19 Sources of Financial Help & Relief for Canadians, Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

On March 18, 2020, in what was called the “first phase” of planned measures, the Government of Canada announced a massive and unprecedented $82 billion emergency aid package including $27 billion in direct support and another $55 billion to help business liquidity through tax deferrals. Combined, the financial response represents more than 3% of Canada’s GDP.

On March 25, 2020, the federal government nearly doubled its direct aid from $27 billion to $52 billion and simplified programs into the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

The goal of the package is to support Canadians who:

• Have lost their job or have had their hours reduced
• Are unable to work due to sickness, self-isolation, quarantine or child care or do not have sick leave
• Have mortgage, income tax or student loan payment obligations
• Are at an increased risk including low-income families, Indigenous peoples and people experiencing homelessness

By helping them keep a roof over their head, food in the fridge and medicines in the cabinet.

Usually, my job is to ensure we maintain our fiscal track, but right now as minister of finance, my only job is to make sure that Canadians can keep food in the fridge, that they can keep a roof over their heads, that they can afford the medicine that they need

– Finance Minister Bill Morneau

In addition, the supports for businesses aim to help them meet payroll and pay bills. This is to help stabilize the economy as it rapidly slows due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Canada’s response to it including closing borders, social distancing and self-isolation.

We’ve entered this challenge in a very strong fiscal position. Canada’s balance sheet is the envy of the world and it means we have the fiscal firepower to respond. We’re now prepared to use it.

– Finance Minister Bill Morneau

But what does this mean for you? Here is the financial support available:

Federal financial support for Canadians

1. Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for those who have lost all income

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program is an available taxable benefit that will provide up to $2,000 a month paid every 4 weeks starting within 10 days of application for up to 4 months. It will be available from March 15, 2020 until October 3, 2020 to wage earners, contract workers and self-employed people who don’t qualify for employment insurance (EI). This program replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit programs.

The benefit will be available to workers living in Canada who are at least 15 years old and who:

• Have earned at least 5,000 in in the 12 months prior to the date of their application from employment, self employment, employment insurance maternity and parental benefits, and/or similar benefits paid in Quebec under the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), or a combination of these sources.
• Have not voluntarily quit their job.
• Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment or self-employment income.

Employees who worked full-time for at least 4 months or part-time for at least 8 months last year should apply through Service Canada’s EI form:

Self-employed individuals and everyone else who is eligible should apply through the CRA:

For updates, please see the CRA’s COVID-19 page.

NOTE: If you have already applied for Employment Insurance (EI) or for the CERB through Service Canada, you cannot apply for the CERB with the CRA.

2. For workers who have been laid off or had hours reduced

Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits pay up to 55% of your earnings up to a maximum of $573 per week for up to 15 weeks if you were recently laid off or had your hours reduced and:

• were employed in insurable employment
• lost your job through no fault of your own
• have been without work and without pay for at least seven consecutive days in the last 52 weeks
• have worked for the required number of insurable employment hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is shorter
• are ready, willing and capable of working each day
• are actively looking for work (you must keep a written record of employers you contact, including when you contacted them).

3. Income support for modest-income individuals and families

A one-time special payment by early May 2020 will provide an average benefit of approximately $400 for single individuals and $600 for couples. This will be done by doubling the maximum annual Goods and Services Tax credit (GSTC) for the 2019-20 benefit year. There is no need to apply, eligible people will get it automatically.

4. Income support for families with children

The maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amount for the 2019-20 benefit year will be increased by $300 per child which will provide families with an average increase of approximately $550 which will be issued as part of their May payment.

6. Deferring mortgage payments for homeowners

The Canadian Bankers Association announced that BMO, CIBC, NBC, RBC, Scotia and TD have announced that they will provide financial relief for Canadians impacted by COVID-19 by working with personal and small business customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions including up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products.

• BMO
• CIBC
• NBC
• Scotiabank
• RBC
• TD

7. Student loan repayments have been paused

Effective March 30, 2020, the repayment of Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans will be paused for 6 months until September 20, 2020. No interest will accrue during this period and this will include pre-authorized debits. There is no need to apply, it will be applied automatically.

8. Canada Summer Jobs Program has been expanded

Employers who hire summer students can apply for a subsidy of up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial hourly minimum wage which will help create up to 70,000 jobs for Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30.

9. Extra time to file income taxes

The deadline to file your taxes has been extended to June 1. However, if you expect to receive benefits mentioned on this list such as the Canada Child Benefit or GSTC, do not delay filing your return to ensure the amounts you receive are determined properly.

The CRA will allow any tax installments or balances owed between March 18, 2020 and September 2020 to be deferred until after August 31, 2020 with no interest or penalties applied during this period.

Electronic signatures will temporarily be accepted as meeting the signature requirements for forms such as T183 and T183CORP to reduce the need for in-person meetings.

For help with these changes or to better understand your tax obligations and benefits, the CRA has adapted its Outreach Program for COVID-19 by providing access over the phone and through webinars, where possible.

There is no need to apply, it will be applied automatically.

10. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities

$305 million will be provided for a new Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation communities.

11. Retirees drawing from RRIFs

The required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) are reduced by 25% for 2020 as the impact of the volatile market conditions has had a significant negative effect on many seniors’ retirement savings. This is so you do not have to liquidate as many assets during a steep drop in market prices in order to meet the minimum.

Similar rules would apply to individuals receiving variable benefit payments under a defined contribution Registered Pension Plan.

12. People experiencing homelessness

$157.5 million will be provided to the Reaching Home initiative to continue providing support for people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic including purchasing beds, physical barriers and securing accommodation to ease the demand for overcrowded shelters.

13. Women and children fleeing violence

$50 million will be provided to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres (including Indigenous communities) to help them manage capacity and to prevent outbreaks in their facilities.

Financial support for Canadians abroad

14. $5,000 emergency loan

Canadians who are abroad and have been impacted by travel, border and flight restrictions and other measures such as quarantines have the option to apply for a repayable $5,000 emergency loan through the COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program to help them pay for necessities temporarily while they work toward returning home. Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The government also encourages all Canadians abroad to register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad to get the latest updates on the situation at their destination.

For non-financial emergency assistance, contact your nearest Government of Canada office or contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available) or email sos@international.gc.ca.

Provincial financial support

Alberta

Emergency Isolation Support

Eligible working Albertans can receive a one-time emergency isolation support payment of $1,146 if they:

• experienced total or significant loss of income as a result of having to self-isolate, or are the sole caregiver of a dependent who is self-isolating, and
• have no other source of compensation, such as workplace sick leave benefits or federal employment insurance benefits

Utility payment deferral

Utility companies have agreed not to disconnect any residential, farm and small commercial customers for three months, so Albertans can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for up to 90 days, regardless of service provider.

Student loans repayment deferral

Provincial student loan repayments will be paused for 6 months until September 30, 2020, interest free. No application required.

• Residential education property tax rates will be frozen at last year’s level

Businesses

Corporate income taxes will be deferred until August 31, 2020.

Alberta Treasury Branch customers can defer payments on loans, mortgages and lines of credit for up to six months and other support can be accessed on a case-by-case basis.

British Columbia

BC Emergency Benefit for Workers

A one-time payment of $1,000 in May 2020 for people who have lost income due to COVID-19. B.C. residents who receive federal Employment Insurance, or the new federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit are eligible.

Student loans repayment deferral

Provincial student loan repayments will be paused for 6 months until September 30, 2020, interest free. No application required.

Climate Action Tax Credit

One-time increase to the climate action tax credit of $218 for an adult and $64 for a child will be paid in July 2020 to modest and low income families. There is no need to apply.

Evictions due to non-payment of rent of tenants in subsidized and affordable housing has been suspended temporarily.

Utility payment assistance

BC Hydro has introduced a COVID-19 customer assistance program to defer bill payments or arrange for flexible payment plans with no penalty. Call BC Hydro’s customer team at 1-800-224-9376 to discuss bill payment options. Those facing temporary financial hardship and possible disconnection of their service due to job loss, illness, or loss of a family member may also be eligible for BC Hydro’s Customer Crisis Fund, which provides access to grants of up to $600 to pay their bills.

The City of Port Coquitlam is waiving the March 31 penalty and extending the deadline for payment of 2020 utility bills which includes water, sewer and solid waste. The next due date is May 31 but the city will consider extending it further closer to the time.  

ICBC customers on a monthly payment plan who are facing financial challenges due to COVID-19 may defer their payment for up to 90 days with no penalty.

Businesses

The following provincial taxes have been deferred, delayed or reduced:

• Deferred Tax Payments for Businesses
• Delayed PST Budget 2020 Tax Changes
• Delayed Carbon Tax Increase
• Reduced School Tax for Businesses

Manitoba

As of March 26, the Manitoba government has not announced any specific direct financial assistance for residents affected by COVID-19.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Temporary suspension of the repayment of the provincial portion of Canada Student Loans for a period of six months.
• Provide employees with protections from losing their job if they must take time away from work as a result of COVID-19.
• Providing $500,000 to Food First NL.
• Tenants of rental properties cannot be evicted if they have lost income resulting from COVID-19 and not able to pay rent.

Provincial Government will provide compensation to private sector employers to ensure continuation of pay for employees who are in self-isolation. Details on the required documentation and processes for reimbursement to private sector employers will be released in the coming days.

New Brunswick

Businesses

• Waiving late fees on property taxes on a case-by-case basis
• Deferring principal and interest payments on existing provincial loans for up to 6 months. The deferral can be requested by contacting the department that issued the loan.
• New loans of up to $200,000 through Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB)
• WorkSafeNB has announced assessment premiums related to employer payrolls for March, April and May will be deferred for three months without interest charges.

Northwest Territories

Initial economic relief package valued at $13.2 million that will take effect immediately.

• Increase funding available for the Income Assistance program.
• Defer the payment of student loans to September 30, 2020, including not charging interest for this period.

Businesses

Provide relief to northern supply chain businesses through a removal of fees until the end of June for:

• Deh Cho Bridge tolls
• Truck permits
• Airport landing fees

Offer low interest loans to businesses to help offset up to one month of COVID-19 impacts.

Allow for the deferral of any BDIC loan payments for a period of up to three cumulative months, between April 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020, with no penalty or additional interest charges.

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

Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotians on income assistance are receiving an extra $50 with each payment as of March 20.
• $1 million to help Feed Nova Scotia purchase food and hire more staff.
• Nova Scotia Student Loan payments are suspended until 30 September 2020.

Nova Scotia Power has confirmed that until further notice, they won’t be disconnecting power for any missed bill payments.

Halifax Transit is waiving its fares in an effort to maintain social distance between drivers and passengers.

Businesses

• Deferring 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.
• Deferring payments until June 30 for small business renewal fees, including business registration renewal fees and workers compensation premiums (a list of fees will be posted online early next week).
• Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, administered through credit unions, include deferring principal and interest payments until June 30, enhancing the program to make it easier for businesses to access credit up to $500,000, and for those who might not qualify for a loan, government will guarantee the first $100,000.
• Small businesses which do business with the government will be paid within five days instead of the standard 30 days.
• Ensuring more Nova Scotians can access the internet to work from home, by providing $15 million as an incentive to providers to speed up projects under the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative and complete them as soon as possible.

Nunavut

As of March 27, the Nunavut government has not announced any specific direct financial assistance for residents affected by COVID-19.

Ontario

Ontario has taken massive action, but with a less direct/cash-in-hand approach:

• 6 months of Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loan and interest accrual relief for students.
• One-time payment of $200 per child up to 12 years of age, and $250 for those with special needs, including children enrolled in private schools.
• Doubling the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payment for low-income seniors for six months.
• Providing approximately $5.6 billion for electricity cost relief programs in 2020-21.
• Setting electricity prices for residential, farm and small business time-of-use customers at the lowest rate, known as the off-peak price, 24 hours a day for 45 days.
• Cutting taxes by $355 million for about 57,000 employers through a proposed temporary increase to the Employer Health Tax (EHT) exemption.
• Providing $9 million by expanding eligibility for the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and ensuring that their electricity and natural gas services are not disconnected for non-payment.
• Providing additional supports of $26 million to Indigenous peoples and communities.

The Ontario government is providing $200 million in social services relief funding to help municipalities and social service providers such as shelters, food banks, emergency services, charities and non-profits continue to deliver their critical services, hire additional staff, and find ways to promote social distancing and self-isolation to keep clients safe and healthy. Temporarily removed the requirement for clients to provide written documentation.

Enhancing funding by $148 million for charitable and non-profit social services organizations such as food banks, homeless shelters, churches and emergency services through Consolidated Municipal Service Managers and District Social Service Administration.

Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID‑19 

Includes $2.1 billion in new and urgent funding to combat and contain the spread of COVID-19, as well as $1.2 billion to continue the government’s long-term plan to build a health care system that is there for patients when and where they need it.

The new investments in Ontario’s health care system include:

• Investing $935 million more in hospitals, including $594 million to continue working on expanding capacity and $341 million to prepare for COVID-19 with an additional 1,000 acute care and 500 critical care beds and to fund assessment centres.
• Increasing public health funding by $160 million to support COVID-19 monitoring and testing, including investments in virtual care and Telehealth Ontario.
• Investing $243 million for surge capacity in long-term care facilities, 24/7 screening of staff and visitors, more staffing to support infection control and additional supplies and equipment.
• Investing $75 million to supply personal protective equipment and critical medical supplies to frontline staff.
• Dedicating $1 billion COVID-19 contingency fund, as part of the additional health care investments.
• $20 million for residential facilities in developmental services, gender-based services and protective care for children and youth to support additional staffing, respite for caregivers impacted by school closures, personal protective equipment and supplies and transportation costs to minimize client exposure and to support social distancing, as well as additional cleaning costs.
• $5 million to protect seniors in retirement homes through increased infection control and active screening procedures.
• $4 million for Indigenous communities to support transportation costs for health care professionals and the distribution of critical supplies.

Hydro One will be offering financial assistance and payment flexibility to customers experiencing hardship through their Pandemic Relief Fund.

Retroactive to March 16, Toronto residents and businesses will get a 60-day grace period for property tax, water and solid waste utility bills. Late payment penalties for residents and businesses will also be waived during the grace period.

Businesses

• 5 months of interest and penalty relief for businesses to file and make payments for the majority of provincially administered taxes.
• Deferring the upcoming June 30 quarterly municipal remittance of education property tax to school boards by 90 days, which will provide municipalities the flexibility to, in turn, provide property tax deferrals to residents and businesses.
• Allowing employers to defer Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) payments for up to six months.

PEI

• Anyone who lives and works in P.E.I., earns $25 per hour or less and lost their job between March 13 and March 31 is eligible to receive a $100 gift card for Sobeys. Apply here.
• Establishing a $25 million COVID-19 Emergency Contingency Fund
• Deferring all scheduled loan payments for clients of Finance PEI, Island Investment Development Inc., and the PEI Century Fund for the next 3 months;
• Providing $4.5 million to Community Business Development Corporations across the province to deliver financing to small business and entrepreneurs; and 
• A temporary allowance of $200 per week for anyone who has experienced a significant drop in their working hours.
• Licenced daycare staff will be eligible for employment insurance.
• P.E.I. Housing Corporation, will suspend evictions for six weeks.
• Maritime Electric is suspending disconnection for non-payment for two weeks.

Emergency child care services for essential service workers

Emergency child care services are reserved exclusively for children of essential service workers who have no other alternatives.

Emergency Income Relief Fund

Self-employed can apply for up to $500 per week for the period of March 16 to March 29, 2020 if they are eligible:

• Have declared business income on their most recent tax return.
• Business income must be their primary source of income.
• Be able to demonstrate direct financial losses resulting from the COVID -19 isolation measures at the time of application.
• Not be EI eligible or receiving any other income support (ie. Business Interruption Insurance).

Emergency Relief – Worker Assistance Program

A maximum of $250 per week for each employed worker that experienced a reduction of at least 8 hours per week during the two week period March 16-29, 2020.

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 during the two week period March 16-29, 2020.

Business loans of up to $100,000 at 4% per annum

Emergency working capital financing will provide small registered businesses generating revenue on PEI with satisfactory credit ratings and no defaults on debt with loans of up to $100,000 per company at 4% fixed rate interest. Repayment will commence 12 months after the first disbursement with the remainder paid over 5 years.

Businesses can call the toll-free support line 1-866-222-1751 for accurate, up-to-date information between 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or email PEIbusinesshelpline@gov.pe.ca(link sends e-mail).

Saskatchewan

Self-Isolation Support Program

Primarily targeted at self-employed individuals, support of $450 per week, for a maximum of two weeks or $900 total to those who are required to self-isolate and do not have sick leave, private insurance and are not covered by other programs such as federal employment insurance.

Job protected leave

• Employees can access unpaid public health emergency leave;
• Removal of the requirement of 13 consecutive weeks of employment with an employer prior to accessing sick leave; and
• Removal of the provision requiring a doctor’s note or certificate

Student loans repayment deferral

Provincial student loan repayments will be paused for 6 months until September 30, 2020, interest free. No application required.

Businesses

• 3 month relief from PST penalty and interest charges. Businesses must submit a request for relief. Audit programs and compliance activities have been suspended.
• All Crown utilities will implement bill-deferral programs allowing a zero-interest bill deferral for up to six months
• Businesses do not have to give notice or pay in lieu when staff is being laid off for 12 weeks or less in a 16 week period.

Quebec

Temporary Aid for Workers Program: You can apply to receive up to $573 per week for 2 weeks (time in isolation) or if justified by your health, the coverage could be extended to a maximum of 28 days. To be eligible, you must not be able to earn all your work income and not be eligible for compensation from your employer, private insurance or federal employment insurance.

The premier has promised that no one who is working now and earning minimum wage will take home less than $2,000 monthly. They will top up those wage earners’ salaries, so that they won’t be in a position where they would get more money simply staying home through a federal government initiative.

The Quebec government announced the same tax measures as the federal government.

Saskatchewan

While there’s no money set aside in the provincial spending plan released Wednesday specifically to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, Saskatchewan’s finance minister is assuring residents the government will “be there for what it will cost.”

Yukon

$4-million stimulus package to:

• Support workers through a 14-day isolation with paid sick leave.
• A grant program to address expenses related to cancelled events.
• Waiving, reimbursing or delaying government fee collection such as airport landing fees.
• Deferring Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety premium payments, waive penalties and interest.
• Honouring transfer payment agreements to support the cultural industry

We will provide more information as we develop and launch these programs, which will include:

• Business Advisory Council to monitor and advise on the economic impacts of COVID-19.
• Paid sick leave rebate to allow Yukon workers without sick leave to stay at home if they are sick or are required to self-isolate.
• Events grant to cover irretrievable losses related to perishable goods and cancellation of accommodation and services as a result of major events cancelled due to this developing situation.
• Economic impact tracking mechanisms established with the Department of Tourism and Culture and industry organizations.
• Monthly sectoral surveys to gather information on the business impacts of COVID-19 here in Yukon.
• Yukon Nominee Program: program criteria has changed to address concerns around nominee status for those nominees who may experience layoff or reduced hours.

Federal financial support for businesses

15. Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

CEWS provides a 75% wage subsidy to eligible employers for up to 12 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020 for businesses that see a drop of at least 15% of their revenue in March 2020 and 30% for the following months.

The subsidy amount for a given employee on eligible remuneration paid for the period between March 15 and June 6, 2020 is the greater of:

• 75% of the amount of remuneration paid, up to a maximum benefit of $847 per week; and
• the amount of remuneration paid, up to a maximum benefit of $847 per week or 75% of the employee’s pre-crisis weekly remuneration, whichever is less.

In effect, employers may be eligible for a subsidy of up to 100% of the first 75% of pre-crisis wages or salaries of existing employees.

16. Extending the Work Sharing Program

What is work sharing?

Work Sharing (WS) is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The measure provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.

How has it changed?

EI benefits will be provided to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hours. Eligibility requirements have been eased, the application process streamlined and the maximum duration of work-sharing agreements has been increased from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for both businesses affected by COVID-19 including the sectors that usually take part: forestry, steel and aluminum.

Employers and employees must both agree to participate and apply together:

17. Canada Emergency Business Account

Banks will offer $40,000 loans guaranteed by the government to qualifying businesses. The loan will be interest free for the first year, and under certain conditions, $10,000 will be forgivable. More details on March 30.

18. Deferring GST & HST payments and duties/taxes owed on imports

GST and HST payments as well as taxes and duties owed on imports can be deferred until June. This is the equivalent of $30 billion in interest free loans to businesses.

19. Flexibility for businesses filing taxes

As for individual taxes, the CRA will allow any tax installments or balances owed between March 18, 2020 and September 2020 to be deferred until after August 31, 2020 with no interest or penalties applied during this period.

The CRA will not initiate any GST/HST assessments or income tax audits for the next 4 weeks for small or medium businesses. Ongoing audits will be paused for the vast majority of businesses.

Access to credit and financial market liquidity

The Bank of Canada proactively cut the interest rate to 0.75% and OSFI announced an additional $300 billion in lending capacity by the major banks to ensure that businesses have access to credit during the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent sharp drop in oil prices. Update March 27: Bank of Canada has cut the rate by 50 basis points to 0.25%.

The Business Credit Availablility Program (BCAP) will allow the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) to provide more than $10 billion of credit support for small and medium-sized businesses. The near term credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector will also be increased through Farm Credit Canada.

In addition, the Insured Mortgage Purchase Program (IMPP) was launched on March 16, 2020 under which the government will purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the CMHC. This is as a proactive measure to provide long-term stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders and add liquidity to Canada’s mortgage market.

The Bank of Canada announced that it will broaden eligible collateral for its term repo facility to include the full range of collateral eligible under the Standing Liquidity Facility, with the exception of the non-mortgage loan portfolio to provide support to funding conditions for financial institutions by providing a backstop to regular private funding.

In addition, it stands ready to provide support to the Canada Mortgage Bond (CMB) market by, as required, purchasing CMBs in the secondary market as a proactive measure so that it continues to function well.

Specific industries

If you are a tourism operator, a small business or an organization affected by COVID-19 and need pressing assistance, the regional development agencies (RDAs) could assist you with access to federal funding and services.

We have increased credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector through Farm Credit Canada.

Business resources

• Preparedness Guide – Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• Dealing With COVID-19 – Canadian Federation of Business

Economic Response Plan cost

What to read next

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Canada
• Flattening the Curve of COVID-19 – Where Canada Stands
• Places to Buy Toilet Paper Online in Canada

References

• Canada’s Response
• Canada’s Economic Response Plan
• COVID-19 Resources for Canadian Businesses

Over to you

How has COVID-19 impacted you? What support above is most useful to you? Let us know in the comments.