The following sections contains up to date and useful information to answer any questions you may have. If you do not see the answers you require here, please feel free to email the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce for assistance.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund Expansion
The Government of Canada and Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) understand the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the small business community throughout Atlantic Canada. As a result, the Government of Canada has made funds available to the CBDCs to provide support and assistance to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) located in non-metropolitan regions (all areas served by CBDCs) in Atlantic Canada through the rural stream of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).
Small business owners impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for a loan through the Regional Relief and Recovery Funding Expansion.
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund provides funding to support businesses that have not been approved for supports through the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) or the Emergency Loan Program delivered through Aboriginal Financial Institutions.
General Details of the RRRF Expansion Loan:
Loan Limits: Subject to each of the following provisions, the aggregate amount of RRRF Loans to an SME shall normally not exceed $60,000.00. This limit applies to the aggregate of RRRF loans to the SME and any other non-arm’s length enterprise.
- An Initial Loan to a Borrower which had not previously received a RRRF Loan shall not normally exceed $60,000.
- A Supplemental Loan to a Borrower which had received a RRRF loan prior to February 26, 2021 of $40,000.00 may be eligible to receive a Supplemental Loan of up to $20,000.00 such that the aggregate sum of the Initial Loan and the Supplemental Loan shall not normally exceed $60,000.00.
- A Supplemental Loan to an existing Borrower, including Borrowers of an aggregate amount of less than $40,000.00 must not, under any circumstance, exceed $20,000.00 regardless of the amount of the Initial Loan;
- 0% interest until December 31, 2022;
- No principal payments required until December 31, 2022; and
- Principal repayments can be voluntarily made at any time without penalty.
Loan Forgiveness:
Where an Applicant receives an Initial Loan and subsequently receives a Supplemental Loan:
- If the Applicant repays at least 75% of the first $40,000 of the aggregate amount of the Loan and at least 50% of the balance of the aggregate amount of the Loan over $40,000 by December 31, 2022, an amount equal to 25% of the first $40,000 plus an amount equal to 50% of the amount between $40,001 and $60,000 will be credited to the outstanding balance of the Loan, for a maximum total credit amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000);
- For clarity, an Applicant will not be eligible for any credit unless the Applicant repaid both 75% of the first $40,000 and 50% of the balance over $40,000 by December 31, 2022;
- If any part of the balance is not paid by December 31, 2022, the remaining balance will be converted to a term loan effective January 1, 2023; and
- The full balance must be repaid no later than December 31, 2025.
Learn more about the RRRF here. https://www.cbdc.ca/en/nova-scotia-regional-relief-and-recovery-fund-rrrf
PROVINCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESSES:
Tourism Accommodations Real Property Tax Rebate:Applications are open today, May 4, for the Tourism Accommodations Real Property Tax Rebate Program Part 2, announced on March 12th. This program provides qualified operators with a 50 per cent rebate on the first six months of commercial property tax paid in 2021-22.
- Operators who received payments under the first Tourism Accommodations Real Property Tax Rebate Program will be automatically eligible if they are still the owners of the property.
- $7.3 million has been allocated for this program, which will be administered by Tourism Nova Scotia.
- Businesses applying for this program must meet the definition of a roofed accommodation as set out in the Tourist Accommodation Registration Act, be registered as a host under the act, have more than five rooms available to rent, not be in arrears of property taxes or property tax installment payments and have experienced a year-over-year revenue loss of at least 30 per cent from April 1 to Oct. 31, 2020.
Small Business Real Property Tax Rebate Program:Applications will open the week of May 10 for the Small Business Real Property Tax Rebate Program. Eligible businesses can receive a one-time rebate of a portion of their paid property taxes. They can choose a rebate of $1,000 or 50 per cent of the commercial real property taxes paid for the final six months of the 2020-21 tax year.
- $7 million has been allocated for this program, which will be administered by the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Response Council.
- This program will be available to gym and fitness establishments, hair salons and barber shops, spas, nail salons, body art establishments, restaurants offering in-person dining service and bars and licensed drinking establishments.
- Eligible businesses must be recipients of previous Small Business Impact Grants (part 1 or 2), have experienced a year-over-year decline in revenues of at least 30 per cent for the period April 30, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021, or have started operations on or after Jan. 1, 2020.
Small Business Grant Part 3:
The Small Business Impact Grant Part 3 will provide a grant of up to $5,000 to eligible businesses that have been directly affected by public health measures in April 2021.
Eligible businesses include:
- restaurants offering in-person dining service
- bars or licenced drinking establishments
- fitness, recreational and leisure facilities
- independent retailers with a physical location
- personal services businesses like hair and nail salons and spas
- Independent retailers with a physical retail location
- organizations offering live performing arts
The grant amount will be 15% of the business’s sales revenue for either April 2019 or February 2020 up to a maximum of $5,000. For businesses established after 15 March 2020, the grant amount will be equal to 15% of the sales revenue for any month from April 2020 to March 2021. Applicants can choose which month to use in calculating the grant.
Businesses must either:
- have experienced an average monthly revenue decrease of 30% or more for the period of 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2021 compared to the same time the previous year
- expect at least a 30% decrease in revenues in May 2021 because of current public health measures
If you previously received a Small Business Impact Grant, you’ll receive an email explaining the next steps the week of 3 May. Applications for businesses that didn’t previously receive a grant will open by 19 May.
Questions can be sent to [email protected].
Nova Scotia COVID-19 Sick Leave Program
(Announced May 12, 2021) Nova Scotians who need to take time off work because of COVID-19 may qualify for up to 4 paid sick days through the COVID-19 Sick Leave Program. Businesses can apply for reimbursement for an employee’s pay when an employee needs to take time off. Self-employed people can also apply. Applications open 26 May 2021.
Employers can apply for reimbursement for an employee’s sick days if they:
- are a for-profit business or not-for-profit organization
- have a permanent physical location in Nova Scotia
- are registered to do business in Nova Scotia
- are in good standing with the Government of Nova Scotia (not in default of any financial obligations like loan repayments, taxes, fines, fees and administrative and court orders)
- are paying Nova Scotia-based employees who don’t qualify for paid sick leave under their employment agreement and aren’t receiving benefits from other COVID-19 programs
Self-employed people can apply if they:
- are actively earning income from the business as their primary source of income
- are registered to do business in Nova Scotia, if applicable
- have declared business income on their most recent tax return
- have lost income because they missed time at work
- are in good standing with the Government of Nova Scotia (not in default of any financial obligations like loan repayments, taxes, fines, fees and administrative and court orders)
- aren’t eligible for or receiving other income support (like Business Interruption Insurance, Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit or any other income replacement or insurance programs)
FEE DEFERRAL
The government will be deferring fees until June 30 for businesses that were required to close or were significantly curtailed by the April public health restrictions. Workers’ compensation premium payments will be deferred until the end of July.
FEDERAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESSES
The Federal Government still has many programs available for businesses and although there has not been a change in these programs in a while, please review below to see if there are any you may qualify for:
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy:As an employer who has seen a drop in revenue during the pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, enabling you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations. This is available until September 25th , 2021 but will decline over time.https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy.html
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy:Businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue during the pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses. Extended to September 25th, 2021. This program provides up to 65% of rent plus a top of 25% during lockdown. This does not require landlord approval.https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-rent-subsidy.html
Canada Emergency Business Account:If you are a small business or non-profit, you may be eligible for an interest-free loan of up to $60,000. This is the program that provided $40,000 and an additional $20,000 for a total of $60,000 of which $20,000 will be forgiven.https://ceba-cuec.ca/
Employment Insurance:EI has changed to support more Canadians through the pandemic. Read more at the link below.https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit.html
Canada Recovery Benefit:Income support may be available to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit:Income support may be available to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care.https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit.html
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit:Income support may be available to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19.https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program:Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs.https://www.bdc.ca/en/special-support/hascap?ref=shorturl-hascap
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund:If your business has been rejected by or was unable to access other federal pandemic support programs, or continue to have liquidity needs, you may be eligible for funding through ACOA.https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/campaigns/covid19/rrrf.html
Government Business Navigators:
More information on this service is available https://novascotia.ca/regulatoryopportunity/business-navigators.asp. Navigators are available by calling or 1-844-628-7347 , 902-424-4475 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm or by email [email protected]
BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Virtual Training
NSBI is providing virtual workshops and training courses to support SME’s access programming at times that work for them – all the more important during the current climate. The featured sessions including Planning for Now: Improvise, Adapt & Overcome and How to Mitigate Financial Risk During Crisis, provide companies with vital strategies and hands-on tips on how to deal with the current crisis.
Information can be found here https://www.novascotiabusiness.com/events/nsbi.ca/events
Funding Search Tool updated for COVID-19
Through NSBI’s website, the Funding Search Tool now enables businesses to keyword search any funding tools locally and across the country specific to the current COVID challenges to business – just use the keyword COVID-19 https://novascotiabusiness.com/export/online-tools/funding-search-tool
For the most up-to-date and accurate information on programs and supports, please visit the Federal Economic Response Plan Website
Chambers Plan Update
We’re reaching out to provide you with some important information regarding your employee benefits with us under Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we want to do everything we can to provide you with essential information. We are all in this together and we’re committed to sharing information and supports as developments occur. The information below is accurate as of March 20, 2020, and please feel free to share it within your company.
Atlantic Chamber Resources & Information
Atlantic Chamber has created COVID-19 Business Resource & Information
https://www.atlanticchamber.ca/covid-19-resources
Canadian Chamber of Commerce Resources
Here you will find the supports, information, tools and resources your business needs to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic and plan your recovery.
https://chamber.ca/resource/cbrn/
USEFUL LINKS FOR BUSINESS RESOURCES
Labour & Advanced Education
https://novascotia.ca/lae
Legal Info Nova Scotia
https://www.legalinfo.org
Futureworx Nova Scotia
https://futureworx.ca/
Service Canada
https://www.canada.ca/…/corpo…/portfolio/service-canada.html
Employment Advisor Nova Scotia
http://oeans.ca
Please remember that up to date information regarding COVID-19 can also be found from the Nova Scotia Government at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Do you have questions about non-medical facemasks? The Province of Nova Scotia has released a tool kit to help businesses naviagate the new face mask requirements.
Print this Face-Masks-Required-Poster for your business and combine it with this helpful How to Wear Mask Poster
We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
The POST Promise is a private sector-led initiative designed to help Canadians confidently and safely take the first steps back into public spaces and the workplace.
View Post Promise Key Messages
Visit postpromise.com for details and see how Canadian organizations like us are ‘making the promise’.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety – Recommended by government as a possible model for our business community, offers a number of tip sheets for various industries. These are excellent examples of what we all need to think about as restrictions are eased. There are 15 different industries with tip sheets. https://www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/covid19
- Daycares
- Transportation
- Construction
- Emergency and Patient Intake
- Work Camps
- Agriculture
- First Responders
- Retail
- Mining
- Airline and Ground Crews
- Home Delivery and Couriers
- Long Term Care
- Manufacturing
- Food Processing
- Preventing Stigma
- Correctional Facilities
- Restaurants and Food Services
Nova Scotia is preparing to reopen the province safely. As more businesses, organizations, services and public spaces reopen, we need to work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help keep everyone safe. View the guidline released by the province here.
Fredericton, New Brunswick has released a Reopening and Recovery Guide for Businesses and Organizations. You can view the guide here on the website of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.
Restaurants Canada has created a guide for reopening practices that those in the restaurant business will find useful. http://www.restaurantscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/RC_COVID19_Reopening_BestPractices.pdf
Retail Council of Canada has produced a useful guide for storefronts that will need to rethink their business operations. See their guide and checklists here: https://www.retailcouncil.org/coronavirus-info-for-retailers/covid-19-recovery-planning/
Deloitte Dashboard – This is billed as a live look at Canada’s economy to prepare businesses for recovery. It is applicable to not-for-profits, charities and labour groups. It shows a significant amount of information in an easy to read manner. https://www2.deloitte.com/ca/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/covid-dashboard.html?icid=nav2_covid-dashboard
Medcan has released a checklist of considerations for a safe environment when reopening workplaces. View the Restarting the Canadian Economy pdf checklist.
A re-opening guide developed by the Event Safety Alliance, which is a good reference and interesting read to potentially help plan for re-opening. View the Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide pdf file.
COVID-19 Tool KitSafe Work Practices in The
Nova Scotia Construction Industry has released a guide retailing safe work practices on site. Vew the Safe Work Practices in the Nova Scotia Construction Industry.
Taking care of your Mental Health is no joke, but it CAN be a game! Download our Mental Health Bingo Card here: Mental Health Bingo
The Truro Chamber has compiled a list of ways that employers can support their employees mental health in a remote work environment. View the PDF here: Mental Health for Remote Workers
Watch our B.Y.O.L. on Mental Health with guest speakers from Soul Space Counselling Therapy, Mindful Care Consulting, Transforming Tides Counselling and the Canadian Mental Health Association on our YouTube channel here
The Canadian Mental Health Association has supports for people coping with self-isolation and other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
The Government of Canada has prepared information to help you take care of your mental health during this COVID-19 outbreak.
The Chamber Benefits Plan has compiled some helpful Mental Health Resources here
A new virus like COVID-19 can create fear and anxiety. There are ways to manage your symptoms and get help if you need it. Learn more about protecting your mental health during COVID-19 from the Province of Nova Scotia.
Benefits Canada says employees across the country are facing a myriad of stressors right now, and it’s important during this time that we don’t let mental health support falter. Read more here.
Don’t miss any of the webinars hosted by the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce. Follow our YouTube Channel here.
Wednesday, May 12th at 10am for an information session on incentives to offset your hiring and training costs.
At the session, you will have a chance to hear from a panel of experts from several government programs such as GTO, Coop Education Incentive, START, JCP, Workplace Innovation Productive Skills Incentive (WIPSI), Office of Immigration employer supports, ISANS Employer supports and so much more.
This session is free, open to all employers, and will take place on zoom.
Register NOW at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEldOGsrTkiGNT6Jbyipn3u5K_JY0xKOw4Q
The Career Ready Program
Thanks to the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), businesses of all sizes can access wage subsidies of up to 70% through TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program when they hire students in tech-immersive roles.
Through the Career Ready Program, businesses can have a low-cost, low-risk option to scale up, while also giving students meaningful work experiences. This allows students to apply their learning in a practical setting, where they can hone their skills—from technology to marketing communications—to their highest advantage.
TECHNATION is a member-driven not-for-profit organization, uniting Canada’s technology sector, governments, and communities from coast to coast.
The pandemic has made Canadian businesses have to rethink how they hire, work, and grow—but with help from an eager Career Ready student, things can feel a little more manageable.
Whether it’s implementing new digital projects, taking your store online, or boosting your social media presence, we think that the businesses within your association can benefit from this program as an easy and affordable way to grow operations now and beyond the pandemic.
You can find out more information on how to apply here.
We’re also holding two webinars on May 19 & 20 at 10AM. Please feel free to share this event with your network and membership. Here’s the registration link:
https://members.technationcanada.ca/event/CRWebinarMay19
https://members.technationcanada.ca/event/CRWebinarMay20
Talusier A. LaSalle
Gestionnaire principal de programme, Career Ready
Senior Program Coordinator, Career Ready
Québec & Atlantic/Atlantique
G&G Computers is open and working Monday to Friday 8-5.
We can arrange for drop off for business only situational based.
Closed to the public for the time being
We can fix remotely Please call 902-843-3113 or email [email protected]
Business working from home?
We can provide 6 months Free Microsoft Teams license allowing Chats, Video conferencing, collaboration, online meetings and much more.
Office 365 available and fast to setup for cloud working.
Need your office phone system to work remotely we have temporary and permanent solutions?
Shipment of Refurbished Desktop and laptops have arrived and ready to help keep your employees working at home.
Grant Thornton has created a COVID-19 hub – Finding the way forward: Guiding businesses through coronavirus (COVID-19).
There are presently 8 articles providing practical and relevant guidance to helping in the most immediate situation. They will be adding more information and updating existing content as quickly as possible as the situation evolves. Advisory and tax teams across the country have pivoted and are focused on addressing the most immediate needs. The Hub information is updated every few days.
What employers and employees need to know
What to consider when facing a temporary closure
Federal Government announces measures to combat COVID-19
COVID-19: Government and economic resources
Strategies to help businesses respond to COVID-19
Steps to manage cash flow and financial headwinds
MNP COVID-19 Business Advice Centre
Pathway through the Pandemic – Strategies and tools to lead your company through the coronavirus crisis
We are committed to helping our clients, team members and communities adapt to an evolving landscape being defined by the coronavirus pandemic. Your success and safety remain our priority – with relevant, up-to-date Canadian and international information, we’ll help you navigate through and be resilient in the face of this new normal.
Businesses can sign up for the newsletter to receive a daily notification of updates.
https://www.mnp.ca/en/covid-19
Wage subsidy program that’s helping businesses and students all over Canada.
About the Career Ready Program
Thanks to the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), businesses of all sizes can access wage subsidies of up to 70% through TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program when they hire students in tech-immersive roles.
Through the Career Ready Program, businesses can have a low-cost, low-risk option to scale up, while also giving students meaningful work experiences. This allows students to apply their learning in a practical setting, where they can hone their skills—from technology to marketing communications—to their highest advantage.
TECHNATION is a member-driven not-for-profit organization, uniting Canada’s technology sector, governments, and communities from coast to coast.
The pandemic has made Canadian businesses have to rethink how they hire, work, and grow—but with help from an eager Career Ready student, things can feel a little more manageable.
Whether it’s implementing new digital projects, taking your store online, or boosting your social media presence, we think that the businesses within your association can benefit from this program as an easy and affordable way to grow operations now and beyond the pandemic.
You can find out more information on how to apply here.
We’re also holding two webinars on May 19 & 20 at 10AM. Please feel free to share this event with your network and membership. Here’s the registration link:
https://members.technationcanada.ca/event/CRWebinarMay19
https://members.technationcanada.ca/event/CRWebinarMay20
Talusier A. LaSalle
Gestionnaire principal de programme, Career Ready
Senior Program Coordinator, Career Ready
Québec & Atlantic/Atlantique
TECHNATION
5090 Explorer Drive | Suite 510
Mississauga, Ontario | L4W 4T9
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 581-993-8151
NOVA SCOTIA SECURITIES COMMISSION LAUNCHES COVID-19 INVESTING INFORMATION WEBPAGE
The Nova Scotia Securities Commission has launched a new webpage and online video to provide COVID-19 investing information to the public.
The new webpage compiles all news, releases, notices and blanket orders issued to provide relief for a number of individuals or applicants from a regulatory requirement about COVID-19 by the commission, the Canadian Securities Administrators and the North American Securities Administrators Association.
The website can be found at https://nssc.novascotia.ca/covid19
How we’re working to protect the safety of our team, customers and service
As we face this unprecedented time of uncertainty, I wanted to personally express that we care deeply about doing everything in our power to support you. As a company with deep roots in communities across the country, I am inspired by the strength and energy of our neighbours.
The health and safety of our customers and team members is a priority.
At Bell, we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and putting in place measures to protect the health and safety of the public and our team members.
As the leading provider of communications services to Canadians, we are dedicated to delivering a reliable and high-quality connection that consumers, businesses and governments can rely on. That is why we’ve put in place the people and the resources necessary to continue to deliver these services for Canadians throughout the COVID-19 situation.
As the situation evolves, we will keep you informed of any developments right here.
Nova Scotia Power Statement
We are in uncertain and unprecedented times. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves each day, we’re evolving too. Our promise and responsibility is to provide you with safe and reliable electricity every day. That will not change.
Our team has been working on pandemic planning since early this year. We’re prepared and we’re ready.