As a small business owner, you may be facing immediate challenges or be worrying about the weeks to come in light of the actions taken by our Government to further prevent the spread of COVID-19. We’ve gathered current information and resources available to you as you work through the implications this has on you and your business.
We will continue to update this page with new information and additional resources as they become available.
Resources for Small Business Owners
Business Support
Trade Commissioner – Resources for Canadian Businesses | Contains relevant and important information for businesses navigating challenges and uncertainty in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19: Pandemic Preparedness for Business | Canadian Chamber of Commerce
COVID-19: Tips for Small Businesses | Helpful tips as you navigate these changes and work to continue to manage your business and serve your customers.
Alberta Employment Standards Rules | Laws for minimum wage, overtime, holidays, job-protected leaves, vacations, hours of work, earnings, youth workers and termination.
COVID-19 Preparedness | Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Emergency Preparedness | Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Coronavirus and Small Business: Keeping You and Your Employees Safe | Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)
EDC stands ready to support Canadian exporters impacted by COVID-19 | Export Development Canada
Creating an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) | Helpful tips & template
Resources for Business Leaders | Punchcard Systems
COVID-19 in Edmonton | Taproot
Financial Support
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses | Government of Canada
Financial Assistance for Albertans | Government of Alberta
Employment Insurance (EI) and Sickness Benefits | The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim.
Emergency Isolation Support | Government of Alberta
COVID-19 and Business Insurance: How Coverage is Triggered | Insurance Bureau of Canada
Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 | BDC
Free Credit Counselling, Budgeting Help & Debt Consolidation Options | Credit Counselling Society
Facebook Small Business Grants Program | Facebook
Surveys
Alberta Critical Infrastructure Strategic Impact Survey | Government of Alberta
Alberta Business Survey, COVID-19 Impacts | Economic Developers Alberta (EDA)
Survey of Impacts of COVID-19 on Underrepresented Founders | Startup Canada
News & Media Releases
March 27, 2020 – Prime Minister announces support for small businesses facing impacts of COVID‑19
March 27, 2020 – Government boosts wage subsidy to 75% for small, medium businesses to avoid layoffs during COVID-19 crisis | CBC News
March 25, 2020 – Government introduces Canada Emergency Response Benefit to help workers and businesses | Government of Canada
March 18, 2020 – Prime Minister announces more support for workers and businesses through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
March 18, 2020 – Relief for Canadian entrepreneurs | BDC
March 13, 2020 – Canada outlines measures to support the economy and the financial sector | Government of Canada
March 2020 – What does the coronavirus mean for your business? | Monthly Economic Letter, BDC
General Information
COVID-19 | Alberta Health Services
COVID-19 | Government of Alberta
COVID-19 | Government of Canada
COVID-19 Q&A | World Health Organization
Mental Health Resources
The Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 | available 24/7 to provide advice and referrals to community supports near you.
Find Your Canadian Mental Health Association | CMHA
Mental health and coping with COVID-19 | CDC
Talking with children about COVID-19 | CDC
Help in Tough Times |AHS
Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty | American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
We’re Here to Help
As always, we are dedicated to continuing to support entrepreneurs in Alberta and will proceed with scheduling blogs, conducting webinars and online programming, remote Ask an Expert Sessions, and providing one-on-one advice and support via email, phone, or Live Chat.
For the latest Business Link updates, events, and workshops you can subscribe to our newsletter. Please email askus@businesslink.ca if you have any questions or concerns.