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Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Support for individuals

Individuals and families

  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

    We are providing a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks to eligible workers who have lost income or stopped working due to COVID-19.

    An online questionnaire will help us direct you to the service option that best fits your situation (i.e. eligibility for Employment Insurance benefits or not).

    Apply for the CERB

    You can also apply over the phone: 1‑833‑966‑2099

  • Increasing the Canada Child Benefit

    An extra $300 per child was delivered through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20.

    This benefit was delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment on May 20.

    Those who already receive the CCB do not need to re-apply.

    Apply for the CCB

  • Extra time to file income tax returns

    The due date for filling individual 2019 income tax returns has been deferred until June 1, 2020. Any new income tax balances due, or instalments, are also being deferred until after August 31, 2020 without incurring interest or penalties.

    View all income tax and filing payment deadlines

  • Mortgage payment deferral

    Homeowners facing financial hardship may be eligible for a mortgage payment deferral of up to six months.

    The deferral is an agreement between you and your lender. Typically, the agreement indicates that you and your lender have agreed to pause or suspend your mortgage payments for a certain amount of time. After the agreement ends, your mortgage payments return to normal and the deferred payments — including principal and accumulated interest – are added to the outstanding principal balance and subsequently repaid throughout the life of the mortgage.

    To know if you are eligible for a mortgage payment deferral or to learn what options are available, contact your lender — your bank or your mortgage professional.

    Learn more about mortgage payment deferral

  • Temporary wage top-up for low-income essential workers

    All provinces and territories have confirmed, or are in the process of confirming, plans to provide wage top-ups for essential workers.

    We will provide up to $3 billion in federal support to increase the wages of low-income essential workers. Each province or territory will determine which workers would be eligible for support, and how much support they will receive.

  • Special Goods and Services Tax credit payment

    We provided a one-time special payment through the Goods and Services Tax credit for low and modest-income families.

    The average additional benefit will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.

    Learn more about the Goods and Services Tax credit

Post-secondary students and recent graduates

  • Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)

    We are providing a taxable benefit of $1,250 every 4 weeks to eligible students or $2,000 to eligible students with dependents or with disability who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or Employment Insurance or unable to work due to COVID-19.

    This benefit is available from May to August 2020.

    Apply for the CESB

    You can also look for employment opportunities through the Job Bank

  • Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG)

    We are launching the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG), which will help students gain valuable work experience and skills while they help their communities during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

    For students who choose to do national service and serve their communities, the new CSSG will provide up to $5,000 towards their education in the fall.

    More details will be made available on the “I Want to Help” platform soon.

  • Helping student loan borrowers

    Changes to the Canada Student Loans Program

    We made changes to the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) to allow more students to qualify for support and be eligible for greater amounts.

    The changes include:

    • doubling the Canada Student Grants for all eligible full-time students to up to $6,000 and up to $3,600 for part-time students in 2020-21. The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependents would also be doubled.
    • broadening eligibility for student financial assistance by removing the expected student’s and spouse’s contributions in 2020-21.
    • raising the maximum weekly amount that can be provided to a student in 2020-21 from $210 to $350.

    Learn more about changes to the Canada Student Loans Program


    Suspending repayment and interest on student and apprentice loans

    All student loan borrowers will automatically have their loan repayments and interest suspended until September 30, 2020.

    Learn more about the moratorium on the repayment

  • Supporting student researchers and post-doctoral fellows

    We are providing additional support to student researchers and post-doctoral fellows through the federal granting councils.

    Funding will support a one-semester extension for eligible students whose research scholarships or fellowships end between March and August 2020 and who intend to continue their studies. It will also provide a 3-month extension in funding for holders of federal research grants to support eligible trainees and staff paid out of these awards.

    Learn more about the Federal Granting Agencies

  • Supporting international students working in an essential service

    We have removed the restriction that allows international students to work only a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods.

    This temporary rule change will be in place until August 31, 2020.

    Consult the Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Seniors

  • Providing a one-time tax-free payment for Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement

    We are providing a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

    This measure would give a total of $500 to individuals who are eligible to receive both the OAS and the GIS, and will help them cover increased costs caused by COVID-19.

    You do not have to apply    . This payment will be issued as soon as possible.

    Learn more about the one-time tax-free payment

  • Temporarily extending the Guaranteed Income Supplement and Allowance payments

    We are temporarily extending GIS and Allowance payments if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been assessed.

    This will ensure that the most vulnerable seniors continue to receive their benefits when they need them the most. To avoid an interruption in benefits, seniors are encouraged to submit their 2019 income information as soon as possible and no later than by October 1, 2020.

  • Reduced minimum withdrawals for Registered Retirement Income Funds

    We reduced the required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25 % for 2020.

    Learn more about Registered Retirement Income Funds

Indigenous peoples

  • Supporting Indigenous communities

    Addressing immediate needs in Indigenous communities

    We are providing $305 million for a new distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities.

    These funds could be used for measures including, but not limited to:

    • support for Elders and vulnerable community members,
    • measures to address food insecurity,
    • educational and other support for children,
    • mental health assistance and emergency response services,
    • preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    Learn more about the Indigenous Community Support Fund

    Supporting public health needs and preparedness

    We are providing $100 million to support a range of federal health measures, including support for preparedness in First Nation and Inuit communities.

    Learn more about this support to Indigenous communities

  • Making personal hygiene products and nutritious food more affordable

    We are providing an additional $25 million to Nutrition North Canada to increase subsidies so families can afford much-needed personal hygiene products and nutritious food.

    Learn more about Nutrition North Canada

  • Providing support to Indigenous post-secondary students

    We are providing $75.2 million to offer additional distinctions-based support to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation post-secondary students

Indigenous peoples can also access all other benefits.

Find the support you need


Support for businesses

Avoiding layoffs, rehiring employees and creating new jobs

  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

    We are covering 75% of an employee's wages – up to $847 per week - for eligible employers. The CEWS will allow you to re-hire your employees and avoid layoffs during the crisis.

    The program will be in place until August 29.

    Apply for the CEWS

  • Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy

    The Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy is a three-month measure that allows eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency.

    Learn more about the Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy for Employers

  • Extending the Work-Sharing program

    We have extended the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19. This measure will provide income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers.

    Apply to the Work-Sharing program

  • Creating new jobs and opportunities for youth

    We are creating up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training opportunities to help students find employment and develop valuable skills this summer and over the coming months.

    We also made temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program to allow employers to:

    • receive an increased wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100 % of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee;
    • extend the end date for employment to February 28, 2021;
    • adapt their projects and job activities;
    • hire staff on a part-time basis.

    Learn more about the various programs:

Taxes and tariffs

  • More time to pay income taxes

    We are allowing all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act.

    No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. 

    View all income tax filing and payment deadlines

  • Deferral of Sales Tax Remittance and Customs Duty Payments until June

    We are allowing businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer until June 30, 2020 payments of the GST/HST, as well as customs duty owing on their imports.

    Any GST/HST payment that becomes owing from March 27 until the end of May can be deferred until the end of June. For GST and customs duty payments for imported goods, deferral will include amounts owing for March, April and May.

    These amounts were normally due to be submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency as early as the end of March 2020.

    Learn more about the deferral of GST/HST tax remittances and customs duty owing on imports

  • Waiving tariffs on certain medical goods

    We are waiving tariffs on certain medical goods, including PPE such as masks and gloves.

    This will reduce the cost of imported PPE for Canadians, help protect workers, and ensure our supply chains can keep functioning well.

    Learn more about this tariff relief

Financial support, loans and access to credit

  • Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) interest-free loans

    The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced. This program has been implemented by banks and credit unions in collaboration with Export Development Canada.

    Business owners can apply for support from CEBA through their banks and credit unions.

    Learn more about the CEBA

  • Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

    Through the Business Credit Availability Program, Export Development Canada (EDC) is working with financial institutions to guarantee 80% of new operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    This financing support is to be used for operational expenses and is available to both exporting and non-exporting companies.

    This program is now available at various banks and credit unions.

  • Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

    Through the Business Credit Availability Program, Business Development Canada (BDC) is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans of up to $6.25 million to SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements.

    The program offers differing maximum finance amounts based on business revenues.

    This support is available until or before September 30, 2020.

    This program is now available at various banks and credit unions.

  • Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

    We are providing nearly $962 million through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to help more businesses and organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, tourism and others that are key to the regions and to local economies. This fund is specifically targeted to those that may require additional help to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, but have been unable to access other support measures.

    Apply to the RRRF through your local Regional Development Agency

  • Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)

    Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.

    Over the course of the program, property owners will reduce rent by at least 75 % for the months of April and May (retroactive), and June, for their small business tenants. CECRA will cover 50 % of the rent, with the tenant paying up to 25 % and the property owner forgiving at least 25 %.

    Apply to CERCA

  • Mid-Market Financing Program

    Through the Business Credit Availability Program, the Business Development Canada’s (BDC) Mid-Market Financing Program will provide commercial loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million to medium-sized businesses whose credit needs exceed what is already available through the Business Credit Availability Program and other measures.

    BDC anticipates that qualifying companies will have annual revenues in excess of approximately $100 million.

    More details will be made available soon.

  • Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program

    Through the Business Credit Availability Program, EDC’s Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program will bring liquidity to companies who tend to have revenues of between $50 million to $300 million, to sustain operations during this uncertain period. EDC will continue to work with Canadian financial institutions to guarantee 75 % of new operating credit and cash-flow loans – ranging in size from $16.75 million to a maximum of $80 million.

    These expanded guarantees are available to exporters, international investors and businesses that sell their products or services within Canada.

    More details will be made available soon.

  • Businesses in the territories

    We are making available $15 million in non-repayable support for businesses in the territories to help address the impacts of COVID-19. This support will assist businesses with operating costs not already covered by other Government of Canada measures.

    Apply to the Northern Business Relief Fund

  • Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)

    The Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) provides bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers, whose needs during the pandemic are not being met through conventional financing, in order to keep their operations going.

    The additional liquidity provided through LEEFF allows Canada’s largest businesses, their workers and their suppliers to remain active during this difficult time, and position them for a rapid economic recovery.

    This program is delivered by the Canada Development Investment Corporation, in cooperation with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the Department of Finance.

    Apply to the LEEF program  

  • Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) for early-stage businesses

    We are investing $250 million to assist innovative, early-stage companies that are unable to access other COVID-19 business supports through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP).

    IRAP provides advice, connections, and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market.

    Applications have closed

    Learn more about the IRAP

  • Additional support by sector

Targeted support

  • Young entrepreneurs

    We are providing $20.1 million in support for Futurpreneur Canada to continue supporting young entrepreneurs across Canada who are facing challenges due to COVID-19. The funding will allow Futurpreneur Canada to provide payment relief for its clients for up to 12 months.

    Learn more about Futurpreneur Canada

  • Women entrepreneurs

    We are providing $15 million in new funding through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). This funding will be available to existing WES Ecosystem Fund recipient organizations, enabling these third-party organizations to provide timely support and advice to women entrepreneurs facing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Learn more about the WES Ecosystem Fund

Support for self-employed individuals

  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

    We are providing a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks to eligible workers who have lost income or stopped working due to COVID-19.

    An online questionnaire will help us direct you to the service option that best fits your situation (i.e. eligibility for Employment Insurance benefits or not).

    Apply for the CERB

    You can also apply over the phone: 1‑833‑966‑2099

  • Deferral of Sales Tax Remittance and Customs Duty Payments until June

    We are allowing businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer until June 30, 2020 payments of the GST/HST, as well as customs duty owing on their imports.

    Any GST/HST payment that becomes owing from March 27 until the end of May can be deferred until the end of June. For GST and customs duty payments for imported goods, deferral will include amounts owing for March, April and May.

    These amounts were normally due to be submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency as early as the end of March 2020.

    Learn more about the deferral of GST/HST tax remittances and customs duty owing on imports

  • More time to pay income taxes

    We are allowing all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act.

    No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. 

    View all income tax and filing payment deadlines

Indigenous businesses

  • Relief measures for Indigenous bussinesses

    We are providing $306.8 million in funding to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that offer financing to these businesses.

    The funding will allow for short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, which offer financing and business support services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses.

    Financial support for Indigenous businesses will be provided through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, and administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association and the Métis capital corporations in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada.

    Learn more about this measure for Indigenous SME

Indigenous peoples can also access all other benefits.

Supporting financial stability

  • Relief for federally regulated pension plan sponsors

    We are providing immediate, temporary relief to sponsors of federally regulated, defined benefit pension plans in the form of a moratorium, through the remainder of 2020, on solvency payment requirements for defined benefit plans.

    This relief will help ensure that employers have the financial resources they need to maintain their operations and their pension plans, and to protect the retirement security of their workers and retirees.

  • Launching an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program

    We launched an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program, in which we will purchase up to $150 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

    This action will provide long-term stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders, help facilitate continued lending to Canadian consumers and businesses, and add liquidity to Canada's mortgage market.

    Learn more about the Insured Mortgage Purchase Program

  • Bank of Canada's actions

    The Bank of Canada is acting in several ways to support the economy and financial system and stands ready to take any and all actions that it can to protect the well-being of Canadians during this difficult time. The Bank has responded by lowering interest rates, intervening to support key financial markets and providing liquidity support for financial institutions.

    Learn more about Bank of Canada's actions

  • Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions actions

    The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions announced it is lowering the Domestic Stability Buffer by 1.25% of risk-weighted assets. This action will allow Canada's large banks to inject $300 billion of additional lending in to the economy.

Find the support you need for your business

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Support for sectors

Agriculture and agri-food

  • Keeping workers in the food supply chain safe

    We are providing $50 million to help farmers, fish harvesters, and all food production and processing employers, put in place the measures necessary to follow the mandatory 14-day isolation period required of all workers arriving from abroad.

    The Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP) provides support of $1,500 for each temporary foreign worker, to employers or those working with them to ensure requirements are fully met. The funding is conditional on employers not being found in violation of the mandatory isolation.

    Apply to the MISTFWP

  • Increasing credit availability

    We have enabled Farm Credit Canada to provide an additional $5 billion in lending to producers, agribusinesses, and food processors. This will offer increased flexibility to farmers who face cashflow issues and to processors who are impacted by lost sales, helping them remain financially sound during this difficult time.

    You can also contact your banks and credit unions to discuss other support available.

    Learn more about increasing credit availability

  • Helping food producers access more PPE and adapt to health protocols

    We are creating a $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund to help food producers access more personal protective equipment (PPE), adapt to health protocols, automate or modernize their facilities, processes, and operations, and respond to emerging pressures from COVID-19 so they can better supply Canadians with food during this period.

  • Helping producers faced with additional costs incurred by COVID-19

    We are launching a national AgriRecovery initiative of up to $125 million in funding to help producers faced with additional costs incurred by COVID-19 such as set-asides for cattle and hog management programs to manage livestock backed-up on farms, due to the temporary closure of food processing plants.

    This new federal funding will help beef and pork producers and processors adapt to a changing market, and help farmers and ranchers keep their animals longer before marketing.

  • Increasing the Canadian Dairy Commission borrowing limit

    We have increased the Canadian Dairy Commission’s borrowing limit by $200 million to support costs associated with the temporary storage of cheese and butter to avoid food waste.

  • Helping redistribute existing and unsold inventories

    We are launching the Surplus Food Purchase Program with an initial $50 million fund designed to help redistribute existing and unsold inventories, which could include products such as potatoes and poultry, to local food organizations who are serving vulnerable Canadians.

  • Increasing interim payments from 50% to 75% through AgriStability

    We are working with provinces and territories to increase interim payments from 50 % to 75 % through AgriStability, a federal, provincial and territorial program that supports producers who face significant revenue declines. This change has already been enacted in some provinces.

    Learn more about the AgriStability program

  • Expanding AgriInsurance to include labour shortage

    We are working with provinces and territories to explore possibilities for expanding the AgriInsurance program to include labour shortages as an eligible risk for the horticulture sector. This work would insure against lost production due to an insufficient workforce, should producers be unable to find enough labour to harvest.

    Learn more about the AgriInsurance program

  • Additional support for your business

Aquaculture and fisheries

  • Keeping workers in the food supply chain safe

    We are providing $50 million to help farmers, fish harvesters, and all food production and processing employers, put in place the measures necessary to follow the mandatory 14-day isolation period required of all workers arriving from abroad.

    The Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP) provides support of $1,500 for each temporary foreign worker, to employers or those working with them to ensure requirements are fully met. The funding is conditional on employers not being found in violation of the mandatory isolation.

    Apply to the MISTFWP

  • Increasing credit availability

    We have enabled Farm Credit Canada to provide an additional $5 billion in lending to producers, agribusinesses, and food processors. This will offer increased flexibility to farmers who face cashflow issues and to processors who are impacted by lost sales, helping them remain financially sound during this difficult time.

    Learn more about increasing credit availablility

  • Assisting the fish and seafood processing sector

    We are providing $62.5 million of new assistance to the fish and seafood processing sector through the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund.

    This will help businesses:

    • access short-term financing to pay for maintenance and inventory costs;
    • add storage capacity for unsold product;
    • comply with new health and safety measures for workers;
    • support new manufacturing/automated technologies to improve productivity and quality of finished seafood products; and,
    • adapt products to respond to changing requirements and new market demands.

    More details will be available soon.

  • Fish Harvester Grant Benefit

    We are launching the Fish Harvester Benefit, to provide income support for this year’s fishing seasons to eligible self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons crew who cannot access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.

    This support will be provided to those that experience fishing income declines of greater than 25% in the 2020 tax year, compared with a reference period to be identified.

    This measure covers 75% of fishing income losses beyond a 25% income decline threshold, up to a maximum individual entitlement equivalent to what is provided under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ($847 per week for up to 12 weeks).

    More details will be available soon.

  • Fish Harvester Grant  Business

    We are launching the Fish Harvester Grant, to provide grants to fish harvesters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and who are ineligible for the Canada Emergency Business Account or equivalent measures.

    This will provide more liquidity to address non-deferrable business costs. The program would provide non-repayable support of up to $10,000 to self-employed fish harvesters with a valid fishing licence. Size of the non-repayable support will vary depending on the level of fish harvesters’ historic revenue.

    More details will be available soon.

  • Changes to EI for self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons

    We are proposing measures or changes to Employment Insurance (EI) that would allow self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons to access EI benefits on the basis of insurable earnings from previous seasons (winter and summer claims).

    More details will be available soon.

  • Additional support for your business

Culture, heritage and sport

Air transportation

Tourism

Energy

  • Cleaning up orphan and inactive oil and gas wells

    We are providing up to $1.72 billion to the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, and to the Alberta Orphan Well Association, to clean up orphan and inactive oil and gas wells. This will help maintain approximately 5,200 jobs in Alberta alone.

  • Launching the Emissions Reduction Fund

    We are providing up to $750 million to create a new Emissions Reduction Fund to support workers and reduce emissions in Canada's oil and gas sector, with a focus on methane.

    This fund will provide primarily repayable contributions to conventional and offshore oil and gas firms to support their investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Of this amount, $75 million will be allocated to the offshore sector.

  • Additional support for your business

Academic and research

  • Providing wage support for universities and health research institutes

    We are providing wage support for up to 75% of wages for individuals working in universities and health institutes, for a maximum of $847 per week per employee.

    This will ensure that universities and health research institutes can retain research staff.

  • Covering eligible costs to maintain research activities

    We are covering up to 75% of total eligible costs for research activities, and will support activities such as the safe storage of dangerous substances, and restarting data sets that were interrupted during the pandemic.

    This will ensure that universities and health research institutes maintain essential research activities and return to full research operations once back to normal.


Support for organizations helping Canadians

Services to those in need

  • Helping vulnerable Canadians

    We invested $350 million to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need.

    Apply to the Emergency Community Fund
    United Way
    Canadian Red Cross
    Community Foundations of Canada 

  • Improving access to essential food support

    We are providing $100 million to national, regional, and local organizations across Canada to:

    • Purchase, transport and distribute food and other basic necessities
    • hire temporary help to fill volunteer shortages
    • implement safety measures, such as the purchase of personal protective equipment, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among volunteers and clients.

    These organizations – including but not limited to Food Banks Canada, Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada – will work with partners to meet the urgent food needs of Canadians.

Seniors

  • Supporting the delivery of items and personal outreach

    We are contributing $9 million through United Way Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors. These services could include the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals' needs and connect them to community supports.

    Contact your local organization

  • Providing immediate and essential services to seniors

    We are expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program with an additional investment of $20 million to support organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network.

    For all organizations who received funding under the 2019-2020 New Horizons for Seniors Program community-based stream, funding can be used to provide immediate and essential services to seniors impacted by COVID-19.

    Learn more about the New Horizons for Seniors Program

People who need it most

  • Supporting people experiencing homelessness

    We are continuing to support people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak by providing $157.5 million to the Reaching Home initiative.

    The funding can be used by recipients for a range of needs such as purchasing beds and physical barriers for social distancing and securing accommodation to reduce overcrowding in shelters.

    Learn more about the Reaching Home initiative

  • Supporting women and children fleeing violence

    We provided support to women's shelters and sexual assault centres, including facilities in Indigenous communities, to help manage and prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in their facilities.

    Over 500 organizations across Canada received support to protect some of Canada’s most vulnerable.

    View the list of organizations that received support
  • Providing youth with mental health support

    We are giving $7.5 million in funding to Kids Help Phone to provide young people with the mental health support they need during this difficult time.

    Get the support you need

  • Supporting public health efforts through the Canadian Red Cross

    We are providing $100 million to the Canadian Red Cross to enhance their response capacity and to support public health efforts. With this funding, the Red Cross will:

    • Recruit and train volunteers and staff
    • Adapt its operations to the COVID-19 context
    • Support quarantine and isolation sites
    • Acquire personal protective equipment for its personnel and volunteers
    • Provide training to the health care sector and other essential workers on using personal protective equipment, and maintaining infection prevention and control measures within facilities
    • Expand their roster of public health and infection prevention and control specialists
    • Procure and deploy, as necessary, emergency health supplies and equipment, including a mobile field hospital, to prepare for future waves and outbreaks of COVID-19

    Learn how Red Cross is helping

  • Additional support for your organization

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