The Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and
First Nations cultural livelihoods (First Nation people whose primary means of livelihood is based on cultural expression or ceremony) that were impacted by the 2017 British Columbia wildfires. Experience has shown us this assistance greatly helps people and communities recover from a disaster.
Additional Financial Assistance Available
The second phase of the Canadian Red Cross Support to Small Business Program, through the generous funding from and in partnership with the Government of B.C., is providing additional financial and other assistance to eligible small business owners, cultural livelihoods that support First Nations communities, and not-for-profit organizations impacted by the British Columbia 2017 wildfires. This additional financial assistance is to provide support for uninsured financial losses as a result of interrupted business operations, due to the wildfires. This program is administered by Marsh Canada.
The amount of financial assistance provided to eligible businesses will be based on their individual needs, which will be determined through the application process.
Application Period
Small business owners, not-for-profit organizations and First Nations individuals supporting the community through cultural livelihoods can apply online until
May 4, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. (PST).
For small business owners
How to Apply
Applications for this program were accepted until May 4, 2018.
Required Documentation
Click here for a list of required documentation. Remember to upload or submit one item from each column along with your application. This documentation is needed to process your application. Please note that applications submitted without documentation are considered incomplete.
For First Nations Cultural Livelihood
First Nations Cultural Livelihoods refers to on-reserve First Nations members whose primary means of livelihood is based on cultural expression or ceremony, sometimes called “cultural livelihood”.
How to Apply
Applications for this program were accepted until May 4, 2018.
Required Documentation
Click here for a list of required documentation. Remember to upload or submit one item from each column along with your application. This documentation is needed to process your application. Please note that applications submitted without documentation are considered incomplete.
For Not-for-Profit Organizations
The online application for Not-for-Profit Organizations can be found
here.
Not-for-Profit Organizations are not required to submit any additional documentation with their application. The Red Cross may request supporting documentation upon review of the application.
Minimum requirements to apply
- Have 50 employees or less.*
- Be located in a community that was under an evacuation order or evacuation alert as a result of the 2017 British Columbia Fires, including First Nations businesses or traditional cultural livelihoods located on-reserve. Click here for additional eligible communities identified by the Province of BC.
- Have been in operation on or before July 7, 2017.
- Be financially vulnerable as a result of the 2017 BC Fires.
- Have resumed or are intending to resume operations.
- Have a net income of less than $250,000 (calculated as revenue less expenses).*
- Have the business or livelihood be their primary source of income.*
*Does not apply to not-for-profit organizations.
Questions?
Please
click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
Information & Referrals
You may also contact BC EDA’s Business Recovery Hotline for additional information and referrals to supports in your local area. For more information, please visit:
http://www.bceda.ca/bcwildfires.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Applications for the emergency financial assistance ($1,500) closed on October 31, 2017. If you submitted an application on or before October 31, 2017 and have questions, please contact the Support to Small Business Helpline.