Covid-19 Resources

Although we strive to provide accurate, relevant and timely information, there is no guarantee that the information will continue to be accurate in the future. Government programs, and other programs available to small businesses, can change daily. The information we provide you through this website is for educational and informational purposes only. For advice that pertains to your unique business situation, please get in touch with us at 1.800.265.1002 or email at fbc@fbc.ca

Government Alerts

Canada Emergency Business Account Loan

Last updated: Jan. 14, 2022 
The Canada Emergency Business Account, now closed for applications, provided interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and non-profits. NEW: The repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness has been extended a year – from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 – for … Read more

New COVID Recovery Benefits Announced

Last updated: Jan. 6, 2022 
Update: The federal government has announced that it will be expanding eligibility for the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB). Affected Canadian workers in designated lockdown regions can now apply for CWLB starting December 30th, 2021. Please see below for more details and eligibility criteria. For more information, please read our … Read more

New and Extended COVID Recovery Benefits Announced

Last updated: Jan. 5, 2022 
Bill C2 received Royal Assent in Parliament, passing legislation for the recently proposed extensions to individual and business COVID-19 support programs.
We provide a summary of these programs here and will update as more information comes available. Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary … Read more

The New Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)

Last updated: Jan. 5, 2022  UPDATE:  The federal government recently announced a proposal to extend the Canada Recovery Hiring Program to May, 2022.  Further information will be made available shortly. The Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP), which was introduced during the federal budget has officially launched. The program provides a subsidy of up to 50 … Read more

Budget 2021: 7 Highlights for Farmers and Business Owners

Last updated: Jan. 5, 2022  Last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, delivered the federal budget for 2021. Below are select highlights that may have a positive impact your business or farm: 1. Covid-19 subsidy extensions and program winddowns The good news is that proposed budget will extend the current wage … Read more

COVID-19 Update: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program

Last updated: Oct. 27, 2021  Update: The government is proposing to continue COVID-19 business support programs until May 2022 for organizations hit hardest since the start of the pandemic or most affected by public health restrictions.  Further information will be made available shortly. What is the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy? The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy … Read more

A guide to COVID-19 financial relief for small business

Last updated: Oct. 8, 2021  Last updated August 10, 2020. We will update blog posts when more information is released. As we finished writing the introduction to this blog post, several provinces were starting to recover and re-open their economies. It’s heartwarming to see businesses across the country hiring back their employees through government … Read more

The Latest COVID-19 Updates For Your Business

Last updated: Oct. 8, 2021  Good news from Ottawa: the government will provide interest relief for people who accessed COVID-19 programs last year. Anything to make your life a little less taxing right now is a win. We’ve summarized the news below and other recent COVID-19-related updates that could help you and your business. For … Read more

New Brunswick Budget Report 2021

Last updated: Oct. 8, 2021  Last week New Brunswick Finance Minister Ernie Steeves presented the province’s fiscal 2021–22 budget. We’re not seeing any surprises in this budget. Like other provinces, the New Brunswick government is increasing spending on COVID-19 measures. Steeves predicts a projected deficit of $244.8 million for 2021-2022 to “to address the pressures … Read more

Ontario Budget Report 2021

Last updated: Oct. 8, 2021  Last week Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy presented the province’s fiscal 2021–22 budget. The Ontario budget falls in line with what we’re seeing from other provincial budgets: more spending on health care, but otherwise a relatively quiet budget from a tax perspective. We’re happy to report the personal tax rate … Read more