of Ontario’s agriculture and food sector workers is what keeps our grocery store shelves full and food on our kitchen tables.
If you’re looking for a new professional opportunity and the chance to make a difference during this COVID-19 outbreak, this is a one-stop-shop that highlights employment openings and training resources in Ontario’s agriculture and food sector. Full details can be found here.
Governments Invest $2.5 Million to Grow Agri-food e-Business During COVID-19
The Agri-Food Open for E-Business initiative will help food producers, farmers markets, retailers, garden centres, greenhouses, nurseries, and agricultural associations develop an online business, providing consumers with greater access to a wide variety of food and agriculture products. Full details can be found here.
This targeted application intake features two funding streams:
- Bring Your Business Online. Eligible organizations and businesses can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to establish an online e-business and marketing presence. Funding under this stream will be quick and responsive for those needing immediate solutions.
- Develop Online Business Opportunities. Eligible organizations, businesses and collaborations can apply for cost-share funding of up to $75,000 to implement high-impact projects
Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program
The government of Ontario is providing support for occupational health and safety measures related to COVID-19 for agricultural operations with intensive use of labour. Eligible submissions for project costs incurred on or after March 15, 2020 are received and assessed on a continuous basis, while funding is available. Full details can be found here.