Here you will find links to information that will help you make decisions regarding the well-being of your business and staff. Also included here will be a list of local, provincial, and national organizations that will be providing resources and information during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

FEDERAL 

Advance Payments Program: Step 1. What this program offers
The Advance Payments Program (APP) is a federal loan guarantee program that provides agriculture producers with easy access to low-interest cash advances.

CANADA'S COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Support for Businesses include: 
• Supporting Canadian Businesses Through the Canada Account
• Helping Businesses Keep Their Workers
• Flexibility for Businesses Filing Taxes
• Ensuring Businesses have Access to Credit
• Supporting Financial Market Liquidity

Canada Summer Jobs - Overview
Canada Summer Jobs is an initiative of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to provide flexible and holistic services to support all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition in the labour market.

The Canada Summer Jobs program objectives align with the redesigned Youth Employment and Skills Strategy and are as follows:

• provide quality work experiences for youth
• respond to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers
• provide opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills

Coronavirus disease: COVID-19 - Government of Canada
The Canadian guide to the current situation, including information on outbreaks, epidemiological information, and Canada's response.

EI Sickness Benefits: What these benefits offer
Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits can provide you with up to 15 weeks of financial assistance if you cannot work for medical reasons. You could receive 55% of your earnings up to a maximum of $573 a week.

Frequently Asked Questions - Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers
The Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers is a three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Resources for Canadian Businesses
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Supports are available for Individuals, Businesses, and Industries. 

Resources for Canadian businesses: COVID-19
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Supports for Businesses include: 

• Avoiding layoffs and rehiring employees
• Reducing and deferring payments
• Accessing credit
• Supporting financial stability
• Support for self-employed individuals

Service Canada - Overview of the Work Share Program
Extending the Work-Sharing Program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks to help employers who are experiencing a downturn in business due to COVID-19, and their worker.

Western Economic Diversification Canada
The regional economic development agency can assist SMEs or organizations affected by the impact of COVID-19 with access to federal funding to help you stay in business, advice and pathfinding service to other federal programs and support.

Regional Releif and Recovery Fund - Eligibility Criteria

Regional Releif and Recovery Fund - Application Portal
The Government of Canada has made funds available to the CFs to provide support and assistance to SMEs through the rural stream of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).

PROVINCIAL

 
Additional Financial Support for Albertans and Employers
This program is designed to give Albertans and Alberta employers additional supports as they deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
Includes:

• Education property tax freeze
• Education property tax deferral for business
• WCB premiums deferral for private sector businesses and support for SMEs - Private sector employers can save money on their WCB premium payments at a time when they need it most. These actions ensure the sustainability of the workers’ compensation system and that injured workers continue to receive the benefits and support they need to return to work.
• Additional measures to help families, students, and employers

Alberta Biz Connect
With the province getting ready to relaunch the economy in some sectors, this link will provide guidance, answers and contact information for those in need.

Alberta Emergency Management Agency Unsolicited Offers Program
The Alberta Emergency Management Agency, under the authority of the Emergency Management Act, leads the coordination and co-operation of all organizations involved in emergencies and disasters.

This includes emergency and disaster prevention, preparedness, and response.

Chief Medical Officer Updates - Alberta
Daily updates from Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

COVID-19 Alberta Relaunch Strategy
The plan and phases for opening up the province of Alberta


COVID-19 Case Modelling Projections
The government of Alberta projections for the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on the province's residents and economy.

COVID-19 info for Albertans
Actions to protect Albertans and prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.
Includes information on:

• Cases in Alberta
• Travel advice
• Help prevent the spread
• Isolation requirements
• Restrictions on gatherings and businesses
• Support for Albertans
• Support for employers and employees
• Essential services
• Chief Medical Officer Updates, Dr. Deena Hinshaw

COVID-19 Support for Employees and Employers - Alberta
Measures to protect employers and employees from the economic disruption of COVID-19 and position Alberta for recovery.

The Alberta government will provide immediate funding and supportive measures to support local businesses, employers and employees.

Emergency Isolation Support
Financial support for working Albertans who are experiencing a loss of income resulting from self-isolation due to COVID-19.

Province of Alberta Tourism Levy
Information for temporary accommodation providers in Alberta about collecting and remitting the tourism levy.

Small and Medium Entreprise Relaunch Grant

The small and medium enterprise relaunch grant offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations that were ordered to close or curtail operations, and that experienced a revenue reduction of at least 50%, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travel Alberta Industry Tool Kit                                                                                                                                                         

To make sure you have the resources you need to help manage the COVID-19 situation Travel Alberta has compiled resources and tools for you and your business.                                                                                                                                                     

Travel Alberta Cooperative Investment Program
Travel Alberta acknowledges the extraordinary circumstances and challenges that tourism businesses are dealing with in our province. The Cooperative Investment Program is to assist tourism operators and regions across Alberta to RESTART consumer marketing activities and aid in the development of traveller products, experiences, and packaging in a COVID-19 travel environment.

Workers Compensation Board Alberta - Employers Fact Sheet
In March 2020 the Alberta government announced new measures to provide immediate financial support to private
sector employers during the COVID-19 outbreak:

• All private-sector employers will have their 2020 WCB premiums deferred to 2021.
• When we resume invoicing for 2020 premiums in 2021, small- and medium-sized private sector employers will have 50 percent of their 2020 premiums waived. Invoices for 2020 premiums have been stopped for the remainder of the year and WCB will refund employers who have already made payments towards their 2020 premiums. No interest charges will be applied for unpaid 2020 premiums

Given restrictions around certain businesses and workplace closures, what is considered an essential service? Alberta has implemented public health orders restricting certain businesses and workplace closures to protect Albertans' health and limit the spread of COVID-19. An extensive list outlining all non-essential retail businesses is available Alberta Essential Services

For those who are unsure if their business is considered essential after referring to this web page, contact biz.connect@gov.ab.ca.

Occupational Health and Safety and Employment Standards Newsletter
Monthly newsletter from OHS/ES with links to COVID-19 updates

MUNICIPAL

City of Lethbridge - COVID-19
This page will provide you with regular updates on what the City of Lethbridge is doing as well as reliable links to the latest health information.

Training Provider List - COVID-19
This list will help if you are looking for training options in the region

INDUSTRY

CAI Global Impacts of COVID 19 Presentation 

Economic and Industrial Impacts of the Coronoavirus - May 27, 2020

Avail CPA - COVID-19 Response
This is a living document that is frequently updated to reflect the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Check back for updates.

BDC Continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs
BDC has a guide for Business continuity plans and templates for entrepreneurs.

They also have a guide on 8 steps for planning your emergency and disaster plan. 

BDO COVID-19 Resource Centre
BDO teams across the country are proactively engaged and rapidly monitoring new developments, providing guidance and support to clients wherever they need it, and responding accordingly.

COVID-19 First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working closely with First Nation partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada, other departments such as Health Canada, Public Safety as well as provincial and territorial counterparts to protect the health and safety of First Nations and support First Nations communities in responding to the public health crisis resulting from the novel COVID-19.

COVID Continuity
Action for Leaders in Business
Helping understand the challenges and opportunities associated with running your business operations during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.

Legal Service Providers for Business Owners and Employees - COVID-19
Find legal advice as a business owner or employee regarding options surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental Health and the COVID-19 pandemic
The situation is stressful for everyone and it is normal to be anxious and worried. This site is designed to provide information and suggestions about how best to cope with this difficult time.

PPE Procurement List Lethbridge Region
As regional businesses look to re-open, this list will help with obtaining PPE for their operations.

RBC - Canadian Government Economic Response to COVID-19
A navigation document to guide you through the measures taken by the Canadian Government to stabilize the economy and provide support for Canadian workers and businesses.

Recovery Readiness - Industrial Solutions
A detailed layout for recovery for Industrial compnaies courtesy of Cushman & Wakefield

Venture for Canada Internship Program
Imagine the power of smart, eager new hires ready for anything but who don’t think they know everything. Take on post-secondary students and grads who commit to personal improvement even after they’re hired.

What Canadian exporters need to know about the coronavirus COVID-19
To better understand the public health crisis affecting countries around the world and its impact on the global economy, here are some of the frequently asked questions about COVID-19.

ARTICLES

A Guide to Managing Your (Newly) Remote Workers ~ Harvard Business Review, March 18, 2020

COVID-19 concerns and considerations for boards ~ Institute of Corporate Directors, March 20, 2020

How to manage business risk during the COVID-19 crisis ~ EDC, March 18, 2020

Making virtual business connections during a global health crisis ~ EDC, March 23, 2020

Support for small businesses facing COVID-19 ~ Prime Minister of Canada, March 27, 2020