Small businesses are the heart and soul of the Canadian economy, and the lockdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have had a huge effect on their ability to keep their operations running. Because of this, the federal government has created an assortment of programs and benefits to help support these important enterprises. Here is some information on a few of those programs: 

Canada Emergency Business Account: The CEBA provides small businesses and non-profit organizations who are facing diminished revenues due to the pandemic with zero-interest loans up to $60,000 to help offset their non-deferrable costs such as rent, utilities, or wages. 

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy: The CERS allows businesses, non-profit organizations, and charities that are facing hard times due to the pandemic to have a portion of their commercial rent subsidized. This updated program delivers funding directly to the business owners, without implicating landlords. Beneficiaries of this subsidy may also be eligible for lockdown support in some cases. This support can cover up to 90% of commercial rent. 

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: The CEWS is a program put in place by the federal government to help businesses that have seen a decline in revenue due to the pandemic receive funding to help cover part of their employee wages. Through this program, businesses can afford to prevent job losses, rehire workers, and focus on returning to normal operations. 

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund: The RRRF provides emergency financial relief for SMEs and NPOs in all Quebec economic sectors that are not able to access other forms of assistance from the government of Canada, in order to help them stay in business.