Resources for Craft Organizations and Individuals in the Craft Community in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Reopening for Business Guidelines: In partnership with the provincial craft councils of the Atlantic Provinces, we have developed a set of guidelines for craft businesses preparing to re-open for business. This document gives general advice to members of the craft community for businesses such as craft studios, craft shops and galleries preparing to re-open. This document does not constitute any form rules or regulations, and is an interpretation of the rules as set out by public health directives at the time of publication, and is subject to change.

List of Funding Resources (last update January 27, 2021)

Federal Financial support:

For Individuals:

Canada Recovery Benefit: The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. The CRB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you are eligible for the CRB, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period. If your situation continues past 2 weeks, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 13 eligibility periods (26 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. Find out more: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html

For Businesses & Organizations:

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: The new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) currently provides an up-to 65% wage subsidy to eligible employers, with the max subsidy increasing to 75% beginning December 20, 2020 until March 13, 2021. The amount the claimant is eligible for is dependent on income loss amounts for the claim period. Deadline to apply January 31, 2021, or 180 days after the end of the claim period, whichever comes later. Find out more: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy.html

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy: For businesses and non-profits temporarily forced to close or significantly restrict their activities by a public health order. Available retroactive to September 27, 2020 and until June 2021. This program mirrors the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy in its methods of calculation, offering a subsidy rate of up to 65%, depending on revenue decline for the period being claimed. Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/11/canada-emergency-rent-subsidy.html

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy: Lockdown Support: For businesses who have seen a drop in revenue due to a public health order/mandated lockdown in their geographic area forcing them to close or significantly restricting their activities. Offers an additional rent & mortgage support of 25% on top of the Rent Subsidy. Current deadline December 19, with a proposed extension to March 13, 2021. Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/11/lockdown-support-for-businesses-facing-significant-public-health-restrictions.html

Canada Emergency Business Account: To ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need to see them through the current challenges, the Government of Canada has launched the new Canada Emergency Business Account, which has been implemented by eligible financial institutions in cooperation with Export Development Canada (EDC).
This program provides interest-free, partially-forgivable loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus. Sole proprietors with payroll lower than $20,000 and eligible non-deferrable expenses of at least $40,000 are eligible. Deadline to apply: March 31, 2021. Details: https://ceba-cuec.ca/

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund: The Federal government’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund addresses gaps left by other support measures; as a complementary program, applicants must attest that they have already applied for other federal benefits and were approved, rejected or deemed ineligible. An additional $60 million was added to the fund in October 2020 to be allocated in Atlantic Canada through Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Atlantic Association of CBDCs. Read more: https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/campaigns/covid19/rrrf.html

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program: Announced as part of the Fall Economic Statement 2020 (Nov 30) and launched January 26. For the hardest hit businesses in Canada, including those in sectors like Tourism and Hospitality, Hotels, Arts and Entertainment. This stream will offer 100% government-guaranteed financing and provide low-interest loans from $25,000 to $1 million over extended terms, up to ten years. Rates will be lower than those offered in Business Credit Availability Program and beneath typical market rates for hard hit sectors. Available until June 30, 2021. Details: https://www.bdc.ca/en/special-support/hascap

Please visit your provincial government website for information on provincial relief programs available:

Nova Scotia – novascotia.ca/coronavirus
CFIB NS: Covid Relief Measures for Business

New Brunswick – https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/biling/coronavirus.html
NB Guide for Businesses: https://onbcanada.ca/covid-19/

Prince Edward Island – https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/covid-19
Support for PEI Businesses: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/business-0

Newfoundland & Labrador – https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/
Newfoundland & Labrador – CFIB Covid Relief Measures for Business

Additional Resources:

Atlantic Craft Community COVID-19 Response & Support (Facebook Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/atlanticcraftcommunity

Canadian Crafts Federation: https://canadiancraftsfederation.ca/craft-based-covid-19-financial-relief-resources/

Tourism Nova Scotia – List of Government Supports for NS Tourism Businesses

Canada Council for the Arts – https://canadacouncil.ca/covid-19-information#

Arts Nova Scotia http://artsns.ca/news
Arts NB https://artsnb.ca/web/2020/03/covid-19-et-artsnb/?lang=fr
Arts NL http://www.nlac.ca/index.htm
Arts PEI https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/innovation-pei/arts-
grants-program

Online Community for arts income loss discussion: https://ilostmygig.ca/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ILostMyGigCa/