COVID-19 Funding Programs

COVID-19 Grant, Loan, and Funding Programs from the Canadian Government

As Canada continues to adapt and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal and provincial governments have pivoted their business recovery strategy from COVID-19 relief programs, to funding programs that attract and retain employees, as well as building resilience within organizations.

The federally funded Canada emergency wage subsidy (CEWS) program had its final pay period on October 23, 2021. The program provided over $95.96 billion in wage subsidies to eligible Canadian businesses. (source)

Funding from COVID-19 financial support programs is being reallocated towards existing federal and provincial programs that support hiring new employees, developing skillsets’ within your workplace through external training programs, or building resilience in your business as we emerge from the pandemic. Connect with our team to find out which programs your business may be eligible for by calling us at 1-888-599-3111 or visiting our Get Funding Help page.

COVID-19 Government Funding Support

Featured COVID-19 Funding Programs

COVID-19 Government Funding Support

Provincial Responses to COVID-19

Ontario

British Columbia

  • COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information: BC’s official webpage for essential information, including self-assessments, child care, education, employment/finances, businesses, housing/monthly bills, transportation, travel/tourism, and healthcare.

Québec

  • Novel Coronavirus Situation Update: Québec has a dedicated page to report on the cases confirmed by region, measures taken by the government, FAQs, and information on school/childcare closures.

Alberta

  • General Alberta COVID-19 Info for Albertans: Reference information for Albertans related to affected organization availability, government service changes, and the government’s response.
  • Support for Albertans: The provincial government’s response and resources related to COVID-19, including emergency isolation support, utility payment deferral, student loan repayment deferral, banks/credit unions information, education property tax frees, news, and federal government support.

Manitoba

  • Manitoba’s COVID-19 Resources: Manitoba’s COVID-19 resource page provides access to Health Links, a self-screening tool, a news feed of updates, COVID-19 resources, and reported cases.

Saskatchewan

  • Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Resources: Saskatchewan’s provincial government page dedicated to COVID-19 is providing a self-assessment tool, Public Health orders, as well as information on self-isolation, testing, cases/risks, latest updates, and other resources.

East Coast (Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

  • Newfoundland & Labrador COVID-19 Resources: Newfoundland and Labrador’s site is dedicated to educating locals of pandemic updates, resources, tips, FAQs, travel advice, business closures, and the latest media briefings. They also offer forms fro public reporting and essential worker child care.
  • Nova Scotia Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources: Nova Scotia is providing its residents with alerts & notices, testing data, guidance on when to seek help, tips, support for businesses/health care, and changes to education.
  • New Brunswick COVID-19 Resources: The Government of New Brunswick is offering self-assessments, updates on cases/testing, the latest news, and actions that the province is taking in response to COVID-19.
  • Prince Edward Island (PEI) COVID-19 Resources: The PEI provincial government has a dedicated site to provide updates on cases and testing results, advice for individuals/families, closure information, FAQs, business resources, travel advisories, public orders, and other information.

COVID-19 Government Funding Support

COVID-19 Hiring and Training Programs

Funding allocated towards COVID-19 wage subsidy programs such as the Canada emergency wage subsidy (CEWS) have shifted to cost-sharing programs that focus on attracting new employees to your business, as well as retaining your current workforce and developing their skills with training provided by external third-party trainers. You can find the latest updates relating to these programs below. You can also visit our Hiring & Training program directory to sort through all available government funding programs.

Top three government funding programs:

  • Canada Summer Jobs: Support for employers providing supervised career-related work experience for youth employees. Funds up to 50% of employee minimum hourly rate. Non-profits can receive grants up to 100% of minimum wage.
  • Canada Job Grant (CJG): Designed to reduce the costs of providing third-party skills training to new and existing employees. Provides up to 50-100% of eligible costs covered in most provinces.
  • Youth Employment Program (IRAP): Designed to assist funding of hiring young Canadian post-secondary graduates. This program provides up to $30,000 per graduate (up to two) for a period of 6 to 12 months.

COVID-19 Government Funding Support

COVID-19 Business Recovery and Growth Programs

With many organizations needing to pivot their business model to adapt to the digital world as a result of the pandemic, the Canadian government is allocating additional funding towards existing programs that help diversify and expand the capabilities of business so to help them stay resilient when future challenges arise.

Top three government funding programs:

  • CanExport: Supports global expansion projects including participation in trade shows and government-led trade missions. Provides up to 50% of costs to a max $50,000 in grants.
  • Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Federal: Supports Canadian agricultural business expansion and growth. Provides up to 50%-75% of expenses to a max of $1M in federal grants.
  • Canada Media Fund: Experimental Stream: Supports developing, producing, and promoting innovative, interactive software development projects including apps and video games. Provides up to $15k-$1.5M per project phase in federal government grants.
  • Black Entrepreneurship Program: The Black Entrepreneurship Program aims to help thousands of Black Canadian entrepreneurs to rebuild their economic status following impacts caused by the global pandemic.

COVID-19 Government Funding

Tips & Resources for Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Let’s Find You Funding

You can utilize our grant writing services if your Canadian business is:

  • Incorporated For 2+ Years
  • Positive Net Income
  • Future Projects in Mind