Individual & Business supports during COVID-19 pandemic

Crossfield Emergency Food Hampers

Applications for the Crossfield Emergency Food Hampers will be accepted until June 30.

Apply by contacting Cheryl at (403) 941-2000 or crossfieldchristmashampers@gmail.com

or download the application form.

Crossfield COVID-19 Immediate Economic Response Action Plan

The Town has worked with local organizations and consultants to draft a response to the COVID-19 pandemic for the local business community. 

Read the action plan here

COVID Information, Government of Alberta Workplace Guidance for Business Owners

Important information for business owners.

Community Futures Centre West offering assistance to small business

Community Futures Centre West will begin offering tailored small business loans as part of the Government of Canada’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. Read the media release here.

New federal programs:

  • Applications are now being accepted for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. Property owners will reduce rent by at least 75 per cent for the months of April, May, and June, for their small business tenants. CECRA will cover 50 per cent of the rent, with the tenant paying up to 25 per cent and the property owner forgiving at least 25 per cent.
  • The federal government has launched the Business Resilience Service, which will be available for small business owners, entrepreneurs, not-for-profit organizations and charities. This service will help entrepreneurs and small business owners in need of financial planning advice, particularly those who may not have access to an accountant. The hotline will offer bilingual services and operate seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Alberta Employment Standards:

The province announced temporary changes to Alberta's employment standards April 6, intended to help employees and employers:

  • Employees caring for children affected by school and daycare closures or ill or self-isolated family members due to COVID-19 will have access to unpaid job-protected leave. The 90-day employment requirement is waived and leave length is flexible.
  • Increasing the maximum time for a temporary layoff from 60 days to 120 days to ensure temporarily laid off employees stay attached to a job longer. This change is retroactive for any temporary layoffs related to COVID-19 that occurred on or after March 17.
  • Improving scheduling flexibility by removing the 24-hour written notice requirement for shift changes, and the two weeks' notice for changes to work schedules for those under an averaging agreement.
  • Removing the requirement to provide the group termination notice to employees and unions when 50 or more employees are being terminated.
  • Streamlining the process for approvals related to modifying employment standards so employers and workers can respond quicker to changing conditions at the workplace due to the public health emergency.

The Government of Canada has announced a number of measures to help Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. These economic programs are the largest in Canadian history with the total cost being approximately $100 billion.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy:

Businesses which experienced a 30 per cent or more decrease in revenues due to COVID are eligible to receive the subsidy. Whether a business qualifies will be done by comparing revenues from March-May 2019 to March-May 2020. Businesses will need to reapply each month. Businesses that turn out not to be eligible will be required to re-pay and may be subject to penalties.

  • open to small and big businesses - the number of employees in the business does not determine eligibility
  • 75 per cent of your salary on the first $58,700 you earn – maximum of $847 per week
  • applies whether the business is open or not
  • businesses are encouraged to top that up if possible – not a requirement, however
  • backdated to March 15
  • hospitality industry, non-profits and charities are also eligible
  • will be extended if the crisis continues past three months
  • More information here: www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/wage-subsidy.html

Canada Emergency Response Benefit:

  • The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) ends when you’ve received 28 weeks of benefits or on Oct. 3, 2020, whichever comes first.
  • The federal government announced Sept. 27 benefits would transition from CERB to Employment Insurance - details regarding eligibility and how to apply are here.

Other supports for business: