Resources & information
RESOURCES
FEDERAL SUPPORT
Rent relief
The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, which would provide simple and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19. The new rent subsidy would support businesses, charities, and non-profits that have suffered a revenue drop, by subsidizing a percentage of their expenses, on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 65 percent of eligible expenses until December 19, 2020. Organizations would be able to make claims retroactively for the period that began September 27 and ends October 24, 2020.
Emergency loans
An expanded Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), which would enable businesses, and not-for-profits eligible for CEBA loans—and that continue to be seriously impacted by the pandemic—to access an interest-free loan of up to $20,000, in addition to the original CEBA loan of $40,000. Half of this additional financing would be forgivable if repaid by December 31, 2022. Additionally, the application deadline for CEBA is being extended to December 31, 2020.
Wages
1. The extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until June 2021, which would continue to protect jobs by helping businesses keep employees on the payroll and encouraging employers to re-hire their workers. The subsidy would remain at the current subsidy rate of up to a maximum of 65 per cent of eligible wages until December 19, 2020. This measure is part of the government’s commitment to create over 1 million jobs and restore employment to the level it was before the pandemic.
For more information click here
2. The CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who:
- Are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
- Are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
- have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
3. The CRCB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:
- unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19
- because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.
Persons with disabilities
Special one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment
A one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment of up to $600 to help Canadians with disabilities who are recipients of any of the following programs or benefits:
- holders of a valid Canada Revenue Agency Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate,
- beneficiaries as at July 1, 2020 of:
- Canada Pension Plan Disability
- Quebec Pension Plan Disability Pension,
- Disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada
If you are eligible but never applied for the DTC, or your certificate expired in 2019, you must do so by December 31, 2020 to determine your edibility for the spring 2021 one-time payment.
Seniors who are eligible for the one-time payment for persons with disabilities would receive a total of $600 in special payments. The one-time payment to persons with disabilities would be adjusted to provide a top-up for eligible seniors.
SMALL BUSINESS
- Small and medium-sized businesses unable to access other support measures
- Small Business Hotline
- Work Sharing program
LARGE BUSINESS
INDIGENOUS BUSINESSES
INDIVIDUALS
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy
- Disability Tax Credit
- Boost for essential wage workers
- Worker Emergency Bridge Fund
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: Case 2 – Eligible for only Period 3
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
YOUTH
PROVINCIAL SUPPORT
- INNOVATION EQUITY TAX CREDITBusiness investment in innovation creates jobs, grows exports and drives the provincial economy. The Innovation Equity Tax Credit (Innovation ETC) is a non-refundable personal and corporate income tax credit available to eligible investors who invest in approved corporations. It is one way government is encouraging investors to make equity capital investments in eligible Nova Scotia small and medium businesses engaged in innovative activities.
The tax credit focuses on innovation-driven entrepreneurship and since its launch has encouraged greater investment in the province’s businesses, including oceans technology and life sciences sectors.
The credit for individuals is 35% of an eligible investment made in an approved corporation and increases to 45% for investments in approved oceans technology and life sciences sectors. The maximum annual investment amount for an individual is $250,000. The credit for an eligible investor that is a corporation is equal to 15% of an eligible investment made in an approved corporation. The maximum annual investment amount for a corporation is $500,000.
For more information visit https://www.novascotia.ca/finance/en/home/taxation/tax101/personalincometax/innovationequitytaxcredit.aspx
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ICYMI – Business Tax Reductions
Effective April 1, 2020, Nova Scotia reduced tax rates for businesses. The corporate income tax rate was reduced to 14 per cent, bringing Nova Scotia in line with New Brunswick for the lowest rate in Atlantic Canada, and the small business tax rate was reduced to 2.5 per cent to support small business owners.
The changes were announced as part of Budget 2020-21 https://novascotia.ca/budget/#two .
- Bonus for healthcare workers
- Covid-19 Restriction Update
- Business Navigators
- Work Safe for Life
- Worker Emergency Bridge Fund
- Employer Assessment Tool
- Procurement Opportunity
- Red Cross Fundraiser
- Update to the Tenancy Act: Landlords are not permitted to change locks or seize property of businesses who cannot pay rent, if the business closed directly because of COVID-19 public health orders.
- NSCC: Business Support during COVID-19
- Mental Health Well-Being Support
- Volunteer Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Consultant Directory
- Construction Safety Nova Scotia: Covid-19 Safe Work Practices Toolkit
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
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DIGITAL ADOPTION PROGRAM OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
Nova Scotia Business Inc.’s (NSBI) Digital Adoption Program has re-opened. Applications will be accepted online and via the Regional Business Development team until Dec. 1, 2020.
The Digital Adoption Program supports Nova Scotia businesses to rapidly adopt digital tools and innovation. The program will provide financial incentives to Nova Scotia small businesses to:
- Build or improve their online presence to retain and create new sales opportunities and improve firm resilience and flexibility to keep pace with the changing nature of business;
- Adopt digital tools and implement process improvements related to e-commerce solutions and to support remote working; and
- Implement machinery and equipment upgrades, including control software and control hardware, industrial automation and monitoring, and digital supply chain implementations.
The program contributes up to 50 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000 CAD. Minimum project cost is $2,000 CAD. New eligibility requirements have been implemented, shifting focus towards exporters.
More information on application requirements is available here nsbi.ca/dap
- COVID-19 Standardized Screening with Kinduct
- TPH: Small Business Reopen Checklist
- Rogers: Keeping your business connected
- Virtual Strategy Sessions with SMU Entrepreneurship
- NSBI Workshops
- Irving Oil: Safety update
- Deloitte: COVID-19 Information Centre
- BDO: COVID-19 Hub
- Insurance Bureau of Canada: Business Interruption Insurance
- Commissionaires: Threat Risk Assessments
GENERAL INFORMATION
The provincial State of Emergency has been extended until November 29th, 2020.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has developed pandemic tip sheets to help employers protect their workers and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The tip sheets are available at https://www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/covid19/
Province of Nova Scotia COVID-19 Dashboard – This provincial dashboard includes the latest information specifically pertaining to Nova Scotia, along with sections of advice to businesses and community organizations
Government of Canada COVID-19 Dashboard – This national dashboard includes updates on the COVID-19 virus, self-assessment tools and highlights Canada’s response
Government of Canada: Economic Response Plan Dashboard – This page links to support for individuals including those facing unemployment and those who are unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses – This page breaks down the supports for both individuals and businesses from the Government of Canada
World Health Organization: Getting your Workplace Ready for COVID-19
Mental Health Resources – Where to get support in NS during the COVID-19 pandemic