COVID-19 Business Resources:
Get Essential Links for Business

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.

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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)

Latest Updates (September 1st - October 1st)

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)

Latest Updates (July 12 - July 18)

Latest Updates (July 4 - July 11)

Latest Updates (June 26 - July 3)

Latest Updates (June 19 - June 26)

Latest Updates (June 12 - June 19)

Latest Updates (June 5 - June 12)

Latest Updates (May 29 - June 5)

Latest Updates (May 22 - May 29)

Latest Updates (May 15 - May 22)

Latest Updates (May 8 - May 15)

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)

Latest Updates (April 17 - April 24)

Latest Updates (April 10 - April 17)

Latest Updates (April 3 - April 10)

 

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

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

Tips for employers reopening their businesses

 

 

Business Planning Resources

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

COMMUNITY SUPPORT MEASURES

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA – BDC

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

LOCAL CREDIT UNIONS

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INITIATIVES

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

Remote Work Guides & Tips

GENERAL RESOURCES

CULTURE / PEOPLE

PARENTING FROM HOME

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

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


HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT)

PILATES


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

Entertainment

Support Local Business

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

What businesses are operating in your area?

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

TAX & FINANCING

UTILITIES