OTTAWA — During Small-Business Week, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced an investment of $12 million in the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund.
“The support announced today is yet another lifeline for resilient small businesses across Canada. These grants will help them cover expenses involved in re-opening and allow them to build a stronger digital presence,” says Ng.
Canada United is a national fundraising campaign created by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) in collaboration with private-sector partners and provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, including the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). The campaign has been rallying support from Canadians for local small businesses across the country.
The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, which is managed by the OCC, will support businesses across different sectors and industries with grants of up to $5,000. These grants are intended to help business owners cover the costs of personal protective equipment, make physical modifications to their businesses to meet local health-and-safety requirements and enhance their digital or e-commerce capabilities.
“Small businesses are cornerstones of our local economies and key to thriving communities, creating jobs, driving innovation and generating wealth for Canadians. Local businesses have always been there for us and now need our support more than ever,” says Rocco Rossi, president and CEO, OCC. “Along with chambers of commerce and boards of trade across the country, we’re proud to support small businesses through the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, helping them with their recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19.”
Starting October 26, small businesses can apply online through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for the next wave of Canada United Small Business Relief Fund grants. Applications are open to small businesses that have between $150,000 and $3 million in annual sales; have up to 75 employees; are registered in Canada; and would use the grant to cover the costs of PPE, meet health-and-safety requirements and enhance their digital presence.
