Support for Businesses

Allowable Business Services

A list of critical public services and allowable business services has been created to inform the business community of which businesses can continue to operate in accordance with social distancing practices. If you have questions on the status of your business on the list of allowable business services, please contact the Business Response Team at 1-844-800-8688.

Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan and Guidelines for Businesses

Re-Open Saskatchewan is a plan built on a methodical and phased-in approach to slowly and responsibly lift restrictions on businesses and services. For more information on the plan, phases, restrictions and guidelines for specific industries, visit Re-Open Saskatchewan.

Managing Staffing and Leave

Information to help you manage staffing, work-sharing, layoffs and leave.

Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP)

The Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP) provides a payment to small and medium-sized enterprises directly affected by government public heath orders related to COVID-19. Payments are paid based on 15 per cent of a business's monthly sales revenue, to a maximum of $5,000.

The seasonal SSBEP provides a payment for seasonal small businesses directly affected by government public health orders related to COVID-19. Payments will be paid based on 15 per cent of a business's average sales revenues for the operating months in the previous year, to a maximum of $5,000.

The SSBEP program has been extended to the month of May to provide payments to businesses that continue to be ordered to temporarily close or significantly curtail operations through a public health order following May 19, 2020.

For additional information on the program, email ssbep@gov.sk.ca or call 1-800-667-6102 or 306-787-6645 in Regina.

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.

Audit program and compliance activities have been suspended to allow businesses time to focus on the health and safety of their customers and staff, reduce impacts to their business operations, and help prevent the spread of the virus through reduced audit travel.

For further details, download the Information Notice, call the Saskatchewan tax inquiry line at 1-800-667-6102 or email us at SaskTaxInfo@gov.sk.ca

Provincial Utilities

All Crown utilities will implement bill-deferral programs allowing a zero-interest bill deferral for up to six months for Saskatchewan customers whose ability to make bill payments may be impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions.

Workers' Compensation Board

Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is waiving premium penalties for employers effective April 1 until June 30, 2020.

Self-Isolation Support Program

The Self-Isolation Support Program is targeted at Saskatchewan workers forced to self- isolate in order to curb the spread of COVID-19, and who are not covered by recent federally announced employment insurance programs and other supports. Administered by the Ministry of Finance, the program will provide $450 per week, for a maximum of two weeks or $900.

To be eligible, residents of Saskatchewan must meet these criteria:

• They have contracted COVID-19 or are showing symptoms;or
• They have been in contact with an individual infected with COVID-19; or
• They have recently returned from international travel and have been required to self-isolate;

AND

• They are not eligible for compensation including sick leave, vacation leave from their employer;
• They do not have private insurance covering such disruptions;
• They are not covered by other programs such as federal employment insurance that has been updated

COVID-19 Products and Supplies

COVID-19 is an unprecedented challenge that calls for extraordinary measures including the procurement of products, supplies and solutions to help fight the spread of the pandemic.

We have been contacted by many businesses, individuals and groups who have offered ideas and solutions. As such, the SaskBuilds Single Procurement Service will serve as a central point of contact and co-ordination. If you are a Saskatchewan business, innovator, or supplier and you think you have a solution that can help us fight COVID-19, you may direct your submission to procurement@gov.sk.ca.

Support for Oil and Gas Sector

A number of relief measures are being implemented for the oil and gas sector. These include extending a series of filing and other deadlines, extending mineral rights scheduled to expire in 2020 and reducing the Oil and Gas Administration Levy by 50 per cent this fiscal year and delaying the invoicing of the remaining balance until October 1, 2020.

The new Accelerated Site Closure Program will utilize $400 million in federal funding for the abandonment and reclamation of inactive oil and gas wells and facilities, and support over 2,100 full-time equivalent jobs in the industry over the next two years.

The Government of Canada has announced a number of measures to support Canadian businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

• Expedited access to cleaning products used in the workplace to help fight COVID-19, available through Health Canada. On April 27, 2020, Health Canada issued an interim policy for expedited access to products, including cleaning products, that may not fully meet current regulatory requirements for labelling and hazard information requirements. The interim policy will only apply during the pandemic. After the pandemic, Health Canada will again enforce all information and labelling requirements for these products;
• Additional funding available to exporters through Export Development Canada (EDC);
• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy of 75 per cent to support eligible employers for up to 12 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020;
• Increased flexibility for businesses filing taxes, including deferred payments and audits. The filing date for 2019 tax returns has been extended from April 30, 2020 to June 1, 2020 and any payments to Canada Revenue Agency can be deferred until August 31, 2020;
• More access to credit with the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) available through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC), including the new Canada Emergency Business Account;
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) of $2,000 every four weeks for up to 16 weeks for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CERB applies to wage earners as well as contract workers, self-employed individuals and workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income because of disruptions to their work due to COVID-19. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is now accessible through a secure web portal. Applicants can also apply via an automated telephone line or via toll-free number.
• Work-Sharing temporary measures for employers affected by downturn in business;
• Support through Farm Credit Canada (FCC) that will allow for an additional $5 billion in lending capacity.
• Changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program that will allow employers to:
  • Receive an increased wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee;
  • Extend the end date for employment to February 28, 2021;
  • Adapt their projects and job activities;
  • Hire staff on a part-time basis.

The Government of Canada is asking suppliers that have products and services that can support Canada's response to COVID-19 to consider completing a COVID-19 Products and Services submission form.

COVID-19: Questions and Answers on Leaves, Layoffs and Occupational Health and Safety in the Workplace
Government of Saskatchewan Business Response Team – FAQs
Government of Saskatchewan – Managing Staffing and Leave
Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Workers
Pandemic resources for various industries – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCHOS)
Pandemic Guidance for Higher-Risk and Essential Occupations and Industries - CCOHS
WorkSafe Saskatchewan – What Employers Should Do
Staying Safe at Work
WCB Information for Employers on COVID-19
Support for Entrepreneurs – BDC
Business Continuity Plan and Templates for Entrepreneurs – BDC
Tools and Templates for Emergency Preparedness – CFIB
Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce – Resources
City of Regina – COVID-19 Updates
City of Saskatoon – COVID-19 Updates
Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant
SaskJobs/National Job Bank