[This page was last updated on January 14, 2021 and will be updated as new information becomes available]

The preventive measures implemented by the governments of Canada and Quebec to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have an impact on all of us, but especially on businesses. To help you manage these effects, the FNQLEDC will publish on this page all the information that could be useful for the entrepreneurs of our communities and for those who offer them services locally, the Community Economic Development Officers (CEDOs).

Summary of this toolbox:

• Tools offered by the FNQLEDC to support individuals and businesses
• Other information available (from October to now)
• Other information available: Archives from March to September 2020
• Virtual events and webinars
• Articles from our blog on this subject

Tools offered by the FNQLEDC to support individuals and businesses

The FNQLEDC team developed an application to inform entrepreneurs, CEDOs and First Nations members about the financial support programs and initiatives provided by the governments of Canada and Quebec and certain private institutions, adapted to their situation.

Click here (or on the image opposite) to access this application now to evaluate your eligibility for these programs.

The FNQLEDC has also developed a list of assistance programs for individuals and businesses. Due to the many changes made to the programs since their launch, this list has not been updated since March 31, 2020. Access our application to get the updated information.

The FNQLEDC invites all business owners, community economic development officers and economic development directors to complete a survey on the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on indigenous economic development.

The FNQLEDC supports entrepreneurs who wants to apply for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial that will show you how to apply.

Other available information

Note: Information is listed from newest to oldest.

• Government of Canada announces further reinforcement of COVID-19 supports for Indigenous communities (Government of Canada)
• CERB: a document for tax purposes sent by the Canada Revenue Agency (TVA Nouvelles, in French only)
• Economic recovery plan for the cultural sector – The Government of Quebec increases support for 112 museums by more than $5 million (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Curfew: convenience stores also want to be able to deliver alcohol and food (TVA Nouvelles, in French only)
• Paul Delean: If you received a CEBA loan, the forgivable amount is taxable (Montreal Gazette)
• E-commerce, the spare wheel for SMEs? (La Presse, in French only)
• Non-disastrous measures for the economy, according to Pierre Fitzgibbon (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Few slowdowns to be expected in the construction and manufacturing sectors (La Presse, in French only)
• Industrial and construction activities considered essential in Eastern Quebec (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Curfew: Grocery stores change their schedule for the first time in the era of COVID (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Confinement in Québec (Government of Quebec)
• The North Shore should be treated differently depending on the Chamber of Commerce (Le Nord-Côtier, in French only)
• Analysis: Containment and curfews: what economic impact can be expected? (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• A new worrisome containment for the Quebec economy (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Containment: retailers and manufacturers feel like they’re saving furniture (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Merchants relieved by allowing pick-up (La Presse, in French only)
• Little hope for restorers and tenants (TVA Nouvelles, in French only)
• Confusion around essential products (TVA Nouvelles, in French only)
• What will the work be done in 2021? (La Presse, in French only)
• The end of containment would not be enough, says a ministerial note (La Presse, in French only)
• A recovery of the economy on the horizon (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Home office expenses for employees (Government of Canada)
• Consultation on the simplification of Form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Government of Canada)
• A simplified approach to help citizens deduct their teleworking expenses (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• COVID-19 – Closure of non-essential businesses for the holiday season – Quebec extends business assistance measures (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Five Quebec businesses doing good during the pandemic (Le Devoir, in French only)
• A holiday break until January 10, 2021 inclusively (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Quebec to close non-essential businesses over the holidays to help curb COVID-19 (Montreal Gazette)
• Towards a new closure of commercial businesses to curb COVID-19 (Le Devoir, in French only)
• 90% of Quebec SMEs still need help (TVA Nouvelles, in French only)
• Wemotaci: Preparing for post-COVID-19 economic recovery (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Analysis: Is it worth pausing the economy again? (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – Quebec increases its support for SMEs in all regions (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Government expands Canada Emergency Business Account loans (Government of Canada)
• Ottawa wants to save tourism and the airline industry (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Quebec releases nearly 115 million to requalify the unemployed of the pandemic (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Payment of rent: businesses can apply (La Presse, in French only)
• Canada Revenue Agency opens applications for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (Government of Canada)
• An alliance to eliminate the bureaucracy of applying for help (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Indigenous businesses need help to challenge COVID-19 (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Restaurant owners still waiting for financial assistance from Quebec (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Food self-sufficiency can become an important driver of economic recovery if the workforce is there, says the FCCQ (FCCQ – Fédération des Chambres de commerce du Québec, in French only)
• An additional $65.5 million to support the tourism industry now and for recovery (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Commercial rent assistance: Entrepreneurs will be able to get the subsidy without paying first (Journal de Montréal, in French only)
• Great expectations for the recovery (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Backgrounder: Details on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy extension (Government of Canada)
• Backgrounder: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (Government of Canada)
• The response: How entrepreneurs are adapting to the pandemic (BDC)
• Business Rent Assistance: Agreement between the government and opposition parties (La Presse, in French only)
• Prime Minister announces new supports for Indigenous peoples and communities (Government of Canada)
• Canada Emergency Business Account now open to businesses using personal banking accounts (Government of Canada)
• Coronavirus updates, Oct. 22: ‘Chances are low’ that restaurants in red zones can reopen next week – Legault (Montreal Gazette)
• The tourism industry is mobilizing (La Presse, in French only)
• Minister Boulet favours a telework policy (La Presse, in French only)
• The pandemic has accelerated the digital revolution (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Minister Ng announces support for small businesses through the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (Government of Canada)
• Quebec releases $70 million in support for sport (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Economic recovery plan for the cultural sector – Quebec creates a $3 million regional emergency fund to support cultural organizations affected by the pandemic (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Government announces new, targeted support to help businesses through pandemic (Government of Canada)
• The Government of Canada launches applications for the Canada Recovery Benefit (Government of Canada)
• Agility will be even more important in the new economic landscape (BDC)
• CFIB fears closure of businesses (TVA Nouvelles, in French only)
• Commercial rents: assistance promised in June still awaited (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Backgrounder: The COVID-19 Response Measures Act (Government of Canada)
• Government of Canada expands Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to provide further support for businesses in Quebec (Government of Canada)
• The Legault Government invests an additional $50 million to help the cultural sector (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Fish Harvester Benefit and Fish Harvester Grant application deadline extended to October 19 (Government of Canada)
• Emergency assistance for bars and restaurants (Le Devoir, in French only)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – New assistance for businesses in high-alert regions (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• New federal benefit available (La Presse, in French only)
• COVID-19: Quebec offers small business loan forgiveness (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Ottawa launches an Infrastructure Plan for $10 billion (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• COVID-19: Ottawa adds $600 million for businesses (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Partially “forgivable” loans for Quebec bars and restaurants (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• What is the role of the Canada Infrastructure Bank in recovery? (Radio-Canada, in French only)

For more information, we invite you to consult the archives from March to September 2020.

Virtual events and webinars

Note: Information is listed from newest to oldest.

• [UPCOMING] What’s next? Managing your business’s finances in 2021 (BDC) : January 18, 2021, 12:00pm
• BDC Small Business Week (BDC)
• Webinar “Creating impactful digital marketing to move into e-commerce” (SADC – Société d’aide au développement des collectivités des Laurentides, in French only)
• Post-COVID e-commerce and online customer experience (Infopresse, in French only)
• Webinar “COVID-19: How to adapt your business to thrive in the new normal” (BDC)
• Webinar “Planning for recovery: How to restart your business in the wake of COVID-19” (BDC)
• Catalyse, a Series of Webinars for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery (Université Laval, in French only)
• Webinar “COVID-19: How to adapt your business to succeed in the new normal” (Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, in French only)
• Webinar “COVID-19: How to adapt your business to thrive in the new normal” (BDC)
• Conference “The Quebec of Tomorrow, for an ecological and social transition” (PôleCN, in French only)
• Free conferences to support entrepreneurs in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region (INKUB Desjardins, Centre en entrepreneuriat multi-ressources and La Suite Entrepreneuriale Desjardins, in French only)
• Webinar “On the Move for Recovery!” (Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins, in French only)
• Conference to discuss issues surrounding Indigenous tourism in a time of profound change (QAT – Quebec Aboriginal Tourism) [Reserved for QAT members only]
• Conference “Now, what economy should we give ourselves?” (Pôle d’économie sociale Outaouais and Chantier de l’économie sociale, in French only)
• Discussion “How to prepare your social media strategy for a prolonged crisis?” (Infopresse, in French only)
• Webinar “How to operate a business with physical distance and health rules” (Détail Québec and Conseil québécois du commerce de détail, in French only)
• Webinar “Business management in crisis times” (Réseau M, in French only)
• Webinar “Liquidity management in crisis times” (CDRQ – Coopérative de développement régional du Québec, in French only)
• Webinar “The impact of COVID-19 on the manufacturing industry” (CCMM – Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, in French only)
• Webinar “COVID-19: How to get through the crisis with an online strategy” (BDC)
• Webinar “COVID-19: Business recovery essentials” (Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, in French only)
• Lunch conference “Post-COVID: A new business model?” (PôleCN, in French only)
• Webinar “How to deal with COVID-19” (CAEQ, in French only)
• Web conference “Acting and bouncing from Covid-19” (Réseau M and Réseau M France, in French only)
• All webinars “How to deal with COVID-19” (CAEQ – Clinique d’accompagnement entrepreneurial du Québec, in French only)
• Discussion “Best practices for your emailing” (Gonzo Marketing, in French only)
• Panel discussion “How to adjust your marketing to get through the crisis” (Cyberimpact, in French only)
• Webinar “Practical advice for SMEs: Business continuity essentials” (Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, in French only)
• Discussion “Challenges in crisis management issues” (Gonzo Marketing, in French only)
• Webinar “Communicating in crisis times” (Institut de Leadership, in French only) [Summary sheet to download]
• Webinar “How to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 on your business” (BDC)
• COVID-19 podcasts (CRHA, in French only)

Articles from our blog on this subject

Note: Articles are listed from newest to oldest.