Government Support and Funding

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

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

 If you have questions about programs that your business can qualify for,
please contact us. 

Government of Canada is taking immediate action to support businesses, self-employed, indigenous businesses, not-for-profits, sectors, and other organizations helping Canadians. As programs are changing regularly, please check Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan for the most up to date information.

Business Benefits Finder - Find the right programs and services, whether you're starting out, or scaling up. Answer a few questions to get a tailored list. 

NEW: Local Lockdown Program
The Local Lockdown Program is a way businesses, charities, and non-profits affected by a qualifying public health restriction can be eligible for wage and rent support through the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).

You do not have to be in the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or recreation sectors to be eligible for this support.

Find the details under the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).

Canada Digital Adoption Program

Grow your business online, boost your business technology, and explore resources and tools. The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is there to boost your business.

Learn more about the grants available under this program.

 

Major federal COVID-19 relief programs for businesses include:

For avoiding layoffs, rehiring employees, and creating new jobs

You may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations.

For each applicable claim period, eligible employers can claim one of the following, whichever gives the highest amount:

  • Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
  • Hardest-Hit Businesses Recovery Program
  • Canada Recovery Hiring Program
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Apply to wage and hiring support programs.

Rent and Property Expenses Support

You may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your commercial rent or property expenses.

Depending on the period you are applying for, you may be eligible to claim your commercial rent or property expenses through one of the following:

  • Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy
  • Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
  • Hardest-Hit Businesses Recovery Program

Apply to the rent and property expense support programs.

Financial support and access to credit

  • Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) - provides a direct and easy-to-access rent and mortgage subsidy of up to 65% of eligible expenses to qualifying businesses, charities and non-profits.
  • Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises - Through the Business Credit Availability Program, Business Development Canada (BDC) is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans of up to $6.25 million to SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements.
  • Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund - The Government of Canada is supporting Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund that will provide loans of between $25,000 and $250,000.
  • Mid-Market Financing Program - Through the Business Credit Availability Program, the Business Development Canada's (BDC) Mid-Market Financing Program will provide commercial loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million to medium-sized businesses whose credit needs exceed what is already available through the Business Credit Availability Program and other measures.BDC anticipates that qualifying companies will have annual revenues in excess of approximately $100 million.
  • Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program -Through the Business Credit Availability Program, EDC’s Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program will bring liquidity to companies who tend to have revenues of between $50 million to $300 million, to sustain operations during this uncertain period. EDC will continue to work with Canadian financial institutions to guarantee 75 % of new operating credit and cash-flow loans – ranging in size from $16.75 million to a maximum of $80 million. These expanded guarantees are available to exporters, international investors and businesses that sell their products or services within Canada.
  • Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee-Some businesses, such as those in tourism and hospitality, have been more heavily impacted as a result of COVID-19 and are struggling more than others to access financing. This is why BDC will provide 100% guarantees of up to $1 million to help qualifying businesses finance day-to-day business operating costs.
  • Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) – financial support to Canada’s largest employers whose financial needs are not met through conventional financing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Tourism Industry Relief Fund - The Tourism Relief Fund, administered by Canada's regional development agencies and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), supports tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. 
  • Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) - The JGF provides assistance to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth. Valued at $700 million nationally over three years, JGF is being delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to help job creators to future-proof, build resiliency and prepare for growth by adopting clean technology, increasing diversity, implementing new digital technologies and strengthening capacity in critical sectors. 

Additional Support by Sector

Announcements and Information 

Guides and Calculators

Learn about Ontario Government programs and available guidance to employers and financial relief support in Ontario: COVID-19 Help for businesses in Ontario

Major Provincial Relief Programs for businesses

  • Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. It will provide eligible small businesses with a grant payment of $10,000. Eligible businesses that qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and that are subject to closure under modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will be pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply to the new program. Newly established and newly eligible small businesses will need to apply once the application portal opens in the coming weeks. Small businesses that qualify can expect to receive their payment in February. Eligible small businesses include:
  • Restaurants and bars;
  • Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms);
  • Performing arts and cinemas;
  • Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions;
  • Meeting or event spaces;
  • Tour and guide services;
  • Conference centres and convention centres;
  • Driving instruction for individuals; and
  • Before- and after- school programs.
  • Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program: Applications Opening January 2022 

    The Province of Ontario is introducing the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program to support businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant.

    Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs, while businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs. A full list of eligible business types will be available through a program guide in mid-January 2022.

    Online applications for this program will open in mid-January 2022. Payments to eligible businesses will be retroactive to December 19, 2021.

    Businesses will be required to submit property tax and energy bills as part of the application process.

    If you have questions about the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program, call 1-866-668-8297 (1-866-ONT-TAXS).

  • COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) – provides one time, on bill, credit to eligible small businesses and registered charity customers to help them with energy bills. Note that the CEAP-SB funding is limited, and a completed application does not guarantee the funding approval.
  • Take your business online with Digital Main St. – learn about selling online right away, developing a digital transformation plan, and accessing grants for digitalizing your business.
  • Central Counties Tourism – COVID-19 industry resources and financial relief
  • Achievement Incentive Grant Program - employers in Ontario who train apprentices may be eligible for grants to help mitigate the cost of training.

Announcements and Information 

Business Resources

Regional Municipality of Durham

Municipal Support 

Town of Whitby

Financial assistance:

  • Extending advertising and sponsorship contracts at Whitby facilities during closures
  • Temporarily cancelling payment for leases within Town facilities that are closed

Operational assistance includes:

  • Temporarily eliminating parking payment requirements at all metered, on-street locations and municipal parking lots (time limits still apply)
  • Suspending invoicing related to advertising and sponsorship while Town facilities are closed
  • Allowing businesses to receive deliveries at any time of day through the temporary dismissal of the noise bylaw enforcement provisions related to commercial loading and deliveries
  • Learn more about patio programs.

See all business support updates from Town of Whitby

Municipality of Clarington

COVID-19 Community Improvement Plan (CIP): Provides support to qualifying businesses to make physical modifications to enable them to reopen safely. The CIP will provide grant funding for various safety measures, including plexiglass barriers to protect staff and customers, signage to encourage spacing, and realignment of displays and work areas to allow for distancing.

  • For completed projects, application deadline is 11 February 2021
  • For proposed projects that have not yet started, there is no application deadline

All Local Area Municipality Information

Check out Durham Region’s municipalities for information and updates on COVID-19 response, local programs and any available financial relief

As part of a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, Digital Main Street has announced programs to support businesses across Ontario. These programs are available to Durham Region businesses that meet program requirements.

DMS ShopHERE: a program that provides independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away.

DMS Ontario Grants: a program providing main street businesses with $2,500 Digital Transformation Grants.

Learn more.

Access to credit through Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)

  • EDC Loan Guarantee for SMEs:
    • Guarantees 80% of new operating credit and cash flow loans of up to $6.25 million to SMEs.
    • This financing is available for both exporting and non-exporting companies until June 2021.
  • BDC Co-Lending Program for SMEs:
    • Co-lend term loans between $1 million to $12.5 million to SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements.
    • This financing is based on business revenues and is available until June 2021.
  • BDC Mid-Market Financing Program:
    • Commercial loans ranging between $12.5 million to $60 million for medium-sized enterprises impacted by COVID-19 and/or by recent decline in oil and gas prices.
    • These loans are provided jointly by BDC and your primary financial institution and is available until or before June 2021.
  • EDC Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program:
    • EDC will continue to work with Canadian financial institutions to guarantee 75% of new operating credit and cash-flow loans – ranging in size from $16.75 million to a maximum of $80 million.
    • Your business does not need to have export sales to qualify for this program.

Support from Business Development Canada (BDC)

For businesses in operation for less than 12 months:

  • Futurpreneur Canada, together with BDC, offers entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 loans up to $60,000 including business advisory and resources. Loan is provided in unequal contributions by Futurpreneur Canada and BDC at different terms and fees.

For businesses in operation for at least 12 months and generating revenues:

  • BDC Start-up financing: Up to $250,000 financing is available to start-ups for purchasing assets, pay fees, or buy franchises. Principal payments on this loan can be postponed by up to 12 months at the start of the loan.

For businesses in operation for at least 24 months and generating revenues:

Support from Export Development Canada (EDC)

To find other grants and funding programs, and to get a personalized list of support available for your business, check out Innovation Canada's online search tool.

 

 

Funding and financial assistance for not-for-profits

Find government funding, loans and other kinds of financial assistance available to not-for-profits.

Explore Province of Ontario Programs

FedDev Ontario Programs

FedDev Ontario works to create opportunities for economic growth in southern Ontario by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive. The Agency also works with southern Ontario communities to develop and diversify local economies.

Programs include:

  • Jobs and Growth Fund
  • Tourism Relief Fund
  • Canada Community Revitalization Fund
  • Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative

Learn more

Local Food Infrastructure Fund

  • Funding for not-for-profits to improve and promote their environmentally sustainable food systems through investments in infrastructure
  • Funding ranges from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $250,000
  • Applications closing on December 31, 2023
  • Check details and eligibility requirements

To know more about funding and support available, and to get a customized list of support available for Not-for-Profits, check out Canada’s Business Benefit Finder tool

Review current funding opportunities specific to not-for-profits by visiting the Durham Immigration Portal funding opportunities update.

Banking

All major banks in Canada, including Bank of Montreal, CIBC, National Bank of Canada, RBC Royal Bank, Scotiabank and TD Bank have made a commitment to work with personal and small business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help them manage through challenges. Please get in touch with your bank and check their websites to know more.

Also, see information on comprehensive relief programs offered by banks in Canada from Canadian Bankers Association

Utilities

Mortgage 

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