Weekly Update: October 23 – 29, 2020

Businesses Using A Personal Banking Account Can Now Apply For CEBA

As first announced by Prime Minister Trudeau at our AGM & Convention on Monday, businesses that use personal bank accounts to operate may now apply for a CEBA loan. Contact your primary financial institution to apply. More information.

$50 million in funding announced from the TIER system

The TIER fund helps industrial facilities find innovative ways to reduce their emissions and invest in clean technology and the fund is being reinvested into programs that will bring investment to Alberta and continue to build on Alberta’s strong record on environmental, social and corporate governance. Clean energy technology projects already submitted through Alberta Innovates’ ongoing funding application process may be considered for the TIER funding. New project applications can also be submitted to the Alberta Innovates Application Portal until Nov. 30 to be reviewed for the first intake of TIER funding. To be eligible for the funding, projects must meet the requirements of TIER and be shovel-ready. Learn more from the announcement.

Launch of two new immigration streams

Starting Oct. 26, recent international graduates from Alberta’s universities and colleges can apply to the new International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream to launch business ventures and startups in Alberta. In January, Alberta will also launch the Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream to attract talented international graduates from top U.S. universities and colleges to start businesses and settle in Alberta communities.

In addition, as of Nov. 1, dozens of additional occupational categories will be added to the “refusal to process list,” removing the vast majority of occupations from the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. The changes do not impact 27 occupations in the following sectors: Agriculture; Caregiver; Technology; Emergency response. Read more.

Alberta lifts curtailment as of December 2020

Alberta’s government will stop setting monthly oil production limits to allow producers to utilize available pipeline capacity. While the government will extend its regulatory authority to curtail oil production through December 2021, it will not set production limits due to 16 percent of Alberta’s crude oil production remaining offline, down from 22 percent at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time the Government of Alberta does not plan to resume production limits. More information.

Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster

The Digital Technology Supercluster has made $10.7 million in follow-on investments to five projects under its COVID-19 stream. The COVID-19 program was created at the beginning of the pandemic to invest in digital solutions that protect the Canadian economy as well as public health. The federal government decided in March to refocus some of the superclusters to help in the fight against the pandemic. More information.

Temporary Foreign Workers Program Consultation

The government of Canada has begun consultations with provinces and territories, employers, workers, worker support groups, and other interested parties on a proposal to establish minimum requirements for employer-provided accommodations for the TFW Program across Canada. As a first step, the Government of Canada is seeking input until December 22, 2020 on proposed accommodation requirements in the TFW Program’s primary agriculture stream. The Government is also seeking feedback on potential approaches to strengthen oversight of worker accommodations, both prior to and after workers’ arrivals. More information.

Alberta Central Big Future Innovation Grant Awarding Two Businesses $20,000

Alberta Central, alongside member credit unions, knows the value of small businesses. That’s why they created the Big Future Innovation Grant. We’re awarding two Alberta-based businesses $20,000 each to propel innovation, power growth and scale up their business. Applications are open until December 9. The first 100 applications received will be accepted and reviewed by a judging panel, who not only know all about innovation and growth but also value the success of our small businesses here in Alberta. Apply online.

Canada Life Business Boost Program To Give 12 Small Businesses Across Canada A One-Time Grant Of $10,000

Recognizing that small businesses are facing adversity during COVID-19 and that many are facing significant challenges and struggling to keep their doors open, this week, Canada Life announced its Business Boost program to provide small businesses with financial support that could help make all the difference. Canada Life is offering 12, one-time grants of $10,000. Applications are due November 12. More information.

$750-Million Fund for Oil and Gas Companies to Reduce Methane Emissions

The Government of Canada launched the $750-million Emissions Reduction Fund to reduce methane and GHG emissions. This fund provides primarily repayable funding to eligible onshore and offshore oil and gas firms to support their investments to reduce GHG emissions by adopting greener technologies and help maintain jobs in a time of economic hardship and uncertainty. More information.