COVID-19 Business Resources

A number of business and industry focused organizations are being proactive in posting information and resources primarily targeted at the needs of business.

Some of these resources are documented below.  For a complete list of COVID-19 resources available, please click the Resource Inventory button.

Resource Inventory

Alberta Relaunch

As the province is looking to “relaunch”, the Government of Alberta has put together their Relaunch strategy, which is supplemented with the Alberta Biz Connect and Alberta Health Services (AHS) resources for information for businesses on how to safely relaunch their business operations.

Alberta Relaunch Strategy
Alberta Biz Connect
AHS - Workplace Guidance

BREOC Supports

Three support programs are available:
  1. Business Coaching & Consulting provides direct one-on-one expert business coaches and consultants to support your business on a variety of needs and challenges. If you’re interested in working with some local business experts, please reach out to your respective Region’s Economic Development Officer to find out more!
  2. The Business Enhancement Support (BES) focuses on businesses whom self-identify a need/opportunity that requires support. This support is to enhance a business’s ability to carry out projects that boost their ability to be successful.
  3. The Skills Enhancement Support (SES) provides supports to allow businesses to invest in their current staff, in order to build capacity within their business as well as their community.
To find out if you’re eligible and to complete an application for the BES/SES, please reach out to the Battle River Innovation Centres at:
Forestburg 587-844-2112
Castor 587-854-3225

Access to Credit

Business Credit Availability Program – The Government of Canada is providing additional
support through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development
Canada (EDC).
  • Canada Emergency Business Account – this program can provide interest-free loans to small businesses and not for profits.
  • Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises – EDC is working with various financial institutions to issue new operating credit and cash flow term loans.
  • Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises – BDC is working with various financial institutions to co-lend term loans for operational cash flow needs.
BDC – BDC has a variety of financial tools to support businesses through COVID-19.
ATB – current clients can apply for loan deferrals, lines of credits, and more.

Avoiding Layoffs

Work Sharing Program – a program to share working hours with co-workers to maintain employees.
Small Business Wage Subsidy – The Government of Canada can support up to 75% of your employees’ wages for up to 3-months (retroactive to March 15, 2020).
Employment Insurance (Record of Employment – ROE) – information on your role as an employer and responsibilities for ROE’s.
Temporary layoffs – information for if you’re an employer considering a temporary layoff of employees.
WCB – most instances of COVID-19 are not work-related, however there are a few exceptions.

Support for Farmers

Farm Credit Canada – The Government of Canada are supporting Farm Credit Canada by allowing an additional funding for lending capacity to producers, agribusinesses, and food processors.

Tax-Related Supports

Corporate Income Tax – Government of Canada is allowing businesses to defer income taxes.
  • Alberta – Corporate income tax balances and instalment payments can be deferred.
Sales Tax and Duty Payments – The Government of Canada will allow businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer payments of the Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST), as well as customs duties owing on imports.
WCB Premium Payment Deferral – Small, medium and large private sector employers can defer WCB premium payments.
Utility Payment Deferral – Residential, farm and small commercial customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments
Tourism Levy Deferral – Hotels and other lodging providers can delay paying the tourism levy.

New information and a continued evolution of services specific to businesses will continue to evolve over the foreseeable future. We will endeavour to post links to additional resources as they become available.

*The informational resources provided are intended to support greater ease of access to already available information and is not intended as legal advice.