COVID-19 Updates & Information For Businesses

Last update: September 1, 2020

WBE Canada Team is compiling a list of updates and resources to help Canadian women-owned businesses navigate necessary information and resources for your business. Bookmark this page for future updates. 

WBE Canada

• May 25 – WBE Canada announced its upcoming “Keep Selling, Keep Going” webinar for Wednesday June 10, 2020 at 12pm ET. Open to all businesses and public.
• May 6 – WBE Canada announced its upcoming “Growing Your Business Through Supplier Diversity” webinar for Wednesday June 3, 2020 at 2pm ET. Open to all businesses and public.
• May 6 – WBE Canada announced its upcoming “Leading in Our Remote World” webinar for Wednesday May 27, 2020 at 12pm ET. Open to all businesses and public.
• May 4 – WBE Canada announced its upcoming “Building Your Resilience During Challenging Times” webinar for Wednesday May 20, 2020 at 3pm ET. Open to all businesses and public.
• April 27 – WBE Canada announced its upcoming “Open Office Hour: Supply Chains During COVID-19” webinar with WBE Canada’s Corporate Member representatives for Wednesday May 6, 2020 at 2pm ET. This webinar is reserved for Certified WBE community.
• April 22 – WBE Canada announced its upcoming “Thriving Under Stress” webinar for Wednesday May 13, 2020 at 12pm ET. Open to all businesses and public.
• April 8 – WBE Canada announced its upcoming “How Top Leaders Think During a Crisis” webinar for Wednesday April 22, 2020 at 12pm ET
• April 3 – WBE Canada announced its upcoming “Government Funding and Financial Support During COVID-19” online panel for Thursday April 9, 2020 at 3pm EDT. Summary of this webinar is available here.
• March 30 – WBE Canada announced its upcoming “Leading Through Crisis” online panel for Friday April 3, 2020 at 3pm EDT. Link to recording is available on the event page.
• March 24 – WBE Canada published list of Resources & procurement opportunities for Canadian businesses 
• March 17 – WBE Canada President addressed WBE Community
• March 11 – WBE Canada cancelled all live events up until the end of June 2020 effective immediately. WBE Canada team was ruled to work from home until further notice and travel ban on domestic and international travel was established.

Government of Canada

• August 31 – Government announces greater flexibility and extension of Canada Emergency Business Account
• August 17 – Canada Revenue Agency opens applications for enhanced Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
• May 25 – Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance now open for applications
• May 20 – Prime Minister announces opening of Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses
• May 19 – Prime Minister announces expansion of support for workers and small businesses
• May 15 – Canada Summer Jobs start rolling out to keep young people working during COVID-19
• May 15 – Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program extended until end of August
• May 11 – Prime Minister announces additional support for businesses to help save Canadian jobs
• May 8 – Minister Bains announces new Industry Strategy Council
• May 8 – Prime Minister announces wage subsidy program is being extended beyond June
• May 5 – Supporting Canada’s farmers, food businesses, and food supply
• April 30 – Ontario Providing Employers with Workplace Safety Guidelines
• April 29 – Canadian Survey on Business Conditions: Impact of COVID-19 on businesses in Canada – New data now available!
• April 28 – Prime Minister releases joint statement by First Ministers for restarting the economy
• April 27 – The application portal for Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy is now open
• April 24 – Prime Minister announces additional measures to the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
• April 18 – Prime Minister announces support for Indigenous businesses
• April 17 – Prime Minister announces new measures to support small businesses, innovators and start-ups and those working in the arts, culture and sports sector.
• April 17 – NRC IRAP Innovation Assistance Program – for those ineligible for Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Government of Canada announced a new financial support program. To be eligible you must be a small or medium size company with less than 500 employees with a CRA business number, incorporated prior to March 1, 2020. Applications close at midnight ET on April 29, 2020. You must have a plan to pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada. 
• April 17 – Prime Minister announces new measures to support small businesses, innovators and start-ups and those working in the arts, culture and sports sector.
• April 16 – PM Trudeau unveils new business rent assistance, loosened loan qualifications
• April 13 – Keeping Canadians and workers in the food supply chain safe
• April 11 – Government Introduces COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2 to Help Businesses Keep Canadians in their Jobs
• April 11 – The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Bill has been passed
• April 9 – The Canada Emergency Business Account has launched
• April 8 – Prime Minister Trudeau has announced that the parameters to qualify for the wage subsidy program are being relaxed
• April 8 – Changes to Canada Summer Jobs program to help businesses and young Canadians affected by COVID-19
• April 7 – Prime Minister announces production of more medical supplies and equipment in Canada
• April 6 – Canadian Chamber and Government of Canada team up to launch Canadian Business Resilience Network to help businesses get through COVID-19
• April 1 – Government of Canada announces details about Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
• March 30 – Prime Minister shares details on Federal Wage Subsidy – available to businesses and organizations whose revenue decreased by at least 30%. Number of employees will not be a criteria. The subsidy will cover up to 75 per cent on the first $58,700 earned and is backdated to March 15. Prime Minister also warned businesses from gaming these supports saying that there will be serious consequences – no details were shared on this topic.
• March 27 – Prime Minister announces additional support for Canadian small businesses – 75% of wage subsidies, launch of Canada Emergency Business Account – interest free loans for eligible businesses available through banks, loans available through BDC & EDC, deferred taxes.