Grants of $2,000 to $20,000 for hospitality, fitness and accommodation businesses impacted by the March 30th to May 25th, 2021 "circuit breaker" restrictions.
Latest Update - June 4th, 2021: Applications are now closed. If you applied to the program on or prior to June 4th, 2021:
- Complete applications are reviewed in the order they are received
- Applications processing time takes up to 8 weeks for complete applications
- Incomplete applications will delay processing time and payments
- You will receive a grant decision by email
-
If your application is approved, funding will be distributed around 4 weeks after you receive a decision
Latest Update - April 26th, 2021: The B.C. government has extended the program:
- Hotels, motels and other B.C. owned short-term accommodation providers affected by the April 23rd emergency order to restrict travel are now eligible to apply
- High intensity fitness businesses are now eligible to apply
- Grant amounts have increased to $2,000-$20,000
If you applied to the program before April 26th, 2021:
- You do not need to resubmit an application
- Applications received before these changes will be reviewed under the updated criteria
What is the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant?
The Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant provides fully funded grants of $2,000 to $20,000 to hospitality, fitness and accommodation businesses impacted by the March 31st, 2021 Public Health Officer orders on gatherings and events and liquor and food serving premises, and the April 23rd, 2021 EPA order on travel.
Grants are available until June 4th, 2021 or until funds are fully expended, whichever comes first.
Grants do not have to be paid back. The grant amount is based on number of employees. You can use the grant for expenses like:
- Employee wages
- Rent and utilities
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Cost of perishable food loss
Who is Eligible?
Hospitality, fitness and accommodation businesses impacted by the March 31st, 2021 Public Health Officer orders on gatherings and events and liquor and food serving premises, and the April 23rd, 2021 EPA order on travel, are eligible, including:
Food and beverage businesses
- Restaurants, pubs and bars
- Coffee shops, cafes and cafeterias
- Lounges and nightclubs
- Breweries, wineries and tasting rooms
Fitness businesses
- Pilates and yoga studios
- Barre and spin studios
- Gyms offering indoor high or low intensity group exercise classes
Hotels, motels and other short-term accommodation businesses
- Hotels, motels, hostels, lodging houses, resorts, bed and breakfast establishments and similar places
- Privately owned vacation homes, cabins, condominiums, or similar places sold by an operator or an owner that are registered as a business
- Clubs and similar places, whether or not a membership is required for the lodging
- Campgrounds, guide outfitters, fishing lodges or guest ranches
Read the relevant PHO orders:
- PHO order – Food and Liquor Serving Premises – March 31, 2021 (PDF)
- PHO order – Gatherings and Events – March 31, 2021 (PDF)
- EPA order – April 23, 2021 (PDF)
Important Dates
- Online applications open: April 12th, 2021
- Program updates begin: April 26th, 2021
- Applications close: June 4th, 2021 or until funds are fully expended
If you applied to the program before April 26th, 2021:
- You do not need to resubmit an application
- Applications received before these changes will be reviewed under the updated criteria