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
- Canada-U.S. border restrictions
- COVID-19: Current border measures and requirements
- Customs notices
- Import and export
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 |
RESTRICTIONSUnless 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. BUSINESSESA new business closure Order came into effect November 19, 2020 and is still active. For more information, click here. |
Alberta |
RESTRICTIONSFor information on the public health measures currently in place, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx BUSINESSES
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Saskatchewan |
RESTRICTIONSThe 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.
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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 |
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Nova Scotia |
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 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
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Newfoundland and Labrador | |
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
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
Provide small businesses and individuals with access to greater cash flow during this crisis, by pausing most collections efforts, including:
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Nunavut | One-time relief grant of $5000 for small businesses affected by COVID-19.
Self-isolation
Prospective applicants can apply on the Government of Nunavut’s website, or by contacting a staffer who works at their regional Economic Development office. |