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.
On this page
- Support for individuals
- Support for businesses
- Support for sectors
- Support for organizations helping Canadians
- Support for provinces and territories
Support for individuals
Individuals and families
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Employment Insurance (EI) program
We announced temporary changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program to better support Canadians looking for work.
As of September 27, you may be eligible for EI if you:
- were employed for at least 120 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks
- received the CERB, the 52 week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended
- stopped working through no fault of your own
- have not quit your job voluntarily
- are ready, willing and capable of working each day (EI regular benefits)
- are temporarily unable to work while you care for someone else or yourself (EI maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits)
If you are eligible for EI benefits, you will receive a minimum taxable benefit at a rate of $500 per week, or $300 per week for extended parental benefits.
If you are not eligible for EI, you may be eligible for the proposed new benefits:
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Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
Pending the passage of legislation
We would provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks, to workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) and who still require income support.
You may be eligible for this benefit if you:
- are not eligible for EI
- reside and are present in Canada for the application period
- are at least 15 years old on the first day of the application period and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- earned a minimum of $5,000 in 2019, in 2020, or in the 12 months preceding your first application for this benefit from one or more of the following sources: employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance (EI) maternity or parental benefits; or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits
- have stopped working due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are available and looking for work; or are working and have had a reduction in their employment/self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19
- have had a reduction of at least 50% in your employment/self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19
- have not quit your job voluntarily
- are not receiving the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, any Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits for the week for which you are applying.
This benefit is pending the passage of legislation in the House of Commons and Senate. More details will be made available soon.
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Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
Pending the passage of legislation
We would provide $500 per week for up to two weeks, for workers who cannot work because they are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19.
- reside and are present in Canada for the application period
- are at least 15 years old on the first day of the application period and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- have earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or in 2020 or in the 12 months preceding your first application for this benefit from one or more of the following sources: employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance (EI) maternity or parental benefits; or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits
- have been unable to work for at least 50% of your normally scheduled work within a given week because of being sick or required to self-isolate for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- are not in receipt of paid leave from an employer in respect of the same week
- are not in receipt of the CERB, the EI Emergency Response Benefit (ERB), the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit, short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, or any EI benefits or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits in respect of the same week
This benefit is pending the passage of legislation in the House of Commons and Senate. More details will be made available soon.
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Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
Pending the passage of legislation
We would provide $500 per week, for up to 26 weeks per household to eligible workers who cannot work because they must provide care to children or family members due to the closure of schools, day cares or care facilities.
You may be eligible for this benefit if you:
- reside and are present in Canada for the application period
- are at least 15 years of age on the first day of the application period and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN);
- have earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or in 2020, or in the 12 months preceding your first application for this benefit from one or more of the following sources: employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance (EI) maternity or parental benefits; or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits
- have been unable to work for at least 50% of your normally scheduled work within a given week because of one of the following conditions:
- must take care of a child who is under 12 years of age on the first day of the period for which the benefit is claimed:
- because their school or daycare is closed or operates under an alternative schedule for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- who cannot attend school or daycare under the advice of a medical professional due to being at high risk if they contract COVID-19
- because the caregiver who usually provides care is not available for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- must provide care to a family member who requires supervised care:
- because their day program or care facility is closed or operates under an alternative schedule for reasons related to COVID-19
- who cannot attend their day program or care facility under the advice of a medical professional due to being at high risk if they contract COVID-19; or
- because the caregiver who usually provides care is not available for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- must take care of a child who is under 12 years of age on the first day of the period for which the benefit is claimed:
- are the only individual from your household claiming this benefit for the week in which you are applying
- are not in receipt of paid leave from an employer in respect of the same week
- are not in in receipt of the CERB, the EI Emergency Response Benefit (ERB), the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, or any EI benefits or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits in respect of the same week.
This benefit is pending the passage of legislation in the House of Commons and Senate. More details will be made available soon.
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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Closed
We provided a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 28 weeks to eligible workers who stopped working or whose work hours were reduced due to COVID-19.
If you continue to need financial support, find out if you are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI)
You can also look for employment opportunities through the Job Bank
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Extra time to pay income tax balances
The payment due date for current year individual, corporate, and trust income tax returns, including instalment payments has been extended to September 30, 2020. Penalties and interest will not be charged if payments are made by this date.
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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.
Persons with disabilities
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Special one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment
We are providing a one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment of $600 to help Canadians with disabilities who are recipients of any of the following programs or benefits:
- holders of a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate,
- beneficiaries as at July 1, 2020 of:
- Canada Pension Plan Disability
- Quebec Pension Plan Disability Pension,
- Disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada
If you are eligible but never applied for the Disability Tax Credit, or your certificate expired in 2019, you must do so by September 25, 2020.
Seniors who are eligible for the one-time payment for persons with disabilities would receive a total of $600 in special payments. The one-time payment to persons with disabilities would be adjusted to provide a top-up for eligible seniors, including:
- $300 for Canadians who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and who received the one-time seniors payment of $300; or
- $100 for Canadians who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowances and who received the one-time seniors payment of $500.
Payments are expected to be issued beginning this fall.
Post-secondary students and recent graduates
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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.
You can also look for employment opportunities through the Job Bank
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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.
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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.
Seniors
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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.
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Reduced minimum withdrawals for Registered Retirement Income Funds
We reduced the required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25 % for 2020.
Indigenous peoples
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Supporting Indigenous communities
Addressing immediate needs in Indigenous communities
We are providing $685 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.
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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.
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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
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Funding for additional health care resources for Indigenous communities
We are providing $285.1 million to fund community-led responses to the pandemic and provide targeted increases in primary health care resources for First Nations communities.
In case of outbreaks, this funding can be used to provide surge capacity and additional support for community-based services in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
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Boosting the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program
We are providing $270 million to supplement the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program to address increased demand on the program, which will help individuals and families meet their essential living expenses. It will also help hire additional staff to better serve First Nations communities and connect individuals to other government programs.
First Nations administer the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program. Program staff members play an important role in helping individuals with other needs, including providing referrals to mental health and addictions counselling, and helping families find and apply for appropriate government benefits, such as Employment Insurance, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, and the Canada Child Benefit.
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New shelters to protect and support Indigenous women and children fleeing violence
We are providing $44.8 million over five years to build 12 new shelters, which will help protect and support Indigenous women and girls experiencing and fleeing violence.
This funding will help build 10 shelters in First Nations communities on reserve across the country (funded through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Shelter Enhancement Program) and two in the territories (funded through National Housing Co-Investment Fund), to support Indigenous women and children.
We will also provide $40.8 million to support operational costs for these new shelters over the first five years, and $10.2 million annually ongoing.
We are also announcing $1 million a year ongoing, starting this year, to support engagement with Métis leaders and service providers on shelter provision and community-led violence prevention projects for Métis women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people.
The process to access the funding for the shelters will be through an Expression of Interest. First Nations on reserve across the country and Indigenous governments and/or organizations in the territories will be eligible to submit proposals.
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Ensuring a safe return to school for First Nations
We are providing $112 million in funding for First Nations to support community measures to ensure a safe return to school on reserves.
Indigenous peoples can also access all other benefits.
Support for businesses
Avoiding layoffs, rehiring employees and creating new jobs
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Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
We are covering a portion of an employee's wages for eligible employers. The CEWS will allow you to re-hire your employees and avoid layoffs as the economy continues to safely reopen.
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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
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Extending the Work-Sharing program
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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:
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- Canada Summer Jobs program (Calls for applications closed)
- Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (Calls for applications closed)
- Student Work Placement Program
- Mitacs
- Business + High Education Roundtable
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Extension of lay-off periods
We have extended time periods for temporary layoffs by up to six months in the Canada Labour Standards Regulations to allow employers more time to recall laid-off employees. The temporary changes will help protect the jobs of federally regulated private-sector employees and support employers facing economic hardship as a result of the pandemic.
Taxes and tariffs
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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.
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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.
Financial support, loans and access to credit
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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.
This support is available until October 31.
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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.
This support is available until June 2021.
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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 program is now available at various banks and credit unions.
This support is available until June 2021.
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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
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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, May, June, July, August and September 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 %.
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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.
This support is available until June 2021.
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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.
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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.
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Supporting Black-led business organizations through the National Ecosystem Fund
We are investing up to $53 million to develop and implement the National Ecosystem Fund to support Black-led business organizations across the country.
This will help Black business owners and entrepreneurs access funding and capital, mentorship, financial planning services, and business training.
This initiative is part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program, in which we are investing up to nearly $93 million.
More details on eligibility requirements and how to apply will be available soon
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Supporting Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
We are supporting Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund that will provide loans of between $25,000 and $250,000.
This initiative is part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program, in which we are investing up to nearly $93 million.
More details on eligibility requirements and how to apply will be available soon
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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.
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Additional support by sector
Targeted support
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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.
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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.
Support for self-employed individuals
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Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
Pending the passage of legislation
We would provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks, to workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) and who still require income support.
You may be eligible for this benefit if you:
- are not eligible for EI
- reside and are present in Canada for the application period
- are at least 15 years old on the first day of the application period and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- earned a minimum of $5,000 in 2019, in 2020, or in the 12 months preceding your first application for this benefit from one or more of the following sources: employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance (EI) maternity or parental benefits; or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits
- have stopped working due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are available and looking for work; or are working and have had a reduction in their employment/self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19
- have had a reduction of at least 50% in your employment/self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19
- have not quit your job voluntarily
- are not receiving the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, any Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits for the week for which you are applying
This benefit is pending the passage of legislation in the House of Commons and Senate. More details will be made available soon.
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Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
Pending the passage of legislation
We would provide $500 per week for up to two weeks, for workers who cannot work because they are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19.
You may be eligible for this benefit if you:
- reside and are present in Canada for the application period
- are at least 15 years old on the first day of the application period and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- have earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or in 2020 or in the 12 months preceding your first application for this benefit from one or more of the following sources: employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance (EI) maternity or parental benefits; or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits
- have been unable to work for at least 50% of your normally scheduled work within a given week because of being sick or required to self-isolate for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- are not in receipt of paid leave from an employer in respect of the same week
- are not in receipt of the CERB, the EI Emergency Response Benefit (ERB), the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit, short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, or any EI benefits or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits in respect of the same week.
This benefit is pending the passage of legislation in the House of Commons and Senate. More details will be made available soon.
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Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
Pending the passage of legislation
We would provide $500 per week, for up to 26 weeks per household to eligible workers who cannot work because they must provide care to children or family members due to the closure of schools, day cares or care facilities.
You may be eligible for this benefit if you:
- reside and are present in Canada for the application period
- are at least 15 years of age on the first day of the application period and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN);
- have earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or in 2020, or in the 12 months preceding your first application for this benefit from one or more of the following sources: employment income, self-employment income, Employment Insurance (EI) maternity or parental benefits; or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits
- have been unable to work for at least 50% of your normally scheduled work within a given week because of one of the following conditions:
- must take care of a child who is under 12 years of age on the first day of the period for which the benefit is claimed:
- because their school or daycare is closed or operates under an alternative schedule for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- who cannot attend school or daycare under the advice of a medical professional due to being at high risk if they contract COVID-19
- because the caregiver who usually provides care is not available for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- must provide care to a family member who requires supervised care:
- must take care of a child who is under 12 years of age on the first day of the period for which the benefit is claimed:
- because their day program or care facility is closed or operates under an alternative schedule for reasons related to COVID-19
- who cannot attend their day program or care facility under the advice of a medical professional due to being at high risk if they contract COVID-19; or
- because the caregiver who usually provides care is not available for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- are the only individual from your household claiming this benefit for the week in which you are applying
- are not in receipt of paid leave from an employer in respect of the same week
- are not in in receipt of the CERB, the EI Emergency Response Benefit (ERB), the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, or any EI benefits or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits in respect of the same week
This benefit is pending the passage of legislation in the House of Commons and Senate. More details will be made available soon.
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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Closed
We provided a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 28 weeks to eligible workers who stopped working or whose work hours were reduced due to COVID-19.
If you continue to need financial support, find out if you are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI)
You can also look for employment opportunities through the Job Bank
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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.
Indigenous businesses
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Relief measures for Indigenous businesses
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.
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Supporting business through the pandemic and into recovery
We are providing non-repayable financial contributions to help support operating costs for First Nation, Inuit and Métis community-or collectively-owned businesses and microbusinesses whose revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund seeks to provide support for businesses that do not qualify for other Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures.
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Supporting the Indigenous tourism industry
We announced a new stimulus development fund that will provide $16 million to support the Indigenous tourism industry. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada will administer the fund to businesses across the country that have lost revenue due to COVID-19.
Indigenous peoples can also access all other benefits.
Supporting financial stability
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Support for sectors
Agriculture and agri-food
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Aquaculture and fisheries
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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.
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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.
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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:
- 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.
Regional Development Agencies are now accepting applications to the Fund.
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Fish Harvester Benefit
We are launching the Fish Harvester Benefit, to provide income support to eligible self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons crew who cannot access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
This benefit covers up to 75% of income losses beyond a 25% threshold for the 2020 tax year when compared to 2018 or 2019. The maximum benefit is $10,164.
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Fish Harvester Grant
We are launching the Fish Harvester Grant that will provide non-repayable grant of up to $10,000 to self-employed fish harvesters with a valid commercial fishing licence in 2020 and non-deferrable business costs of up to $40,000.
This program will be for self-employed fish harvesters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and who are ineligible for the Canada Emergency Business Account or equivalent measures.
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Changes to Employment Insurance (EI) fishing benefits
Culture, heritage and sport
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Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations
We have established a $500 million Emergency Support Fund as a temporary relief measure to help alleviate the financial pressures of cultural, heritage and sport organizations facing significant losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Supporting Canada’s six national museums and the National Battlefields Commission
We are investing $25.7 million to help Canada’s six national museums and the National Battlefields Commission.
This investment will help these institutions to maintain essential services and be ready to reopen their doors to the public once precautionary measures are lifted. It will also protect jobs on which many Canadians depend.
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Helping the National Arts Centre continue its operations
We have made an emergency investment of $18.2 million to help the National Arts Centre ensure the continuity of its operations and be ready to reopen to the public.
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Waiving payments for Part I licence fees
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will not issue letters requesting payment for Part I licence fees by private broadcasters for the 2020–21 fiscal year.
We are providing the CRTC with the necessary funds to support its operations, in the absence of these fees.
Air transportation
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Continuing the supply of essential goods and services to remote and fly-in communities
We are providing up to $17.3 million to the governments of Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut to support critical air services to Northern and remote communities, in partnership with investments by the territorial governments, to ensure the continued supply of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services to remote and fly-in communities.
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Waiving ground lease rents
We are waiving ground lease rents from March 2020 through to December 2020 for the 21 airport authorities that pay rent to the federal government. We are also providing comparable treatment for PortsToronto, which operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and pays a charge to the federal government.
Learn more about the support for airports
Tourism
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Deferring payments on commercial leases and licenses of occupation
We will work with tourism operators in national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas to defer payments on commercial leases and licences of occupation without interest until September 1, 2020.
In addition, we will waive up to 75 percent of eligible commercial rents for the months of April, May and June 2020 or equivalent amounts of annual rents.
Energy
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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.
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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.
Academic and research
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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.
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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.
Infrastructure
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Funding for communities
We are accelerating $2.2 billion in annual federal infrastructure funding for communities through the Gas Tax Fund. The funding will be delivered in one payment in June will help communities quickly move forward with infrastructure projects that will improve our quality of life and help restart local economies.
Communities have flexibility to use the funding to meet their local needs. Projects could include access to high-speed broadband, improvements to water and road systems, and the building of cycling and walking paths.
Learn more about the Gas Tax Fund -
Flexible funding for community resilience
We are adapting the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. The new COVID-19 Resilience stream, delivered through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, will provide added flexibility to fund quick-start, short-term projects that might not otherwise be eligible under the existing funding streams.
The new stream will support the following types of projects:
- Retrofits, repairs and upgrades for municipal, territorial, provincial and Indigenous buildings, health infrastructure and schools;
- COVID-19 response infrastructure, including measures to support physical distancing;
- Active transportation infrastructure, including parks, trails, foot bridges, bike lanes and multi-use paths; and
- Disaster mitigation and adaptation projects, including natural infrastructure, flood and fire mitigation, and tree planting and related infrastructure.
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Supporting communities: new ways to adapt spaces and services
We will provide up to $31 million in funding to support community-led projects that respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19.
The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will support local projects under three themes: creating safe and vibrant public spaces, improving mobility options, and digital solutions.
Projects could include:
- expanding outdoor seating on main streets
- remodeling playgrounds to allow for proper physical distancing
- creating digital apps to allow residents to access municipal services remotely
Funding under the initiative will be provided to a non-governmental not-for-profit organization, or group of organizations, selected through an open call-for-applications process, who will work with communities to identify and fund projects.
Mining
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Protecting jobs and safe operations of junior mining exploration and other flow-through share issuers
We are proposing to protect jobs and safe operations of junior mining exploration and other flow-through share issuers, by extending the timelines for spending the capital they raise via flow-through shares by 12 months.
With the impacts of COVID-19 on operations, this would mean that companies would be allowed additional time to incur eligible expenses, allowing them to safely plan when to best continue operations, while allowing them to avoid costs from not meeting original flow-through share timelines.
This initiative would protect the good, well-paying jobs that many Canadians depend on, including those in rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities.
Support for organizations helping Canadians
Services to those in need
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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.
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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.
Seniors
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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.
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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.
People who need it most
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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.
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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.
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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
People with disabilities
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Providing resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs
A new investment of $15 million in 2020-21 will provide community organizations with resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs in response to COVID-19, including by helping employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home arrangements. This support will also cover expanding accessible online training opportunities and helping connect Canadians with disabilities working from home with employers.
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Investing in projects through the Accessible Technology Program
We are investing $1.18 million in five new projects across the country through the Accessible Technology Program. With this funding, organizations will develop dynamic and affordable technology, such as accessible payment terminals for retailers and tools to make communication easier for Canadians with disabilities in the digital economy.
Support for provinces and territories
Health
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Supporting critical health care system needs and mitigation efforts
We are providing $500 million to provinces and territories for critical health care system needs and to support mitigation efforts.
This could include help to access testing, acquisition of equipment, and to enhance surveillance and monitoring. Financial considerations should not and will not be an obstacle to hospitals and health systems making the necessary preparations.
Economy
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Helping provinces and territories safely restart their economies
We announced an investment of more than $19 billion to help provinces and territories safely restart their economies and make our country more resilient to possible future waves of the virus.
The Safe Restart Agreement will help address the key priorities:
- enhancing capacity for testing, contact tracing, and data management and information sharing to mitigate future outbreaks
- investing in health care to respond to the pandemic, including support for Canadians experiencing challenges with substance use, mental health, or homelessness.
- supporting for vulnerable Canadians, including those in long-term care, home care, and palliative care.
- funding to secure a reliable source of personal protective equipment, and to recover some of the costs from previous investments made by provincial and territorial governments.
- support to ensure that safe and sufficient child care spaces are available to support parents' gradual return to work.
- joint funding with the provinces and territories to support municipalities on the front lines of restarting the economy, including by putting in place precautions for public spaces and essential services to reduce the spread of the virus, as well as a dedicated stream of funding for public transit.
- a temporary income support program that will provide workers who do not have paid sick leave with access to 10 days of paid sick leave related to COVID-19.
Education
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Ensuring a safe return to school
We are providing up to $2 billion in support for provinces and territories through the Safe Return to Class Fund that will provide the complementary funding they need, as they work alongside local school boards to ensure the safety of students and staff members throughout the school year.
Funding will be provided to provinces and territories in two instalments, with a first disbursement in Fall 2020 and additional funding available for early 2021, to ensure that provinces and territories have support for the whole school year.
People who needs it most
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Temporary wage top-up for low-income essential workers
We are providing $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.
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