COVID-19 Response Update 11

Reminder - we have these asks of our membership.

  1. We have received a request to reach out to you our members and the business community at large to see if you have any potential medical supplies available including; masks (surgical and N95's) and gloves (latex & nitrile). If you have any other items that you believe might be useful, please send Tracy a list and count of what you would be willing to put on hold for potential use by local medical professional.
  2. We have had a request from Minister Joly, the minister responsible for Economic Development to find out if you are getting the support you need to get loans and other support from your bank. If you have gotten support or are working on it and want to tell us about your your success or troubles it will help the federal government.

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The federal government announced the following:


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As a reminder we suggest you register with My Account (for individuals) or My Business Account (for businesses). Sometimes people my experience a delay if a PIN number is required to be sent through the mail. We are suggesting that this may save you time in the future.

To do so you can head to the following websites based on your needs;
My Business Account
My Account for Individuals

Even if you are not sure you will need support it does not hurt to sign up for these accounts for future use.

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COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RENTAL DEFERRAL GUARANTEE PROGRAM
We realize that rent is due in only a few days and businesses that have been required to close as a result of the Public Health Order are left wondering how they will pay their bills. Government is encouraging landlords to defer payment of commercial leases for three months and spread those payments over the remainder of the lease agreement. Landlords who enter into a rental deferral agreement with their eligible tenants will be able to claim losses of rental income.

To be eligible for the COVID-19 Small Business Rental Deferral Guarantee Program, landlords must register with the Department of Business by 3 April by emailing  NSRentDeferral@novascotia.ca . The rent deferral agreement must be in place by 1 April.
More information is available at  https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/#support
 
UPDATE TO THE TENANCY AND DISTRESS FOR RENT ACT
Effective March 31, 2020 at 6 a.m., landlords are not permitted to change locks or seize property of businesses who cannot pay rent, if the business closed directly because of COVID public health orders.
 
An updated copy of the Direction from Chuck Porter, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is available here  https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/Direction-of-the-Minister-under-a-Declared-State-of-Emergency.pdf
 
 
NOVA SCOTIA TENDER NOTICES
Are you a business that can supply products and service in support of Nova Scotia’s response to COVID-19? If so, we want to hear from you. A procurement portal has been developed and includes a list of products and services we’re looking for. For more information, visit  https://procurement.novascotia.ca/ns-tenders.aspx
 
 
FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ANNOUNCED TODAY
Today, March 27, the federal government announced supports for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.  The announcement included:
  • An increase to the wage subsidy from 10% to 75%, back dated to March 15, 2020
  • Allowing businesses, included self-employed, to defer all GST and HST payments until June
  • The launch of the new Canada Emergency Business Account – offering $25 billion to eligible financial institutions so they can provide interest-free loans to small businesses
  • Launch of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee program, that will enable up to $40 billion in lending through the EDC and BDC

More information on today’s federal announcement is available at  https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
 
 
TAKE OUT AND DELIVERY SALES OF ALCOHOL PERMITTED FOR RESTAURANTS
Restaurants who are providing take out and delivery are now permitted to include alcohol purchases with those orders, as long as the alcohol cost is not more than three times the value of food ordered, effective March 30. Read more at  https://novascotia.ca/news/

PROVINCIAL SUPPORTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The provincial government has announced several initiatives to address cash flow and access to credit for small and medium sized businesses in Nova Scotia:

  • Payment deferrals until June 30 on all government loans, including those under the Farm Loan Board, Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board, Jobs Fund, Nova Scotia Business Fund, Municipal Finance Corp. and Housing Nova Scotia. 

  • Fees, including business renewal fees and workers compensation premiums, will be deferred. A list of applicable fees will be posted online early next week.

  • Changes to the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, administered through 15 provincial Credit Unions, include deferring principal and interest payments until June 30. 

  • Other changes to the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program include enhancing the program to make it easier for businesses to access credit up to $500,000. For new loans, the first $100,000 will be fully guaranteed by the province. Other changes to this program will be announced soon. 



GOVERNMENT BUSINESS NAVIGATORS
Our Business Navigators are available to help you with any questions you may have. Find out more about the service at  https://novascotia.ca/regulatoryopportunity/business-navigators.asp
They can be reached Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm at  1-844-628-7347  ,  902-424-4475
 
 
USEFUL RESOURCES 
Provincial website:  https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/

Government of Canada:  https://canada.ca/coronavirus

Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397

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Information from Atlantic Chamber of Commerce

Atlantic Chamber has created COVID-19 Business Resource & Information page

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Resources from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Ontario Chamber of Commerce  
Our partners at the Ontario Chamber are also sharing resources with Ontario businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The OCC has developed an Ontario business pandemic toolkit and you can find that  here
 
Grant Thornton 
Our member, Grant Thornton, is committed to helping its clients, colleagues and communities navigate the impacts of COVID-19 and are supporting their clients any way they can.  Click here  to find out more.
Links

Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus  .

Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada or has been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever (above 38 C) and/or new cough should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811. The online questionnaire can be found at:  https://811.novascotia.ca/

Government of Canada:  https://canada.ca/coronavirus
 
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397 Nova Scotia Public Health offices: http://www.nshealth.ca/public-health-offices



Key Information Tools / Outils importants: 
 
Announcement by Minister of Finance, March 25 / Annonce du ministre des Finances, le 25 mars

Work-Sharing Program / Programme de travail partagé :
Service Canada a créé une unité de renseignements bilingue pour les employeurs touchés par COVID-19 qui recherchent des informations relatives au Programme de travail partagé. Les demandes de renseignements peuvent être envoyées à la boîte aux lettres ci-dessous pour obtenir des renseignements précis sur le Travail partagé ou pour demander des renseignements généraux sur le programme :  EDSC.DGOP.TP.REP-RES.WS.POB.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca
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Service Canada has created a bilingual enquiry unit for employers affected by COVID-19 that are seeking information related to the Work-Sharing Program. Enquiries can be sent to the mailbox below for specific Work-Sharing information or to request general information about the Program:

For help understanding the definition of essential services across borders and to understand what documentation will be required at the Canada – US border: Pour des définitions et de l’information sur des services essentiels et la documentation requise à la frontière :
·          Canada Border Services Agency has established a toll free line, staffed 24/7, to answer specific questions about Border Crossing:  1-800-461-9999  from within Canada, and 1 -204-983-3500 or 1-506-636-5064  from outside Canada. 
·         L’Agence canadienne des services frontaliers a établi une ligne sans frais, 24 heures sur 24, pour des questions sur la frontière : 1 -800-461-9999  en provenance du Canada, et 1 -204-983-3500 ou 1-506-636-5064  de l’extérieur du Canada

Canada Revenue Agency - Helping Canadians with the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic / l’Agence du revenu du Canada - Aider les Canadiens avec l'impact économique de la pandémie de COVID-19
 
Exemptions to travel restrictions to protect Canadians and support the economy / Exemptions aux restrictions de voyage afin de protéger les Canadiens et d’appuyer l’économie

Expedited access to disinfectants, hand sanitizers and personal protective equipment to help limit the spread of COVID-19, as well as swabs for testing / Accès accéléré aux désinfectants, aux antiseptiques pour les mains et à l'équipement de protection individuelle pour aider à limiter la propagation de COVID-19, ainsi qu' aux écouvillons pour les tests

Business Credit Availability Program/ Programme de credit pour les entreprises
 
Resources for Canadian businesses: COVID-19 / Ressources pour les enterprises canadiennes: COVID-19
 
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan / Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19
 
Stay Connected/Soyez informés
Canada Business App – Appli Affaires Canada :  www.canada.ca/business-app .
 
COVID-19 subscription for Public Health Updates/Inscription pour les mises à jour sur la santé publique:
 
Business Supports/ Appui aux entreprises :
Department of Finance - Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses / Ministère des Finances : Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses / Maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) : Ressources pour les entreprises canadiennes
 
Work-Sharing Program - Temporary special measures / Programme de travail partagé - Mesures spéciales temporaires:

Canada Revenue Agency - Helping Canadians with the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic / l’Agence du revenu du Canada - Aider les Canadiens avec l'impact économique de la pandémie de COVID-19
 
What Canada’s Regional Development Agencies are doing to help business during the COVID-19 pandemic/ Ce que font les agences de développement régional (ADR) du Canada pour aider les entreprises pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 
English :  HTML  -  PDF version
French:  HTML  -  Version PDF
 
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada/Emploi et développement social Canada – maladie à COVID-19

Export Development Canada COVID-19/Exportation et développement Canada
 
Business Development Bank of Canada – Banque de développement du Canada

Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Chambre de commerce du Canada
 
World Health Organization COVID-19 - Business and Employees / Organisation mondiale de la santé – entreprises et employés
 
Council of Canadian Innovators – COVID-19 Slack Channel (you must create an account)
 
Facebook
English: Business Resource Hub:  https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/resource
 
Canadian Federation of Independent Business – Fédération canadienne de l’entreprise indépendante
 
Uber Eats

Innovative Medicines Canada
 
Innovative Medicines Canada: Statement on Canada’s Drug Supply / Déclaration portant sur l’approvisionnement en médicaments : IMC

Save Small  Business.ca

The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) is providing regular Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and resources for the CFA member community to stay informed and be prepared.

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters COVID-19 Resources

Google announcement on support to small businesses / Annonce de la part de Google pour appuyer les petites entreprises