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Credit Unions are Here for You.
Members are encouraged to contact your credit union to discuss challenges you are facing, or to understand the ways that you can transact business without attending a branch. To find your credit union’s website, click here. This page is a guide to the numerous programs and measures, launched by the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba, that are designed provide support to individuals and businesses facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. You will also find links to important Public Health measures and guidance, as well as information about the increasing threat of COVID-19 financial scams. Click here for our latest news. |
Click a topic below to learn more:
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For Individuals & Families
Information, Supports and Public Health Guidance
United Way of Winnipeg Free & Confidential 211 Service
211 helps people navigate the complex network of government and community programs and services quickly and easily and promises access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 150 languages. Across Manitoba, the service is offered through phone and website. In all cases, 211 confidentially connects people who are seeking support to the right information and services. Simply dial 211 or visit www.mb211.ca.
Manitoba Vaccine Eligibility, Vaccination Clinics and Appointments
Mental Health Supports
Government of Canada’s Wellness Together supports:
Wellness Together Canada will offer Canadians different levels of support depending on their need, ranging from information and self-assessment tools, to the opportunity to chat with peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls. It will make it easier to find credible information and help address mental health and substance use issues. The portal is the result of the work of a broad consortium of organizations with experience in providing digital mental health and substance use support, including Stepped Care Solutions, Kids Help Phone, Homewood Health, Greenspace Health, the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and the Canadian Psychological Association. Learn more
Province of Manitoba’s Mental Health Virtual Therapy Program for Manitobans:
Caring for your mental health is important during the COVID-19 pandemic. AbilitiCBT is a new digital therapy program from Morneau Shepell, available to all Manitobans experiencing low to mid symptoms of anxiety due to the pandemic. You will be able to connect to a professional therapist trained to help you deal with:
Financial Supports
Canada Revenue Agency 'My Account':
Many Federal government supports require you to create an account in the CRA My Account site. This site will also allow you to sign up for Direct Deposit of government payments to your own credit union account. Learn more
Support for Those Facing Unemployment, Unable to Work, or Sick and Quarantined or in Self-isolation:
This includes Employment Insurance (EI), The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB). Lean more.
Canada Child Benefit Increased to $300 per Child:
Payment delivered in May. Families already receiving the benefit need not apply. Learn more
On May 16, the Government of Canada announced a further increase to the Canada Child Benefit. Learn more
In 2021, the government announced a benefit $1,200 for each child under the age of six to families eligible for the Canada Child Benefit.
Deferral Support for Borrowers:
Manitoba credit unions have developed policies to assist borrowers. In some circumstances, payment or interest deferrals may be available. Contact your own credit union to discuss what options would work best for your circumstances. Visit this page to find your credit union. Learn more
How Mortgage Payment Deferrals Work - Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC):
Learn more
Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba:
Information, Supports and Public Health Guidance
- Government of Canada Main COVID-19 Site: Go to site
- Canada COVID-19 Support App / Application de support COVID-19 du Canada:
- The App will let you receive the latest updates, trusted resources, and self-assess your symptoms. Download on the App Store or Google Play, or click here
- Government of Manitoba main COVID-19 site: Go to site
United Way of Winnipeg Free & Confidential 211 Service
211 helps people navigate the complex network of government and community programs and services quickly and easily and promises access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 150 languages. Across Manitoba, the service is offered through phone and website. In all cases, 211 confidentially connects people who are seeking support to the right information and services. Simply dial 211 or visit www.mb211.ca.
Manitoba Vaccine Eligibility, Vaccination Clinics and Appointments
- First dose appointments can be booked for everyone ages 12+
- Second-dose appointments are being booked for eligible individuals, as long as they meet the minimum time interval between doses.
- Immunization cards can be ordered 2 weeks after receiving your second shot. To order your card, click here.
- Current eligibility criteria is available using this link.
Mental Health Supports
Government of Canada’s Wellness Together supports:
Wellness Together Canada will offer Canadians different levels of support depending on their need, ranging from information and self-assessment tools, to the opportunity to chat with peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls. It will make it easier to find credible information and help address mental health and substance use issues. The portal is the result of the work of a broad consortium of organizations with experience in providing digital mental health and substance use support, including Stepped Care Solutions, Kids Help Phone, Homewood Health, Greenspace Health, the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and the Canadian Psychological Association. Learn more
Province of Manitoba’s Mental Health Virtual Therapy Program for Manitobans:
Caring for your mental health is important during the COVID-19 pandemic. AbilitiCBT is a new digital therapy program from Morneau Shepell, available to all Manitobans experiencing low to mid symptoms of anxiety due to the pandemic. You will be able to connect to a professional therapist trained to help you deal with:
- pandemic challenges
- the state of uncertainty
- physical isolation
- care for family and community members
- information overload
- stress management
Financial Supports
Canada Revenue Agency 'My Account':
Many Federal government supports require you to create an account in the CRA My Account site. This site will also allow you to sign up for Direct Deposit of government payments to your own credit union account. Learn more
Support for Those Facing Unemployment, Unable to Work, or Sick and Quarantined or in Self-isolation:
This includes Employment Insurance (EI), The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB). Lean more.
Canada Child Benefit Increased to $300 per Child:
Payment delivered in May. Families already receiving the benefit need not apply. Learn more
On May 16, the Government of Canada announced a further increase to the Canada Child Benefit. Learn more
In 2021, the government announced a benefit $1,200 for each child under the age of six to families eligible for the Canada Child Benefit.
Deferral Support for Borrowers:
Manitoba credit unions have developed policies to assist borrowers. In some circumstances, payment or interest deferrals may be available. Contact your own credit union to discuss what options would work best for your circumstances. Visit this page to find your credit union. Learn more
How Mortgage Payment Deferrals Work - Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC):
Learn more
Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba:
- Click here to see Q&A for Workers about WCB coverage during COVID-19. Learn more
- Healthcare Providers receiving WCB payments are strongly advised by WCB to sign up for Direct Deposit
For Students
Overview of Government of Canada programs for students and recent graduates impacted by COVID-19: Learn more
The Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) made various changes to allow more students to qualify for support and be eligible for greater amounts. Canada Student Grants for eligible full time students have doubled, eligibility has been broadened, and the maximum weekly amount has increased. See details here.
Overview of Government of Canada programs for students and recent graduates impacted by COVID-19: Learn more
The Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) made various changes to allow more students to qualify for support and be eligible for greater amounts. Canada Student Grants for eligible full time students have doubled, eligibility has been broadened, and the maximum weekly amount has increased. See details here.
For Seniors
Help Next Door MB:
A site where Manitobans can ask for support or offer to help others. All volunteers are screened. Learn more
Help Next Door MB:
A site where Manitobans can ask for support or offer to help others. All volunteers are screened. Learn more
For Businesses
Healthy Hire Manitoba Program
The Manitoba government is introducing the $30 million Healthy Hire Manitoba Program, a new wage support to help private-sector employers reopen and encourage employees to get vaccinated and return to work. The program was announced June 24th. More details to come.
ProtectMB Community Outreach and Incentive Grants
Grants of up to $20,000 will be available to Manitoba sport, religious, arts, cultural and community organizations, as well as businesses and schools. Applicants will need to demonstrate an established connection to one or more low-uptake communities, and will need to provide a detailed plan for how they will encourage vaccination and improve uptake rates.
Paid Leave for COVID-19 Vaccinations
The province is introducing changes to the Employment Standards Code that would allow Manitoba workers to take a three-hour paid leave to receive COVID-19 vaccinations
The proposed amendments would make it mandatory for employers to allow employees up to three hours of paid leave each time the employee requires a dose of vaccine. The wage rate would be fixed at an employee’s regular wage rate, or the average wage for employees whose wage varies, such as those paid on commission.
MB Hospitality Relief Sector Program
The Manitoba government is investing $8 million for the creation of a new Hospitality Relief Sector Program to provide financial relief to Manitoba’s accommodation and tourism sector. The new Hospitality Relief Sector Program, to be administered by the Manitoba Hotel Association and the Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association, will provide funding to hotels and full-time licenced resource tourism operators for fixed costs that have not been covered by other relief programs such as:
Dine-in Relief Program
The Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program was designed to provide a rebate to dine-in restaurants that shifted to a delivery model due to public health restrictions. The program helps offset costs related to delivery services, whether a restaurant provides its own delivery service or uses a third-party delivery company.
*The Manitoba government has announced an additional $2 million to expand the Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program. Under this
expanded program, restaurants in rural Manitoba and catering businesses that did not have established delivery models or that experienced significant revenue declines will be able to apply for a financial rebate based on their decline in revenue compared to pre-pandemic sales.
City of Winnipeg COVID-19 Economic Support Grant
The City of Winnipeg has launched the Winnipeg COVID-19 Economic Support Grant Program to assist Winnipeg small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that have been forced to prohibit access to their premises due to COVID-19 public health restrictions effective November 12, 2020. The City will distribute a total of $3 million to eligible local businesses and organizations with funding provided by the federal Safe Restart Agreement.
Applications for a non-repayable grant of $1,500 are now open. The grant can be used for rent, utilities, wages, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizing equipment, or other business expenses incurred.
Important notes:
Manitoba Bridge Grant: The Manitoba Bridge Grant provides an immediate one-time payment of $5,000 to small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit and charitable organizations that were directly ordered to temporarily cease operations or close their publicly accessible physical locations by Manitoba COVID-19 public-health orders in effect on Nov. 12.
This includes restaurants, bars, beverage rooms, brewpubs, microbreweries, distilleries, casinos, recreation and sport facilities, museums and galleries, theatres and concert halls, as well as organizations like charities, not-for-profits and faith-based organizations that have been adversely impacted. It also includes home-based businesses such as event planners, photographers, artists and tradespeople who do not operate a retail location. The program has also been expanded to include: hotels, resorts, lodges and outfitters, travel agencies, janitorial services companies and owner/operators of licensed passenger transportation businesses that have seen demand for their services impacted by the public health orders.
UPDATE: Announced June 22, the provincial government opened the bridge grant intake to businesses that did not previously apply, such as new and seasonal businesses that were not operating as of the original Nov. 10 program deadline. Eligible storefront businesses will receive $5,000 and home-based businesses will receive up to $5,000 based on 10 per cent of their most recent calendar year revenues.
For more information, click here
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA):
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free, partially forgivable loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits that have experienced diminished revenues due to COVID-19 but face ongoing non-deferrable costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, taxes and wages. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in partial loan forgiveness which is described in further detail below.
Program Updates: Effective Early December 2020
Government of Canada Online tool to navigate Federal COVID-19 supports that may be available for your business:
English language version
French language version
Deferrals for Sales Tax and Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy
Small and medium-sized businesses with retail sale tax (RST) remittances of no more than $10,000 per month are eligible for an interest and penalty-free payment deferral to June 30, 2021. The deferral is for the January, February, March, April and May 2021 return periods. Businesses are also eligible for an interest and penalty-free payment deferral until June 30, 2021, for the March quarterly RST return.
As well, the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy returns for small and medium-sized businesses with remittances of no more than $10,000 per month are eligible for an interest and penalty free payment deferral to June 30, 2021. The deferral is for the January, February, March, April and May 2021 return periods. The RST and tax levy deferrals are optional and for tax payments only. Businesses must continue to file returns by the required due dates.
As well, the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy returns for small and medium-sized businesses with remittances of no more than $10,000 per month are eligible for an interest and penalty free payment deferral to June 30, 2021. The deferral is for the January, February, March, April and May 2021 return periods. The RST and tax levy deferrals are optional and for tax payments only. Businesses must continue to file returns by the required due dates.
Manitoba Gap Protection Program:
The $120 million Manitoba Gap Protection Program (MGPP) provided a one-time $6,000 grant for businesses that did not qualify for the various federal government assistance programs and wage subsidies created because of COVID-19. It has since closed intake.
For information, click here
New Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy
The original Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) program has ended. The new CERS will provide new rent and mortgage interest support to qualifying tenants and property owners until June 2021.
The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides direct and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support directly to qualifying organizations.
Canada Revenue Agency My Business Account:
The Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy program requires you to sign up via your account in the CRA My Business Account site. This site will also allow you to sign up for Direct Deposit of government payments to your own account. Your credit union can also help you sign up for Direct Deposit. Learn more
The Manitoba Economic Support Centre:
Business Manitoba has launched a new call centre support service. You can contact them to obtain guidance about supports available for your business. Learn more or phone: 1-888-805-7554
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS):
Bill C-9 brings into place the extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) until June 2021. Under the new legislation, any business with a revenue decline will be eligible. As of November 30, the subsidy has increased and will be proportional to the revenue drop, to a maximum of is 75 per cent of eligible wages. For more information or to use the government calculator, click here
Businesses must apply directly through the Canada Revenue Agency site, using My Business Account. It is recommended by the Government of Canada that businesses register for Direct Deposit within their Business Account, in order to expedite payment. Visit the link below to find details of eligible employers, eligible employees, and a calculator to estimate your subsidy amount if you are eligible. Learn more
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
On January 26, 2021 the Government of Canada announced the launch of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP). The program is intended to provide support to businesses that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
For this program, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with participating financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million and repayable over as long as 10 years. Among other eligibility criteria, applicants will need to show a year-over-year revenue decline of at least 50% in three months, within the 8 month period prior to their application. The business must also have previously applied to either the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to qualify.
The program is available for application until June 30, 2021.
Click here for additional details, including information on eligibility criteria and how to apply
The Work-Sharing Program – temporary special measures
Manitoba: Temporary Exception to Employment Standards Layoff Rules:
The Manitoba government added a temporary exception to employment standards regulations, to give employers more time to recall employees laid off as a result of COVID-19. This measure will provide flexibility to employers to recall employees once work picks up again, and avoid severing their employment. This measure is temporary and specific to situations where employees will eventually be rehired once the COVID-19 crisis has subsided and economic activity picks up again. More details
Co-Lending Programs for Small and Medium-sized Businesses
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 and businesses must apply through their credit unions or banks. Most Manitoba Credit Unions are offering this program. *This support is available until June 2021.
Learn more
Innovative and early-stage businesses
The Government of Canada is investing funds to assist innovative, early-stage companies that are unable to access other COVID-19 business supports. These supports are provided through the IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program), an existing program that provides advice, connections and funding for business to increase innovation capacity and take ideas to market.
The National Research Council has a variety of Challenge programs that technology companies may wish to review here.
Young Entrepreneurs
The Government of Canada is providing funds to Futurpreneur Canada to continue supporting young entrepreneurs facing challenges related to COVID-19. Learn more
Rural Businesses and Communities
The Government of Canada is providing funds to support rural businesses and communities by providing access to capital through the Community Futures Network. Businesses should look for support through their Regional Development Agency (in Manitoba, the Regional Development Agency is Western Economic Diversification Canada, also known as WD).
Learn more
Business Resilience Service for Small Businesses
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Government of Canada, EY, CPA Canada and Imagine Canada have teamed up to launch a new hotline to provide small business owners with free advice from accounting professionals on how to navigate their way through the current economic crisis. The Business Resilience Service (BRS) will be staffed seven days a week with 125 members of CPA Canada. Advisors can answer questions about tax regulations and the implications of COVID-19, inform business owners about government support programs that best fit their unique circumstances, and provide strategic financial planning for their road to recovery.
For Agricultural Businesses:
The Federal Government is supporting Farm Credit Canada by allowing an additional $5 billion in lending capacity to producers, agribusinesses, and food processors.
Healthy Hire Manitoba Program
The Manitoba government is introducing the $30 million Healthy Hire Manitoba Program, a new wage support to help private-sector employers reopen and encourage employees to get vaccinated and return to work. The program was announced June 24th. More details to come.
ProtectMB Community Outreach and Incentive Grants
Grants of up to $20,000 will be available to Manitoba sport, religious, arts, cultural and community organizations, as well as businesses and schools. Applicants will need to demonstrate an established connection to one or more low-uptake communities, and will need to provide a detailed plan for how they will encourage vaccination and improve uptake rates.
Paid Leave for COVID-19 Vaccinations
The province is introducing changes to the Employment Standards Code that would allow Manitoba workers to take a three-hour paid leave to receive COVID-19 vaccinations
The proposed amendments would make it mandatory for employers to allow employees up to three hours of paid leave each time the employee requires a dose of vaccine. The wage rate would be fixed at an employee’s regular wage rate, or the average wage for employees whose wage varies, such as those paid on commission.
MB Hospitality Relief Sector Program
The Manitoba government is investing $8 million for the creation of a new Hospitality Relief Sector Program to provide financial relief to Manitoba’s accommodation and tourism sector. The new Hospitality Relief Sector Program, to be administered by the Manitoba Hotel Association and the Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association, will provide funding to hotels and full-time licenced resource tourism operators for fixed costs that have not been covered by other relief programs such as:
- property insurance,
- mortgage interest,
- property taxes,
- land leases,
- service fees,
- maintenance of camps, and
- resource retention costs.
Dine-in Relief Program
The Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program was designed to provide a rebate to dine-in restaurants that shifted to a delivery model due to public health restrictions. The program helps offset costs related to delivery services, whether a restaurant provides its own delivery service or uses a third-party delivery company.
*The Manitoba government has announced an additional $2 million to expand the Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program. Under this
expanded program, restaurants in rural Manitoba and catering businesses that did not have established delivery models or that experienced significant revenue declines will be able to apply for a financial rebate based on their decline in revenue compared to pre-pandemic sales.
City of Winnipeg COVID-19 Economic Support Grant
The City of Winnipeg has launched the Winnipeg COVID-19 Economic Support Grant Program to assist Winnipeg small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that have been forced to prohibit access to their premises due to COVID-19 public health restrictions effective November 12, 2020. The City will distribute a total of $3 million to eligible local businesses and organizations with funding provided by the federal Safe Restart Agreement.
Applications for a non-repayable grant of $1,500 are now open. The grant can be used for rent, utilities, wages, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizing equipment, or other business expenses incurred.
Important notes:
- Eligible applications will be prioritized on a first come, first serve basis until the $3 million funding is fully expended.
- The deadline for the first intake is February 28, 2021.
- If funds remain, a second intake of applications will be accepted with application deadline of April 30, 2021.
Manitoba Bridge Grant: The Manitoba Bridge Grant provides an immediate one-time payment of $5,000 to small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit and charitable organizations that were directly ordered to temporarily cease operations or close their publicly accessible physical locations by Manitoba COVID-19 public-health orders in effect on Nov. 12.
This includes restaurants, bars, beverage rooms, brewpubs, microbreweries, distilleries, casinos, recreation and sport facilities, museums and galleries, theatres and concert halls, as well as organizations like charities, not-for-profits and faith-based organizations that have been adversely impacted. It also includes home-based businesses such as event planners, photographers, artists and tradespeople who do not operate a retail location. The program has also been expanded to include: hotels, resorts, lodges and outfitters, travel agencies, janitorial services companies and owner/operators of licensed passenger transportation businesses that have seen demand for their services impacted by the public health orders.
UPDATE: Announced June 22, the provincial government opened the bridge grant intake to businesses that did not previously apply, such as new and seasonal businesses that were not operating as of the original Nov. 10 program deadline. Eligible storefront businesses will receive $5,000 and home-based businesses will receive up to $5,000 based on 10 per cent of their most recent calendar year revenues.
For more information, click here
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA):
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free, partially forgivable loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits that have experienced diminished revenues due to COVID-19 but face ongoing non-deferrable costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, taxes and wages. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in partial loan forgiveness which is described in further detail below.
Program Updates: Effective Early December 2020
- The CEBA loan amount for eligible businesses increased from $40,000 to $60,000.
- Applicants who have already received a $40,000 CEBA loan may apply for an additional $20,000 in financing.
- Applicants have until June 30, 2021 to apply for an initial $60,000 CEBA loan or a $20,000 expansion.
- Information regarding CEBA eligibility criteria, application process and program details: click here
- CEBA Call Centre: If you have applied for CEBA and have questions, please contact the new CEBA Call Centre at 1-888-324-4201 to receive a status update on your CEBA application. The CEBA Call Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm EST and can address the following types of questions: What is the status of my application? Why was my application declined? Why was my submitted document rejected?
- Apply through your credit union: Find your credit union website click here
- Information on program details and how to apply through your credit union: click here
Government of Canada Online tool to navigate Federal COVID-19 supports that may be available for your business:
English language version
French language version
Deferrals for Sales Tax and Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy
Small and medium-sized businesses with retail sale tax (RST) remittances of no more than $10,000 per month are eligible for an interest and penalty-free payment deferral to June 30, 2021. The deferral is for the January, February, March, April and May 2021 return periods. Businesses are also eligible for an interest and penalty-free payment deferral until June 30, 2021, for the March quarterly RST return.
As well, the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy returns for small and medium-sized businesses with remittances of no more than $10,000 per month are eligible for an interest and penalty free payment deferral to June 30, 2021. The deferral is for the January, February, March, April and May 2021 return periods. The RST and tax levy deferrals are optional and for tax payments only. Businesses must continue to file returns by the required due dates.
As well, the Health and Post-Secondary Education Tax Levy returns for small and medium-sized businesses with remittances of no more than $10,000 per month are eligible for an interest and penalty free payment deferral to June 30, 2021. The deferral is for the January, February, March, April and May 2021 return periods. The RST and tax levy deferrals are optional and for tax payments only. Businesses must continue to file returns by the required due dates.
Manitoba Gap Protection Program:
The $120 million Manitoba Gap Protection Program (MGPP) provided a one-time $6,000 grant for businesses that did not qualify for the various federal government assistance programs and wage subsidies created because of COVID-19. It has since closed intake.
For information, click here
New Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy
The original Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) program has ended. The new CERS will provide new rent and mortgage interest support to qualifying tenants and property owners until June 2021.
The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides direct and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support directly to qualifying organizations.
- Qualifying businesses, charities and non-profits can receive a subsidy of up to 65% of eligible expenses until Dec. 19, 2020.
- Qualifying organizations that have been significantly affected by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority can receive an additional 25% top-up of rent support through the CERS.
- Combined with the other support received under the CERS, this means that hard hit businesses, non-profits, and charities can receive a rent subsidy of up to 90%.
- The CERS including the Lockdown Support would be available until June 2021.
- For more information, click here.
Canada Revenue Agency My Business Account:
The Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy program requires you to sign up via your account in the CRA My Business Account site. This site will also allow you to sign up for Direct Deposit of government payments to your own account. Your credit union can also help you sign up for Direct Deposit. Learn more
The Manitoba Economic Support Centre:
Business Manitoba has launched a new call centre support service. You can contact them to obtain guidance about supports available for your business. Learn more or phone: 1-888-805-7554
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS):
Bill C-9 brings into place the extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) until June 2021. Under the new legislation, any business with a revenue decline will be eligible. As of November 30, the subsidy has increased and will be proportional to the revenue drop, to a maximum of is 75 per cent of eligible wages. For more information or to use the government calculator, click here
Businesses must apply directly through the Canada Revenue Agency site, using My Business Account. It is recommended by the Government of Canada that businesses register for Direct Deposit within their Business Account, in order to expedite payment. Visit the link below to find details of eligible employers, eligible employees, and a calculator to estimate your subsidy amount if you are eligible. Learn more
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
On January 26, 2021 the Government of Canada announced the launch of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP). The program is intended to provide support to businesses that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
For this program, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with participating financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million and repayable over as long as 10 years. Among other eligibility criteria, applicants will need to show a year-over-year revenue decline of at least 50% in three months, within the 8 month period prior to their application. The business must also have previously applied to either the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to qualify.
The program is available for application until June 30, 2021.
Click here for additional details, including information on eligibility criteria and how to apply
The Work-Sharing Program – temporary special measures
- The maximum duration of the Work Sharing Program ha been extended 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
- Check eligibility/Apply here
Manitoba: Temporary Exception to Employment Standards Layoff Rules:
The Manitoba government added a temporary exception to employment standards regulations, to give employers more time to recall employees laid off as a result of COVID-19. This measure will provide flexibility to employers to recall employees once work picks up again, and avoid severing their employment. This measure is temporary and specific to situations where employees will eventually be rehired once the COVID-19 crisis has subsided and economic activity picks up again. More details
Co-Lending Programs for Small and Medium-sized Businesses
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 and businesses must apply through their credit unions or banks. Most Manitoba Credit Unions are offering this program. *This support is available until June 2021.
Learn more
Innovative and early-stage businesses
The Government of Canada is investing funds to assist innovative, early-stage companies that are unable to access other COVID-19 business supports. These supports are provided through the IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program), an existing program that provides advice, connections and funding for business to increase innovation capacity and take ideas to market.
The National Research Council has a variety of Challenge programs that technology companies may wish to review here.
Young Entrepreneurs
The Government of Canada is providing funds to Futurpreneur Canada to continue supporting young entrepreneurs facing challenges related to COVID-19. Learn more
Rural Businesses and Communities
The Government of Canada is providing funds to support rural businesses and communities by providing access to capital through the Community Futures Network. Businesses should look for support through their Regional Development Agency (in Manitoba, the Regional Development Agency is Western Economic Diversification Canada, also known as WD).
Learn more
Business Resilience Service for Small Businesses
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Government of Canada, EY, CPA Canada and Imagine Canada have teamed up to launch a new hotline to provide small business owners with free advice from accounting professionals on how to navigate their way through the current economic crisis. The Business Resilience Service (BRS) will be staffed seven days a week with 125 members of CPA Canada. Advisors can answer questions about tax regulations and the implications of COVID-19, inform business owners about government support programs that best fit their unique circumstances, and provide strategic financial planning for their road to recovery.
- To access the BRS: call 1-866-989-1080 to connect with a business advisor from the accounting profession. The service is available 7 days/week from 8am – 8pm ET (7am – 7pm CT).
- Read more
For Agricultural Businesses:
The Federal Government is supporting Farm Credit Canada by allowing an additional $5 billion in lending capacity to producers, agribusinesses, and food processors.
Support Agencies
New Horizons for Seniors Programs:
New supports for this program were provided, including expansion of eligible activities for 2019-20, and extension of report deadlines for 2018-19 recipients. New 2020 eligible activities can start immediately and include: supports to seniors to stay connected by providing devices and virtual activities, supporting food and medication deliveries, assistance with essential activities like doctor visits, hiring staff to replace senior volunteers who cannot attend due to the outbreak, providing information for seniors who are coping during the outbreak.
Learn more
Emergency Community Support Fund:
This funding is provided to agencies supporting vulnerable Canadians, and will flow through United Way/Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and Community Foundations. It will allow funds to be provided quickly to local agencies that support vulnerable populations. Activities it will support include increasing volunteer home deliveries of groceries or medications; providing transportation services for appointments; increasing the capacity of help lines; helping people access government benefits; training and supplies to volunteers; replacing in person and social gatherings with virtual contact.
Learn more
New Horizons for Seniors Programs:
New supports for this program were provided, including expansion of eligible activities for 2019-20, and extension of report deadlines for 2018-19 recipients. New 2020 eligible activities can start immediately and include: supports to seniors to stay connected by providing devices and virtual activities, supporting food and medication deliveries, assistance with essential activities like doctor visits, hiring staff to replace senior volunteers who cannot attend due to the outbreak, providing information for seniors who are coping during the outbreak.
Learn more
Emergency Community Support Fund:
This funding is provided to agencies supporting vulnerable Canadians, and will flow through United Way/Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and Community Foundations. It will allow funds to be provided quickly to local agencies that support vulnerable populations. Activities it will support include increasing volunteer home deliveries of groceries or medications; providing transportation services for appointments; increasing the capacity of help lines; helping people access government benefits; training and supplies to volunteers; replacing in person and social gatherings with virtual contact.
Learn more
Scams & Fraud
While cybersecurity is an ongoing and very serious issue at the best of times, security experts say the spike in email scams during this coronavirus pandemic is the worst they have seen in years. This includes scams arising through email, text, phone or door to door.
Examples of Scams:
Stay Vigilant:
Tips for email in your work/personal email inboxes, for texts, and for phone calls
Recommended Action:
If you are a business, stay vigilant and report suspicious activity within your organization. Make sure all your employees see this information so they can stay aware as well. Post this information for your customers, on your websites and on your social media channels.
While cybersecurity is an ongoing and very serious issue at the best of times, security experts say the spike in email scams during this coronavirus pandemic is the worst they have seen in years. This includes scams arising through email, text, phone or door to door.
Examples of Scams:
- Emails and texts from a financial institution asking you to click a link to be pre-approved for a low-interest rate loan to help you through these uncertain times.
- Email from someone in your company requesting to upload personnel information, or to send an urgent wire transfer.
- Email advising to open an attachment from the World Health Organization (WHO) for more information on COVID-19.
- Fear-mongering emails, such as "Virus is now airborne" or "products Made in China have virus on them" and have a link to get more information.
- Emails from seemingly legitimate sources asking you to click "Donate here to help", or "Click here to see the tax cuts", or "Your Zoom attendees are waiting."
- Phone call from government or health providers requesting credit card or banking information.
- A number of phone and online scams continue to circulate. A new one is a phone call supposedly from MB hydro to say that your electricity will be cut off if you don’t pay a bill. Hydro has stopped doing any disconnections at this time. Hang up if contacted in this way.
Stay Vigilant:
Tips for email in your work/personal email inboxes, for texts, and for phone calls
- Be suspicious of any email or text that asks you to do something out of the ordinary.
- Do not open any attachment from an unknown sender, including known businesses.
- Hover over any links within any received email to view the URL address of that link; do not click that link before confirming the URL it links to.
- If you receive an email or text from any business or service with a link to click that seems legitimate, do not click the link, but rather go to the original website.
- Do not provide any financial/credit card or personal information to anyone via email, text or over the phone, regardless of how legitimate it sounds.
- Be sure that any action you are taking at your business is a legitimate request: emails from CEO, COO, etc., that are out of the ordinary must be confirmed with that person.
Recommended Action:
If you are a business, stay vigilant and report suspicious activity within your organization. Make sure all your employees see this information so they can stay aware as well. Post this information for your customers, on your websites and on your social media channels.
Health & Safety
Manitoba’s Chief Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Brent Roussin has advised:
Manitobans are strongly encouraged to return to the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means not going out while you feel ill, practicing proper hand hygiene, covering your cough and physical distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you can’t physical distance, wear a mask. Those who are highest risk should stay home: this is especially true for those over 65, those with compromised immune systems or with existing health conditions. Help Next Door can assist you if you need supports.
Physical Distancing is required everywhere in Manitoba:
Social (physical) distancing limits the spread of virus by ensuring that you do not come closer than 2 metres (6 feet) to others when out in public. Public Health officials in Manitoba have required social (physical) distancing, not shaking hands, avoiding crowds, and limiting trips outside the home, in all areas of the province, as a key measure in limiting the spread of the virus.
Learn more
Pandemic Response System: Manitoba Health has implemented a Pandemic Response System, to indicate provincial and regional level of risk, based on a variety of indicators.
To see the structure of this system here, as well as a document with further details Click here
Dashboards providing cases and risks for the province, for individual Health Regions and for districts with each region are available by clicking here
Restoring Safe Services in Manitoba: The Province of Manitoba has issued roadmaps for staged reopening of services. The documents also provide information about best practices in businesses and services of various types. These can be found here.
Assess your Health
People can call 1-855-268-4318 (toll-free) OR go online to make appointments to get a COVID-19 test. The system has rolled out in Winnipeg first to help address the high demand for tests across the city. The link is to make appointments online is available here. Users will need to create an account to proceed.
At this time, only people with symptoms are being advised to get tested for COVID-19. Manitobans can access positive COVID-19 test results in Shared Health's online self-serve portal, using one's Manitoba Health Card.
Public health officials will continue to contact individuals who test positive to begin contact tracing. However, information in the portal will provide immediate guidance to positive cases about their requirement to isolate while they wait to be contacted. Public health officials aim to connect with positive cases within the first 24 to 48 hours after a positive test result is received.
The test results link is here.
Testing Sites
Click here to find testing sites. Anyone with symptoms is still encouraged to use the Shared Health Manitoba’s Self-Screening Tool to determine whether they meet the necessary criteria to be tested. The tool can be found here.
Prevention
The Province of Manitoba has published information for Manitobans on how you can protect yourself, your family and your community from the spread of the virus.
Learn more
Guide to non-medical mask use
From the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
See guide
Manitoba’s Chief Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Brent Roussin has advised:
Manitobans are strongly encouraged to return to the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means not going out while you feel ill, practicing proper hand hygiene, covering your cough and physical distancing when you are with people outside your household. If you can’t physical distance, wear a mask. Those who are highest risk should stay home: this is especially true for those over 65, those with compromised immune systems or with existing health conditions. Help Next Door can assist you if you need supports.
Physical Distancing is required everywhere in Manitoba:
Social (physical) distancing limits the spread of virus by ensuring that you do not come closer than 2 metres (6 feet) to others when out in public. Public Health officials in Manitoba have required social (physical) distancing, not shaking hands, avoiding crowds, and limiting trips outside the home, in all areas of the province, as a key measure in limiting the spread of the virus.
Learn more
Pandemic Response System: Manitoba Health has implemented a Pandemic Response System, to indicate provincial and regional level of risk, based on a variety of indicators.
To see the structure of this system here, as well as a document with further details Click here
- Restricted levels and other cautions in various regions of Manitoba: As the Province announces specific cautions in various regions, and any related changes in public health rules, they will be available at this link.
Dashboards providing cases and risks for the province, for individual Health Regions and for districts with each region are available by clicking here
Restoring Safe Services in Manitoba: The Province of Manitoba has issued roadmaps for staged reopening of services. The documents also provide information about best practices in businesses and services of various types. These can be found here.
- Businesses seeking further information about maintaining safety in the workplace can visit this link.
- Critical public health measures and travel restrictions will remain for now. This includes mandatory self-isolation upon one's return to Manitoba from provinces East of us, and limits on travel to the North. Any changes made in a phase will depend on the evaluation of the previous phase.
Assess your Health
People can call 1-855-268-4318 (toll-free) OR go online to make appointments to get a COVID-19 test. The system has rolled out in Winnipeg first to help address the high demand for tests across the city. The link is to make appointments online is available here. Users will need to create an account to proceed.
At this time, only people with symptoms are being advised to get tested for COVID-19. Manitobans can access positive COVID-19 test results in Shared Health's online self-serve portal, using one's Manitoba Health Card.
Public health officials will continue to contact individuals who test positive to begin contact tracing. However, information in the portal will provide immediate guidance to positive cases about their requirement to isolate while they wait to be contacted. Public health officials aim to connect with positive cases within the first 24 to 48 hours after a positive test result is received.
The test results link is here.
Testing Sites
Click here to find testing sites. Anyone with symptoms is still encouraged to use the Shared Health Manitoba’s Self-Screening Tool to determine whether they meet the necessary criteria to be tested. The tool can be found here.
Prevention
The Province of Manitoba has published information for Manitobans on how you can protect yourself, your family and your community from the spread of the virus.
Learn more
Guide to non-medical mask use
From the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
See guide
Travel
In general, anyone arriving in Manitoba is required to self-isolate for 14-days upon arrival to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, there are exceptions to this requirement specified in the order. In particular, Manitoba residents who have travelled to "Western Canada* or "Northwestern Ontario** are exempt from the self-isolation requirements when they return to Manitoba if they have not travelled outside of western Canada or northwestern Ontario and are not displaying any symptoms of COVID-19.
The Federal Quarantine Act:
The Federal Quarantine Act is in force. It requires you to self-isolate for 14 days in all circumstances, on return from international travel. For more details on Federal Public Health instructions for Isolation and Quarantine, click here. It will explain the difference between isolation and quarantine.
Manitoba Help Next Door:
Manitoba Help Next Door can help you if you need supports during self isolation, or Manitobans can volunteer to help others. All volunteers are screened. https://helpnextdoormb.ca/
The province has specified that people in certain jobs and situations may be exempt from the self-isolation rule but must continue to self-monitor for symptoms. For details of these exemptions, as well as the responsibilities of employers, click here.
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Disclaimer:
Please note that content on this site is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide specific legal advice, nor to be relied upon as such. Users of this site are advised to seek specific legal counsel as required. Information provided on this site is without warranty and CUCM is not liable for any damages arising from the use thereof. This site contains links to other third-party sites. Such links are only for the convenience of the user. CUCM does not recommend or endorse the contents of any third-party sites.
In general, anyone arriving in Manitoba is required to self-isolate for 14-days upon arrival to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, there are exceptions to this requirement specified in the order. In particular, Manitoba residents who have travelled to "Western Canada* or "Northwestern Ontario** are exempt from the self-isolation requirements when they return to Manitoba if they have not travelled outside of western Canada or northwestern Ontario and are not displaying any symptoms of COVID-19.
- *Western Canada means British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. (as defined in the order).
- **Northwestern Ontario means that portion of Ontario that is located west of Terrace Bay (as defined in the order)
The Federal Quarantine Act:
The Federal Quarantine Act is in force. It requires you to self-isolate for 14 days in all circumstances, on return from international travel. For more details on Federal Public Health instructions for Isolation and Quarantine, click here. It will explain the difference between isolation and quarantine.
Manitoba Help Next Door:
Manitoba Help Next Door can help you if you need supports during self isolation, or Manitobans can volunteer to help others. All volunteers are screened. https://helpnextdoormb.ca/
The province has specified that people in certain jobs and situations may be exempt from the self-isolation rule but must continue to self-monitor for symptoms. For details of these exemptions, as well as the responsibilities of employers, click here.
-
Disclaimer:
Please note that content on this site is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide specific legal advice, nor to be relied upon as such. Users of this site are advised to seek specific legal counsel as required. Information provided on this site is without warranty and CUCM is not liable for any damages arising from the use thereof. This site contains links to other third-party sites. Such links are only for the convenience of the user. CUCM does not recommend or endorse the contents of any third-party sites.