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.
The Latest COVID-19 Government Funding Support News
COVID-19 Government Funding Support
Featured COVID-19 Funding Programs
- Canada Recovery Hiring Program – Wage Subsidy Post-CEWS: The Canada Recovery Hiring Program is a federal wage subsidy program that will support businesses hit hardest by the pandemic.
- Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI): Receive up to $10M in government funding towards transition the Canadian aerospace sector out of the COVID-19 pandemic and into a leader on the global stage.
- Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) Program: Ontario municipalities and organizations by covering up to 20% of the costs for hosting large events that meet the ministry’s definition of a Blockbuster Event.
- Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP) 2022 Intake: The provincial government has introduced the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program (OTRP) to help one of the hardest hit sectors by COVID-19. Receive up to $1 million in funding.
COVID-19 Government Funding Support
Provincial Responses to COVID-19
Ontario
- Ontario Small Business Relief Grant: This program is designed by the Ontario government to support small businesses that are struggling and losing business due to the lockdown measures put in place for the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
- Find Your Local Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC): The Ontario provincial government is investing over $2M in small business training and financial support during COVID-19 through local Small Business Enterprise Centres.
- Ontario Digital Main Street Recovery Plan: The provincial and federal governments have teamed up to help small businesses get online by providing them with training, an online store, and branding.
- Ontario Provincial Government’s Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Page: The Ontario provincial government has coordinated a wealth of information on COVID-19, including how Ontario is responding, testing information, self-isolation tips, the status of cases/testing, and other critical information for both individuals and businesses.
- The Ontario Made Program: The Ontario Made program gives local manufacturers a recognizable logo and an online page to promote and find made-in-Ontario products.
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
- Improve Your Working from Home Productivity: The team at Mentor Works has put together a list of ways you can increase your productivity when working from home and how to adapt to the working-from-home lifestyle.
- Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: The effort to address COVID-19 is extremely important for us all and poses a range of challenges on individuals and families as they respond to the demands of the situation. This resource is designed to provide information and suggestions about how best to cope with this difficult time.
- Yes, it is Possible to Train Your Team and Work from Home: Remote employee training requires a shift in mindset, but doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some tips and tricks for a successful transition.
- How COVID-19 Has Affected the Environment: Large-scale shifts in human behaviour and industry has resulted in massive environmental changes related to COVID-19.
- Canadian Government’s Official COVID-19 Help Page For Businesses and Employees: Support for workers, considerations for businesses navigating COVID-19 disruptions, Economic Response Plan, guidance for federal employees
- Customer Engagement in the Age of Social Distancing: Learn effective ways to stay engaged with your audience in a business world revolving around social distancing best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- How to Ensure Your Remote Workers’ Cybersecurity: Remote work has become the norm for many businesses. Ensure your business is following these best practices to stay safe while telecommuting.
- Recovery Activation Program (RAP): Learn how to adapt your Ontario business online for free with the Recovery Activation Program (RAP).
- Ontario Helping Small Businesses Create Their Online Presence: The provincial and federal governments have teamed up to help small businesses get online by providing them with training, an online store, and branding.
- Business Continuity Plan And Templates For Entrepreneurs: A suite of resources that businesses can leverage for planning key aspects of their business throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.
- How to Succeed in a Virtual Career Fair: Mentor Works explains what is a virtual career fair and shares a few tips for job seekers attending these online events.
- Leveraging Webinars to Connect with Customers During COVID-19: While we’ve shifted to remote working, webinars are a great tool to help develop and strengthen relationships with customers.
- Never Miss a Canadian Government Funding Update: Get notified of the latest Canadian government funding updates delivered directly to your inbox on a weekly basis.