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.

Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy

The Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy allows approved employers to access up to $10,000 to provide existing employees with training that supports economic recovery by addressing increased health and safety requirements and/or adoption of innovative practices that align with social distancing protocols. Applicants must demonstrate that the requested training supports the safe re-opening of the service or business. Employers are reimbursed for 100% of approved training costs up to $10,000. The application deadline is December 31, 2020.

Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program (STSSP)

The Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program (STSSP) provides financial assistance for tourism businesses that have seen a significant drop in sales revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding is available under the Accommodations and Major Event Facilities stream, or the Event, Attractions and Tour Sector stream. The program will begin accepting applications starting at 2 p.m. on August 24, 2020.

For additional information on the program, call 1-800-667-6102 or 306-787-6645 in Regina.

Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP)

The Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP) provided a payment to small and medium-sized enterprises directly affected by government public heath orders related to COVID-19. Payments were paid based on 15 per cent of a business's monthly sales revenue, to a maximum of $5,000. Applications were required on or before July 31, 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. The program was extended until July 31, 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

Please note that applications to the Self-Isolation Support Program close October 2, 2020.

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, retroactive to March 15, 2020 and extended to November 21, 2020. Based on the September 23, 2020, federal throne speech, this program may be further extended to the summer of 2021. 
• 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 28 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. Effective September 27, 2020, participants can potentially transition to Employment Insurance (EI), or one of the newly created benefit options: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), Canada Recovery Sick Benefit (CRSB), Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB).
• 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.
• The Fish Harvester Benefit offers income support to self-employed fish harvesters and sharepersons. The benefit covers up to 75% of income losses beyond a 25% threshold for the 2020 tax year when compared to 2018 or 2019. The maximum benefit is $10,164. Applications are required by October 5, 2020.

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.