[This page was last updated on May 29, 2020 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
• 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.

• Prime Minister announces additional funding for health, economic, and social support for Indigenous peoples and communities (Government of Canada)
• Kahnawake will begin deconfinement on June 1st (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Teleworking: Training to support companies (Informe Affaires, in French only)
• The forest industry no longer wants to wait until the last minute to anticipate (Le Nord-Côtier, in French only)
• Statement by the Minister of Natural Resources following a meeting of Canada’s Energy and Mines Ministers (Government of Canada)
• Shrimp Fishery: Indigenous and non-Indigenous people unite to call for Ottawa’s help (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – As of June 1, 2020, Quebecers will have access to campgrounds, marinas and certain types of tourist accommodations (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• COVID-19 – The CNESST launches a guide to support the accommodation and camping sectors in the recovery of their activities in complete safety (CNESST, in French only)
• Gradual reopening of parks and wildlife reserves (L’Écho de la Tuque, in French only)
• More than half of the national parks open on June 1st (La Presse, in French only)
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy “one of the pillars of our recovery”, according to Bill Morneau (La Presse, in French only)
• Ottawa seeks “big ideas” for economic recovery (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit coming to an end? (TVA Nouvelles, in French only)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – PACME: Companies invited to contact collective promoters (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – Shopping centre reopening in two phases (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• The first signs of economic recovery are appearing (La Presse, in French only)
• Gradual deconfinement is showing the first signs of recovery (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Complete recovery of activities for more than 40% of Quebec SMEs (Les Affaires, in French only)
• Driver service to reach its customers (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Forestry Sector – Quebec accelerates payments under the reimbursement program for the costs of multi-resource roads (Government of Quebec)
• Access to Oka Park could be free as early as Wednesday (TVA Nouvelles, in French only)
• Kahnawake, Kanesatake businesses remain closed despite Quebec reopening (CBC)
• Quebec Cree pass mandatory self-isolation law (CBC)
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance now open for applications (Government of Canada)
• Apply for CECRA for small businesses and help commercial tenants with rent relief (CMHC – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)
• CRA delays the filing of corporate tax returns (La Presse, in French only)
• Backgrounder: Questions and answers on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (Government of Canada)
• Shopping centres outside the MMC will reopen on June 1st and several other sectors are in the process of reopening (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Backgrounder: Quebec Deconfinement Plan (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Quebec de-confinement plan provides workplace safety instructions (Montreal Gazette)
• The economic impact of the pandemic is less severe in Montreal and on the North Shore (Ma Côte-Nord, in French only)
• Government of Canada announces online tool, “Find financial help during COVID-19” to assist Canadians in accessing financial support (Government of Canada)
• Museums, libraries, movie theatres, recording studios and show recordings: Quebec announces good news for the cultural community (Government of Québec, in French only)
• Gespeg wants its share of new federal support for Indigenous people (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Indigenous organizations in montreal call for a delay in reopening the city (CBC)
• The reopening as a laboratory for tomorrow’s trade (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Innovation is the key to recovery (Le Devoir, in French only)
• The economic impact of COVID-19 in Quebec does not follow any model (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Emergency assistance will have to be tightened for the next wave (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Industrial recovery stunted by a difficult economic environment (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• 75 million from Ottawa: Cautious enthusiasm and lawsuit maintained (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Prime Minister announces additional support for Indigenous peoples living in urban centres and off reserve (Government of Canada)
• Prime Minister announces opening of program to protect jobs and help businesses (Government of Canada)
• COVID-19 – CNESST equips personal care, aesthetic, therapeutic and oral care companies for a safe reopening (CNESST, in French only)
• The first phase of store openings will begin on June 1st in Kahnawake (Le Reflet, in French only)
• Lessons from the reopening of businesses in regional areas (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Mayors see the forestry sector as a key to recovery (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Four tourism associations call for reopening schedule (Le Soleil, in French only)
• Prime Minister announces expansion of support for workers and small businesses (Government of Canada)
• Minister Ng announces more support for women entrepreneurs amid COVID-19 (Government of Canada)
• Support for community organizations helping Canadians (Government of Canada)
• COVID-19 Emergency Support for Community Organizations (Canadian Red Cross)
• Extending eligibility for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (Government of Canada)
• Apply for the Incentive Program to Retain Essential Workers (Government of Quebec)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – Minister Jean Boulet increases PACME by $50 million and invites businesses to build on the strength of a collective approach (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Concerted Action Programme for Maintaining Employment (PACME-COVID-19) (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Indigenous tourism in Quebec given strong support to navigate crisis (ITQ)
• Social economy: essential enterprises for post-pandemic period (PME MTL, in French only)
• Prime Minister announces new support for Canada’s fish harvesters (Government of Canada)
• COVID-19 – Information for industry and partners of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Government of Canada)
• COVID-19 – Canada Seafood Stabilization Fund (Government of Canada)
• (Government of Canada)
• Farm Credit Canada-backed fund offers innovative and flexible solutions for uncertain times (Government of Canada)
• Quebec wants to boost the economy through its infrastructure projects (Le Devoir, in French only)
• COVID-19: $962 million additional support fund now available to businesses and communities affected by the pandemic (Government of Canada)
• COVID-19: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions launches the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to support local economies (Government of Canada)
• Ottawa’s assistance is not enough to alleviate the tourism industry’s concerns (Radio‑Canada, in French only)
• Canada Emergency Student Benefit application period to launch on May 15, 2020 (Government of Canada)
• 221 million more to help Québec SMEs (La Presse, in French only)
• Ottawa gives financial boost to seniors (Le Devoir, in French only)
• What form will the recovery take? (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Support for the community sector (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Ottawa reaches out to big business (La Presse, in French only)
• At least 40 per cent of Ottawa’s assistance will arrive late (Le Devoir, in French only)
• An employee can refuse to work and receive CERB, confirms Ottawa (Le Devoir, in French only)
• Deputy Gill wants help for fishermen going into a difficult season (Ma Côte-Nord, in French only)
• Retention of Essential Workers – Revenu Québec announces a calendar determined by month of birth for applications related to the Incentive Program to Retain Essential Workers (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Continuity of operations of the AFNQL and its regional commissions and organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic (FNQLHSSC – First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission)
• Up to $48 billion in losses for tourism industry as a result of the pandemic (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Minister Bains announces new Industry Strategy Council (Government of Canada)
• Backgrounder : Support to Canadians and businesses affected by COVID-19 (Government of Canada) [Updated on May 8, 2020]
• Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations (Government of Canada)
• COVID-19: Support for culture, heritage and sport sectors (Government of Canada)
• Companies are preparing their plan to combat COVID-19 (Le Quotidien, in French only)
• Fisheries minister promises support for fishermen “in a few days” (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Restarting the economy: the time for choices is approaching (L’actualité, in French only)
• Canada Emergency Business Account access should be expanded and programs extended as emergency phase continues (CFIB)
• Guide “Informations and recommendations for employers and workers” (CRHA)
• Guide “Managing the return to work – Information and recommendations for employers” (CRHA – Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés, in French only)
• COVID-19 Information: COVID-19 toolkit (CNESST)
• COVID-19 Information: Québec is going back to work safely (CNESST)
• Quebec is going back to work – CNESST launches a virtual toolkit in anticipation of the reopening of certain sectors of the Quebec economy (CNESST – Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, in French only)
• COVID-19: Business planning tools for entrepreneurs (BDC)
• Businesses: For a successful restart (La Presse, in French only)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – Boosting the economy without restarting the pandemic (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – Modalities for reopening certain sectors of the economy (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Deconfinement: Stories of companies that have had to adapt to life with the coronavirus. (Le Devoir, in French only)
• CERB: Hindering entrepreneurs (La Presse, in French only)
• More than half of small firms to apply for help from the federal wage subsidy, but it is too late for some, confusing for others (CFIB – Canadian Federation of Independent Business)
• How to navigate the bureaucracy of emergency financial support programs (Nation Magazine)
• Prime Minister announces partnerships with provinces and territories to deliver the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses (Government of Canada)
• UQAC responds to demand from businesses in the region (Informe Affaires, in French only)
• Support for students and new grads affected by COVID-19 (Government of Canada)
• Trudeau announces $350M support fund for community groups helping vulnerable people (CBC)
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: Calculate your subsidy amount (Government of Canada)
• Government of Canada launches Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy calculator for employers (Government of Canada)
• Indigenous businesses receive $306.8 Federal Stimulus Funding Package in response to COVID-19 (ITAC)
• Prime Minister announces support for Indigenous businesses (Government of Canada)
• COVID-19: Government measures and other tools (PôleCN – Pôle des entreprises d’économie sociale de la région de la Capitale-Nationale, in French only)
• COVID-19 – The AFNQL is concerned about resuming mining operations (AFNQL – Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador)
• COVID-19 – Resources/Information (Chantier de l’économie sociale, in French only)
• Survey to support Quebec tourism businesses and organizations (Transat Chair in Tourism, ministère du Tourisme du Québec et Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec; in French only)
• Changes to Canada Summer Jobs program to help businesses and young Canadians affected by COVID-19 (Government of Canada)
• Government provides further flexibility for employers to access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (Government of Canada)
• COVID-19 pandemic – Minister Jean Boulet makes a positive assessment of the Temporary Aid for Workers Program (Government of Quebec)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – Quebec announces two economic measures targeting the forest sector (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Ottawa expands its Emergency Benefit for small business owners (Le Devoir)
• Apply for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA (Government of Canada)
• Government Assistance Programs COVID-19 (Government of Quebec)
• COVID-19 Development stimulus fund application (ITAC – Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada)
• COVID-19 Pandemic – An additional $150 million to help small and medium-sized businesses in Quebec (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• COVID-19: 7 steps to sustain your business through the disruption (BDC)
• Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for retailers (Retail Council of Canada)
• Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 (BDC – Business Development Bank of Canada)
• Additional support for Canadian businesses from the economic impact of COVID-19 (Government of Canada)
• How EDC is helping Canadians during COVID-19 (EDC – Export Development Canada)
• CDPQ joins the collective effort during the COVID-19 crisis (Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec)
• COVID-19: Actions to support the economy and financial system (Bank of Canada)
• Ottawa extends wage subsidy to large businesses (Radio-Canada, in French only)
• Temporary business support fund / COVID-19 (Promotion Saguenay, in French only) [Program for cooperatives and private or social economy enterprises]
• Understanding economic measures in relation with COVID-19 (Bonjour Startup Montréal)
• COVID-19: Support measures for Montréal businesses (Ville de Montréal)
• COVID-19: Information for businesses (Chambre de commerce de Val-d’Or, in French only)
• Concerted temporary action program for businesses (Investissement Québec)
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan (Government of Canada)
• A proactive government to help Quebec businesses (Government of Quebec, in French only)
• Prime Minister announces support for small businesses facing impacts of COVID‑19 (Government of Canada)

Virtual events and webinars

Note: Information is listed from newest to oldest.

• [UPCOMING] Catalyse, a Series of Webinars for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery: Several dates in the program until 18 June 2020 (Université Laval, in French only)
• 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)
• Discussion “Collaboration & community – the key to reopening our economy” (NEXT Canada and BDC)
• 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.