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 updatesThe Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is providing loans of up to $40,000 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 ApplyGovernment Updates
- Canada Emergency Business Account – Now open to businesses using personal banking accounts. The application deadline is extended to Dec 31, 2020. Further, CEBA recipients who continue to be seriously impacted by the pandemic can access an interest-free loan of up to $20,000. Half of this additional funding is forgivable if repaid by Dec 31, 2022. [updated Oct 26, 2020, See news release]
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – funding requests up to $40,000 for SMEs who don’t quality for CEBA
- Announced July 16! Women’s Enterprise Centre and the Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI) will provide access to RRRF, thanks to funding from the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification Canada. Learn more >>
- Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses (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) – no minimum revenue drop requirement after Jul 5, 2020; extension until Jun 2021 (updated Oct 9, 2020, 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
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 >>
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. 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 >>
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!
Together, we’ve launched the Unity Women Entrepreneurs Program—a holistic package providing you with a loan of up to $150k (with no payments and no interest for 6 months) provided by Vancity, plus business support and mentoring provided by us. Learn more >>
Apply now: Mentoring for women business owners in Terrace and Northern BC
This fall, we’re offering Peer Mentoring Groups for women business owners in Terrace (live) and Nortnern BC (virtual). You’ll receive support from other women entrepreneurs, gain insights from an experienced business owner and develop a support network. Learn more or apply >>
Upcoming free webinars
- Free Financial Fitness Webinar Series, includes:
- Free Build Your Business Webinar Series, includes:
- October 14 | Setting New Goal Posts: Growing Your Business from a Tactical Perspective
- October 21 | Focused Marketing: Targeted Effort, Tangible Results
- October 28 | Keeping Good Employees on Board
- November 4 | Moving Up! Business Growth Strategies
- October 17 | Build Back with Trust
Webinar recordings
- 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
