Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

Extension for CEBA-equivalent RRRF funding repayment

The repayment deadline to qualify for partial forgiveness for CEBA-equivalent lending through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) has been extended to January 18, 2024. If you are unable to pay the outstanding amount by this date, you will have one extra year (to December 31, 2026) to repay the entire balance of the contribution.

ACOA will contact funding recipients who are eligible for this extension. For CBDC clients, the same extensions apply. Contact your CBDC to discuss your specific situation.

The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund IS CLOSED and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is no longer accepting applications.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have significant impacts on businesses, workers and communities across the country.

The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) is a $2 billion liquidity assistance lifeline for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that have been rejected by or were unable to access other federal pandemic support programs, or that continue to have liquidity needs.

Graphics that reads Regional Relief and Recovery Fund


Support for affected Atlantic Canadian businesses and communities

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Atlantic Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) are distributing the RRRF in Atlantic Canada.

The RRRF is complementary to existing federal programs

You must first apply for other federal support measures before applying to the RRRF. Applicants are required to attest that they have applied for other federal benefits and were approved, rejected or deemed ineligible. These include, among others:

 

ACOA program officers are available to help guide you through the various federal and provincial support measures to help you determine which funding is best suited to your needs. You can also find details on federal measures on the support for business page of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan website.

 More than $250 million overall to Atlantic Canada:

  • $154.05 million through ACOA to support:
    • Small and medium-sized businesses; and
    • Organizations that provide support services to businesses or undertake commercial activities.
    • ACOA is also injecting funding to support Main Street businesses in the following six Atlantic Canadian cities: This funding is supporting businesses in those cities ineligible for other federal measures related to COVID-19 that are already in place.
  • $99.6 million through the Atlantic Association of CBDCs to support main street businesses such as restaurants and retailers in small, rural and remote communities across the region.
    • Visit the CBDC website and click on your province for additional information on how to apply for the RRRF

 

Who can apply to the RRRF?

Businesses and organizations that have either:

Businesses in sectors that are critical to the resilience and survival of Atlantic Canada’s economy, such as advanced manufacturing, ocean industries, clean growth technology, and tourism, may be given priority.

How to apply

ACOA

CBDCs

Urban main street lenders

ACOA has enlisted third-party organizations to deliver some funding from the RRRF for urban Main Street support in select cities in Atlantic Canada. Find your local lender below and follow the link for information on how to apply.

After you apply

ACOA will assess applications as soon as they are received. We can quickly process applications that are in good order. Please reach out to ACOA to discuss your situation before you apply to ensure a seamless and speedy application process.

If you need additional information

If your business is located outside of Atlantic Canada, please contact the regional development agency in your region to see whether the RRRF might be able to help you.

Frequently asked questions

When can I apply for RRRF funding?

The RRRF is now closed and applications are no longer being accepted. Please speak with your ACOA program officer, or contact 1-888-576-4444 or ACOA.information.APECA@acoa-apeca.gc.ca, to discuss other programs that may meet your needs.

I have not received federal emergency funds from other federal programs. Will I automatically get support through the RRRF?

ACOA and the CBDCs are making every effort to extend the RRRF to as many businesses as possible to ensure none are left behind. However, demand for funds may exceed what is available and some businesses may need to seek other options.

Please reach out to ACOA with any questions you have related to your specific needs. ACOA staff are well equipped to guide you through the various federal and provincial support measures available to you.

I received some funds from another program, but I need more support. Can the RRRF help me?

If your business has applied for and received relief funding from other federal measures and is still left with gaps or has been rejected by other relief funding, a repayable or conditionally repayable contribution may be available. Businesses that play a key role in the community, that are experiencing liquidity issues and that can demonstrate they are still active or were active March 15, 2020, may be eligible for funding. Please consult an ACOA official to discuss your particular situation and needs.

How will I receive ACOA funding under the RRRF?

Once you have accepted an offer of approved funds, ACOA may provide you with an advance of up to half of that amount. This will help ensure that you have access to the cash flow you need to keep operating and protect jobs. ACOA will provide the rest of the funding after you submit valid claims.

Will I have to repay the RRRF support I get from ACOA?

Contributions given to not-for-profit organizations will be non-repayable. Businesses may receive repayable or conditionally repayable contributions. All repayment terms and conditions, including timelines, will be detailed in your contribution agreement.

What is the maximum amount I can get for my business through the RRRF?

Depending on the circumstances, if your business does not qualify for existing federal measures, you may be eligible for funding amounts comparable to federal benefits already announced. Please consult an ACOA official to discuss your particular situation and needs.

Are there any restrictions on how I can use RRRF funds?

You can only use the funds from the RRRF to pay for eligible costs as described in your contribution agreement. Eligible costs will be determined on a case-by-case basis, which you can discuss with your ACOA program officer.

How do I know if I am eligible for the repayment deadline extension to qualify for partial loan forgiveness of CEBA-equivalent lending through the RRRF that was announced by the Government of Canada on January 12, 2022?

ACOA funding recipients affected by this change will receive written notification of the extended repayment deadline.

If you are a CBDC client, more information will be provided on the CBDC website as it becomes available.

If you are an Urban Main Street loan client, contact your lending organization to determine if you are eligible for the extension.

Contact us today!

Ready for your next move?

If so, the ACOA Business Information Services can help you. We’ll connect you to the right people and programs to help you achieve your goals. Our service is personal, bilingual and free. Call us at 1-888-576-4444 and get started today!

Or contact us by email:

Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Atlantic time)

Grants and Contributions Awarded

Are you interested in businesses and organizations that received ACOA funding? Consult the Open Government Portal to search past recipients of our programs.

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