Tourism & Hospitality Worker?
Out of work? Working less?
We’re here for you.
Tourism & Hospitality Emergency Response (THER) is a new recovery plan for workers and workplaces to assist people who have lost their jobs or are working fewer hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Register now for the Tourism & Hospitality Workers’ Registry to receive real-time information about employment services and training in your community.
Complete the survey for a chance to win one of three VISA Gift Cards*
*Some restrictions may apply. See eligibility requirements.
We have your back.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for the more than 300,000 people who work in the hospitality and tourism sector including accommodation, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment, transportation, and travel services.
Tourism & Hospitality Emergency Response will connect workers with:
- Training to build the skills you need to thrive in the “new normal” workplace
- Reskilling programs to support your transition to new job opportunities
- Information about grants, relief programs, supports and how to return-to-work safely
- Employment resources including job opportunities, job search resources and employment programs in your community
Learn more about resources in your province.
Register now for the Tourism & Hospitality Workers’ Registry to receive information about training programs, education opportunities and job search resources.
Tourism & Hospitality Emergency Response is a job recovery initiative led by the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) and funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre and the Government of Ontario.
Led by:
Funded by:
Partners:
Find information
that’s relevant to you
Need help getting started? Learn about resources available to help you raise your income or lower your expenses in these challenging times. Visit Prosper Canada’s Financial Relief Navigator to get started.
Returning to work?
Find industry related information here
You may also wish to review a list of available provincial and national supports. Below are links to resources for businesses, workers, students, individuals and families.
All federal benefits are displayed below. You can select a region to add programs from your province or territory.
Select a resource type:
Select a region to filter:
- Show All
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Student Loan Repayment Deferrals
The province has implemented a 6 month, interest free moratorium on Alberta student loan payments. Repayments are paused as of March 30, 2020. Interest will not accrue during this period and students do not need to apply for the repayment pause.
Region: Alberta
Learn more:
Temporary Wage Supplement For Lower Income Essential Workers
The new wage supplement consists of a flat $400 per month benefit for up to 16 weeks (March 15 to July 4) for each eligible worker.
Region: Saskatchewan
Manitoba Protection Plan
The provincial government has instructed Manitoba Hydro, Centra Gas and Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to refrain from charging interest or penalties for those unable to pay. It's also told Manitoba Hydro and Centra Gas they cannot disconnect customers.
Region: Manitoba
Learn more:
The Essential Health Care Workers Program
The program will see health-care workers receive a bonus of up to $2,000 after a four-month period, beginning March 13.
Region: Nova Scotia
Learn more:
Student Loan Remission Program
The Loan Remission Program forgives 15 per cent of the student loan debt of any person who has completed their studies.
Region: Quebec
Learn more:
WorkingNB
Workers seeking career or training opportunities can connect with an employment counsellor at WorkingNB. Counsellors can help clients identify career goals and connect them to the labour market through training and employment opportunities.
Region: New Brunswick
Learn more:
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Information regarding support for individuals, businesses, sectors, and organizations helping Canadians.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Student Aid Supports
Apply for loans, scholarships and repayment pause for Alberta Student Loans
Region: Alberta
Learn more:
Student Aid Supports
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
Apply now for the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers, a one-time, tax-free $1,000 payment for B.C. residents whose ability to work has been affected due to COVID-19.
Region: British Columbia
Learn more:
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
BC Climate Action Tax Credit
The BC climate action tax credit (BCCATC) is a tax-free payment made to low-income individuals and families to help offset the carbon taxes they pay.
Region: British Columbia
Learn more:
BC Climate Action Tax Credit
Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative
Through the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative, the provincial government matches a lot of the private donations that schools get from donors at a 1 to 1 ratio (1 government dollar for every 1 private dollars donated).
To find out about awards and bursaries at your school, you need to contact them directly.
Region: Manitoba
Learn more:
Scholarship and Bursary Initiative
Student Loan Payment Deferral
Students are entitled to a 6 month interest-free period after ceasing full-time studies.
Region: Northwest Territories
Learn more:
Student Loan Payment Deferral
Income Assistance
The Income Assistance (IA) program provides people in financial need with assistance with basic needs such as food, rent, utilities like heat and electricity, and clothing. The program may also help you with other needs such as child care, transportation, prescription drugs, emergency dental care, and eye glasses.
Region: Nova Scotia
Learn more:
Income Assistance
COVID-19 Supports and Services
A comprehensive list of supports and services available to PEI residents.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
COVID-19 Supports and Resources
Labour Market Services
The ministry's Labour Market Services branch provides job searching, job matching, career planning, and job training services to Saskatchewan residents throughout the province.
Region: Saskatchewan
Learn more:
Labour Market Services
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
Employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits can apply for income support of $1000 for a 2-week period.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Canada Recovery Benefit
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
Income support of $500 per week for employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)s
Select a region to filter:
- Show All
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Tax Relief
Businesses will get five months of interest and penalty relief to file and make payments for the majority of provincially administered taxes.
Between April 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020, the province will not apply any penalty or interest on any late-filed returns or incomplete or late tax payments under select provincially administered taxes, such as Employer Health Tax, Tobacco Tax and Gas Tax.
Region: Ontario
Learn more:
Working Capital for New Brunswick Small Business Owners
Small business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for working capital loans up to $100,000 through the NB Small Business Emergency Working Capital Program.
This program is accessible to small businesses employing 1 to 49 employees, including sole proprietors/self-employed, with sales of less than $10 million in the most recent fiscal year.
The loans are funded by the government of New Brunswick and are administered by the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC).
Region: New Brunswick
How to apply:
Community Investment Fund COVID-19 Relief
The Government of New Brunswick has included a new category into the Community Investment Fund to assist in providing relief to non-profits in New Brunswick being impacted by COVID-19.
This funding is available for small to medium-sized non-profits in the form of a grant between a minimum of $500 and up to a maximum of $10,000.
Region: New Brunswick
Learn more:
Emergency Working Capital Funding
A financing program has been developed to provide emergency working capital financing to help PEI’s small businesses
Eligible applicants can apply to receive a working capital loan of up to $100,000 with a fixed interest rate of 4% per annum to be used to assist with fixed operating costs (including payroll, rent, utilities etc) with principal & interest payments deferred for a minimum of 12 months.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
WorkingNB
WorkingNB services are available to any New Brunswick employer or job-seeker looking for support. Businesses with human resource challenges, including with recruitment, retention or training, can contact WorkingNB for support through a workforce consultant.
Region: New Brunswick
Learn more:
WSIB Payment Deferrals
Employers can defer Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) payments for up to six months.
All employers covered by the WSIB’s workplace insurance are automatically eligible for the financial relief package.
Region: Ontario
Learn more:
Affordable Electricity Bills
Effective June 1, 2020, Ontario introduced a COVID-19 Recovery Rate of 12.8¢/kWh for TOU Regulated Price Plan customers, also effective 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This temporary rate will be in effect until October 31, 2020.
Region: Ontario
Learn more:
NB Business working capital above $100,000
Opportunities New Brunswick is making available working capital loans to assist employers respond to the challenges associated with COVID-19.
Working capital in excess of $100,000, up to a maximum of $1 million is available.
Region: New Brunswick
How to apply:
Tax Changes
Alberta corporate income tax balances and instalment payments coming due between March 18, 2020 and August 31, 2020 are deferred until August 31, 2020.
Region: Alberta
Learn more:
Summer Student Recovery Plan
A new wage subsidy program to support high school and post-secondary students employed in the private and non-profit sectors. Under the new program, up to $120 million is available for employers to access a $7 per hour wage subsidy, up to a maximum of $5,000 per student. The program is open to Manitoba students aged 15 to 29, with an employment period from May 1 to Sept. 4. Employers can be subsidized to hire up to five students. Reimbursement will be provided at the end of the employment period, upon proof of payment of student wages.
Region: Manitoba
Learn more:
Manitoba Gap Protection Program
The Manitoba government is providing up to $120 million to support Manitoba’s small and medium-sized businesses that are facing significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The province will advance each eligible business the non-interest bearing forgivable MGPP loan of $6,000, for a total of up to $120 million. The loan will be forgiven on Dec. 31, 2020, if the recipient attests at that time the business has not received any major non-repayable COVID-19 federal supports such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Business Account, as well as sector-specific grant federal programs specifically developed in response to the pandemic.
Region: Manitoba
Learn more:
Loans for Business
Financial assistance is available for business in Quebec experiencing temporary difficulty due to the pandemic.
Region: Quebec
Learn more:
Emergency aid for small and medium-sized enterprises
The Emergency Assistance Program for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses aims to support, for a limited period, eligible businesses who are experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19 and who need cash under $ 50,000.
Region: Quebec
Virtual Business Support Hub
The Nova Scotia provincial government is working with post-secondary partners to offer education, training and guidance for small businesses. A centralized online hub will connect businesses with support programs available from post-secondary institutions and other regional organizations. Business support workers will help connect businesses with the programs they need.
The virtual hub will be hosted by Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). It will be available in early May, but you can start getting answers now by emailing business@nscc.ca or visiting NSCC’s business support website.
Region: Nova Scotia
Learn more:
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for Small Businesses
This program, in partnership with the federal government, will provide rent relief for commercial small businesses that have temporarily ceased operations or lost at least 70 per cent of revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program will be delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and will be available in May.
Region: Nova Scotia
Agriculture Training Support Program
The program is intended to offset costs for COVID-19 safety and training, including the costs for personal protective equipment and to remove any barriers to get Albertans safely working.
Region: Alberta
Learn more:
The Prince Edward Island Fish Emergency Loan Program
The program will provide loans up to $25,000 to Islander harvesters at 4 per cent interest over a five-year term.
Region: Prince Edward Island
The Interest Relief Program
The program will support fish harvesters with up to 12 months of interest relief and service debt costs on a maximum of $250 million at an average interest rate of 5 per cent.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
The Interest Relief Program
COVID-19 Workspace Adaption Assistance Fund
To help small businesses purchase and install protective measures such as plexiglass dividers or handwashing stations to safeguard employees and customers.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
COVID-19 Workspace Adaption Assistance Fund
Gift Card Program
Any employee who has received a lay-off notice as a direct result of the impacts associated with COVID-19. The employer submits an application form for every 25 employees.
Once approved, an email will be sent to the employer with individual letters for your employees. These letters will contain a ‘gift card number’. The affected employee can redeem their gift card number at any Sobeys, Foodland, Co-op or Lawton’s store on Prince Edward Island. Note that the employee must present their letter and a photo ID (or two valid pieces of personal identification) in order to redeem.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
Small Business Advice
Talk to a small business advisor at Business Link to get free advice, coaching and information on COVID-19 resources and supports.
Submit your question online or contact them directly:
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed weekends and statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-422-7722
Toll free: 1-800-272-9675 (Canada only)
TTY: 1-800-457-8466 (For the deaf or hard of hearing)
Region: Alberta
Learn more:
Corporate Income Tax Filing Deadline Extended
The Manitoba government is extending the provincial corporate income tax filing deadline to Aug. 31, with no interest or penalties.
Region: Manitoba
Learn more:
Post-Secondary Student Program
This summer employment program is designed to create jobs for post-secondary students by providing a financial incentive to Prince Edward Island employers. In turn, students will gain valuable work experience, preferably related to a student’s field of study.
Who is eligible to participate?
Eligible employers on Prince Edward Island include:
- registered private sector businesses
- non-Profit organizations
- public sector
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP)
The Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP) provides a one-time grant for small and medium-sized enterprises directly affected by government public heath orders related to COVID-19. Grants will be paid based on 15 per cent of a business's monthly sales revenue, to a maximum of $5,000.
Region: Saskatchewan
Provincial Sales Tax
Saskatchewan businesses which are unable to remit their PST due to cashflow concerns will have three-month relief from penalty and interest charges.
Region: Saskatchewan
Learn more:
Workers’ Compensation Board
Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is waiving premium penalties for employers effective April 1 until June 30, 2020.
Region: Saskatchewan
Learn more:
Employer Health Tax Deferral
Businesses with a payroll over $500,000 can defer their employer health tax payments until Sept. 30, 2020. Businesses with a payroll under this threshold are already exempt from the tax.
Region: British Columbia
Learn more:
Extending Tax Filing Deadlines
The Province is extending tax filing and payment deadlines for the provincial sales tax (PST), municipal and regional district tax on short-term accommodation, tobacco tax, motor fuel tax and carbon tax until Sept. 30, 2020
Region: British Columbia
Learn more:
School Tax Cuts
Business and light- and major-industry property classes will see their school tax cut in half.
Region: British Columbia
Learn more:
Yukon Business Relief Program
The Yukon Business Relief Program provides non-repayable grants of up to $30,000 per month to cover fixed costs, including rent, water, sewer, electricity, internet or insurance.
Region: Yukon
Learn more:
Temporary Support for Events Funding Program
The Temporary Support for Events Funding Program will help businesses recover certain costs from the cancellation of major events due to COVID-19. Major events are those which would have had gatherings of more than 50 people, such as the Arctic Winter Games or Yukon Native Hockey Tournament.
Region: Yukon
Learn more:
COVID-19 Business Advisory Council
The Government of Yukon has established a COVID-19 Business Advisory Council to ensure the needs of Yukon’s business community are heard as we address the economic impacts of COVID-19. This council includes stakeholders from a wide variety of sectors who will contribute their knowledge and experience representing diverse aspects of Yukon’s economy.
Region: Yukon
Learn more:
Business Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC)
The BDIC is offering low interest loans to businesses to help offset up to one month of COVID-19 impacts. BDIC is also allowing the deferral of any BDIC loan payments for a period of up to three cumulative months, between April 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020.
Region: Northwest Territories
Economic Relief and Growth Advisory Group
Northwest Territories has begun work to establish an Advisory Council to ensure that the items most critical to local economies and jobs are targeted for government support.
Region: Northwest Territories
Learn more:
Contribution Carryovers
Northwest Territories will allow non-government organizations, Indigenous Governments, and Community Governments with unused contribution amounts in 2019-20 to use these funds in 2020-21.
Region: Northwest Territories
Learn more:
Funding for Municipalities
The Department of Community and Government services is providing an additional $2 million to municipalities to cover expenses related to COVID-19.
Eligible expenses include but are not limited to the purchase of cleaning materials, hiring additional staff, expenses for additional road clearing, by-law and enforcement patrols, and to cover lost revenues resulting from facility closures.
Region: Nunavut
Learn more:
Amendment to the Credit Union Regulations, 2009
The Federal Government announced that it will provide up to $40,000 in commercial loans to businesses to alleviate financial pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To support the province’s credit unions and their commercial members, the provincial government has amended the Regulations to provide all of the province’s credit unions with the ability to access federal commercial loan programs to help Newfoundland and Labrador businesses.
Region: Newfoundland and Labrador
Learn more:
Emergency Relief – Worker Assistance Program
The Emergency Relief - Worker Assistance Program is a temporary program to provide financial support to employers to assist their employed workers who have been impacted by reduced hours at work as a result of COVID-19.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
COVID-19 Business Adaptation Advice Program
The COVID-19 Business Adaptation Advice program provides a non-repayable contribution to Prince Edward Island businesses, entrepreneurs, not-for-profits, and non-governmental organizations to access professional advice and support to adapt or recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
COVID-19 Income Support Fund
The Prince Edward Island COVID-19 Income Support Fund provides financial support to residents of Prince Edward Island to bridge the gap between the loss of their job/lay-off, loss of their primary source of income, Employment Insurance benefits have expired or loss of all revenues through self-employment as a result of COVID-19. This emergency income fund is a one-time lump sum payment of $750 from the Government of Prince Edward Island. This emergency income is taxable.
Individuals who are self employed may be eligible for the support fund.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
COVID-19 Support for Essential Workers – Earning $3,000/Month or Less
This program is intended to provide a temporary wage top-up to essential workers employed during the Prince Edward Island Public Health State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible employees will receive a one-time payment of $1,000, administered through their employer.
Eligible employers on Prince Edward Island include any business or organization including for-profit, non-profit, public sector or other entity providing goods and services deemed to be providing an essential service.
Region: Prince Edward Island
Learn more:
COVID-19 Support for Essential Workers
Buy BC
New Buy BC e-commerce funding is available to help the province’s farmers and food and beverage processors overcome some lost sales by moving their products online.
The program provides financial support to access and develop websites that accommodate online sales and helps cover the costs of marketing and shipping products to consumers throughout the province.
Online applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, from May 15 to May 29, or when the funding is fully subscribed.
Region: British Columbia
Learn more:
Buy BC
Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Program
The SEED program will be used to help businesses recover as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and encourage new, innovative proposals that reflect the realities of the new post-COVID-19 economy.
Region: Northwest Territories
Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy
The Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy is a three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deduction required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Indigenous Businesses
The Federal Government announced up to $306.8 million in funding to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that offer financing to these businesses.
The funding will allow for short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, which offer financing and business support services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)
LEEFF will provide bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility
Expanding the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
Expand the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to mid-sized companies with larger financing needs. Support for mid-market businesses will include loans of up to $60 million per company, and guarantees of up to $80 million.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Business Credit Availability Program
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
The Federal Government reached an agreement in principle with all provinces and territories to implement the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. This program will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.
The program will provide forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50% of three monthly rent payments that are payable by eligible small business tenants who are experiencing financial hardship during April, May, and June.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
Indigenous Businesses
The Federal Government announced up to $306.8 million in funding to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that offer financing to these businesses.
The funding will allow for short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, which offer financing and business support services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Relief measures for Indigenous businesses
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
The subsidy generally covers 75% of an employee's wages – up to $847 per week - for employers of all sizes and across all sectors who have suffered a drop in gross revenues of at least 15% in March, and 30% in April and May.
The program will be in place until August 29, 2020.
Region: National (Federal Government)
How to Apply:
Extending the Work-Sharing program
The Federal Government is extending the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19.
Region: National (Federal Government)
How to apply:
Business Credit Availability Program
The Federal Government established a Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to provide additional support through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC).
BDC and EDC are working with private sector lenders to coordinate on credit solutions for individual businesses, including in sectors such as oil and gas, air transportation, exports and tourism.
This program includes:
- Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
- Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
These programs are now available at various financial institutions and credit unions
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Canada Emergency Business Account
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) will provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits.
Business owners can apply for support from the Canada Emergency Business Account through their banks and credit unions.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
The Federal Government reached an agreement in principle with all provinces and territories to implement the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. This program will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.
The program will provide forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50% of three monthly rent payments that are payable by eligible small business tenants who are experiencing financial hardship during April, May, and June.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Student Work Placement Program
The Federal Government is providing $80 million for the Student Work Placement Program to support up to 20,000 post-secondary students across Canada to obtain paid work experience related to their field of study.
Region: National (Federal Government)
Learn more:
Taxation Division
Updates to the taxation office service delivery program and important information regarding tax filing deadline extensions.
Region: Manitoba
Learn more:
Small Business Support Program
This program is primarily focused on providing up-and-coming small businesses, community organizations and individuals with support to grow.
Region: Nunavut
Learn more: