UPDATED MAY 7, 2021

INTERNATIONAL

Canada and its international partners are committed to supporting global trade and investment during this global health crisis. Canada is also working closely with its international partners to ensure that the measures we take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic do not impose unjustified or harmful burdens on workers, businesses, and our global economies.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRAVEL AND ADVISORIES

CUSTOMS AND BORDERS

 


NATIONAL

Government of Canada support for businesses:

This fall, in addition to extending the wage subsidy, the Government will take further steps to bridge vulnerable businesses to the other side of the pandemic by:

  • Expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account to help businesses with fixed costs;
  • Improving the Business Credit Availability Program;
  • And introducing further support for industries that have been the hardest hit, including travel and tourism, hospitality, and cultural industries like the performing arts.

CANADA EMERGENCY WAGE SUBSIDY (CEWS)

On March 3, 2021, the Government announced proposed details for upcoming CEWS claim periods from March 14 to June 5, 2021.

Applications for claim period 12 (January 17 to February 13, 2021) are now open.

CANADA EMERGENCY BUSINESS ACCOUNT (CEBA)

  • As of December 4, 2020, hard-hit small businesses and not-for-profits could be eligible for an additional $20,000 CEBA loan, on top of the $40,000 already available.
  • Reminder: All applicants have until March 31, 2021, to apply for a $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion.
  • More details are available here: https://ceba-cuec.ca/

 


PROVINCIAL

British Columbia

RESTRICTIONS

Unless you are exempt, all international travellers returning to B.C. are required by law to self-quarantine for 14 days and complete the federal ArriveCAN application prior to their return or upon arrival.

BUSINESSES

A new business closure Order came into effect November 19, 2020 and is still active. For more information, click here.

The following resources are available to assist B.C. businesses during COVID-19:

 

Alberta

RESTRICTIONS

For information on the public health measures currently in place, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx

BUSINESSES

  • Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit: The Alberta government has announced a new Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit available to small businesses that have seen a 60% revenue loss. Eligible businesses can receive a maximum of $10,000 under the new program. Businesses will be able to apply for the new program in April, and will be required to report the total amount of provincial and federal support received, to ensure no more than 80 per cent of revenue is covered. Find out more here.
  • Alberta SME Relaunch Grant: the Alberta government is providing eligible small businesses and non-profits to access up to $20,000 to help with relaunch costs (Phase 1: $5,000, Phase 2: $15,000). Applications for the program are now open hereApplications will remain open until March 31, 2021.

For more detailed information, please visit the Alberta government’s COVID-19 information page.

Saskatchewan

RESTRICTIONS

The Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment No. 2 (SSBEP 2) provides a payment to small and medium-sized businesses directly affected by provincial public health orders related to COVID-19. Payments for December 2020 and January, February and March 2021 are issued based on 15 per cent of a business’s monthly sales revenue in November/December 2019 or January 2020, to a maximum of $5,000 per month. The program is open for applications and the deadline to apply is April 30, 2021. Applicants for the December payment are not required to re-apply for the January, February or March payments.

For additional information on the program, email ssbep@gov.sk.ca or call 1-800-667-6102 or 306-787-6645 in Regina.

If you have any outstanding questions or concerns about the province’s reopening plan please contact CFIB directly at 1-888-234-2232 or email at ms.saskatchewan@cfib.ca 

You can also contact the Government of Saskatchewan’s Business Response Team by calling 1-844-800-8688, email supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca or by visiting www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-businesses.

 

Manitoba The Manitoba Back to Work initiative, which provides businesses with a wage subsidy to help returning staff or new hires, has been extended until December 31. Through the Back to Work initiative, private-sector employers can receive up to $100,000 to subsidize 20 employees (up to $5,000 per employee) hired since July 16. Employers are now able to rehire students previously hired through the Manitoba Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program, Canada Summer Job Program and Green Team Program. New start-up companies are eligible, providing they have a business number.

The new application deadline is December 31. 

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/business/btwmp.html

Ontario Ontario State of Emergency

Ontario’s State of Emergency expired as of July 24, 2020. However, most of the province’s emergency orders remain in place. If you are unsure if your business should be open, please call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Most of Ontario has entered Stage 3 of the province’s economic reopening plan. To determine if your business can be open, check out the provincial guidelines.

Support for Businesses

For a complete list of support measures, please click here.

Quebec As of September 21, all economic activity sectors are authorized to resume their activities except regular vacation camps with accommodation.

The recovery must take place in accordance with the health recommendations and the specific recovery guidelines for your economic sector.

Note: Rules on reopening of economic activities and gatherings may vary according to the alert level in your region. You can refer to the following to learn the alert level in your region and the according government directives:

Office building occupancy

Return to work in offices is allowed but only up to a maximum of 25% of staff.

For more details, please visit the Reopening of economic activities page on the government’s website.

 

Support for businesses

To help businesses whose cash flow is affected by the impact of COVID-19, the government has implemented the Emergency Support Plan for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses and the Concerted Temporary Action Program for Businesses (PACTE).

The Emergency Support Plan for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses provides emergency funding of less than $50,000, while the emergency funding available under PACTE starts at $50,000.

Both give funding in the form of a loan or a loan guarantee.

For a full list of support measures available, click here.

New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
  • Small Business Credit and Support Program

    Applications for the Small Business Credit and Support Program are now closed. If you applied and have questions, contact the credit union you’re working with.

    Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

    The Small Business Loan Guarantee Program is available for qualifying businesses.

    Small Business Reopening and Support Grant

    Through this $25-million program, eligible small businesses, non-profits, charities and social enterprises that were ordered to close or greatly reduce operations because of the Public Health Order, or that were greatly impacted by social distancing and orders to stay home, may qualify for a reopening and support grant.


    Business Navigators are available to help Nova Scotia businesses with any questions they may have. They can be reached Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm at 1-844-628-7347, 902-424-4475 or by email at BusNavigation@novascotia.ca

For more detailed information, please visit the Nova Scotia COVID-19 information page.

Prince Edward Island If you are self-employed, a worker or a business, there are supports available for emergency relief. Find details about these programs and online applications here If you still have concerns after reviewing this page, use the contact information provided. Staff are working hard to respond to inquiries as quickly as possible.

Business concerns? Call 1-866-222-1751 or email peibusinesshelpline@gov.pe.ca(link sends e-mail)

Questions about operational plans and re-opening? Email envhealth@ihis.org(link sends e-mail)

Questions about pre-travel approval, entrance to the province, or essential, allowable or non-essential services? Email publicsafety@gov.pe.ca

 

Newfoundland and Labrador

Update, March 24, 2021: Effective 12.01am Saturday, March 27, the entire province will move to Alert Level 2.

The provincial government has released guidance for sector-specific businesses as well as public health posters that may be appropriate for your business.

Businesses who have questions will be able to email covid19info@gov.nl.ca or call 1-833-771-0696.

Yukon Entered Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions. If you have non-medical questions, email covid19info@gov.yk.ca or phone 1-877-374-0425.

For medical questions or if you feel ill, phone 811, or launch the COVID-19 self-assessment tool.

Self-isolation

  • Residents of Yukon, British Columbia, Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not have to self-isolate when they arrive in the territory if they have not travelled outside of these 4 regions.
  • Residents of other parts of Canada who arrive in Yukon must self-isolate, with limited exceptions.
  • When you self-isolate, monitor yourself for symptoms.

Find out more about what being in Phase 2 means.

Travel and borders

See all information about travel and borders.  

To see the Yukon government’s most recent announcements, click here.

Northwest Territories  Self-isolation

  • Residents of Yukon, British Columbia, Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not have to self-isolate when they arrive in the territory if they have not travelled outside of these 4 regions.

Provide small businesses and individuals with access to greater cash flow during this crisis, by pausing most collections efforts, including:

  • Outside collection agency activity
  • GNWT set-offs on GNWT payments
  • GNWT set-offs on Canada Revenue Agency tax refunds
    • Low-interest loans to business operators through the Business Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC). Loans of up to $25,000 are available to NWT businesses at a rate of 1.75%. To see if you are eligible and to apply, click here
    • Clients of the BDIC can also apply to reduce or defer up to three months of loan payments without penalty or additional interest charges. Businesses will be automatically approved and do not require demonstration of financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 crisis. Requests must be received no later than the 24th day of the month prior to the payment date. For more information, click here.

    For all other information business-related information from Northwest Territories, please visit the official government website here.

Nunavut One-time relief grant of $5000 for small businesses affected by COVID-19.

 

Self-isolation

  • Residents of Yukon, British Columbia, Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not have to self-isolate when they arrive in the territory if they have not travelled outside of these 4 regions.
  • Residents of other parts of Canada who arrive in Yukon must self-isolate, with limited exceptions.
  • When you self-isolate, monitor yourself for symptoms.

Prospective applicants can apply on the Government of Nunavut’s website, or by contacting a staffer who works at their regional Economic Development office.