WorkSafeBC has released information on the required COVID-19 Safety Plan and has created a COVID-19 and Returning to Safe Operation page to provide general guidance. It lays out a six-step process for employers to follow when preparing to return to operation safely, in a manner that reduces the potential for COVID-19 transmission.

You can also view industry specific information they have developed to complement their existing health and safety information. They are updating industry specific pages as these resources are developed to ensure a safe environment for your employees and customers.

• Applies to hospitality and fitness businesses directly affected by the March 30, 2021 provincial health order
• Provides affected businesses with up to $10,000 in one-time funding
• Grants are available until June 4, 2021 or until funds are fully expended

• Incorporated businesses can recover 100% of the PST on qualifying machinery and equipment purchased between Sept. 17, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021

• Provides grants to small and medium-sized businesses that manufacture or process value-added products to accelerate and innovate capacity, strengthen critical provincial supply chains and create new, sustainable economic opportunities for businesses
• Grant applications will be accepted between April 15 and May 31, 2021

• Applies to BC farmers, fishers, and food and beverage processors
• Program includes a Buy BC logo licensing and Buy BC cost-sharing component
• Applications deadline is April 7, 2021

To learn more, visit, and apply:

Buy BC Partnership Program | Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (iafbc.ca)

• Applies to small- and medium-sized businesses looking to create an online shop and/or improve their e-commerce experience to attract new customers and expand to new markets
• Program application intake is open until September 30, 2021 or until the funds have been fully subscribed

To learn more visit Launch Online

• Applies to small and medium-sized businesses that have experienced a decline in revenues since March 10, 2020
• Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available

Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

Intended to help small businesses pay immediate operating costs through an interest-free loan

• Applies to business and non-profit employers with 2019 payroll from $20,000-$1.5M
• Financial institutions are able to provide up to $40,000 interest-free loan
• Businesses can also get an interest-free loan of up to $20,000 in addition to the original CEBA loan, half of which will be forgivable if repaid by Dec 31, 2022 

Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Intended to help businesses avoid layoffs and rehires

• Program has been extended to June 2021
• A base subsidy of employee wages is available to all eligible employers that are experiencing a decline in revenue

• Provides easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19
• Support up to a maximum of 65% of eligible expenses until December 19, 2020
• Rent support without the need to work through landlords

Business Credit Availability Program – Loan Guarantee 

Intended to provide credit and cash flow loans

• Various programs for businesses in all sectors and regions to obtain financing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)

Intended to provide bridge financing to large Canadian employers

• Applies to large Canadian employers with significant operations and workforce in Canada. With annual revenues of $300 million or more.
• Large for-profit enterprises in all sectors except for those in the financial sector
• Certain not-for-profit enterprises

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund

Support for businesses not eligible for CEBA

• Applies to businesses have applied for other federal relief measures and have not been able to secure fund
• Businesses that have accessed COVID-19 relief measures and continue to experience hardships
• Women-run businesses that are ineligible for other government COVID-19 funding

• Supports black business owners and entrepreneurs
• Provides loans between $25,000 to $250,000

• Emergency Loan Program: Small and medium-sized businesses can apply for short-term interest-free loans up to $30,000 and non-repayable contribution up to $10,000
• Indigenous Community Business Fund: First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities and collectives can access funding to support community owned businesses.

Learn more about the Emergency Loan Program 

Learn more about the Indigenous Community Business Fund

• Applies to hardest hit businesses, including those in sectors like tourism and hospitality, hotels, arts, and entertainment
• 100% government-guaranteed financing and low-interest loans

Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Seafood Supports

• Agriculture and seafood producers and processors can access a variety of government programs and funding to support their businesses including support for Temporary Foreign Workers, Indigenous Agriculture Development, Agri-innovation, Business Acceleration, and many more
• New Agritech Grant Program provides one-time funding to BC based agritech or technology companies, agriculture producers, or agrifood companies
• Agritech Concierges Program will provide personalised service to agritech businesses to grow, diversify, access new markets, and attract investment opportunities

Provincial programs

Federal programs

Agritech Grant Program

Agritech Concierges Program

• The provincial and federal governments have several programs that support the arts and culture sector
• Variety of funding options available for artists, groups, and organizations

Provincial programs

Federal funding

The Rapid Response Platform automatically matches supply with demand, simplifying supplier discovery during the procurement process. As Canada's industries return to work, there is an increased demand for PPE – is your company able to be a supplier?