COVID-19 Business Resources:
Get Essential Links for Business

• B.C. announces $5M grant to get youth back to work during COVID-19 pandemic – Global News
• B.C. begins phase three of the safe restart plan – B.C. Gov News
• Canadian Government pledges $70 million to encourage domestic summer travel – Forbes
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) extended – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
  Find more information and supports in our Individual Resources
• Update to Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) allows more small businesses eligibility – Government of Canada
  Find more information about this update and other programs in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance
• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers including the new WorkSafe BC guidelines and Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) pandemic tip sheets for each industry

• B.C. begins phase three of the safe restart plan – B.C. Gov News
• Canadian Government pledges $70 million to encourage domestic summer travel – Forbes
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) extended – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
  Find more information and supports in our Individual Resources
• Update to Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) allows more small businesses eligibility – Government of Canada
  Find more information about this update and other programs in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance
• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers including the new WorkSafe BC guidelines and Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) pandemic tip sheets for each industry

• New mobile app launching to provide notifications of COVID exposure across Canada – Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
• Emergency Processing Fund (EPF) – Government of Canada
  Investment up to $77.5million to help companies safeguard health and safety of workers in the agriculture sector
  Find more information about this update and other sector specific programs in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) extended – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
  Find more information and supports in our Individual Resources
• Update to Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) allows more small businesses eligibility – Government of Canada
  Find more information about this update and other programs in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance
• List of attractions and venues now open in the CRD – The Capital
  Find more information in our dedicated section on ways you can Support Local Business
• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers including the new WorkSafe BC guidelines and Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) pandemic tip sheets for each industry

• $133M of additional support for Indigenous businesses and Indigenous tourism industry – Newswire
• Second call for proposals under Local Food Infrastructure Fund valued at $43M – Lexology
  Find more sector specific resources in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• Government of Canada created a hub for buying and supplying PPE – Public Services and Procurement Canada
• FedEx supports Canadian Small Businesses with launch of #SupportSmallInitiative – Yahoo Finance
  Find more support programs in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers including the new WorkSafe BC guidelines and Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) pandemic tip sheets for each industry

• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers including the new WorkSafe BC guidelines
• Government announces $650M additional funding for health, economic, and social support for Indigenous peoples and communities – Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
  More programs can be found in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• B.C. Government launches new workforce connector – B.C. Government
  The B.C. Farm, Fish and Food Job Connector platforms helps showcase current job vacancies in order to help fill labour needs. Find more sector supports in our Business Resources

• 2 new funding opportunities for Canadian innovators – Innovative Solutions Canada.
  Find more programs our Business Resources
• Finding the right financial supports – Government of Canada
  A new dedicated tool with simple questions to help you find the right financial supports to suit your situation.  Find even more individual supports in our Individual Resources
• Business Resilience Service – Canadian Business Resilience Network
  Experience business advisors providing guidance on most appropriate relief programs for SME’s, non-profits and charities
  More support programs can be found in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers including the new WorkSafe BC guidelines

• Finding the right financial supports – Government of Canada
  A new dedicated tool with simple questions to help you find the right financial supports to suit your situation
  Find even more individual supports in our Individual Resources
• B.C. enters Phase 2 of B.C. Restart Plan – Government of B.C.
• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers including the new WorkSafe BC guidelines
• Expansion of support for workers and small businesses – Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
  Including expansion to eligibility for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
  More information can be found in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• More information on Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
  Find more program information in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• Talent Exchange for retailers matching talent with jobs – Retail Council of Canada (RCC)

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) extended until August 29 – Government of Canada
  Find more support programs in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• New support for Canada’s fish harvesters – Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
  Up to $469.4M in new measures announced – program details coming soon
  Find more support programs in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• Western Economic Diversification Canada launches Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to support local economy – Government of Canada
  $304M delivered by Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to help businesses and organizations unable to access existing measures
  Find more support programs in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) to begin Friday, May 15 – Government of Canada
  Find more student supports in our Individual Resources 
• New measures to support businesses – Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
  Including establishing a Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)
• Heritage minister outlines distribution of $500M of arts and culture support – CBC News
  Find more support programs in our Business Resources
• Buy BC e-commerce brings local food and beverages online – BC Gov News
  B.C Government is providing $300,000 in support to local food and beverage processors to move products online
  Find more sector specific programs (including Agriculture) in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers

• BC’s Restart Plan – Government of B.C
  Official plan for restarting the province and all you need to know
  See more information in our Business Resources for helpful tips for reopening businesses
• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers
• $252M pledge for agriculture industry – Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
  Check back for full program details or checkout our sector supports in Business Resources – Lender & Corporate Assistance Programs
• Significant funding available for manufacturers and suppliers that can help respond to critical supply needs.  Checkout our manufacturers and suppliers call to action in Business Resources for more details
• How can you support local business? Read our recent blog on the top 9 things you can do now and checkout the Support Local Business section for more information

• Tips for employers reopening their businesses – Checkout our new section in Business Resources for helpful guides and checklists for employers
• Two new programs support the region’s food supply – Columbia Basin Trust
  Basin Food Producer Loans and Wage subsidy programs
  Find more sector specific programs (including Agriculture) in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
  Find more program information in our Business Resources – Lender and Corporate Assistance Programs
• Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) and Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) receive boost – CTV News
  Find more information in our Individual Resources
• London Drugs assisting local businesses – London Drugs is offering shelf space for local small businesses to sell their products
  Find more helpful programs in our Business Resources
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) applications open today (April 27) – Government of Canada
  APPLICATIONS PAGE
  Find more program information in our General Business Resources
• Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund announced – Government of Canada
  New $62.5 million fund to assist fish and seafood processing, program details to come

• Agreement reached to implement the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
  This program will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been affected
  Find more information and additional business supports in our Business Resources
• Supports proposed for students and new graduates – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
  Canada Emergency Student Benefit would provide $1,250 per month for eligible students or $1,750 per month for students with dependents or disabilities, available from May to August 2020.
  Find more information on similar programs in our Individual Resources
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – CTV News
  New calculator has been launched on CRA website to help businesses with their claims (employers can apply as of Monday, April 27)
  Find specific program information in our General Business Resources
• Emergency Community Support Fund – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
  New fund being setup of $350 million to help charities and non-profits
  Keep an eye on our Community Supports section of Business Resources for updates
• Helping rural, remote and Indigenous communities with healthcare – BC Gov News
  A new collaborative framework will help ensure people have access to critical health care
• Latest supports to protect Canadian Jobs – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
  Government of Canada will provide over $1.7 billion for targeted measures
  Find more information on each program in our Business Resources
• Support for Indigenous Businesses – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
  Up to $306.8 million in funding to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that offer financing to these businesses
  Find more information on Indigenous business supports in our General Business Resources
• Government of Canada funding updates – Government of Canada
  New funding programs for energy industry, Community Futures Network, Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) and people working in arts, culture and sport
  Find more information on these programs in our Business Resources – Lender & Corporate Business Assistance Programs section

• Government of Canada funding updates – Government of Canada
  New funding programs for energy industry, Community Futures Network, Industrial Research Assistance and people working in arts, culture and sport
• Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) update – Government of Canada
  Eligible businesses (2019 payroll between $20,000 & $1.5m) can receive up to $40,000 in interest free loans (Program info)
  Find more information about funding assistance programs in our Business Resources
• Intent to introduce the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses – Government of Canada
  Find more information for business supports in our Business Resources
• B.C. business support service launched – B.C. Gov News
  A single point of contact for businesses in the province seeking support
  Find more information on the Support Service Page or additional resources in our Business Resources
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) update – Government of Canada
  Access has expanded to include more people and boost wages for essential workers
  Find more information about this program in our Individual Resources
• BDC launches Capital Bridge Financing Program – Support for Canadian venture-backed companies
  Find more information about funding assistance programs in our Business Resources – Lender & Corporate Business Assistance Programs
• Green Shield Canada commits $500,000 to community supports – GSC
  The relief funds will go towards addressing immediate needs
  Find more information about funding assistance programs in our Business Resources – Lender & Corporate Business Assistance Programs
• Federal relief for agriculture – CBC News
  $50M fund will help farmers ensure temporary foreign workers comply with two-week mandatory quarantine.
  Find more information about funding assistance programs in our Business Resources – Lender & Corporate Business Assistance Programs
• Temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs Program
  Helping small businesses hire and keep the workers they need so they can continue to deliver essential services
  Find more information for business supports in our Business Resources

• WEBINAR: BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) on navigating COVID-19 – Info, tips and suggestions for restaurant owners

• Action: Canadian Survey On Business Conditions – Business Resilience Network & Statistics Canada
• Innovative Solutions Canada launches new challenge for Made in Canada filtration material and Testing Stream call for prototypes
  Find more information about this program in our Business Resources – Funding Opportunities
• FortisBC launches Customer Recovery Fund
  Find more information about programs from utility providers in our Individual Resources
• Federal COVID-19 benefits program portal opens – CBC
  Find more information about this program in our Individual Resources
• Canadian Business Resilience Network launches  – Partnership between Government of Canada and Canadian Chamber of Commerce
  Find more information for navigating COVID-19 in our Business Resources
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy– Government of Canada
  Find more information about this program and others in our Business Resources
• Community comes together to fund rapid relief– Victoria News
  Find more ways to help in our Support Local Business resources
• B.C.’s amateur sport sector gets a cash boost– Richmond News
  Find more information about funding assistance programs in our Business Resources – Lender & Corporate Business Assistance Programs

B.C Restart Plan – Government of British Columbia

B.C Business COVID-19 Support Service – Operated by Small Business BC (SBBC) acting as a one-stop resource to answer questions about available support programs

GENERAL RESOURCES

• Help for businesses affected by COVID-19 – Innovation Canada
• Canadian Business Resilience Network – Partnership with the Government of Canada and Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• Resources for small businesses – Small Business BC
• Support Guide for BC small businesses – Small Business BC
• Online Business License Setup – Alliance
• Indigenous Community Support Fund – Government of Canada
• Resources for BC businesses – BC Chamber of Commerce
• Tips for response and recovery – BC Economic Development Association
• Comprehensive resource guide for BC businesses – BC Economic Development Association
• Provincial Support and Information – BC Government
• BC COVID-19 action plan
  UPDATE (4 April) – BC workers who are eligible for EI benefits (through the new Emergency Care Benefits and Emergency Support Benefits programs) will receive a one-time $1,000 payment from the province

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• Innovative Solutions Canada
  Dedicated funding to help combat current and future outbreaks of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and other similar threats by funding R&D and testing prototypes in real-life settings that can help protect Canadians
  
• Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster
  Focused on unlocking solutions to protect the health and safety of all Canadians and our economy through development, deployment, and scaling of digital technologies

FOR EMPLOYEES

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program – Service Canada
  The subsidy is retroactive to March 15 and covers 75% of the first $58,700 of each employee’s wage, which works out to $847 per week. 
  UPDATE (30 March): The money can be used by businesses of any size, as well as non-profits, if revenue is down by at least 30% because of COVID-19
• Changes to Employment Insurance (EI) – Employment and Social Development Canada
• Work-sharing program – Employment and Social Development Canada

• Industry information for returning to safe operation – WorkSafeBC
• COVID-19 Safety Plan template for employers – WorkSafe BC
• BC’s Restart Plan – Government of B.C
  Official plan for restarting the province and all you need to know
  downloadable PDF plan
• National Guide for Business – CBRN’s Reopening Toolkit – Canadian Business Resilience Network
• Getting Back to Work Safely toolkit – City of Victoria

• Does your company require PPE for employees returning to work?  The Rapid Response Platform (RRP) is a free-to-use platform matching suppliers with requestors
• Government of Canada Hub for buying and supplying PPE – Government of Canada
• Alert First-Aid also has emergency supplies for your business
• Guiding tip sheets on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
• Talent Exchange for retailers matching talent with jobs – Retail Council of Canada (RCC)
• Recovery Playbook – Retail Council of Canada
• Blueprint for reopening in-restaurant dining – BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association
• Back to the Office Handbook – VIATEC
  Everything you need for returning to the office with a safety plan

• General guidance and pre-screening checklist for businesses – Government of New Brunswick
  See Appendix A of the report for a specific business checklist
• Prepare your business and employees for effects of COVID-19 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Includes – Top 10 tips to protect employees’ health
• Guidelines for workplaces and businesses during COVID-19 – Government of Canada
• Advice for essential retailers – Government of Canada
• Open Up & Recovery Safely (OURS) Plan – Oklahoma Commerce
  Guides for specific businesses for opening safely
• Small Business Survival Guide – FinImpact

• Pandemic preparedness guide for businesses – Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs – BDC
• Planning for Coronavirus – BC Economic Development Association
• Business preparedness checklist – Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

Business funding assessment tool – Granted Consulting
Tailored survey to help determine financing eligibility
Tax deferrals and property tax relief – BC Chamber of Commerce
The provincial government is extending tax filing and payment deadlines to September 30th, 2020

FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

• Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) – Government of Canada
  UPDATE June 15:  expanded eligibility enables more small businesses to access the CEBA program
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
  Forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners so they can reduce rent for tenants
• Victoria small business relief fund – Tiny Capital Victoria
  Zero interest loans to support eligible small businesses
• Community Support Fund – Community Microlending
  Small, community sourced no fee, no interest loans to enterprises in CRD – Greater Victoria
• FedEx supports Canadian Small Businesses – Yahoo Finance
• Facebook small business grants
  To assist small businesses in the 30 countries Facebook operates in
• Resources for small businesses – Small Business BC
• Financing assistance for small businesses – Small Business BC
  
• Green Shield Canada Community Support – GSC
  Working with community partners in health services and food security
• BC Hydro small business relief fund
• Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – To receive $250 million to assist innovative early-stage companies access support
• Futurpreneur Canada – To receive $20.1 million to provide relief to its business owner clients
• New Ventures BC – ISI Grant program now open and extended to all BC companies (not just tech)

COMMUNITY SUPPORT MEASURES

• Small Business and Community Support Measures – Government of Canada
  $675 million to support Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)
• Western Economic Diversification Canada launches Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – Government of Canada
  $304M delivered by Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to help businesses and organizations unable to access existing measures
• Community Futures Network – Community Futures
  $287 million funded through the RDAs to support rural businesses and communities, including access to capital
• Support for Indigenous Businesses and Financial Institutions –
  Up to $306.8 million in funding to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, and their supporting Financial Institutions
• Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau announced new funding to support Indigenous communities
  $650M additional funding for health, economic, and social support for Indigenous peoples and communities

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA – BDC

• Small business loan – Low-interest loans up to $100,000 if your business has been generating revenues for at least 24 months
• Working capital loan – Loans of $100,000 up to $2 million with flexible terms
• Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) – Combined $65 billion of funding
  • $40 billion through Small and Medium Enterprise Loan and Guarantee
  • $25 billion through individual loans up to $40,000 from Canada Emergency Business Account
• Purchase order financing – Cover up to 90% of the purchase order amount to ease cash flow to your suppliers
• Capital Bridge Financing Program – Support for Canadian venture-backed companies
• Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs

FOR EXPORTERS

• Exporter financing – Export Development Canada
  Through the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP), EDC will guarantee new operating credit and cash-flow term loans up to $6.25 million. The program cap for this guarantee will be a total of $20 billion for export sector and domestic companies.
  EDC update (27 March): New domestic mandate enhances EDC’s role in supporting all Canadian businesses through COVID-19 crisis

SECTOR SPECIFIC

• Emergency Processing Fund (EPF) – Government of Canada
  EPF is a one-time federal investment up to $77.5M to help companies implement changes to safeguard workers.
• B.C. Farm, Fish & Food Job Connector – B.C. Government
• Farm Credit Canada – FCC
  Information and support specifically for Agricultural and Food Industry businesses
• Buy BC e-commerce supports for local food and beverage processors to move products online – BC Gov News
• Support for food banks and local food organizations
  An investment of $100 million to improve access to food for Canadians facing social, economic, and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
• Two programs to support the region’s food supply – Columbia Basic Trust
  Basin Food Producer Loans and Wage subsidy program
• Tourism operators – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
  Support from Regional Development Agencies tailored to tourism operators and businesses
• Canada’s Energy Sector – Government of Canada
  Funding for cleanup of orphaned oil wells and the Emission Reduction Fund
• Film and TV industry funding supports
  Kidscreen has compiled a list of relief programs being offered to workers in the Film and TV industry
• Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations – $500 million to support people working in arts, culture and sport

LOCAL CREDIT UNIONS

• Vancity Credit Union
  Helping their customers through this difficult time by offering emergency working capital, deferred mortgage payments, etc.
• Island Savings (A division of First West Credit Union)
  Dedicated to helping support your health and financial wellbeing

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INITIATIVES

• Eligible non-deferrable expenses of between $40,000 and $1.5 million.Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
  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.  It is 100 per cent funded by the Government of Canada
  Lowering the domestic stability buffer
• Cutting the interest rate

Canadian manufacturers needed to help combat COVID-19 and demand for medical supplies

Calling All Suppliers – BC Government is looking for both medical and non-medical products and services to help with the response

Help Canadian manufacturers meet critical shortages – NGen (Next Generation Manufacturing Canada) will invest at least $50 million in Supercluster funding to support companies rapid response to COVID-19

BC COVID-19 3D Printing Group – Support the all-volunteer group 3D printing PPE for frontline workers – Victoria Chapter

• Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs – BDC
• CEO COVID-19 90 day playbook by Richard Augustyn – cash & liquidity management, cost management, business continuity planning
• The virus survival strategy for your start-up by Steve Blank – burn rate, investors and business continuity models
• Resources to effectively lead amid COVID-19 – list of resources by Harvard Business Review

GENERAL RESOURCES

• Remote leadership toolkit by The Dan Pontefract Group
• 2020 complete guide to remote work by novoresume
• How to work from home [Infographic] by Alliance Virtual Offices
• Remote work emergency plan by GitLab
• Digital working: COVID-19 by LocalGlobe and Latitude
• The complete remote-work playbook by LifeLabs Learning
• Guide to working remotely by Zapier
• The complete remote-work playbook by LifeLabs Learning
• 180 tips for working at home by FYI
• Introduction to remove work & collaboration by miro
• “So you’ve been told to work at home. Now what?” by Todoist

CULTURE / PEOPLE

• People ops resilience playbook How to Manage Anxiety Across your Organization by LifeLabs Learning
• Protect your family’s mental health during the pandemic – BeeBoom
• Community in the time of Coronavirus by People & Company

PARENTING FROM HOME

• “Parenting during Coronavirus” by the Washington Post – general tips for how to work from home while homeschooling children
• New England Aquarium is posting live each day at 11:00 a.m. Content includes videos with educators, a behind-the-scenes look at animal care, and fun activities for children
• 19 immersive exhibits you can visit from your couch by PBS – rotate a 3D model of a wooly mammoth, visit the Smithsonian, or check out Pakistan’s Lahore Museum in your pj’s
• National Geographic Kids – activities, games, competitions and quizzes for younger kids
• Mystery Science – open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science Free science lessons
• The kids should See this – smart videos for kids of all ages on a range of cool topics
• Owl VC education resources and insights – a detailed list of resources for K-12 schools & educators, parents supporting at-home learning and higher education institutions
• Ideas for things to do with your kids at home
• Free access to Rick Ranger by National Wildlife Federation, offering including games, magazines, videos and more
• Homeschool Today– 10 YouTube channels bringing arts into your homeschool

• YYJ Locals For Locals group of community-minded tech and marketing professionals offering pro-bono assistance to local small businesses, restaurants, and bars
• Hootsuite free access (until July 1st, 2020) to their Professional Plan
• Cisco has expanded the capabilities of their free Webex offer 
• Google is offering free access to their advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing capabilities
• LogMeIn (GoToMeetings) is offering three months free Emergency Remote Work Kits
• Microsoft is offering a free six-month license to individuals and IT professionals
• Air is offering a 30-day free trial of its visual workspace

• K-12 Learning at home – University of Victoria
• Canada guide to free online resources – Dealhack
• Ultimate collection and directory of digital tools and resources – All Digital School
• Free educational courses – Comprehensive listing from Amazing Education Resources
• This Facebook post is full of free resources, including Khan Academy and BBC Learning
• Udemy – Choose from 100,000 online video courses
• 450 free Ivy League online classes
• MOOC list

If any of these classes or offerings are happening locally, please share them with us!

15 online workouts you can do at home, instead of at the gym


YOGA


• YogaWorks – Free online yoga
• Modo Yoga – Classes or  Instagram live (donations requested)
• CorePower on-demand subscription to unlimited online yoga classes
• Lunch time yoga pop-up – Yoga classes (donations requested)

HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT)

• 7-minutes workout app
• HIIT classes from Jeanette Jenkins on PopSugar
• Fitnessblender.com – tons of free workouts for every fitness level, including HIIT

PILATES


• Solidcore – 15 minute on-demand pilates workout

• Pilates streaming workouts

• Pilates at home: LIVE online mat Classes (donations requested)

RUNNING


• Nike run club on the Apple Watch – use to track your running pace
• Couch to 5K app – for starting to develop runner habits
• Peloton app – currently free for new users for 90 days and no bike needed (they have strength, bootcamps, meditation, yoga, and outdoor walking/running classes)

DANCE

• Wollendance.com – Hip hop, zumba, cardio dance and more. 14 days free to access the live streaming classes
• Dance Church – https://go.dancechurch.com/

• Tiler Peck NYC Ballet Principal Dancer is doing live-streamed ballet classes M-F 10am PT/1pm ET on Instagram
• http://steezy.co/ Free dance classes in different styles

• Free Netflix Party – watch Netflix with your friends online with synchronized playback and group chat
• Quarantine approved dates – The New York Times

• Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s job board
• VIATEC’s job board
• BC Local Government job posting service

What’s happening in your Municipality?

Municipal websites – find yours here

BUILD BACK VICTORIA re-opening & recovery– City of Victoria

Buy Gift Certificates to Support Local Businesses (Support Local – Greater Victoria)

Think Local First (TLF Victoria) Supporting local businesses

Better Buy Sooke supporting businesses in the region

Community Support Fund – (Community Microlending)

Buy Local and Support Local Farmers
Fresh produce from local farmers in the Greater Victoria region

• Moss Street Market – Online market with pickup and delivery options
• 10 Acres Market – Online market and restaurant with pickup and delivery options

What businesses are operating in your area?

• Comprehensive guide to what’s open in Greater Victoria (The Capital)
• Closures and adjusted hours (VictoriaBuzz)
• Local restaurant services (Tasting Victoria)
• Take-out dining options (islandist)
• Central Saanich business updates (Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)
• North Saanich business updates (Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)
• Westshore business updates (Westshore Chamber of Commerce)
• Sidney business updates (Sidney BIA)
• Sooke business updates (District of Sooke)
• Open for Business (TimesColonist)

Stay home while supporting local restaurants

• Uber Eats
• Tutti Victoria
• Skip the Dishes
• DoorDash

Need Something picked up and delivered?

Magic on-demand delivery operating in Greater Victoria can pick up from just about anywhere

Find Financial Help – Government of Canada
Dedicated tool to assist in finding the right financial aids for you

Government of Canada – Department of Finance resources

GENERAL

• Improved access to Employment Insurance (EI)
  Waiving the one-week waiting period to provide immediate support for workers in quarantine
• Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits
  Provide you with up to 15 weeks of financial assistance if you cannot work for medical reasons. You could receive 55% of your earnings up to a maximum of $573 a week
• Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
  Taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19
• B.C Emergency Benefit for Workers
  A tax-free, one time $1,000 payment for B.C. residents whose ability to work has been affected (must meet eligibility requirements of the CERB
• Boosting Canada child benefit payments
  With $2 billion extra to ensure working families have enough money to support their kids
• Emergency support benefit
  Administered through the CRA is to provide support to workers who are not eligible for EI but are facing unemployment

TAX & FINANCING

• Extending the tax filing deadline to June 1, 2020
• GST Credit – One time special payment early may, close to $400 for single individuals and $600 for couples
• Major banks cut credit card interest rates
• Mortgage support through your financial institution
• Rental support Province is implementing a temporary rent supplement up to $500 per month, paid directly to landlords

UTILITIES

• BC HYDRO customer assistance program arrange flexible payment options
• FortisBC waiving late payment fees
• Shaw has opened up Shaw Go WiFi network to everyone
• Telus is waiving home internet overage charges, plus more
• ICBC deferred monthly Autoplan payments

SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE FACING UNEMPLOYMENT

• Improved access to Employment Insurance (EI)
  Waiving the one-week waiting period to provide immediate support for workers in quarantine.
• The new emergency support benefit

SUPPORT FOR FIRST NATIONS

• First Nations support services guide
• A new Indigenous community support fund

SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE SICK, QUARANTINED OR UNABLE TO WORK

• Improved access to Employment Insurance Sickness Benefit
• The new emergency care benefit

SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW AND MODEST INCOME

• Increased goods and services tax credit this year
• Enhancing the Reaching Home initiative
• Support women’s shelters and sexual assault centres

SUPPORT FOR SENIORS

• Eased the rules for Registered Retirement Income Funds
• New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) available during COVID-19
• Senior Guide to Mental Health during COVID-19

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES

• A moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans
• Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) and Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG – Government of Canada

• Income support for individuals who need it most
• Flexibility for taxpayer
• Mortgage default management tools
• Role of financial institutions