My office and I will update this note with the latest information on programs and services from the federal and provincial governments to respond to the COVID-19 medical crisis. This page was last updated on October 5th, 2022.
The following topics are covered in this note: Where to Access Medical Advice, Canadians Trying To Return To Canada, Support For Workers and Families in Alberta, Support For Small Businesses, Support for Agriculture and Support for the Energy Sector.
The primary source of COVID-19 information for Albertans can be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
And the primary federal page on COVID-19 information can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
WHERE TO ACCESS MEDICAL ADVICE
Updates on COVID-19 in Alberta and best practices to prevent the spread of the virus can be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
TRAVEL & CANADIANS TRYING TO RETURN TO CANADA
For all travellers entering Canada by air, land or marine mode on or after October 1, 2022:
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required
- COVID-19 pre-entry and arrival tests are not required
- Quarantine after you enter Canada is not required
- Using ArriveCAN is not required
- if you’re flying into Toronto Pearson, Vancouver or Montréal-Trudeau international airports, you can still use ArriveCAN to complete your Advance CBSA Declaration to save time upon arrival
- Pre-boarding tests for cruise passengers are not required
- As always, travel documents are required
- Health checks to board planes and trains are not required
- Wearing masks on planes and trains is not required
IF YOU ARRIVED BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2022:
All federal border testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements ended on October 1, 2022.
As of October 1:
- If you have an appointment for an arrival or Day-8 test, you can cancel it
- If you’re in federal quarantine, you can leave without completing the remainder of your 14-day quarantine
- If you’re getting notifications to quarantine or test, you can ignore them
- If you’re in federal isolation, check if there are any provincial and territorial isolation requirements and follow them
- International travel advice and advisories
- COVID-19 and international travel
- Proof of vaccination
- Find out if you need a visa
Wearing masks on planes and trains in Canada is not required.
SUPPORT FOR WORKERS AND FAMILIES IN ALBERTA
For the latest updates from the federal government, including links to travel advice, financial supports and updates on current cases, visit this website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
The details on all the benefits available to Canadian workers and families from the Government of Canada can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#individuals
[Canada workers benefit (CWB)]
The Canada workers benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit to help individuals and families who are working and earning a low income.
The CWB has two parts: a basic amount and a disability supplement.
You can claim the CWB when you file your income tax return.
Eligible individuals and families can get up to half of the CWB in advance payments instead of waiting for tax time.
[Mortgage payment deferral]
Homeowners facing financial hardship may be eligible for a mortgage payment deferral.
To know if you are eligible for a mortgage payment deferral or to learn what options are available, contact your lender — your bank or your mortgage professional.
[Waiving interest on student and apprentice loans]
To help students and young Canadians who have been particularly hard-hit by COVID-19, the government is waiving the interest for full-time and part-time students on the federal portion of Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans until March 31, 2023.
Alberta Government Measures:
Details on all the Government of Alberta measures for workers and families can be found here https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-support-for-employers.aspx and here Family and social supports | Alberta.ca
SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Eligible business owners may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their employee wages between October 24, 2021, and May 7, 2022. This subsidy will enable business owners to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations.
For each applicable claim period, eligible employers can claim one of the following, whichever gives the highest amount:
- Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
- Hardest-Hit Businesses Recovery Program
- Canada Recovery Hiring Program
- Local Lockdown Program
Although these programs ended on May 7, 2022, businesses can apply for support up to 180 days after the end of the claim period for which they are applying.
[Rent and property expenses support]
Eligible business owners may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.
Depending on the period you are applying for, you may be eligible to claim your commercial rent or property expenses through one of the following:
- Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
- Hardest-Hit Businesses Recovery Program
- Local Lockdown Program
Although these programs ended on May 7, 2022, businesses can apply for support up to 180 days after the end of the claim period for which they are applying.
Alberta Government Measures:
Details on all the Government of Alberta measures for workers and families can be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-support-for-employers.asp
SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURE
Details on all of the programs offered by Agriculture Canada, as well as information specific to the agriculture sector on COVID-19 can be found here: https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/covid-19-information-for-the-agriculture-and-agri-food-industry/?id=1584732749543