Our business community is recognized as an important contributor to our local economy and employment base. Given the circumstances, it is likely that a number of businesses will experience an increased likelihood of having owners and workers whom are impacted by the COVID–19 Virus. Initial responses and information resources sourced from federal and provincial sites are listed. As new or additional information becomes available, we will do our best to post it in a timely fashion.
For a complete list of COVID-19 resources available, please click the Resource Inventory button.
Support for Individuals and Families
Child Care Benefits – the Government of Canada is providing an extra funds per child through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20.
Special Goods and Services Tax Credit Payment – special one-time payment for low- and modest-income families.
Income Tax – The Government of Canada is deferring the filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals.
Mortgage Supports – Canadian banks have committed to work with their customers on a case-by-case basis.
Emergency Isolation Support – Eligible working Albertans can receive a one-time emergency isolation payment for support.
Education Property Tax Freeze – Residential education property tax rates will be frozen at last year’s (2019) level.
Support for People Facing Unemployment
Canadian Emergency Response Benefit – The Government of Canada will provide a taxable benefit per month for up to 4 months to support.
Employment Insurance – if you’ve lost your job through no fault of your own and qualify for EI, you can submit your request immediately.
Job protected Leave – Changes to the Employment Standards Code allow full and part-time employees to take 14 days of job-protected leave if they qualify.
WCB – Most instances of COVID-19 are not work-related and do not need to be reported to WCB- Alberta. However, there are a few exceptions.
ATB – Personal banking customers can apply for a deferral on their ATB loans, lines of credit and mortgages for up to 6 months.
Alberta Credit Union – Credit union members will have access to a variety of programs and solutions designed to ease difficulties with loan payments and short-term cash flow. Contact your credit union to work out a plan for your personal situation.
Support for People who are Sick, Quarantined, or in Directed Self-Isolation
Canadian Emergency Response Benefit – The Government of Canada will provide a taxable benefit per month for up to 4 months to support.
Employment insurance sickness benefits – If you are sick, quarantined or have been directed to self-isolate, we will waive the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits. For more information on the improved Access to Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits click here.
Support for Seniors
Registered Retirement Income Funds – The Government of Canada is reducing the required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) for 2020.
Practical Services – The Government of Canada is contributing $9 million through United Way Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors. These services could include the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals’ needs and connect them to community supports.
To contact a United Way near you, click here.
Support for Students and Recent Graduates
Canada Student Loans – Effective March 30, we are placing a six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans for all student loan borrowers. No payment will be required, and interest will not accrue during this time. Students do not need to apply for the repayment pause. For more information on the Moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans click here.
Student Loans Repayment Deferral (Alberta) – The Albertan government is implementing a six-month, interest free moratorium on Alberta student loan payments for all Albertans in the process of repaying these loans.
Education Property Tax Freeze – Residential education property tax rates will be frozen at last year’s (2019) level.
Support for Youth
Mental Health Support – The Government of Canada is providing funding to Kids Help Phone to provide young people with the mental health support they need during this difficult time.
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.