COVID

The following information will be updated as new information becomes available.
(Updated April 28th, 2020)

Provincial Programs

  • Site Rehabilitation Program – mainly funded by the federal government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – will provide grants to oilfield service contractors to perform well, pipeline, and oil and gas site reclamation work. Starting now, the program is expected to create about 5,300 direct jobs and lead to the cleanup of thousands of sites.  Details at: https://www.alberta.ca/site-rehabilitation-program.aspx
  • Business Link – Talk to a small business advisor at Business Link to get free advice, coaching and information on COVID-19 resources and supports.
  • Alberta Corporate Income Tax balances and instalment payments coming due between March 18, 2020 and August 31, 2020 are deferred until August 31, 2020 to increase employers’ access to cash so they can pay employees, address debts and continue operations.  Due dates for filing corporate income tax returns due after March 18, 2020 and before June 1, 2020 have been extended to June 1, 2020.
  • WCB Premium Payment Deferral – Small, medium and large private sector employers can defer WCB premium payments until 2021.  For small and medium businesses, the government will cover 50% of the 2020 premium when it is due in 2021 – saving businesses $350 million. Large employers will have their 2020 WCB premium payments deferred until 2021, at which time their premiums will be due. Employers who have already paid WCB premiums in 2020 are eligible for a rebate or credit.  WCB: COVID-19 employer fact sheet
  • Government of Alberta COVID-19 ResourcesDetails

Federal Programs

  • Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – CERB is a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19. Apply for the CERB online or over the phone: 1‑800‑959‑2019 or 1‑800‑959‑2041.
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) – The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy would cover 75% of an employee’s wages, up to $847 per week, for employers of all sizes and across all sectors who have suffered a drop in gross revenues of at least 15% in March, and 30% in April and May. The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020.  The federal government is also proposing that employers eligible for the CEWS be entitled to receive a 100% refund for certain employer contributions to Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, the Quebec Pension Plan, and the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan paid in respect of employees who are on leave with pay.  Apply for the CEWS online.
  • Canada Emergency Business Account – The Canada Emergency Business Account provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits to help cover operating costs during periods when revenues have been temporarily reduced. To qualify, organization must demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. Business owners can apply through their banks and credit unions.
  • Government of Canada COVID-19 ResourcesDetails

Health Information