FEDERAL QUEBEC ONTARIO NEW BRUNSWICK OTHER PROVINCES
On May 22nd, the Federal Government announced the online tool “Find financial help during COVID-19”. This tool will help you access the financial support for which you could be eligible, simply by answering a few questions.
We invite you to use this tool as it allows you to determine a personalized list of financial benefits that could be available to you, at both the federal and provincial levels.
The Subsidy covers 75% of an employee’s salary—up to a maximum of $847 per week—for employers of all sizes and sectors who experienced a decrease in gross earnings of at least 15% in March and 30% in April and May.
The program will run for 12 weeks from March 15 to June 6, 2020.
On october 14, the CEWS was extended until June 2021. The following changes were presented :
On November 30, 2020, the government proposes to restore the coverage to 75% for the period that begins on December 20, 2020 until March 13, 2021.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Program Duration: Until Summer 2021
Contact : Canada Revenue Agency
Eligibility Criteria :
This program provides credit and cash flow term loans to small and medium-sized businesses. Canadian businesses in all sectors that were otherwise financially viable and revenue-generating prior to the COVID-19 outbreak are eligible to apply.
It allows financial institutions to issue operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to existing clients, with 80% guaranteed by EDC.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Program Duration: Undetermined
Contact : Financial institutions
Eligibility Criteria :
Canadian businesses in all sectors that were otherwise financially viable and revenue generating prior to the COVID-19 outbreak can apply.
This program provides term loans for operational and liquidity needs of businesses, which could include interest payments on existing debt. Similar to the EDC program, this program is available to businesses that were financially viable and revenue-generating prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The program is designed in three segments to target support to different business sizes.
Loans of up to $312,500 to businesses with revenues of less than $1 million.
Up to $3.125 million for businesses with revenues between $1 million and $50 million.
Up to $6.25 million for businesses with revenues in excess of $50 million.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Program Duration: Undetermined
Contact : Financial institutions (Program not currently available)
Eligibility Criteria :
Eligible small and medium-sized businesses must have been affected directly or indirectly by COVID-19 and have been financially viable prior to its impact.
The Canadian Business Emergency Account (CEBA) provides much-needed credit for small businesses to pay for immediate operating costs such as payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, property tax or debt service.
On October 26, eligible businesses that currently are operating through a personal bank will be able to apply for CEBA. Soonly, the support will be expanded from $40k to $60k.
On May 19th , eligibily criterias were changed to allow farmers without payrolls to access interest-free loan of up to $40,000. Up to $10,000 eligible for forgiveness if $30,000 is fully repaid on or before December 31, 2022.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Program Duration: Until all funds are allocated. The application deadline has been extended until December 31, 2020.
Contact : Financial institutions
Eligibility Criteria :
The Account is available to Canadian employers with $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019, and operating as of March 1, 2020. This includes smaller (i.e., micro) businesses and other eligible employers such as not-for-profits.
Note: Applications are made directly with financial institutions
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is increasing its lending capacity to producers, agri-businesses and food processors by an additional $5 billion. This measure will provide greater flexibility for farmers facing cash flow problems and for processors affected by lost sales, which will help them remain financially stable during this difficult period.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Program Duration: Undetermined
Eligibility Criteria :
FCC customers and non-customers are eligible to apply for FCC lending products. Each situation is different, and we will assess each application on a case-by-case basis. Businesses applying for FCC lending products are subject to normal lending due diligence, which considers business viability, credit history, and management integrity and experience.
Agriculture Canada announced a $125 millions investment through AgriRecovery to help agricultural producers facing additional costs during the pandemic.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Undetermined
Contact: The financial data collection and processing team. 1-855-773-0241
Eligibility Criteria: A Canadian producer who:
AgriInsurance is a federal-provincial-producer cost-shared program that stabilizes a producer's income by minimizing the economic effects of primarily production losses caused by severe but uncontrollable natural hazards.
Agriculture Canada announced an effort of collaboration between provinces to explore posibilities for expanding the AgriInsurance program to include labour shortages just like a natural disaster.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Undetermined
Contact: AgriInsurance is delivered provincially. Please visit the provincial administration website.
Eligibility Criteria: The program is currently available to most producers in all provinces. Eligibility criteria for this program, as established at the provincial level, will continue to evolve as provinces add new commodities to their lists of insurable agricultural products.
While this policy is in place, a worker who is already in Canada and has secured a new job offer, typically backed by a labour market test, can get approval to start working in their new job, even while their work permit application is being fully processed. This will cut what can often take 10 weeks or more, down to 10 days or less.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, producers' employees could be eligible
Duration: Undetermined
Contact: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible, workers must
The work permit applicant must then submit a request to IRCC. The request will be reviewed within 10 days, and if approved, authorization for the worker to start working in their new job will be sent to them by email.
On June 9, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced the launch of the second call for proposals under the Local Food Infrastructure Fund. This second call for proposals, valued at $43.4 million began accepting applications as of June 9.
This second call for proposals under the program will support small and large community-led projects at facilities such as urban gardens, community kitchens, food banks, and greenhouses.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Until all funds are allocated.
Contact: E-mail: aafc.foodprograms-programmesalimentaires.aac@canada.ca Telephone: 1-877-246-4682
Eligibility Criteria:
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit organizations that have been in operation for at least two years as a legal entity capable of entering into a legally-binding agreement. Furthermore, applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to maintain the proposed operations beyond the funding period.
Eligible essential businesses may apply to receive personal protective equipment (PPE), non-medical masks and disinfection products to address urgen, short-term (45 days) needs.
Registration for applications will begin on August 3, 2020.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Until all funds are allocated.
Contact: To be determined
Eligibility Criteria:
Elligible applicants will be required to demonstrate :
- that all other sources of support have been exhausted (e.g.: obtain PPE through marketplace)
- specific types and quantities of PPE and other critical supplies required, and where needed
- the appropriateness of requested supplies based on occupational health and safety requirements
- the criticality of your supply shortages (e.g.:the need is urgent)
-a plan to fulfill your supply needs once ESCR support ends.
On October 2nd, the federal government announced an additional $600 million to the Regional relief and Recovery Fund.
Nearly $1B is allocated to the Fund and will help to :
- mitigate the financial pressure experienced by businesses and organizations to allow them to conitnue their operations, including paying their employees;
- support projects by businesses, organizations and communities to preapre now for a successful recovery.
This initiative is implemented by the six regional development agencies (RDA).
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Until all funds are allocated.
Contact: Your regional Development Agency
Eligibility Criteria:
Specific criterias will be determined accordingly to each provinces.
The Fund provides a 35 million invstments to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters to preent and respond to the spread of COVID-19
Contributions under the program will be cost-shared 50:50 with applicants up to $100,000.
On November 3, minister Bibeau announced an additional investment of $7,5 million to the Fund.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Applications will be accepted from December 14, 2020 until February 26th, 2021.
Contact: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or provincial government depending on your province.
Email : aafc.EOFSF-FUMSF.aac@canada.ca
Phone : 1-866-367-8506
Eligibility Criteria:
Elligible recipients are primary Canadian agricultural producers that produce agricultural products for resale and employ farm workers.
Eligible activities can be retroactive to March 15, 2020 and must be completed by February 26, 2021.
Eligible activities include:
- On-farm retrofit or adjustments to existing agricultural operations to cover extraordinary costs associated with COVID-19 to ensure worker safety
- Disposable and non-disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) that are incremental to normal operations due to COVID-19.
- Other associated costs related to worker training and safety COVID-19 protocols
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19.
If you are eligible for the CRSB, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a 1-week period.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Until September 2021
Contact: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Eligibility Criteria:
Elligible recipients must meet many conditions including the following :
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care.
If you are eligible for the CRCB, your household can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Until September 2021
Contact: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Eligibility Criteria:
Elligible recipients must meet many conditions including the following :
The government is offering temporary support of up to $1200 in 2021 for each child under age of 6 for low-and-middle-income families who are elligible for Child care benefit (CCB).
Families eligible for CCB with net income greater than $120 000 could receive up to $600 per child under 6 for 2021.
Producer Eligibility : Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration : 2021
Contact : Canada Revenue Agency
Eligibility Criteria :
Applicants must meet all of the following conditions :
- a Canadian citizen
- a permanent resident
- a protected person
- a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, and who has a valid permit in the 19th month
- an Indigenous person who meets the definition of "Indian" under the Indian Act
More
In the context of the COVID-19, the government presented changes to the CanExport SMEs program. SMEs will be able to obtain financial assistance of up to $75 000 to help them carry out marketing and export activities to ultimately grow into the global marketplace.
These changes will allow SMEs to:
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Applications will be accepted until December 14, 2020.
Contact: CanExport SMEs
Eligibility Criteria:
Eligible applicants must meet a number of criteria available in the CanExport PME documents.
Activities that can be funded include, among others:
The 10% temporary wage subsidy is a three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Program Duration: Until June 19, 2020
Contact : No contact required to receive it
Eligibility Criteria :
You must:
Note: For employers that are eligible for both the CEWS and the 10% Wage Subsidy for a given period, any benefit from the 10% wage subsidy for remuneration paid in a period would generally reduce the amount available to be claimed under the CEWS for that same period.
The Government will allow all businesses to defer, until August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020. This relief would apply to the tax balance payable and instalments under Part I of the Income Tax Act.
No interest or penalties will accrue on these amounts during this period.
Producer Eligibility: Yes
Program Duration: Payment deferred to August 31 - Return to be filed by June 1
Contact : Canada Revenue Agency
Eligibility Criteria :
This applies to all businesses.
The CRA is allowing businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer until June 30, 2020, GST/HST payments and customs duty owing on their imports.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Program Duration: Payments deferred to June 30
Contact : Canada Revenue Agency
Eligibility Criteria :
This applies to all businesses.
The federal government will provide support of $1,500 per temporary foreign worker to employers and those working
with them to ensure isolation requirements are fully met. The funding is conditional on employers not being found in violation of the mandatory 14-day isolation protocols or any other public health order. This program will be available as long as the Quarantine Act is in force and the isolation protocol is followed.
As labour circumstances are different across regions in Canada, the Government will work with interested provinces and territories in the coming days to ensure this funding is delivered in a manner that
meets their needs and best ensures quarantine requirements are met.
Producer Eligibility: Probably, depends on agreements with the other provinces
Program Duration: Applications will be accepted until August, 31, 2020.
Eligibility Criteria :
This targets farmers, fish harvesters and all food production and processing employers so they can implement the measures necessary to follow the mandatory 14-day isolation period required of all workers arriving from abroad.
This support is available for all food production firms that rely on temporary foreign workers, including primary agriculture and food processing as well as fisheries and aquaculture.
The CESB would provide $1,250 per month for eligible students from May through August 2020 and $2, 000 for students with dependents and those with permanent disabilities.
This new grant would provide income support to post-secondary students who will experience financial hardship over the summer due to COVID-19. The CESB will be delivered by the CRA. More details are forthcoming.
Producer Eligibility: Certain producers’ employees will be eligible
Program Duration: May to August
Contact: Canada Revenue Agency
Eligibility Criteria: Specific criteria for the CESB will be available shortly.
This programe provides support for agricultural producers experiencing a large margin decline related to significant revenue losses or increased production costs.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Undetermined
Contact: AgriStability Administration - 1-866-357-8506
Eligibility Criteria: A Canadian agricultural producer who:
The canadian government launches the first Surplus Food Purchase Program with an initial $50 million fund designed to provide an opportunity for non-profit and for-profit organizations across the supply chain to bid on significant volumes of surplus products at the cost of production or less, processing them where necessary for longer shelf life and distributing to food serving agencies.
Project activities must be completed by September 30, 2020.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Until funds are fully committed or until July 31, 2020
Contact : E-mail: aafc.sfrp-prsa.aac@canada.ca - Telephone: 1-866-367-8506
Eligibility Criteria: Eligible applicants are :
The federal government will provide up to $3 billion in federal support to increase the wages of low-income essential workers.Each province or territory will determine which workers would be eligible for support, and how much support they will receive.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Undetermined
Eligibility Criteria: Specific criterias will be determined accordingly to each provinces.
The Government of Canada announced an investment of up to $9.2 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and fund up to 700 new positions for youth, ages 15 to 30, in the agriculture industry.
The YESP will provide agriculture employers up to 50% of the cost of hiring a Canadian youth up tp $14 000. Indigenous applicants and those applicants hiring a youth facing barriers are eligible for funding of up to 80 per cent of their costs.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Funds are retroactive to April 1, 2020 and projects need to be completed by March 31, 2021.
Contact: aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@canada.ca, or call: 1-866-452-5558.
Eligibility Criteria:
Eligible employers are :
- agricultural related organizations such as farmers, food processors and agricultural related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) .
Eligible employees must be :
- 30 years or younger when you started the internship
- unemployed or underemployed, a student, or a previous intern of any Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) program
- a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
As announced on May 5, 2020, the governement of Canada is putting in place $77.5 million to incent strategic investments to maintain and increase domestic food production. The fund is divided in two :
Eligible activities for funding can be retroactive to March 15, 2020 and funded activities must be completed by September 30, 2020.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on certain criteria
Duration: Until all funds are allocated.
Contact: E-mail: aafc.epf-fut.aac@canada.ca - Telephone: 1-877-246-4682
Eligibility Criteria:
Eligible recipients would be:
for-profit organizations that are incorporated in Canada. They can include:
Eligible businesses, including cooperatives, not-for-profit organizations and social economy enterprises engaged in commercial activities may receive financial support to address a liquidity shortage associated with COVID-19 due to:
Producer Eligibility: Yes
Program Duration: Undetermined
Contact : Investissement Québec hotline: 1-844-474-6367
Eligibility Criteria :
The FLI aims to support, for a limited time, eligible businesses experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19 and who require liquidity of less than $50,000.
On June 9, the government announced an additional $100 million to Smal and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
Producer Eligibility: For SMEs
Program Duration: Undetermined
Contact : Via RMC economic development agencies or PME Montréal.
Eligibility Criteria :
In addition to the criteria set out in the IPREW (Incentive program to retain essential workers), the government will give farm workers earning minimum wage an additional $100 per week. The program also applies to foreign workers.
Producer Eligibility: Yes
Program Duration: 2020 agricultural season
Contact : Agri-carrière, agrijob.com
Eligibility Criteria :
Applicants will need to register using the Agri-carrière and Agrijob portals. These portals will match candidates with farmers. Employees working 25 to 40 hours a week may qualify.
Financing Available
La FADQ can quickly grant loan guarantees of up to $50,000 free of personal property or real estate property guarantees. This measure is available to any La FADQ financing client with temporary cash flow issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
La FADQ clients will benefit from a ten-year repayment term and a 12-month capital payment relief with advantageous La FADQ interest rates.
Producer Eligibility: La Financière agricole clients (farm producers)
Program Duration: 2020
Contact : FADQ financing advisor
Eligibility Criteria :
Based on La Financière agricole criteria. More information to come
Aims to support employers that benefit from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and that mantain an establishment in Québec by offering a credit on employers contribution to the Health Services Fund.
The credit will be equal to the total amount of the contribution to the Health Services Fund paid by an employer with respect to the wages paid to to certain employees on paid leave.
On August 17, the governement of Québec announced the extension of the measure until November 21, 2020.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, if the employer qualifies for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
Program Duration: Until November 21, 2020 During a period of up to 12 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020.
Contact: Ministry of Finances - 418 691-2236
Eligibility Criteria:
Elligible employers include: Employer that maintains an establishment in Québec and that qualifies for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
Specified expense :
- Amount paid by the employer as a contribution to the Health Services Fund that is attribuable to the wage that it paid to the employee for a week during the qualifying period.
Instalment and tax payments are suspended until September 1, 2020. Payment dates and terms will be announced at a later date. Businesses will have a reasonable time period to pay amounts owing. Revenu Québec will now allow businesses to use an electronic signature on certain forms requiring a customer’s signature.
Producer Eligibility: Yes
Program Duration: Taxes (Sept. 30), GST/QST (June 30).
Contact : Revenu Québec regional offices.
Eligibility Criteria :
All businesses are eligible.
Training Subsidy: The program provides direct assistance to businesses for their human resources management and worker skills development activities on site, online or remotely so they can take advantage of the current pause to upgrade the skills of their workforce and be ready for the economic relaunch. The subsidy covers the wages of workers in training (excluding payroll taxes), up to $25 per hour and professional fees for consultants or trainers, up to $150 per hour.
Producer Eligibility: Yes, based on qualification for the federal wage subsidy program
Program Duration: Until September 30
Contact : Service Québec’s regional offices
Eligibility Criteria :
All businesses, employers and group promoters. Reimbursement of eligible expenses for business training projects:
Eligible expenses:
Reimbursement of wages up to a maximum of:
A six-month moratorium on loan repayments is available to all La Financière agricole clients
For the Crop Insurance Program (ASREC), the enrolment date is extended from April 30 to May 21, 2020, and notices of assessment are extended from June 1 to July 1, 2020.
Producer Eligibility: La Financière agricole clients
Program Duration: Six months
Eligibility Criteria :
All La Financière agricole clients
The deadline to apply and make a contribution payment is postponed to July 3, 2020. This program covers margin drops due to a major loss of income or increase in production expenses. Interim payment increases from 50% to 75% of program benefits. With interim payments, farmers can receive a portion of their program benefits faster. To apply, producers must contact the Financial Information Collection and Processing Team.
Producer Eligibility: La Financière agricole clients (farm producers)
Program Duration: The application period has been extended from April 30 to July 3, 2020. Contribution payments to the program will also be deferred to July 3, 2020.
Contact : Producers must contact the Financial Information Collection and Processing Team.
Eligibility Criteria :
All La Financière agricole clients
The government of Québec announced a new financial assistance program for individuals working essential jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistance amount will make up the difference between the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and an eligible individual's wages.
Eligible workers could receive, in addition to their wages, a taxable benefit of $400 per month, for a total of $1.600 for the full 16-week period.
Producer Eligibility: Certain producers’ employees will be eligible
Program Duration: 16-weeks, retroactively up to March 15, 2020
Contact: Revenu Québec
Eligibility Criteria:
Elligible workers must:
The government is cutting taxes by $355 million for about 57,000 employers by proposing a temporary increase to the Employer Health Tax (EHT) exemption from $490,000 to $1 million for 2020.
Eligibility for producers : Yes with regards on payrolls size
Duration : 2020
Contact : Ministry of Finance (forms online, see link). The exemption would return to its current level of $490,000 on January 1, 2021.
Admission criteria :
Eligible employers include: Eligible private-sector employers with annual payrolls up to $5 million would be exempt from EHT on the first $1 million of total Ontario remuneration in 2020. The maximum EHT relief from the exemption would increase by $9,945 to $19,500 for 2020 for eligible employers.
To support business investment in regions of the province where employment growth has been significantly below the provincial average, Ontario is proposing a new 10 per cent refundable Corporate Income Tax credit.
The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit would be available to eligible businesses that construct, renovate or acquire qualifying commercial and industrial buildings in designated regions of the province, saving them up to $45,000 in the year. The tax credit would be available for expenditures in excess of $50,000 and up to a limit of $500,000 for qualifying investments that become available for use by a Canadian-controlled private corporation in the taxation year.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : 2020
Contact : Ministry of Finance (forms online, see link).
Admission criteria : A Canadian-controlled private corporation that makes qualifying investments that become available for use on or after March 25, 2020 in specified regions of Ontario would be eligible for the tax credit.
The governments of Canada and Ontario announced a $2.25 million investment in provincially licensed meat processing plants in order to better protect employees during the COVID-19 outbreak.
On May 14, an additional $2.25 million investment was announced to help farmers enhance health and safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The funding will be used for initiatives like purchasing personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning and disinfection, and redesigning workstations.
Eligibility for producers: Yes
Duration: Projects must start after May 8 and must be implemented and completed no later than November 30, 2020.
Contact: agpartnership@ontario.ca or calling 1-877-424-1300.
Admission criteria:
In order to be eligible applicants must :
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the governments of Canada and Ontario announced a $2.5 million to help the agri-food sector create new, expanded or enhanced markets and open new retail channels to help generate new revenue streams for future growth.
Two funding streams will be available :
1) Bring Your Business Online : Provides a grant of up to $5,000 to eligible organizations/businesses to help establish an online presence.
2) Develop Online Business Opportunities: Provides cost-share funding for up to 90 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $75,000 to develop e-business opportunities on a larger scale.
Eligibility for producers: Yes
Duration: Starting April 24, 2020
Contact: 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Admission criteria:
In order to be eligible an applicant must:
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $10 million in emergency assistance for beef and hog farmers. The funding will help cover the increased costs of feeding market ready cattle and hogs due to COVID-19 related processing delays, while redirecting surplus pork products to help those in need.
The beef cattle set-aside program will provide beef farmers with up to $5 million in support. Farmers can claim $2 per head of cattle per day to help pay for additional maintenance costs should they have to keep their market-ready animals on their farms for extended periods of time.
Eligibility for producers: Yes
Duration: Undetermined
Contact: The Canadian Agricultural Partnership - OMAFRA
Admission criteria: Eligibility criterias for businesses will be announced shortly.
The Government of Ontario is launching a new web portal, connecting workers with employers looking to fill positions in the agri-food sector. This new online tool will make it easier to match people to essential jobs and training resources throughout the provincial food supply chain.
Eligibility for producers : Yes - farming industry
Duration : Not determined
Contact : Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Admission criteria : All agroindustry and farming businesses
The Ontario government announced a five-month relief period for Ontario businesses who are unable to file or remit select provincial taxes on time, due to the special circumstances caused by the coronavirus (COVID‑19) in Ontario. The relief period does not include business accounts with outstanding taxes, interest or penalties owing to the government from previous filing periods.
Eligibility for producers : Yes, for impacted entities.
Duration : 5 months starting March 24
Contact : Ministry of Finance
Admission criteria : Businesses unable to file their return or remittance during the relief period, they do not need to contact or notify the Ministry of Finance. Penalties and interest will be waived automatically for all late returns or remittances by Ontario businesses during the relief period.
Tax report includes:
The financial relief package allows businesses to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. Businesses who report and pay monthly, quarterly or annually based on their insurable earnings are eligible for this deferral.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : 6 months starting March 24
Contact : Report using our online services or contacting us at employeraccounts@wsib.on.ca
Admission criteria : All Ontario businesses and organizations
If you’re behind on your electricity or natural gas bill and face having your service disconnected, you may qualify for emergency financial help through the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).
The government has now expanded the program to include small businesses that are behind on their bill payments due to the outbreak.
The Government of Ontario has extended the ban on the disconnection of electricity and natural gas service to July 31, 2020.
Eligibility for producers: Yes
Duration: Extended to July 31, 2020
Contact: Ontario Energy Board
Admission criteria: Eligibility criterias for businesses will be announced shortly.
This funding supports farmers with unforeseen challenges such as fluctuating market prices, extreme weather events like flooding or drought, and disease. The program is expeneded a year earlier than planned by $50 million for a total of $150 million annually.
Approximately 80 per cent of eligible commercial production in the cattle, hog, sheep, veal, grains and oilseeds, and edible horticulture sectors in Ontario is covered by the provincial Risk Management Program.
Eligibility for producers: Yes
Duration: The deadline to apply closes on July 30th, 2020.
Contact: Agricorp
Admission criteria: Eligibility criterias vary from production sectors.
For a 45-day period, the government is working to suspend time-of-use electricity rates, holding electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 cents-per-kilowatt-hour. This reduced price will be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to all time-of-use customers, who make up the majority of electricity consumers in the province.
On May 6, the Ontario government extended the this measure for a duration of 24 days, leading up to May 31, 2020.
Eligibility for producers : Small businesses, farms.
Duration : 45 days starting March 24 - Additional 24 days added on May 6, ending on May 31 2020.
Contact : Hydro One, Ontario Elec. Board.
Admission criteria : Automatic admission for all Ontarians.
Each customer reports and pays on the previous full month or quarter, for example March 31 reporting and payment obligation covers the period of February 1-29. The following payments are eligible for deferral.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Businesses will not be required to pay interest for the first six months. Interest payments will be required in months 7-12. Principal and interest payments will begin in month 13.
Contact : Community Business Development Corporations
Admission criteria :
For small businesses engaged in commercial enterprises employing 1 to 49 employees, with sales for the most recent fiscal year of less than $10 million.
As an immediate measure, and on a case-by-case basis – the Government of New Brunswick will defer loan and interest repayments for up to six months on existing provincial loans.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Undetermined
Contact : The deferral can be requested by contacting the department that issued the loan.
Admission criteria : This assistance is available, on a case-by-case basis, to any business that has a loan with an existing Government of New Brunswick department.
NB Power will suspend disconnections for non-payment and defer electricity bill payments for residential and small business customers for up to 90 days.
NB Power has committed to the suspending disconnections for nonpayment.
In addition, NB Power will waive interest for past due balances and late payment charges issued after March 19, 2020 for customers
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and extend existing payment arrangements for impacted customers.
Payment options include: Customized payment plans, Effective immediately, waiving interest fees for past due balances until June 30,
2020, and There will be no power disconnects for nonpayment until further notice.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Payment defer for 90 days
Contact :
Énergie NB 1 800 663-6272
Saint-John Energy 1 800 658-5252
Admission criteria : It applies to Small Business
The program has been improved to help agri-food producers adding value to product or agri-food processors undertake value-added product development activities, improve their efficiency and help them be more competitive. In the cases where the pandemic has required them to review and improve inernal procedures or modify their product portfolio to make their business more efficient.
Funding up tp 75% of elligible costs to a maximum of $100, 000 per project.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Undetermined
Contact : Your Regional Business Growth Officer
Admission criteria : Owners of a small or medium-sized business (primary agri-food producers adding value to product or agri-food processors) are elligible.
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Ce programme s'adresse aux producteurs de fruits et légumes variés qui souhaitent prolonger la saison de croissance, ajouter de l'équipement de conditionnement de fruits et légumes, augmenter leur capacité d'entreposage ou développer leur entreprise grâce à de l'équipement afin d'accroître l'efficacité et renforcer les capacités.
Un financement des frais admissibles jusqu'à concurrence de 75% avec un plafond annuel de 20 000$.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Undetermined
Contact : Your Regional Business Growth Officer
Admission criteria : Fruit and mixed vegetable producers are elligible.
The program has been elevated to provide stronger support for farm and post farm safety programs. In response to COVID-19, funding is made available for measures that contribute to improved worker safety and allow processors to remain open.
Funding up to 75% of elligible costs to a maximum of $50,000 per project.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Undetermined
Contact : Your Regional Business Growth Officer
Admission criteria : Food producer, processor or an abattoir owner are elligible.
Work Safe NB is deferring premiums for businesses for three months.
Assessment premiums related to employer payrolls for February, March and April will be deferred for three months without interest
charges.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Payments deferrend until June
Contact : Assessment Services at 1-800 999-9775 (option 4)
Admission criteria : This affects employers who pay their premiums on a monthly basis.
For annually-assessed employers who provide an estimate of their yearly payroll to WorkSafeNB, you may submit a revised payroll estimate (representing an increase or decrease) during the year and WorkSafeNB can adjust your account.
Though business property taxes must be paid by May 31, late penalties will be reviewed on a caseby-case basis to see if the penalty
can be waived for June 1 and July 1 due to undue financial challenges, such as having to close a business due to COVID-19.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Caseby-case basis to see if the penalty can be waived for June 1 and July 1
Contact : Finance and Treasury Board at 1-800-669-7070
Admission criteria : Applies to all New Brunswick businesses.
All New Brunswick businesses may defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or
after March 18 and before September 2020.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Payments defer until after August 31, 2020
Contact : Finance and Treasury Board at 1-800-669-7070
Admission criteria : Businesses owing New Brunswick income taxes.
In partnership with the federal government, the program will help food producers with the costs of meeting extra health requirements due to COVID-19, help producers get their crops to market, fund projects aimed at maintaining competitiveness, productivity, profitability, and support abattoir efficiency and development.
It will also provide a 10 per cent discount on producers’ share of AgriInsurance premiums, saving farmers from making these payments during difficult times.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Applications are accepted until December 31, 2020
Contact : Proograms and Business Risk Management Division by email : prm@novascotia.ca or by toll-free phone : 1-866-844-4276
Admission criteria : Farms, agri-businesses, agricultural industry associations, provincially or federally licensed abattoirs and Mi'kmaq First Nations and other indigenous organizations involced in agriculture business are eligible.
Government will defer payments until June 30 for all government loans, including those under the Farm Loan Board, Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board, Jobs Fund, Nova Scotia Business Fund, Municipal Finance Corp. and Housing Nova Scotia.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Payments deferred until June 30
Admission criteria :
List of program and service fees that are deferred until 30 June 2020 : https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/fees/
The program helps small businesses affected by COVID-19 by providing a loan, a grant, and a business continuity voucher for advice and support.
Elligible small businesses can apply for a loan of up to $25,000 through provincial credit unions.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Loan application to 30 June 2020
Admission criteria : Small businesses are elligible for this program. Your payroll needs to be under $20,000 in 2019. You also need to have experienced a decline in sales revenue of at least 15% in March 2020 or at least 30% in April, May or June 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.
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A financing program has been developed to provide emergency working capital financing to assist PEI’s small business during this unprecedented economic disruption to business, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This new loan program is to assist qualifying companies maintain normal business operations during these difficult times. Eligible applicants can apply to receive a working capital loan of up to $100,000 with a fixed interest rate of 4% per annum to be used to assist with fixed operating costs (including payroll, rent, utilities etc) with principal & interest payments deferred for a minimum of 12 months.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Undetermined
Contact : financepei@gov.pe.ca
Admission criteria :
For an applicant to be eligible for assistance, the following criteria must be met:
ALSI allows individual who are interested in working on a farm to register with WorkPEI and be connected with agricultural businesses who have registered their job openings.
Through the Farm Team Program there is also an extra incentive for students who choose to work in the PEI agriculture industry this summer.
Eligibility for producers : Yes, producers can register as employers
Duration : Undetermined
Contact: Work PEI
Admission criteria :
All employers are elligible
To receive the incentive, job seekers must be students returning to high-school or post-secondary studies in the fall.
The COVID-19 Business Adaptation Advice program provides a non-repayable contribution to Prince Edward Island businesses, entrepreneurs, not-for-profits, and non-governmental organizations to access professional advice and support to adapt or recover from the impacts of COVID-19. This assistance will contribute to the costs associated with: obtaining business, human resources or financial planning and advice; advice on transitioning to digital or IT solutions; advice on exporting, marketing, and logistics; other professional services which may be of assistance in adapting or recovering from the impacts of COVID-19, determined in consultation with Innovation PEI.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Online applications can be submitted until July 31, 2020.
Contact : business@gov.pe.ca (902) 368-6300
Admission criteria :
All PEI Businesses who have been impacted by the effects of COVID -19 measures are eligible to apply.
This assistance will contribute to the costs associated with:
The Emergency Relief - Worker Assistance Program is a temporary program to provide financial support to employers to assist their employed workers who have been impacted by reduced hours at work as a result of COVID-19. This program is for registered private sector businesses or non-profit organizations in Prince Edward Island where employed workers have experienced a reduction of at least 8 hours per week, as compared to pre-COVID-19 hours, during the four week period March 16, 2020-April 11, 2020.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Online applications can be submitted until April 30, 2020
Contact : SkillsPEI at 902-368-6290 or 902 438-4151
Admission criteria :
Eligible employers include:
Note: Workers laid off during this period are not eligible for support under this program.
The Government of Prince Edward Island has partnered with Sobeys on the PEI Employee Gift Card Program. This is a temporary program put in place to offer a $100 Sobeys gift value to any employee, living and working on Prince Edward Island, who has received an ROE as lay-off notice as a direct result of the impacts associated with COVID-19. The program was put in place to assist the employee while they await their EI payments. The application form is to be completed by the employer, who will then distribute the gift card letters to affected employees.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Undetermined
Contact : giftcard@gov.pe.ca 1 866 213-7521
Admission criteria :
This program is intended to provide a temporary wage top-up to essential workers employed during the PEI Public Health State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible employees earning $3,000 per month or less will receive a one-time payment of $1,000, administered through their employer.
Eligibility for producers : Yes, producers can register as employers
Duration : From April 6, 2020 to July 26, 2020
Contact: SkillsPEI Officer
Admission criteria :
Eligible employers can request assistance under the program to provide a $1,000 payment to eligible employees who:
Small, medium and large private sector employers can defer WCB premium payments until 2021.
For small and medium businesses, the government will cover 50% of the 2020 premium when it is due in 2021 – saving businesses $350 million.
Large employers will have their 2020 WCB premium payments deferred until 2021, at which time their premiums will be due.
Employers who have already paid WCB premiums in 2020 are eligible for a rebate or credit.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Due dates for filing corporate income tax returns due after March 18, 2020 and before June 1, 2020 have been extended to June 1, 2020.
Admission criteria : All private sector employers are eligible for the report. This includes businesses with coverage only in place for business owners and directors (personal coverage), as well as those in voluntary industries with coverage in place on or before March 23, 2020. For the 50% waiver, Alberta businesses with corporate income tax balances that become owing on or after March 18, 2020 or instalment payments coming due between March 18, 2020 and August 31, 2020 are eligible.
Cattle producers will be compensated for the extraordinary costs until the backed-up inventory is cleared. The Government of Alberta will increase the interim payment under AgriStability from 50% to 75% for the hog sector. This increase of the advance payment will result in the equivalent of $20 per head for pork producers enrolled in AgriStability.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Undetermined
Contact : Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) 1.877.899.2372
Admission criteria :
Eligible producers must :
The Government of Alberta created a new Agriculture Training Support Program to help employers in the food supply chain provide necessary training to new Alberta employees. By providing up to $5 million the program helps offset the cost to train new employees safely n new agri-food roles.
The maximum government contribution under the program is $2.000 per new employee, up to a maximum of $50.000 per employer.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Until available program funding is fully allocated.
Contact : Canadian Agricultural Partnership 780-427-8228
Admission criteria : Specific eligibility criterias will be presented shortly.
Corporate income tax balances and instalment payments will be deferred from March 19 until August 31, 2020 to increase employers’ access to cash so they can pay employees, address debts and continue operations.
Farm and commercial customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for the next 90 days to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of the service provider.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : This measure is up until 2021
Admission criteria : The eligible company must be a small, medium or large sector employ any small and medium-sized private sector employers with $10 million or less in insurable earnings for 2020 will be eligible for the 50% rebate.
Residential, farm and small commercial customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments until June 19, 2020 to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of the service provider.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Until June 29, 2020
Admission criteria :
This applies to bills for residential, farm and small commercial:
The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is introducing relief measures for employers who are unable to pay their WCB premium payments.
To provide further relief for Saskatchewan employers, the WCB is: Waiving penalties and interest charges for late premium payments from April 1 until June 30, 2020. This three month period of waived charges is similar to other Boards’ relief measures.
Forgiving interest and penalties for late payments applied in the month of March.
Prioritizing employer payroll revisions to help employers reduce their premiums.
Suspending payroll audits until further notice except in situations where an employer may be eligible for a refund.
Employers that are able to make premium payments are encouraged to do so. Employers who have concerns about paying their 2020 premiums should contact the WCB to discuss their options.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Only applies to the 2020 fiscal year. However, this measure might be applied to the next year
Contact : employerservices@wcbsask.com
Admission criteria :
All Sakskatchewan employers who are unable to pay WCB premium payments because of COVID-19 economic issues. Employers are encourage to sign up for a WCB online account. You can register for a WCB online account at the following link:
https://myaccount.wcbsask.com/online-services
The Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program promotes the hiring of high school and post-secondary students who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides wage subsidies to employers from the private and not-for-profit sectors to employ students aged 15 to 29.
Employers are eligible to receive a reimbursement of $7 per hour up to a maximum of $5,000 per student employed between May 1 and September 4, 2020.
Employers can be subsidized to hire up to five students.
Payment will be made as a lump sum at the end of the employment period, upon proof of payment of student wages.
Employers cannot receive a wage subsidy for any positions that are already being subsidized by another government program. However, employers receiving government wage subsidizes to hire some students can apply to the Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program to hire additional/new students.
Eligibility for producers : Yes, producers can register as employers
Duration : Between May 1 and September 4, 2020
Contact : 1-866-626-4862 (Toll-Free) Email: mgi@gov.mb.ca
Admission criteria :
Eligible employers :
Open to all private sector and non-profit employers operating in Manitoba.
Note : certain obligations need to be respected
Eligible students :
Note : The student must be a new hire for the spring/summer months with a start date of May 1 or later. Existing permanent or part-time employee are not eligible.
The support includes $5 million for Saskatchewan’s share of the costs associated with participation in the national AgriRecovery set-aside program and $5 million to partially offset higher premium costs under the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP).
WLPIP premiums have increased significantly since the end of February, due to the uncertainty of COVID-19. The provincial government will provide 40 per cent of the increased premium costs, dating back to February 25, 2020. Additionally, the deadline for obtaining calf price insurance though the WLPIP is being extended from May 28, 2020 to June 18, 2020.
Saskatchewan livestock producers will now be able to access a total of $12.5 million under the set-aside program.
Eligibility for producers: Yes
Duration: Until September 1
Contact: Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
Admission criteria:
Eligible producers must:
Manitoba businesses hit by the economic downturn from COVID-19 will have more time to submit provincial taxes.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : Extention until June 22, 2020
Contact : MBTax@gov.mb.ca
Admission criteria :
Retail sales tax (RST) returns for small and medium businesses with monthly RST remittances of no more than $10,000 per month that would normally be due on April 20th and May 20th will now be due on June 22, 2020.
Businesses that file on a quarterly basis that have a due date of April 20, 2020 will now have the due date extended to June 22, 2020.
Businesses that qualify for the above filing extension that were not able to file and remit their February sales tax return by the March 20th due date will not be assessed a late filing penalty and interest will not be applied until after June 22, 2020.
The province will advance each eligible business the non-interest bearing forgivable MGPP loan of $6,000, for a total of up to $120 million. The loan will be forgiven on Dec. 31, 2020, if the recipient attests at that time the business has not received any major non-repayable COVID-19 federal supports such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Business Account, as well as sector-specific grant federal programs specifically developed in response to the pandemic. If the applicant has received benefits under a federal COVID program, then the loan will be added to the recipient’s 2020 tax bill.
Eligibility for producers : Yes (if not elligible to federal programs)
Duration : Application deadline is July, 31
Contact : 1-866-626-4862 - 204-945-3744
Admission criteria :
To be eligible for the MGPP funding, a business must:
Ce programme vise encourage l'embauche d'étudiants du secondaire et du postsecondaires qui ont été touchés par la pandémis de COVID-19. Le programme offre des subventions salariales aux employeurs des secteurs privés et sans but lucratif pour embaucher des étudiants âgés de 15 à 29 ans.
Les employeurs pourront recevoir un remboursement de 7$ de l'heure jusqu'à un maximum de 5000$ par étudiant employé entre le 1er mai et le 4 septembre 2020.
Les employeurs peuvent être subventionnés pour embaucher jusqu'à cinq étudiants.
Le paiement sera effectué en une seule fois à la fin de la période d'emploi, sur preuve du paiement du salaire étudiant.
Les employeurs ne peuvent pas recevoir de subvention salariale pour les postes déjà subventionnés par un autre programme gouvernemental. Cependant, les employeurs qui reçoivent des subventions salariales du gouvernement pour embaucher certains étudiants peuvent faire une demande au programme Summer Student Recovery Jobs pour embaucher des étudiants supplémentaires.
Admissibilité pour les producteurs : Oui, les producteurs peuvent s'inscrire comme employeurs
Durée du programme : Entre le 1er mai au 4 septembre 2020
Contact: 1-866-626-4862 (sans-frais) Email: mgi@gov.mb.ca
Critères d’admission :
Employeurs admissibles :
Remarque: certaines obligations doivent être respectées
Étudiants admissibles :
Remarque : L'étudiant doit être une nouvelle location pour les mois de printemps / été avec une date de début du 1er mai ou plus tard. Les employés permanents ou à temps partiel existants ne sont pas éligibles.
Prioritizing employer payroll revisions to help employers reduce their premiums.
Eligibility for producers : Yes
Duration : There is no application deadline until further notice.
Admission criteria :