Information & Resource Links

Important information relating to Covid-19 will be updated regularly

For the most up to date from the most relevant resources:

Province of Manitoba Bridge Grant for Business

Province of Manitoba Resources & Links

Province of Manitoba Support Programs for Individuals & Businesses

Government of Canada COVID-19 Benefits & Services

Manitoba Chamber of Commerce - COVID-19 Tools & Resources

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan - Businesses

Restoring Safe Services Together: Manitoba's Phased Approach

Business Toolkit for Safe Return to Work

Code RED

Province of Manitoba News Bulletin November 19th, 2020

Province of Manitoba COVID News Bulletin #258 (Nov 19/20)

New Public Health Order (effective Nov 20/20)

Essential Items for Retail Sale

Schedule of Essential Business 

AskHealth Province of Manitoba  - Businesses that have questions about their products are strongly encouraged to use this link to ask questions.

Business Support

Please visit the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce website for the most relevant and factual information relating to COVID-19 and the impact for Employers and Employees:
mbchamber.mb.ca

If any business requires assistance during this time please contact:

Economic Development Manager
Liza Park
(204) 748-2440
virdenedm@mymts.net 

Province of Manitoba Bridge Grant for Business

Province of Manitoba Bridge Grant for Business 

Province Increases Protection for Small Businesses Through Manitoba Bridge Grant

Support Programs for Business Continue to evolve. Business owners should check specific intake portals for details or reach out if they feel they should qualify.

Manitoba Bridge Grant

Beginning January 8, 2021, the Manitoba Government will begin issuing a second payment to eligible applicants that applied for a Bridge Grant during the period of November 16 - December 31, 2020. 

• Bridge Grant recipients will receive a payment in the amount of $5,000 whereas Bridge Grant for Home-Based Businesses recipients will receive a payment equal to their 2020 payment to a maximum of $5,000. 
• Payments will be issued without any action on the part of the applicant and will be deposited to the same bank account provided in the initial application.
• Recipients will receive email confirmation once the transaction has been processed.  Please allow up to 48 hours following notification for the funds to be deposited into your bank account. 
• Applications submitted before closure of the application window that are currently in the adjudication phase will be eligible for the second payment if their application is approved.   
• This payment is considered taxable business income.  
• If you would like to opt-out of the program, repay the funds, or if a payment has been made to you in error, please see the FAQs below.

Beginning Jan. 12, new applicants to the Manitoba Bridge Grant that were ordered to close their premises will be entitled to a one-time payment of $10,000, whereas eligible home-based business applicants will receive a maximum payment of $10,000.  

Please allow up to five business days for the process to be completed.  If you have not received your second payment by January 15, 2021, please contact the Manitoba Bridge Grant administration office.  Contact information, along with your Application Confirmation number, is located on the approval email that accompanied your 2020 payment.

Canadian Emergency Business Account 

Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

CEBA requirements and deadlines have changed:

• As of December 4, 2020, CEBA loans for eligible businesses will increase from $40,000 to $60,000.
• Applicants who have received the $40,000 CEBA loan may apply for the $20,000 expansion, which provides eligible businesses with an additional $20,000 in financing.
• All applicants have until March 31, 2021, to apply for a $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion.
• All applicants can now check the status of their CEBA Loan online at status-statut.ceba-cuec.ca. Please wait 5 to 7 business days after finalizing your application before checking your loan status on this loan status website or with the call centre. If you try before the 5 to 7 business days you will not receive an update. The loan status website will be able to address the following types of questions:
• What is the status of my application?
• Why was my application declined? How can I fix those errors (if applicable)?

All applicants are encouraged to check the status of their CEBA Loan online at status-statut.ceba-cuec.ca, but if you continue to have questions you may call the CEBA Call Centre at 1-888-324-4201. The CEBA Call Centre is available Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 9 PM Eastern Standard Time, excluding statutory holidays. 

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Details of CEWS claim periods 11 to 13 were finalized January 6. Find out what the changes are.

Applications for claim period 10 (November 22, 2020, to December 19, 2020) are now open.

As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations.

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy

Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020, until June 2021.

This subsidy will provide payments directly to qualifying renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of landlords.

If you are eligible for the base subsidy, you may also be eligible for lockdown support if your business location is significantly affected by a public health order for a week or more.

Community Futures Manitoba - RRRF 

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Community Futures Stream

This $962-million Government of Canada fund is to support small and medium-size businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses can now apply for loans of up to $40,000 through RRRF.

As the financing terms of RRRF and Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) are similar, rural businesses can choose which program to apply for funding.

Eligibility requirements

• Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) located in non-metropolitan regions (all areas served by Community Futures organizations) in Western Canada.
• SMEs must attest they have not received duplicative supports through other federal or provincial government COVID-19 support programming such as the Canada Emergency Business Account.
• The small business must have been viable and not experiencing any liquidity or other financial difficulties as of March 1, 2020.
• The small business must have experienced a material adverse effect on business operations on or after March 1, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Business established before March 1, 2020.
• Be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, social enterprise, or other similar organization.

Eligible costs

• Lease payments for existing equipment and machinery
• Salaries and benefits (will only be considered for support if the business has not received support under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
• Property taxes
• Utilities
• Bank charges and interest payments
• Office supplies
• Vehicle operating expenses
• Professional fees
• Monthly insurance payments
• Rent (applicants are expected to pursue with their landlord access to the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses)
• Other fixed operating costs applicable to the applicant

Repayment terms

• No interest accrual or principal payments through December 31, 2022
• If 75% of the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022, the remainder of the loan is forgiven
• Blended principal and interest payments beginning January 1, 2023, and loans must be repaid by December 31, 2025
• No prepayment penalties

Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program

Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program Application

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association, has opened the online application process for a new COVID-19 emergency support fund for businesses, the Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program.

Through a $5-million grant from the Province of Manitoba announced on Dec. 22/2020, we will be able to deliver much-needed financial relief to dine-in restaurants directly affected by the Critical (red) level restrictions of the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.

The program is designed to provide a rebate to dine-in restaurants across Manitoba that have had to significantly shift operations to a delivery model as a result of moving to Critical (red) and subsequent public health orders. The rebate will help offset additional costs of this operations shift related to food delivery services, whether a restaurant provides its own delivery service or uses a third-party delivery company.

The online application process began on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at noon CST.

Two-Step application process:

1. The applicant completes initial online application which is then vetted to determine if they are eligible for the program.
2. If eligible applicant asked to upload monthly delivery invoices via the online portal for reimbursement which is vetted again.

If approved, applicant would receive reimbursement by Electronic Funds Transfer.

Applications can be made monthly for November (retroactive to when the community went into Critical (Red) on the RestartMB Pandemic Response System), December and January.

Business Impact Survey

The Town of Virden wants to understand the concerns among the local business community. This information will allow the Town of Virden to keep the broader business community updated and benefit from the collective knowledge. In addition, the feedback from Business will strengthen our ability to advocate on behalf of the Town with government decision-makers. 

In addition to this survey, a Managing Business Through COVID Form was created to allow Businesses to submit information regarding changes to hours, doing business differently, and communication. This will be compiled and shared through our website and social media channels.

We recognize that our business email directory may not include all business emails. If you did not receive an email please feel free to complete the survey and information form below and your email will be added to our directory going forward. If there are any changes to the email address we have on file please email Economic Development Manager,  Liza Park at virdenedm@mymts.net to update any information.

Covid-19 Business Impact Survey

Managing Business Through COVID

Free Webinar for Businesses

The spread of COVID-19 poses important challenges to Canadian businesses. With the situation constantly evolving, you need to be prepared for any disruptions. Join BDC experts as they share short-term economic perspectives and advice on how to manage through the crisis. 

How to Cope With the Impacts of COVID-19 on Your Business

Information & Resource Links

Important information relating to COVID-19 will be updated regularly

For the most up to date from the most relevant resources:

Code RED - November 20th, 2020 Public Health Order

Code RED - November 19th Province of Manitoba News Bulletin

November 12th, 2020 - Move to Code Red

Manitoba Shared Health COVID-19 Resource Tool 

Manitoba COVID-19 Updates 

Public Health Agency of Canada - COVID-19

The World Health Organization - COVID-19

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan - Individuals

Province of Manitoba Information for Individuals

Restoring Safe Services Together: Manitoba's Phased Approach

Government of Canada COVID-19 Benefits & Services

Province of Manitoba Support Programs for Individuals & Businesses 

Province of Manitoba Resources & Links

Code RED

The Province of Manitoba announced new restrictions within the Public Health Order, effective November 20th, 2020.

For a complete list of relevant information from today, November 19th News Conference please see a list of links below:

November 19th Province of Manitoba News Bulletin

Province of Manitoba COVID News Bulletin #258 (Nov 19/20)

November 20th, 2020 Public Health Order

Essential Items for Retail Sale 

Schedule of Essential Business

To ask a question to the Province of Manitoba

Help Next Door

Help Next Door MB is a platform that connects Manitoba residents who are unable to leave their homes and require items such as groceries, medication, emergency snow clearing, etc. with a volunteer to perform these necessary tasks.

Please Visit: helpnextdoormb.ca

Please exercise good and safe judgment, be cautious, and use this tool at your own risk.

Health & Crisis Information

• Government of Manitoba: www.manitoba.ca/covid19
• Prairie Mountain Health: www.prairiemountainhealth.ca/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
• Public Health Protection Unit: healthprotection@gov.mb.ca
• AbilitiCBT Virtual Therapy: manitoba.abiliticbt.com
• Manitoba Suicide Prevention: 1-877-435-7170
• Health Links: 1-888-315-9257
• Community Mental Health: 1-888-379-7699
• Youth Crisis Line: 1-866-403-5459
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
• Anxiety Manitoba Support: (204) 925-0040/adam@adam.mb.ca

Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Click here to view information from Service Canada about CERB

Click here for information about applying for CERB

Students

Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)

Support for Students and Recent Graduates Impacted by COVID-19

Manitoba Risk Recognition Program

Click here for information about the Manitoba Risk Recognition Program

Code Red

Effective Thursday, November 12th, 2020 the following Town of Virden owned facilities will be closed to the public:

• Town of Virden Civic Centre (including the Town Office)
• Water Treatment Plant
• Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Public Works Shop
• CP Station
• Tundra Oil & Gas Place (including Virden Fitness Centre & Sunrise Banquet Hall)
• Wallace District Fire Department Station 1
• Border Regional Library
• Playgrounds

The Town Office, while closed to the public, will still continue to operate and continue to respond to email & telephone inquiries. Appointments may be available, if deemed safe by staff to accommodate the individual. Payments can still be made by the following methods:

• Internet Banking
• Telephone Banking
• E-Transfer 
• Mail
• The Drop Slot in the Front Doors of the Town Office

Payments

We are encouraging payments of your utility and property tax bills to be made via Online, Telephone, E-Transfer, or through our Drop Box located at the main doors of our office on 236 Wellington Street West. Online Banking payments can be made by adding the Town of Virden as a payee. 

E-Transfer to: virden_acct@mymts.net – Security Question: Favourite Colour - Answer: Blue

Utility Bills

Please make sure to include the Account Number, found on the bottom portion of your bill, when setting up.

• Scotiabank:  VIRDEN WATER
• RBC:  VIRDEN, MAN. TOWN OF – WATER
• CIBC:  VIRDEN WATER
• Sunrise Credit Union:   VIRDEN, TOWN - UTILI

Property Tax Bills

Please make sure to include the Roll Number, found in the top right-hand portion of your bill, when setting up. 

• Scotiabank:  VIRDEN TAXES
• RBC:  VIRDEN, MAN. TOWN OF – TAXES
• CIBC:  VIRDEN (TOWN OF) TAX
• Sunrise Credit Union:   VIRDEN, TOWN - PROPE

Alternate & Online Banking Payments Information

Westman Emergency Group

COVID-19 Message from Westman Emergency Group

Do Not Flush

Please note that the following items do not break down in water and could compromise the Town sewer system:

• Wipes 
• Paper Towel
• Sanitary Products
• Rubber Gloves
• Cleaning Rags 

We ask that residents refrain from flushing these items, even if labelled flushable, to help keep our sewer system working.