POTENTIAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

Potential Provincial Government Solutions for your Small Business

Alberta

If you are facing an unexpected emergency, you can apply for emergency financial assistance. Read more.

The government has offered a 90-Day Utility Payment Deferral to all Albertans experiencing financial hardships. Please contact your utility provider to arrange the deferral.

The Alberta Government has deferred corporate income tax balances and instalment payments until August 31, 2020, to increase employers’ access to cash so they can pay employees, address their debts, and to continue their operations. Read more.

If you are an employed and are required to self-isolate, you may be eligible for job-protected leave.
Read more.

Click to read specific information for Alberta Health Professionals

Information about COVID-19 in Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx

British Columbia

The BC Emergency Benefit for Workers provides a one-time $1,000 payment for people who lost income because of COVID-19. Applications will open in April 2020.

The Government of BC. is extending its filing and payment deadlines for several taxes until September 30, 2020. Read more: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/tax-changes/covid-19-tax-changes.

BC Hydro is offering its customers the option to defer bill payments or arrange for flexible payment plans with no penalty.
Click here: COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program

Additionally, customers experiencing job loss, illness, or lost wages due to COVID-19 can access grants up to $600 to pay their hydro bills through
the Customer Crisis Fund.

Information about COVID-19 in British Columbia:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

Manitoba

Tax filling deadlines for small and medium businesses has been extended until June 22, 2020.
Read more: https://www.gov.mb.ca/finance/taxation/pubs/bulletins/noticerst2003.pdf

Information about COVID-19 in Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/index.html

New Brunswick

The Government of New Brunswick has announced new operating loans for small businesses.

The New Brunswick has launched a Workers Emergency Income Benefit. A one-time income benefit of $900 is available for workers or self-employed people residing in New Brunswick who have lost their job due to the state of emergency. Applications will close at 8pm on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

Read more: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/gateways/for_business/covid19.html

Nova Scotia

The government will defer small business renewal fees until June 30.

Worker Emergency Bridge Fund –  a one-time payment of $1,000 to bridge the gap between layoffs and closures

Small Business Impact Grant – eligible small businesses and social enterprises will receive a grant of 15 per cent of their revenue from sales, either from April 2019 or February 2020, up to a maximum of $5,000.

Read more: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/#support

Ontario

Starting Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Ontario hydro rates will be temporarily lowered to the off-peak rates – meaning homeowners will be charged a steady rate of 10.1 cents per kilowatt hour.
Read more: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/03/ontario-providing-electricity-relief-to-families-small-businesses-and-farms-during-covid-19.html.

Support for businesses
Ontario is expected to announce business supports in its upcoming spring economic update on March 25, 2020.

Support for self-employed
The government of Ontario has indicated that there will be support for the self-employed. Details to be announced.

More information can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus/

Quebec

Temporary Aid for Workers Program
This program is for workers who reside in Quebec and are in isolation for one of the following reasons:
– they have contracted the virus or present symptoms
– they have been in contact with an infected person
– they have returned from abroad.

The lump-sum amount granted to an eligible person is $573 per week, for a period of 14 days of isolation. If eligible, the coverage period could be extended to a maximum of 28 days.

Read more: https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/financial-assistance/temporary-aid-for-workers-program/

Saskatchewan

Businesses that are unable to file their provincial tax return(s) by the due date may submit a request for relief from penalty and interest charges on the return(s) affected.

Self-Isolation Support Program
This program is for workers who reside in Saskatchewan, do not qualify for one of the federal
emergency support programs, and are in isolation for one of the following reasons:
– They have contracted COVID-19 or are showing symptoms; or
– They have been in contact with an individual infected with COVID-19; or
– They have recently returned from international travel and have been required to self-isolate;

The program will provide eligible persons up to $450 per week, for a maximum of two weeks or $900.

Read more: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government