Are You Taking Advantage of COVID-19 Business Support Grants?

Updated March 4, 2022‍

The COVID-19 pandemic has been quite challenging for Canadians, especially for owners of small businesses who have been forced to shut down more than once during lockdowns. To help alleviate the situation, the Federal Government of Canada has introduced multiple business grants and funding. These resources are available to help businesses, small or large, stay afloat during these times. This funding has been made available to help counterbalance the expenses incurred by businesses in order to reopen safely or implement technologies that would help their business move online.

Businesses can also get COVID-19 relief funding through provincial governments, as they have implemented their own aid to ensure businesses are able to keep operating during these difficult times. Throughout this article, we will look at how much your business is potentially entitled to, COVID-19 funding available for Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec; as well as PPE equipment available within Ontario, and why you should choose Disinfect & Fog for all your PPE supply needs.

How Much is Your Business Entitled to?

The Federal Government of Canada has made funds and partial grants available to businesses around the country. These funds are currently available for a multitude of business sizes, depending on the sector. To learn more about the different funding including grants being provided by the Federal or provincial governments of Canada, visit their website.

One of the most helpful programs offered by the Federal Government during the pandemic has been the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). This is a fund that works partially in the form of a grant as some of the monetary aid does not require payback if paid prior to December 31, 2023 (the deadline was recently extended from 2022). A positive aspect of this funding is that it is completely interest-free, making it easier to pay back, however the program is now closed for new applicants.

Meanwhile, all 13 provinces and territories of Canada have set out their own rules when it comes to the COVID-19 business grants and funding. Eligible businesses have access to funds that can be used to aid with the costs sustained during the pandemic such as Personal Protective Equipment, employee wages, or maintaining inventory. Each province has allocated different amounts of funds for businesses, and all applications are completed online or over the phone. More information about provincial programs, eligibility criteria, and applications is provided below.

COVID-19 Business Support Grants In Ontario

In Ontario, the government announced the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that were required to close under the modified Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen. Eligible businesses will receive a grant of $10,000 and applications are currently open until March 11, 2022. More information here.

Ontario is also introducing a new Business Costs Rebate Program to support businesses that are most impacted by provincial public health measures in response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. According to the government, eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. Applications for the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will be open until March 14, 2022, and more information is available here.

Furthermore, the province of Ontario is providing additional support to help improve cash flows for Ontario businesses by providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes. Further information is available on the Ontario Government official website.

COVID-19 Business Support Grants In Alberta

In Alberta, businesses, cooperatives, and non-profits that were forced to close or limit their operations, and have since suffered a revenue decrease of at least 30% have had access to government funding. The first and second payment applications are now closed, however, other applications will eventually become available to businesses once again.

Further information will be provided on the Alberta Government official website.

COVID-19 Business Support Grants In British Columbia

In BC, support of $10,000 to $30,000 was available for businesses impacted by COVID-19. The previous program that ran until the end of March 2021 was been extended to August 31, 2021, pertaining to new criteria. Businesses only needed to show a 30% revenue loss from March 2021 to now when compared to the same one-month time frame in 2019.

Grants and funding of 10,000-30,000 were available for small and medium businesses impacted by COVID-19. Additionally, an extra $5,000-$15,000 were available to eligible business that falls under the tourism category.

Further information is provided on the British Columbia Government official website.

COVID-19 Business Support Grants In Quebec

The province of Quebec is currently providing emergency assistance for small and medium-sized businesses due to COVID-19 (PAUPME). This grant seeks to support the working capital of SMEs to enable them to maintain, consolidate or revive their activities. Additionally, the province is providing assistance for businesses in regions on maximum alert (AERAM) section, looking to support establishments subject to a closure order.

According to Quebec's government website, applications for financial assistance submitted under the Emergency Assistance Program for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (PAUPME) can be submitted at the latest four weeks after the state of public health emergency is lifted. Meanwhile, the Assistance for Businesses in Regions on Maximum Alert (AERAM) section ends on February 28, 2022, and applications for financial assistance submitted in the context of this section must be received no later than March 31, 2022.

Further information is provided on the Quebec Government official website.

Looking for Personal Protective Equipment?

Government grants and funding are still currently available for businesses of all sectors for the access of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on each provincial official website. Choosing where to spend that monetary aid is very important as it can be circulated back into our economy if spent within Canadian businesses.

Disinfect & Fog has your disinfecting needs covered. From one Ontario business to all Canadians, we are here to help!

We carry everything from portable, lightweight, and cost-effective disinfecting devices to full-blown disinfecting services, and we want to be able to help you prepare for the reopening of your business and for the long run.

Using state-of-the-art fogging technologies, Disinfect & Fog makes sanitizing your workplace an easier task. The best part? Our disinfecting equipment and services are categorized by the government as Personal Protective Equipment and will therefore be covered by the business relief grants, costing you no extra fee.

Our disinfectants are far more effective than bleach yet non-toxic, biodegradable, and non-irritating, making it safer for humans and animals while remaining 99.99% effective. Our products are also approved by Health Canada to kill bacteria and viruses including COVID-19.

Why Choose Disinfect & Fog?

Outstanding Customer Service - We are dedicated to our clients and are here to provide an exceptional experience, ensuring that any problem you might encounter is resolved as hassle-free as possible.

Personalized Training - We offer training resources and virtual or in-person (depending on location) training sessions to ensure you feel comfortable with the product(s).

Top Quality Products - We only offer the best quality products that are safe for anyone to use. All our disinfectants are non-toxic, non-corrosive, and environmentally friendly.

Canadian small businesses have suffered a long, and tiring year and it's time we allow our governments to help. We also would love to hear about your experiences with small business relief grants.