Business owners affected by the pandemic can still apply for the Emergency Assistance for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses program. The maximum amount that could be authorized in a repayable loan to a business is $ 49,999.
The objective of this program is to promote access to capital to maintain, consolidate or revive the activities of companies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program is part of an agreement between the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation (MEI) and the RCM of Haut-Saint-Laurent dated April 14th , 2020.
In order to support companies having to cease all or part of their activities because they are located in areas on high alert (red zones), a component has been created and added to the emergency aid program. This component allows businesses working in the sectors in the list below to obtain non-repayable assistance (loan forgiveness) of $ 15,000 or 80% of eligible expenses when they request an emergency loan from their RCM, under certain conditions.
- Restaurants and food courts in shopping centers and grocery stores, except for deliveries, take-out or drive-thru orders;
- Bars and nightclubs;
- Microbreweries and distilleries, solely for their on-site food or drink consumption services;
- Saunas and spas, with the exception of the provided personal care;
- Libraries other than those maintained by educational institutions, with the exception of loan counters;
- Cinemas and halls where performing arts are presented, including venues;
- The youth hostels;
- Fitness centers.
- Eligible expenses cover certain fixed costs that will be disbursed for the closure period in question, including:
- Municipal and school taxes;
- Rent (portion not covered by another government program);
- Interest paid on mortgage loans;
- Costs related to public services (ie electricity and gas);
- The insurance;
- Telecommunications costs;
- Permits and association fees.
Salaries, social benefits, employer and social contributions, taxes and other fixed costs are excluded.
Companies located in the red zones and whose closure has been ordered by a decree of the Ministry of Health and Social Services are invited to contact Iris Delagrange at the economic development of the RCM of Haut-Saint-Laurent to find out the terms of the new ABRUMA component.
Sources: RCM of Haut-Saint-Laurent
