COVID-19 Guide & Resources

Cando Guide to Covid-19

- updated September 25, 2020

 

Statement for the Indigenous Business COVID-19 Response Taskforce:

Together our strong leadership of Indigenous business organizations provides the Government of Canada with a single, unified Indigenous business voice during this time of crisis. The Taskforce provides analysis on the affects of COVID-19 to help ensure the availability of appropriate government support measures for Indigenous businesses and communities. We aim to mobilize the Indigenous supply chain to participate in the calls to action for medical supplies and equipment. If you have or can supply PPE or can help coordinate efforts for the common good of all Indigenous businesses and communities, please contact any member of this Taskforce.

CCAB        Cando       ITAC       NACCA       NIEDB        PIWC

taskforce-member-logos

 

 
 
Taskforce-findings1
 

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Download PDF of Media Release ENG

Download PDF of Media Release FR



Download PDF of Indigenous Business Key Findings ENG

Download PDF of Indigenous Business Key Findings FR

 
 

 

 

 

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

“Building on previously announced measures, the new Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) is being delivered by regional development agencies (RDAs) to help more businesses and organizations, including in the tourism sector, that are key to the regions and local economies.”

More details and direct links are below. This seems to be particularly geared to businesses that are more rural / remote than usual, but can support all businesses.

Minister Joly, Economic Development: $1B in emergency regional through six regional development agencies, intended to cushion the financial blow experienced by businesses that do not qualify for other aid programs. The RDAs are each steering their own program based on needs in their region.

NR for each RDA:

ACOA

DEQ

FedDev

FedNor

WED

CanNor

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announces an expansion to the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to include many owner-operated small businesses. This extended measure will help small businesses protect the jobs that Canadians rely on.

The changes to the CEBA will allow more Canadian small businesses to access interest free loans that will help cover operating costs during a period when revenues have been reduced, due to the pandemic.

The program will now be available to a greater number of businesses that are sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll.

To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 would need:

• a business operating account at a participating financial institution
• a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.
• eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.

Additional CEBA Details: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/05/19/prime-minister-announces-expansion-support-workers-and-small

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

What is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

Who is eligible

The benefit will be available to workers:

  • Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;

  • Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits;

  • Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and

  • 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.

How to apply

To deliver payments to Canadians in a fast and easy way, the CERB is being jointly delivered by Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency.

To begin the application process, please answer a few simple questions. The answers you provide will help us direct you to the service option that best fits your situation.

More details and application form:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html

Western Economic Diversification Canada

has a full annotated listing of federal COVID-19 benefits, including the new Regional Recovery and Relief Fund (announced April 17th):
WD COVID-19 response page.


Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

has been extended and list of eligible employers has been expanded to include businesses owned by Indigenous government:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/05/extending-eligibility-for-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy.htm



CMHC

has opened their portal yesterday for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rental Assistance program: CERCA now includes commercial leasing on reserve.
https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/finance-and-investing/covid19-cecra-small-business

 

Q&As relating to COVID-19 Call to Suppliers

We are providing answers to the most frequently asked questions we’ve received regarding the Government of Canada’s call for emergency goods and services in response to COVID-19.

https://buyandsell.gc.ca/qas-relating-to-covid-19

For inquiries related to supply, please refer to the Public Service and Procurement Canada web portal for suppliers:
https://buyandsell.gc.ca/calling-all-suppliers-help-canada-combat-covid-19

Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada has launched a “call to action” to Canadian manufacturers to help fight COVID-19. They have created a new web page as well as an intake for manufacturers that; make needed supplies, have the potential to rapidly re-tool existing facilities or equipment, or who have skilled workers that could be available to work elsewhere in Canada.
For details please visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/manufacturers-needed

For inquiries related to research funding, please refer the National Research Council’s COVID-19 “Challenge Program”
https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/research-collaboration/nrc-covid-19-response

and, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research COVID-19 Clinical Epidemiology Research Rapid Response:
https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/42405.html

The Government of Canada has created a website to help businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. You will find information to help you support your employees and get prepared, as well as information on international trade, business travel and events. Please visit Resources for Canadian Businesses – COVID-19:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan

 

First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working closely with First Nation partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada, other departments such as Heath Canada, Public Safety as well as provincial and territorial counterparts to protect the health and safety of First Nations and support First Nations communities in responding to the public health crisis resulting from the novel COVID-19.

 
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/
 
 

Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources from Export Development Canada

EDC's COVID-19 resource page
https://www.edc.ca/en/campaign/coronavirus-covid-19.html

Additional resources available from other agencies.
https://www.edc.ca/en/covid-19-business-resources.html

 


Building self-reliant communities

A resource list for communities looking towards developing self-reliance once again in these times of uncertainty. Compiled by Global Indigenous Trust and Cando

www.edo.ca/news/building-self-reliant-communities

 

Government Policy Response

Government Announcements for Businesses and COVID-19



Government Initiatives for Businesses

 

Specific Government Programs for Businesses

  1. Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

  1. Work-Sharing Program

  1. Wage Subsidy Program

  1. Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)

  1. Changes to Canadian Taxes and Benefits

 

  1. Deferral of GST/HST Tax Remittances

 

  1. New Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee Program

 

  1. Advanced Payment Program for Farmers

 

Other Government Initiatives for Individuals

 

Other Government Initiatives for Indigenous Communities

 

Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) COVID-19 Updates

 

Business Development Canada (BDC)

 

Export Development Canada (EDC)

 

Farm Credit Canada (FCC)

 

Other Financial Institutions:

 

Bank of Montreal

 

CIBC

 

National Bank of Canada (NBC)

 

Scotia Bank           

 

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

 

Canada Trust (TD)

 

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)