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COVID-19 Resources for individuals and businesses

Page updated on April 8, 2021

Resources for Businesses 


Attention restaurant and café operators: 

Let us help you comply with the Covid-19 public health restrictions on indoor dining.  

The Town’s existing Temporary Use of Public Property policy allows for outdoor dining adjacent to restaurants, cafés and bars. 

The Planning and Community Development Department will expedite all patio applications.

There is no fee for a temporary use permit for patios or sidewalk sales. 

Some cases may require a development permit. Call 403-847-5260 to find out more or get started.


Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) 

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. 

Enhanced Covid-19 Business Benefit

Starting in mid-April, the ENHANCED COVID-19 BUSINESS BENEFIT will provide funding to eligible Alberta small and medium businesses most affected by the pandemic and ongoing public health restrictions. Payments will be calculated based on 15% of the eligible business’s monthly revenue, up to a maximum of $10,000. Businesses can use these funds as they see fit to help offset the costs of re-opening, and implementing public health measures. 

To be eligible for the Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit, applicants must:

  • be a businesses, cooperative or non-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees
  • demonstrate a revenue reduction of at least 60%
  • report the levels of provincial and federal support received, to ensure no more than 80% of revenue was covered by these supports

Payments under the Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit will be available in April 2021 following the conclusion of the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant program.

  • Eligible organizations can apply for the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant  program until March 31.
  • Detailed information on the Enhanced program will be included in program guidelines closer to the launch date in April.
  • Money received under this program does not need to be repaid.

Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (Government of Alberta)

The SME Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations that were ordered to close or curtail operations, and that experienced a revenue reduction of at least 30%, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers 2 payments to eligible applicants, with up to $20,000 in available funding per eligible application. The application intake will remain open until March 31, 2021.


NEW: ELIGIBILITY CHANGE: New businesses that began operations between March 1 and October 31, 2020 and meet the updated 30% threshold can apply for the SME grant starting February 4, 2021. Do not apply before the portal has been updated on February 4 to ensure your application isn't deemed ineligible.

Innovation Relief and Recovery Program

Alberta Innovates extended its Innovation Relief and Recovery Program (IRR) with $350,000, in an effort to help more small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program initially launched in fall 2020 with $400,000 in federal funding through Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), part of a total $1.3 million contribution from WD to Alberta Innovates.

This new funding, provided entirely by Alberta Innovates, aims to support an additional 38 SMBs in recovery from pandemic caused disruptions. The IRR program offers tech businesses access to various technical and business supports that are not covered through other relief programs. Project activities may include product testing and refinement, manufacturing capacity improvement, customer discovery work as well as professional services such as human resources, legal, and financial required to support relief and recovery. Support for each project ranges from $5,000 up to $10,000.

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund 

On February 5, 2021, Western Economic Diversification announced additional support for tourism and other small businesses experiencing COVID-19 -related losses across Western Canada. New applicants to the RRRF can request up to $60,000 in interest-free, repayable support, up from $40,000 previously. Additional fully repayable liquidity support over $60,000 may also be available for eligible applicants. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2021

Quick facts

  • Up to 12 months of liquidity support is available to cover losses sustained between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.
  • Eligible applicants can get funding up to $40,000, with 25 percent (up to $10,000) forgivable if the non-forgivable portion is repaid by December 31, 2022.
  • Eligible applicants can apply for an additional funding over $40,000 and up to $60,000, with 50 percent (up to $10,000) forgivable if the non-forgivable portion is repaid by December 31, 2022. 
  • The fully repayable liquidity support over $60,000 is subject to different terms and different deadlines.
    • Community Futures organizations across the West are delivering targeted RRRF support to small businesses in rural communities.
    • In Western Canada, program delivery is also being complemented by the Women’s Enterprise Initiative.

Community Futures Regional Relief and Recovery Fund 

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.

Resources for Organizations:

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) (Government of Alberta)

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. 

Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (Government of Alberta)

The SME Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations that were ordered to close or curtail operations, and that experienced a revenue reduction of at least 30%, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers 2 payments to eligible applicants, with up to $20,000 in available funding per eligible application. The application intake will remain open until March 31, 2021.

NEW: ELIGIBILITY CHANGE: New businesses that began operations between March 1 and October 31, 2020 and meet the updated 30% threshold can apply for the SME grant starting February 4, 2021. Do not apply before the portal has been updated on February 4 to ensure your application isn't deemed ineligible.

Government of Alberta Faith-based and Cultural Facility Relaunch Grant

One-time reimbursement to relaunch facilities used for cultural, religious, spiritual and ceremonial gatherings during the COVID-19 crisis. The program is currently open and accepting applications until March 1, 2021. There are 2 intake deadlines, December 15, 2020 and March 1, 2021.  

Government of Alberta Civil Society Fund

The Government of Alberta launched a $20 million Civil Society Fund. The intent of the fund is to help transform how civil society organizations function and build their capacity to work together to address social challenges. The fund will provide $20 million over three years, with $7 million budgeted for 2020-21 to support civil society’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alberta-based links:

Visit Alberta Biz Connect for workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 begin to reopen and resume operations safely.

Alberta's Recovery Plan

Alberta's Recovery Plan takes bold action to create jobs that get people back to work, build infrastructure and diversify our economy. We are building on our economic strengths to attract investment and position our province for prosperity. It's a plan for today that provides hope for the future.

Business Link 

Business Link is hub for Alberta entrepreneurs.

Covid-19 Continuity

This is an Alberta-based site dedicated to helping business leaders understand the challenges and opportunities associated with running your business operations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Business Impact Survey

Please fill out the COVID-19 Business Impact Survey to help gather information on what business' priority needs and required resources are at this time. This information is anonymous and will help Economic Development Officers working with municipalities across Alberta analyze the current impacts and prepare to assist with recovery.

Other Resources:

For assistance with any of these resources, please contact Town of Rocky Mountain House Economic Development Officer Jeff Hartling at 403-846-4260. Contact Jeff by e-mail.

Working Together to Meet Demand 

If you are a Canadian manufacturer or business that can assist Canada in meeting the need for medical supplies, the federal government is requesting your help. The Government of Canada is looking to hear from anyone that: 

  • Manufactures in Canada and/or has ready access to necessary inputs through their supply chain
  • Has equipment or facilities that can be rapidly re-tooled to meet medical needs, including for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and surgical gowns, sanitizer, wipes, ventilators, and other medical equipment/supplies
  • Has skilled workers who are able to respond and who could be available for work in the current circumstances
  • If you can help, you are encouraged to send a short summary of your offer to ic.mid-dim.ic@canada.ca.

Resources for Individuals

  • Government of Alberta - Emergency Financial Assistance
    If you are facing an unexpected emergency, you can apply for emergency financial assistance.
    If you are an existing Income Support recipient, contact your support worker.
    Otherwise, apply online or by calling the 24-hour Emergency Income Support Contact Centre:

    Toll free: 1-866-644-5135
    TTY toll free: 1-800-232-7215 (ask to speak to Alberta Supports)
    Fax: 780-422-9681
    Email: hs.iscc@gov.ab.ca (responses may take 1-3 business days)

  •  Government of Alberta Emergency Isolation Support
    Financial support is available if you're unable to work because you are sick, required to isolate, or are caring for someone in isolation.
    Hotel rooms are available for people who must isolate or quarantine but cannot do so in their current homes. Call 211 if you need to access isolation hotels.




Page updated on Jan. 25, 2021