COVID-19: Employee Wage Support for Businesses

Last updated: May 12, 2021 at 3:18 p.m.

To help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic measures are available.

Provincial and Federal relief measures available to employers include:

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: Help for businesses to keep or re-hire employees.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy: Rent and mortgage support for qualifying organizations affected by COVID‑19.
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit: Gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19.
Canada Emergency Business Account: Interest-free loans for small businesses and not-for-profits.
Canada Recovery Benefits: Benefits to help Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund: Loans that will provide between $25,000 and $250,000.
Business Credit Availability Program: Credit to help cover operating costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Extending the work-sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks.
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program Guarantee: Provides guaranteed, low interest, loans between $25,000 to $1 million to Canadian small businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19.
Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility: Bridge financing for Canada’s largest employers facing financial challenges.
Ontario Property tax and energy cost rebates: Provides a rebate to eligible businesses in respect of property taxes and energy bills.
Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit: Reimbursement to employers for up to three paid leave days related to COVID-19.
Regional Relief and Recovery Funds: Help for those unable to access other support measures.
Support for Indigenous Businesses: Short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions.

Get access to one-on-one virtual support with applications for government resources and general business advice from the City’s BusinessTO Support Centre.