LIFT Startups

The BC Chamber of Commerce Building Resilience to Thrive online training program will offer relief to businesses and help mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by teaching them how to adapt their business models, re-engage their customers and adjust their workplace cultures. Developed in partnership with the Gustavson School of Business at UVic, this program will have one hour seminars once per week for 6 weeks and will be offered three times until the end of March 2021.

Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Updated December 21, 2020 Grant amounts increased for businesses in general and tourism-related businesses in particular.... https://www2.gov.bc.ca//economic-r/business-recovery-grant

2020 Tax Year, Up to $400 Home Office Expense Deduction for Employees Working from Home, more details from Canada Revenue Agency Updated December 15, 2020 https://www.canada.ca//simplifying-the-process-for-claimin

Government of Canada expands Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans Starting on Friday, December 4, 2020, eligible businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are able to access a second CEBA loan of up to $20,000 on top of the initial $40,000 that was available to small businesses. Half of this additional financing, up to $10,000, will be forgivable if the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022.... This means the additional loan effectively increases CEBA loans from the existing $40,000 to $60,000 for eligible businesses, of which a total of $20,000 will be forgiven if the balance of the loan is repaid on time. https://www.canada.ca//government-expands-canada-emergency

Are you a Chamber of Commerce member? The BC Chamber of Commerce has a COVID Business 'Pulse Check' Survey. https://www.bcmindreader.com//45a57bce-fbb4-4a76-a512-a196 "With rising COVID cases, we're launching a COVID-19 'Pulse Check' Survey to see how your business is impacted and what supports you need in this critical time. ... We will track the workforce challenges and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on BC businesses. Your feedback to this survey is essential to inform our understanding of the most pressing impacts you are experiencing and what can be done to support your business. Responses are confidential and personal information will not be shared. The survey will take ~8 minutes to complete (follow the progress bar below). Survey will close on December 18th at 5PM."

The Government of Canada has passed Bill C-9, which provides or extends rent and wage subsidies. We hope that if you need it, that it can help your business. An accountant will likely need to provide guidance, and it sounds like there will be an online tool as well. Nov 19: https://www.canada.ca//new-targeted-support-to-help-busine