Applications open for business relief grant with 6 days left in closure order
With less than a week left in the order, businesses forced to shut their doors due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant can now start applying for funding promised more than three weeks ago.
The COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant was announced just before Christmas, and the one-time funding is meant for businesses that were completely shut down during the latest round of pandemic restrictions. Gyms, fitness centres, bars, lounges, nightclubs and venues that can no longer hold events are all eligible.
Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s Economic Recovery Minister, told reporters Wednesday that the province had to make sure the grant – which was announced on Dec. 22, two days after the closure order was announced – didn't overlap with federal funding.
"We were able to, in fact, announce the funding supports within 48 hours," said the minister, noting that would allow businesses to plan for the future.
The public health order closed nightclubs, fitness studios and gyms until Jan. 18.
The online applications opened Wednesday morning and businesses can receive between $1,000 and $10,000 based on the number of workers they have. The money can be spent on rent, employee wages, insurance, maintenance and utilities.
Businesses that refused to follow health orders and close as required are not eligible, Kahlon said.
Asked how soon a business applying today could receive the money, Kahlon didn't answer directly.
"We understand the importance of getting this money to businesses as quick as possible," he replied, noting businesses that had previously applied for grant programs would be fast-tracked.
By the government's own definition of fast, that could be another three weeks. Meanwhile, gyms are closed during their busiest time of the year.
Carl Ulmer is a board member with the Fitness Industry Council of Canada and said the money would certainly be welcomed.
"Certainly our communication to the government is when we reopen, we're gonna need more relief support, because we aren't a business that just opens up and has people flood into our doors," he told CTV News in an interview.
Gyms operate on memberships, which he said that could take time to build back up after this latest round of closures.
Businesses can also apply for rent and wage relief through the federal government.
The program is expected to cost $10 million and will supplement federal support programs for businesses that have seen their revenues decline or have been impacted by capacity limits.
On Tuesday, health officials said restrictions on gatherings and events are likely to be extended, as COVID-19 transmission remains high across the province.
Ulmer said the council has worked with public health officials to come up with new COVID-19 safety plans that take the new variant into consideration.
"We're optimistic that Jan. 18, we're going to be able to open," he added.
But B.C.’s top doctor hinted she may relax other measures, no longer deemed necessary to limit the spread of the Omicron variant.
Dr. Bonnie Henry said her team is looking at what can safely resume now that all businesses have reinstated their COVID-19 safety plans. Even so, she stressed a return to normal won’t be possible until they know the full effect of Omicron on the health-care system.
The next COVID-19 briefing is scheduled for Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.