BC Government launches coronavirus support service for local businesses

The provincial government is launching a COVID-19 Support Service that will provide information on resources for BC businesses.

The program is being operated by Small Business BC (SBBC) and will help connect local businesses with support programs being made available by the provincial and federal governments, as well as industry and community partners.

Advisors will be available starting Thursday, April 16, and can be contacted between Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Calls will be accepted in multiple languages and in the case of high call volumes, a call-back feature is being enabled.

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The service will also support email inquiries and a live-chat on a dedicated website.

There are over 500,000 small businesses within the province.

“We know that business owners are worried about paying their bills and covering their payrolls, and our government is doing everything we can to help,” said Michelle Mungall, BC’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Competitiveness, in a written statement. “There are multiple programs available, including the BC government’s COVID-19 Action Plan, to support businesses through these challenging times.”

Last week, the House of Commons passed Canada’s $73-billion wage subsidy — what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls the “largest economic policy” since World War II.

Eligible employers include individuals, taxable corporations, and partnerships consisting of eligible employers, non‑profit organizations, and registered charities.

Public bodies, such as municipalities and local governments, Crown corporations, and universities, are not eligible for the subsidy.