Government Support and Funding

This is a gathering of the latest COVID-19 government and non-governmental funding supports that are available to support your business.

COVID-19 is a challenge for businesses of all sizes. There are numerous funding and financial support programs from the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments, as well as non-government organizations.  

Federal Relief Programs

As programs are changing regularly, please check Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan for the most up to date information - Government of Canada

As of May 13, 2020: Businesses across southern Ontario unable to access existing relief measures can now apply for funding under new initiative - Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

As of May 11, 2020: The federal government announced a new loan program aimed at providing financing access to large employers impacted by COVID-19 - Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) 

Service Canada continues to provide critical services online and through their call centres during these extraordinary times, including a number of new virtual “e-services”. See details on virtual services.

Announcements and Information  

Up-to-date announcements: The Prime Minister's News Releases 

Canada Business App - A dedicated COVID-19 tile has been added to the this app providing links to government announcements and information for businesses. 

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Calculator

Statistics Canada’s data and insights on COVID-19, including releases on Health, Economy, Society, Labour. Participate in the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions (Read more about the survey here) 

Regional Development Agencies COVID-19 Info sheet and details  

See updates from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Notices from ESDC on various programs and services

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses

Canadian Business Resilience Network Pandemic Preparedness for businesses including guide to recovery and Toolkit for Reopening Canada 

Guides and References

 

Relief Programs

Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID‑19  

Announcements and Information 

Up-to-date announcements: Ontario Newsroom 

List of Essential Businesses

Ontario Helping Businesses Overcome the Unique Challenges Created by COVID-19

Guides and References  

Ontario Dedicated COVID-19 Website

Ontario Together: Help Fight Coronavirus. Offer emergency products, and innovative solutions or volunteer to support the provincial response to COVID-19.

Reopening Ontario after COVID-19

PDF Guide: A Framework for Opening our Province

PDF Guide: Detailed List of Stage 1 Openings

Workplace safety guidance documents to prepare for reopening of business

View the Durham Region COVID-19 Data Tracker for number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Durham Region   

View the Durham Region Community Reopening Toolkit

See COVID-19 Response and Updates from Municipalities on local programs and financial reliefs:

BDC Small Business Loans - up to $100,000

  • No application fees. Online application process. Repayable over 5 years.
  • Use to: buy equipment, purchase extra software or hardware, apply for a patent, trademark or, other intellectual property protection.
  • Eligibility: Canadian company in operation for at least 24 months.
  • Apply online. Provide all required information and get approved within 5 days. Receive results or funds in 2 to 5 business days.

BDC: Working Capital Loan

  • Get a loan to complement your line of credit in order to boost inventory and take advantage of supplier discounts.

EDB-BDC: Purchase Order Financing 

  • Loans to fulfill large international orders. 
  • Get financing to cover up to 90% of the purchase order amount of contracts with international buyers.
  • The loan is dispersed directly to you, allowing you to pay your suppliers on time and fulfil contracts as promised. You can pay the loan back as you get paid by the buyer.

To find other grants and funding programs, Innovation Canada's online search tool allows companies to search for relevant funding. 

Banking

Effective immediately, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, National Bank of Canada, RBC Royal Bank, Scotiabank and TD Bank have made a commitment to work with personal and small business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help them manage through challenges such as:

  • pay disruption due to COVID-19;
  • childcare disruption due to school closures; or
  • those facing illness from COVID-19.

This support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products.

More information is available at Canada’s Six Biggest Banks Take Decisive Action To Help Customers Impacted by COVID-19 

Utilities

Province of Ontario suspends time of use rate

Mortgage 

Rent

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses

Telecommunications

  • Rogers fee assistance and changes 
  • Bell fee assistance and changes