COVID-19 Business Resources:
Latest Updates
Coronavirus Statistics You Might Not Know
Monthly Updates
Beginning in August, we will be updating our COVID-19 resource section monthly. As British Columbians have taken many positive actions to flatten the curve of COVID-19, fewer immediate updates are required. We hope you continue to find value in this resource page. Please sign up to our Prosperity Weekly newsletter for regular updates on our Rising Economy Taskforce and other initiatives.
Latest Updates (November 20th - December 8th)
- BC Announces an extension to the strict new COVID-19 restrictions, effective December 7th and continuing into the New Year.
Latest Updates (October 1st - November 20th)
- BC Announces strict new two-week COVID-19 restrictions, effective midnight November 19th.
- New COVID-19 business relief announced.
Latest Updates (September 1st - October 1st)
- Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates – Government of BC
- Updates to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy – Government of Canada
- New Rent Relief program for Canadian small businesses – CBC
- See the latest COVID-19 Aid and Benefits – Government of Canada
Latest Updates (August 1st - September 1st)
- Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates – Government of BC
- 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
Latest Updates (July 25 - August 1st)
- Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates – Government of BC
- 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
Latest Updates (July 18 - July 25)
- Victoria parents to benefit from new child care spaces, Federal Government to provide $19 billion in funding to help the country’s economic recovery – Government of BC
- Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates– Government of BC
- Online tool speeds up temporary layoff application process – Government of BC
- 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
Latest Updates (July 12 - July 18)
- Federal Government to provide $19 billion in funding to help the country’s economic recovery – Financial Post
- Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates – Government of BC
- The week in COVID-19: B.C. economy improving, but new community cases show virus fight far from over – CBC News
- 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
Latest Updates (July 4 - July 11)
- 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
- 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 - Prime Minister announces support for students serving their communities and opportunities to gain paid work experience – Office of the Prime Minister
- Get the latest updates about the Covid-19 Response in British Columbia – BC Gov News
Latest Updates (June 26 - July 3)
- 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
Latest Updates (June 19 - June 26)
- 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
Latest Updates (June 12 - June 19)
- 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
Latest Updates (June 5 - June 12)
- $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
Latest Updates (May 29 - June 5)
- 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
Latest Updates (May 22 - May 29)
- 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
Latest Updates (May 15 - May 22)
- 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)
Latest Updates (May 8 - May 15)
- 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
Latest Updates (May 1 - May 8)
- 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
Latest Updates (April 24 - May 1)
- 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
Latest Updates (April 17 - April 24)
- 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
Latest Updates (April 10 - April 17)
- 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
Latest Updates (April 3 - April 10)
- 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
Business Resources
General Business Resources
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
Tips for employers reopening their businesses
- 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
Business Planning Resources
- 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
Lender & Corporate Business Assistance Programs
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
Manufacturers & Suppliers: Call to Action
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
Surviving Remote Work
Business Continuity
- 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
Remote Work Guides & Tips
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
Remote Work Tools & Deals
- 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
Online Education & Free Resources
- 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
Fitness at Home
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
Entertainment
- Free Netflix Party – watch Netflix with your friends online with synchronized playback and group chat
- Quarantine approved dates – The New York Times
Support Local Business
Local Job Boards
What’s happening in your Municipality?
Support your Local Businesses
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
Need Something picked up and delivered?
Magic on-demand delivery operating in Greater Victoria can pick up from just about anywhere
Individual Resources
General Resources
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
Funding & Relief Programs
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
SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE SICK, QUARANTINED OR UNABLE TO WORK
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
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