COVID-19 - Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce

COVID-19 Information & Resources

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Latest Announcements and Updates

Employer Reimbursement Program Launches for COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave – June 17, 2021

Starting Thursday, June 17, 2021, employers can apply for reimbursement of wages paid to workers who have taken sick leave related to COVID-19.

Visit our COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave page for full details.

B.C. Government Announces B.C.’s Restart Plan – June 14, 2021

Beginning on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, BC will take the next step in safely bringing people back together by transitioning into Step 2 of BC’s Restart plan, a four-step plan to bring B.C. back together and on the road to recovery. Notable changes under Step 2 include the easing of restrictions on gatherings, provincial travel, and more. BC’s step-by-step plan will follow approximate timelines and ease people and businesses out of the pandemic slowly, towards a gradual return to a more normal life.

Visit our B.C. Restart Plan page for full details.

B.C. Government Announces Additional Funding for the Business Recovery Grant Program – June 4, 2021

The Province of British Columbia has announced millions in additional funding to keep the Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant Program operating until the expected start of Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan on Thursday, July 1, 2021. All businesses that apply must submit all final documentation and details before the Friday, July 2, 2021 deadline.

Visit the BC Government website to read the full press release.

Government of Canada Announces Details of the New Canada Recovery Hiring Program and Extension of Business Support Programs – June 2, 2021

The Government of Canada has announced details regarding the proposed Canada Recovery Hiring Program, which would help hard-hit businesses to hire the workers they need to recover and grow as local economies reopen. The program would provide a subsidy of up to 50% of eligible salary or wages, and would be available to eligible employers who have experienced qualifying revenue declines so they can hire more workers, increase workers’ hours, or increase wages. Support would be available retroactively to Sunday, June 6, 2021, once Bill C-30 receives Royal Assent.

The Government of Canada also detailed the proposed extension of business support programs that have served as a lifeline to Canadian businesses throughout the pandemic. This includes extensions of the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Lockdown Support, which were set to expire in June 2021, to bridge Canadians through recovery. Both the Hiring Program and proposed extensions are part of Bill C-30, the Budget Implementation Act, which is currently before Parliament.

Visit the Government of Canada website to read the full press release.

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) Deadline Extended – June 2, 2021

The deadline for BCAP, which allows for qualified applications to quickly improve their cash flow, has been extended from Wednesday, June 30, 2021, to Friday, December 31, 2021. The program offers a partial (80%) guarantee from EDC on new operating lines of credit or new term loans.

Visit our Economic Support Programs & Resources for Businesses page for full details.

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Deadline Extended – June 2, 2021

The deadline for HASCAP, which provides support to businesses in some of the hardest-hit sectors, has been extended from Wednesday, June 30, 2021, to Friday, December 31, 2021. The program offers 100% government-guaranteed loans ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000.