COVID-19 Resources & Support

Women’s Enterprise Centre is focused on supporting women-owned businesses through this crisis so that when it is over you can get back to business as usual.

We’re here for you!

We know this situation is fluid, and is changing on a daily basis. We’d like to encourage any of our clients to utilize our complimentary Business Advisory Services if you need an understanding person to talk to about your particular situation.

Please see below for the concessions we’re making for loan clients and some helpful resources for business owners and employers.

We keep this page updated with the latest information.

Click here to view WEC loan and service updates

Loans up to $60k for women entrepreneurs, from Regional Relief and Recovery Fund

The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is providing loans of up to $60,000 for eligible women-run businesses to help businesses cope with financial hardship and recovery from economic disruption resulting from COVID-19.

Women’s Enterprise Centre is pleased to provide access to this Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to women entrepreneurs in BC. If you think your business requires additional financing to recover this could be a good option for you.

This option is available for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations.

Learn More or Apply

Government Updates

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million to businesses in sectors hit hard by the pandemic. Eligible businesses can apply for the HASCAP starting Feb 1 at principal financial institutions.
BC Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant – Grants of $10,000 – $30,000 available to small and medium sized B.C. businesses impacted by COVID-19. An additional grant of up to $15,000 is available to eligible tourism-related businesses with no obligation to repay.
- Watch the short explainer vide o >>
Canada Emergency Business Account – As of December 4, 2020, CEBA loans for eligible businesses will increase from $40,000 to $60,000. Applications have until Mar 31, 2021 to apply for $60,000 or for the $20,000 expansion. (updated Dec 4, 2020, See news release)
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – funding requests up to $60,000 for SMEs who don’t quality for CEBA
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) – Now provided directly to tenants. The new rent subsidy is based on a sliding scale and subsidizes up to 65% of eligible expenses until Dec 19, 2020., An additional 25% top-up is available to businesses required to temporarily shut down (updated Oct 9, 2020, See news release)
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – The maximum wage subsidy rate has increased to 75% for the period beginning Dec 20, 2020 to June 5, 2021. (updated Mar 3, 2021, See news release)
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – program has ended. Retroactive applications will be accepted until Dec 2, 2020. New recovery benefits are available to those who continue to need income support. Learn more >>
Canada Recovery Benefit (for self-employed individuals) – effective Sep 27, 2020 for one year (updated Sept 24, 2020, See news release)
Work-sharing Program – increased support and flexibility due to Covid-19
Tool from the Government of Canada: Find financial help during COVID-19
Up-to-date source for Government of Canada Financial and Other Supports
COVID-19 and Returning to Safe Operation, from WorkSafeBC
Guidance for Industries Returning to Work, from the Province of BC
BC COVID-19 Go-Forward Management Strategy, from the Province of BC
Guide to Navigate Government Supports for Businesses and Individuals in BC, [updated July 9] from the Province of BC
COVID-19 and Canada’s International Trade, from the Trade Commissioner Service
Updates from the BC Centre for Disease Control: COVID-19 Information for the public
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses, from the Government of Canada

Resources from Women’s Enterprise Centre

Access to the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) for BC women entrepreneurs

Women’s Enterprise Centre is pleased to provide access to this Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to women entrepreneurs in BC. The RRRF provides loans of up to $60k, and the chance to convert up to $20k into a forgivable grant!

If your business was healthy prior to Covid and you could use a financial cushion to cover your non-deferrable fixed expenses while you work on your business, then this is a low-cost lending option for you. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2021! Learn more >>

Free one-on-one appointments with a Business Advisor

Our Business Advisory team is available to discuss your situation, review your cash flow and generate ideas for how you can navigate this difficult time. Connect with a Business Advisor >>

Unity Women Entrepreneurs Program, in partnership with Vancity

Women’s Enterprise Centre is excited to partner with Vancity to support women entrepreneurs as you navigate your business through COVID-19 and beyond! Access a line of credit or loan from Vancity, and receive complimentary support from us. Learn more >>

Webinar recordings

Recording from February 16, 2021: How to Build Trust and Connection Online
Recording from January 19, 2021: Indigenous Businesses: Open Doors by Selling to the Government
Recording from December 1: Ask Me Anything: Doing Business with the Government
Recording from November 30: Financial Support for Women Entrepreneurs: Regional Relief and Recovery Fund Info Session
Recording from October 14: Build Back with Trust
Recording from September 17: How to Get and Grow Your Website Traffic: The Basics
Recording from September 15: Privacy: How to Outsource Work While Keeping You and Your Customers Safe
Recording from September 10: Export Ready: Resources to Grow Your Business Outside of BC
Recording from August 27: How to Plan and Launch a New Website
Recording from August 10: Small Claims: A Practical Guide to Dispute Resolution
Recording from July 15: Application of Force Majeure Clauses During a Pandemic
Recording from June 23, with Women of Whistler: National Support for Women Entrepreneurs
Recording from June 10: Social Media: Save Time Using a Content Calendar
Recording from May 14: Blogging for Business
Recording from May 6: SEO for Beginners: How Customers Find You Online
Recording from April 23: Grants for Business: Where to Find Them, How to Use Them
Click here to view recordings of past Strength in Numbers Sessions for Businesses Affected by COVID-19, including:
- Conversational Intelligence®: Shift Your Conversations from Good to Great, from June 30
- Meeting Privacy Compliance During COVID-19, from June 16
- The Back to Business Edition, from May 26
- New Rules of Zoom Engagement, from May 19
- The Self-Care Edition, from May 9
- Gaining Momentum Edition, from May 1
- The HR Edition, from April 24
- Legal Q&A, from April 17
- Best Practices Forum, from April 9

Resources

List of Shop Local Initiatives in BC
- From our partners at Small Business BC: The Small Business Marketplace is a platform that helps people find and support small businesses that are operating in BC. Post your goods/services onto the website by filling out a submission form.
Cash Flow Template Excel File
7 Ideas to Keep Your Small Business Going During the Pandemic
Learning Guide downloads available for $15 each:

Tell us: What Help Do You Need?

Community Links

Resource Hubs from our Partners
- Connect with your local Chamber of Commerce, as many are holding local roundtables to discuss the specific needs of businesses in your community.
- Small Business BC – Complimentary COVID-19 support service, resources for small businesses and Small Business Marketplace to list your business as open or find other businesses to support
- Forum for Women Entrepreneurs – Webinars, chats and resources on topics for women entrepreneurs affected by COVID-19
- Women of Influence – Hub of resources for women entrepreneurs adapting to a new normal
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) – Small business help centre
- BC Economic Development Association – Extensive list of supports available for BC businesses
- Greater Vancouver Board of Trade – Business resiliency webinar series and timely updates on government supports
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Canadian Business Resilience Network with list of financial supports, recovery tips and helpful videos
HR Resources
- Coronavirus Employer Guide, from Osler
- Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, from the Canadian Business Resiliency Network
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), from Employment and Social Development Canada
- Current guidance on issuing ROEs and the codes to use, from Service Canada
Operations
- Discounts and complimentary tech services for small businesses, list from Unbounce
- Low-cost online mediation program, from MediateBC
Mental Health
- Virtual Mental Health Supports for COVID-19 on the way, from the Province of BC
- Canada Wellness Together Portal, from the Government of Canada
Resilience
- Virtual Resilience Program, from Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE): A free, self-led resilience program for women entrepreneurs. Join FWE and women entrepreneurs from across Canada for a free, online educational dive focused on rebuilding your business with resilience and re-examination. Includes a full downloadable workbook and expert advice through a special edition podcast.
- Webinar Recording: Supporting Rural Women Entrepreneurs Through COVID-19 and Beyond, from Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH)

Financial Response Measures

We suggest you contact your primary bank to ask for what types of supports are available to you.
Small Business Relief Fund, from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Will provide 62 small Canadian businesses with $10,000 grants to help their recovery efforts.
COVID-19 Relief Fund, from BC Hydro – up to three months of business electricity usage waived, for eligible customers
CEBAQuestions.ca, from the Government of Canada – info about the Canada Emergency Business Account
FortisBC Billing Support During COVID-19
BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program will provide 10 women business owners each with a $10,000 grant

Upcoming Events › COVID-19 Support

March 2021

Developing Talent at Distance

March 18 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Webinar Canada

Learning is a journey. As your organization evolves, the market adapts and new technology appears, your workforce needs to further develop its talent. How can distant learning be efficient? This webinar will address: Competencies that can be developed remotely Developing a distant learning plan Use of online training: With live facilitator Pre-recorded webinar style Learn More or Register

Find out more »

Cyberthreats: How to Protect Your Small Business

March 29 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Webinar Canada

Cybersecurity in the Age of COVID-19 COURSE DESCRIPTION Since the beginning of the pandemic, many businesses have quickly increased their online presence and remote operations. Unfortunately, this has led to a rapid increase in cyberattacks. Hackers have learned many small businesses often don’t have strong cybersecurity in place, and they represent a soft target. With 2020 on track to set records for cybercrime, is your business sufficiently protected? Join cybersecurity expert, Jeremy Colwell, for this informative webinar and learn best…

Find out more »

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Options for WEC Loan Clients

We know COVID-19 is having a serious impact on most small business owners. To support our loan clients during this period of uncertainty, Women’s Enterprise Centre is making the following concessions available:

1) Existing loan clients

In March, we offered the initial loan relief measures to defer principal and/or forgive interest for 3 months (April, May and June), and advised regular loan payments would re-commence in July.

We are now moving into the next stage of COVID-19 recovery and have two options available to help you stabilize and endure the pandemic. Below are our current options for existing loan clients who would still like some support, updated as of July 16:

OPTION 1 – If your business has not recovered enough for you to start making full regular payments then Women’s Enterprise Centre may be able to offer you an additional 3 or 6 months of interest only payments. In order to apply for additional interest only payments you will need to fill in an application.

OPTION 2 – The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is providing a loan of up to $60,000 for eligible women-run businesses to help businesses cope with financial hardship and recovery from economic disruption resulting from COVID-19. If you think your business requires additional financing to recover, this could be a good option for you. This option is available for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations. Learn more >>

OPTION 3 – If you are unsure what is best for your business and you would like to talk with a Business Advisor please call our office 1.800.643.7014 ext. 112 or email inquiry@womensenterprise.ca.

If you would prefer to return to your pre-COVID payment schedule, then no action is required and your regular payments will automatically resume in July.

2) New loan clients

You may take advantage of a 6-month period between the time your loan is approved and when the funds must be drawn down. This additional flexibility will allow new loan clients the time to decide whether to continue with their original plans for their business. If there are extenuating circumstances, we are able to discuss lengthening this draw-down period for new loan clients.

Please contact our Loan Portfolio Officer if you would like to take advantage of these options.

Other Service Delivery Updates

We have modified how we deliver our services.

Skills Training Workshops

Until further notice, all upcoming WEC-hosted training events are being delivered by webinar. View upcoming webinars >>

One-to-One Mentoring, Peer Mentoring Groups and Taking the Stage®

Since mentoring is shown to greatly succeed your chances of success and help you overcome obstacles, we are continuing with our mentoring programs. Until further notice, all groups and mentor meetings are virtual. Check out our upcoming Virtual Peer Mentoring group for Northern BC women >>

Meetings and Business Advisory Appointments

We’re here to support women entrepreneurs! If you’d like to speak with a Business Advisor about your situation, please call us at 1.800.643.7014 or fill out this online form and we will be in touch to schedule a phone call or Zoom meeting.

Please note: All our offices are currently closed to the public, so all meetings will be done virtually.