FAQs about Canada’s COVID-19 support programs and re-opening plans

Each program has different eligibility requirements, application procedures and limitations, and they’re constantly changing. It can get confusing. As a result, we’ve had tons of questions from businesses looking to access these new resources.

Our team has put together a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and set our COVID-19 Resources Lead to the task of answering them. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll release short videos walking you through the FAQs for each section on our Resources page.

Here are our FAQs for COVID-19 business support programs:

Recovery and Re-opening Series

Episode 1: General Overview

• 1:26 – Overview of the staged approach released by the Ontario Government and the May 14 announcement on Stage 1 re-openings
• 2:44 – As the Ontario Government prepares a framework for re-opening the economy, how can I prepare my business?
• 3:06 – I have some concerns about re-opening my business. How can I make sure my voice is heard?
• 3:29 – I have put together best practices for my business. Where can I upload the document for others to use?
• 3:53 – I’m having a hard time sourcing personal protective equipment (PPE) for my business. How can I access PPE?

Episode 2: Manufacturing Sector

• 1:00 – I work in the manufacturing sector. What resources are available to support a safe re-opening?
  • Sector-Specific Guidelines: https://www.ontario.ca/page/resources-prevent-covid-19-workplace
  • Food & Consumer Products of Canada: http://www.fcpc.ca/COVID-19-Operations-Best-Practices-for-Industry

• 2:52 – Are there any current examples that highlight best practices for re-opening?
  • Toyota Motor North American’s Manufacturing COVID-19 Playbook: https://pressroom.toyota.com/safe-at-work-playbook/

• 3:57 – Are there any PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) access updates for the Waterloo Region community?
  • Workplace PPE Supplier Directory: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/workplace-ppe-supplier-directory#no-back
  • AccessPPE.ca: https://accessppe.ca/
  • Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Local PPE Suppliers: https://www.cambridgechamber.com/COVID-19-PPE.htm

Episode 3: Small to Medium-Sized Businesses

• 1:07 – The Digital Main Street program
  • Digital Main Street: https://digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario/
• 1:52 – The Chamber Business Ready portal
  • The Chamber Business Ready portal: https://chamberbr.axonify.com/training/auth.html
• 2:52 – Where can I find sector-specific guidelines for small to medium-sized businesses?
  • Sector-Specific Guidelines: https://www.ontario.ca/page/resources-prevent-covid-19-workplace
  • Public Services Health & Safety Association: https://www.pshsa.ca/covid-19
• 3:33 – Are there any additional resources for those who work in office spaces?
  • Avison Young: https://www.avisonyoung.com/
  • CBRE: https://www.cbre.com/covid-19
  • Cushman & Wakefield: https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/canada
• 4:06 – Are there any PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) access updates for Waterloo Region?
  • Workplace PPE Supplier Directory: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/workplace-ppe-supplier-directory#no-back
  • AcesssPPE.ca: https://accessppe.ca/
  • Cambridge Chamber of Commerce: https://www.cambridgechamber.com/Events.htm#id=2109&cid=232&wid=1101
  • BASF Rapid Response Platform: https://www.rrpcanada.org/#/
  • Federal PPE Hub: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/buying-selling-personal-protective-equipment-covid-19-overview.html

Loans

Guide:

• 1:33 – How can I apply/stay on top of these programs as they are rolled out?
• 2:19 – How do I know if I’m eligible for these loans?
• 3:00 – Can I utilize all the loan programs?
• 3:20 – There seems to be a loan through Export Development Canada and a Co-Lending Program through the Business Development Bank of Canada. Can you explain the difference?
• 4:40 – I’m in the Agri-Food sector, what is out there for me in terms of loans and funding?
• 6:23 – Rapid fire Q&A – CEWS + loans

Workforce and Labour

Guide:

• 0:54 – Can you explain how Work-Sharing works?
• 2:34 – Can programs be stacked? Can you stack the Work-Sharing program with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy?
• 4:07 – If I’m eligible for the 75% Wage Subsidy and some of my employees were laid off, how can we proceed?
• 6:04 – Revenue hasn’t decreased by 15% or 30%, but my profits have decreased by 35%. Am I eligible for the 75% Wage Subsidy?
• 6:51 – What if after utilizing the 75% Wage Subsidy, our company realizes that we weren’t eligible?