COVID-19 Updates and Resources

On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. There are a number of actions we can take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the increases in risk - such as social distancing, proper hand washing and sanitation and staying home if you are feeling sick.

These are uncertain, challenging times for all of us. The world around us is changing every day. We clearly don’t have all the answers. But we are working hard to find the answers to meet these challenges. We are here with and for you.

Below are a list of resources for you.

Our Advisors are available to help you navigate in this time of uncertainty. Book a conversation with them here:

Book a Meeting with a Platform Calgary Advisor!

Stay prepared and up-to-date on the current situation by regularly checking the follow resources:

Health guidelines for home, work, events and travel:

Financial relief:

Financing:
- Government of Canada: NRC IRAP Innovation Assistance Program
  - On November 6, 2020 the Government of Canada announced over $155 million to extend the Innovation Assistance Program. Over the coming weeks, existing IAP recipients will be contacted with more information.
- Government of Canada: Support for Business
  - Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
    - The new Canada Emergency Business Account will provide interest-free loans to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced. As of December 4, 2020, CEBA loans have increased from $40,000 to $60,000.
  - Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
    - CERS provides businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities with lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses from September 27, 2020 until June 2021.
  - Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
    - EDC Loan Guarantee
    - BDC Co-Lending Program
Employees and Payroll:
- Government of Canada: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
  - The new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) provides a 75% wage subsidy to eligible employers for up to 12 weeks, retroactive from March 15, 2020 to June 2021.
- Government of Canada: Employment and Social Development Canada
  - Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for developing, managing and delivering social programs and services. Receive information on:
    - Work-Sharing Program
      - Work-Sharing (WS) is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program is being extended from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19.
- Government of Canada: Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy
  - The Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy is a three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deduction required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Deferrals:
- Government of Canada: Flexibility for Businesses Filing Taxes
  - The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020.
- Deferred mortgage payments, loans and credit extensions:
  - TD Bank Finance Support Call: 1-888-720-0075
  - BMO Finance Support Call: 1-877-788-1923
  - RBC Finance Support Call: 1-800-769-2511.
  - CIBC Financial Assistance Call: 1-877-454-9030
  - Scotia Bank Financial Assistance Call: 1-800-4-SCOTIA
  - ATB Relief for Customers Call: 1-800-332-8383
Others:
- Facebook: Small Business Grants Program
  - Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits to help your small business during this challenging time.
- Hockeystick Startup Network: Active Funders in Canada
  - Canadian startups need funding now more than ever, so Hockeystick created this resource. If you are or know an active funder, please add them.
- Lighthouse Labs Scholarships
  - These scholarships will offer partial tuition coverage, and are intended to help recipients develop skills that will allow them to launch new careers and get back to work during these unsettling times.
For Individuals:
- Government of Alberta: Support for Albertans
- Government of Canada: Support to Canadians

Business management tools:

Challenges and open calls for support:

Government of Canada: Call for Suppliers
- Are you a business that can supply products and services in support of Canada’s response to COVID-19? Canada wants to hear from you.
Government of Canada: COVID-19 Challenge: Made in Canada filtration material for the manufacture of N95 respirators and surgical masks
- To protect healthcare personnel against exposure to airborne particles and droplet hazards related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is seeking a solution that will provide alternative filtration materials at large scale volumes that are suitable for use in the manufacture of N95 respirators and surgical masks for healthcare workers.
Government of Canada: NRC-IRAP COVID-19 Challenges Procurement Program
- This program will post challenges seeking near-to-market solutions from small and medium-sized businesses (fewer than 500 staff) that need financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to refine and sell their product or solution to meet a COVID-19 related need.
NATO Innovation Challenge
- In response to the Pandemic, submit your Solutions to identify false information and mitigate its effects
The DMZ at Ryerson University: #HackTheCurve Challenge
- Given the emergence of worldwide pandemic COVID-19, the DMZ is calling on Canadian innovators to work together to alleviate some of the difficulties being faced by Canadians and the rest of the world during this outbreak.
World Tourism Organization: Healing Solutions for Tourism
- This challenge is a global call to reach the most disruptive startups, entrepreneurs and drive solutions to mitigate COVID-19 impacts on tourism through health, economic and destination management solutions. A step forward for Sustainable Development in a crisis situation.

Helpful resources and lists from the startup community:

Helpful resources and lists from our civic partners:

Important numbers for support and self-help:

Alberta Health Services: Help In Tough Times
Calgary Distress Centre: 24 hour call line 403-266-4357
Edmonton Distress Centre: 24 hour call line 780-482-4357
Suicide Help: 24 Hour call line: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

For fun, relaxing and self-care:

If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) visit Alberta Health Link:

Dial 8-1-1 for Alberta Health Link
If you are unsure whether or not you should be tested for COVID-19 visit the Alberta Health Services Online Screening Tool

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