An empty gym with treadmills. Text: Apply now for the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant (flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation

Media Relations
778 587-3237

Backgrounders

Business relief grant eligibility criteria, pay structure

To be eligible for the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, a business is required to:

  • confirm it has been fully closed by the provincial health officer’s recent orders;
  • confirm that it was registered with BC Registries before Nov. 1, 2021;
  • produce up-to-date business validation documents (2020 or newer), such as a municipal business licence, liquor and/or food primary licence, notice of assessment, insurance policy, statement of business registration or lease agreement;
  • confirm majority ownership and operations and payment of taxes in B.C.; and
  • confirm that the business has been following and will continue to follow all public-health orders and guidelines.

Businesses that offer online rentals or online services, but their physical location is fully closed, are eligible to apply.

New applicants will need to provide direct-deposit information. This will not be needed if the business was approved for the Circuit Breaker Business Relief or the Small- and Medium-Sized Business Recovery grants, and banking information is the same.

Eligible businesses that closed as a result of the provincial health officer orders will receive funding based on number of staff at the time of closure. The breakdown is as follows:

  • Businesses with no employees or contracted staff: $1,000
  • One to four employees or contracted staff: $2,000
  • Five to 99 employees or contracted staff: $5,000
  • 100 or more employees or contracted staff: $10,000.

Applications will be accepted from Jan. 12, 2022, at 10 a.m. (Pacific time) to Feb. 28, 2022.