COVID-19 Government Programs

Government of Saskatchewan

Provincial

Resources
Financial Assistance

Government of Canada 

Federal

Financial Assistance

Government of Saskatchewan - Provincial

Resources

Visit the Government of Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 page for the most up to date resources and information on:

Financial Assistance

The Government of Saskatchewan has launched programs specifically designed to assist people and businesses through these uncertain times. You can visit the Government of Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Information for Businesses and Workers page for the most up to date resources and information on how this may impact your business or your job.

  • Job protected leave, accessing unpaid leave, removal of employment requirements and removal of doctor’s note requirements.
  • Access your nearest Labour Market Services office for career, employment, training services and information.

Support and programs available for businesses include:

  • COVID-19 Products and Supplies: if you can help the procurement of products, supplies and innovative solution, please email procurement@gov.sk.ca to share your ideas.
The Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan and Guidelines for Businesses

Visit Re-open Saskatchewan to learn more about the phased-in plan to responsibly lift restrictions for businesses and services.

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Government of Canada - Federal

The Government of Canada is building and releasing new programs to help Canadians and minimize impact to their finances, work and businesses. Learn more about the programs and services released by the federal government here: COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.

Support for Individuals

Individuals and Families

  • Many Canadian financial institutions are providing mortgage support
    • Affinity has launched our own Debt Relief Program which could help you out for up to six months on any of your loan products.
  • As of Sept 27, 2020, temporary changes have been made to the Employment Insurance program to support Canadians returning to work. If you’re eligible for EI, you will receive a minimum taxable benefit at a rate of $500 per week, or $300 per week for extended parental benefits. You can learn more about EI eligibility requirements by clicking here.
  • Beginning Oct 5, 2020, the Canadian Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) will provide $500 per week to a maximum of four weeks for workers who are:
    • unable to work because they have COVID‑19
    • required to self-isolate for reasons related to COVID‑19
    • have underlying medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID‑19
  • Beginning Oct 5, 2020, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides $500 per week ($450 after tax), for up to 38 weeks per household to eligible workers who are unable to work because they must care for children under the age of 12 or family members who are unable to attend school, daycares or facilities because of COVID‑19.
  • The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) is a new benefit replacing the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and took effect on October 12, 2020. It provides up to $500 per week for 38 weeks to workers who have had their incomes reduced by at least 50% or have stopped working due to COVID‑19 and are eligible for the Employment Insurance (EI) program.

Additional benefits

Support for businesses

Avoiding layoffs, rehiring, and creating new jobs

  • Work-Sharing program is expanding from 38 weeks to 76 weeks. This is available to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hours.
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) covers up to 75% of eligible employee wages. Visit the CEWS program page to learn more.
  • Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is creating 120,000 job opportunities for students until February 26, 2022. Employers can apply for a wage subsidy that covers up to 100% of the provincial minimum hourly wage for non-profit organizations and up to 75% for public and private sectors.

Access to credit

  • Establishing a Business Credit Availability Program provides $65 billion in support to businesses through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). This program includes:
    • Canada Emergency Business Account which provides up to $60,000 of interest free loans to small businesses and not-for-profits. The application deadline for CEBA is now past.
    • Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) through the EDC which could issue loans up to $6.45 million.
    • Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises through the BDC which will co-lend and issue loans to up to $6.25 million through financial institutions. This support is available until December 31, 2021.
  • Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides direct and easy to access rent and mortgage subsidies to qualifying businesses, charities and non-profits. The program also includes Lockdown Support for qualifying organizations that have been restricted by a mandatory public health order. Visit the CERS program page to learn more.
  • Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) provides businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic access guaranteed, low interest loans of up to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. This program is available to business operating in the sectors of tourism and hospitality, restaurants and other in-person services. 
  • Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) provides over $1.5 billion of relief to support businesses and organizations who are key to local economies in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, tourism and others
  • Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund supports Black business owners and entrepreneurs with loans between $25,000 and $250,000. More details on eligibility requirements and how to apply will be available soon. Applications will begin being accepted in May 2021.
  • Mid-Market Financing Program provides commercial loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million to medium-sized businesses whose credit needs exceed what’s available through the Business Credit Availability program and others. This support will be available until June 2021. 
  • Business Credit Availability Program, brings liquidity to companies with typical revenues between $50 million and $300 million to sustain operations during this uncertain period. 
  • Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) provides bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers whose needs during the pandemic aren’t being met through conventional financing, in order to keep their operations going. 

Support for farmers
Farm Credit Canada will be issuing an additional $5 billion in credit to help Ag producers, agribusinesses and food processors. 

  • Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP) provides support of $1,500 to each temporary foreign worker to ensure isolation requirements are fully met.

  • AgriStability is increasing interim payments from 50% to 75%.

  • Emergency On-Farm Support Fund provides funding to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19.

  • AgriInsurance is expanding include labour shortage as an eligible risk for the horticulture sector. This would insure against lost production due to an insufficient workforce.

  • Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund assists fish and seafood processing sectors.

  • Employment Insurance (EI) for fishing benefits supports self-employed fish harvesters and share persons.

Supporting financial stability

  • Short-term Compensation Fund Initiative compensates independent production companies for the lack of insurance coverage for COVID-19 related filming interruptions and production shutdowns. 
  • Emissions Reduction Fund supports workers and reduce emissions in Canada’s oil and gas sector, with a focus on methane.

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