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 are keeping our eye on the situation and may provide other offerings in future to address needs as they emerge.

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

We will keep this page updated with the latest information.

Click here to view WEC loan and service updates

Government Updates

• Canada Emergency Business Account – expanded May 19 [See News Release]
• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – funding requests up to $40,000 for SMEs who don’t quality for CEBA
• 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 May 21] from the Province of BC
• COVID-19 and Canada’s International Trade, from the Trade Commissioner Service
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses
• 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

Tell us: What Help Do You Need?

Strength in Numbers: Free Webinar Forum

Our Business Advisors will share the new developments in the types of supports available for business owners, plus we’ll focus on a timely topic based on the types of questions our Business Advisors are hearing from clients.

You’re in charge! This is an open forum and a chance to tell us what you need help with, so we can source some resources for you or brainstorm some solutions. Register for upcoming sessions >>

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 >>

Webinar recordings

• 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
• Free Access: Negotiate Naturally: Tips for Women Entrepreneurs
• Free Access: Financial Fitness Webinar Series Recordings
• Click here to view recordings of past Strength in Numbers Sessions for Businesses Affected by COVID-19, including:
  • 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.
• Free Webinar | Social Media: Saving Time Using a Content Calendar, June 10
• Cash Flow Template Excel File
• 7 Ideas to Keep Your Small Business Going During the Pandemic
• Learning Guide downloads now available for $5 each:
  • Creating Your Business Plan Workbook
  • Focused Marketing: Targeted Effort, Tangible Results
  • Financial Understanding for Small Business
  • Financial Management for Small Business

Where to Start

(From Global Affairs Canada)

1. Visit this website for businesses for information about supporting your employees and your business. It will be constantly updated as the COVID-19 crisis evolves.
2. Download the Canada Business App to find tailored supports to address your specific needs and questions about COVID-19.
3. Consult the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s pandemic preparedness guide to help prepare you business in the days and weeks to come.
4. Contact your bank. Canada’s banks have made a commitment to support businesses and individuals through these difficult times in a responsible, fair, and compassionate way. To help provide some stability for businesses through this time of uncertainty, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) is lowering the Domestic Stability Buffer requirement, releasing more than $300 billion of additional lending capacity for Canadian financial institutions.

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
  • Business Resilience Service – Connect with experienced business advisors for guidance on which government relief programs will be most appropriate for you
• 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
  • Back to Work Toolkit, from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
  • 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

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

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