News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

May 1, 2020

Province Opens Online Intake for $120-Million Manitoba Gap Protection Program

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Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Encouraged to Apply to Receive $6,000: Pallister

The provincial government’s online portal to facilitate business applications to the Manitoba Gap Protection Program (MGPP) is now live, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.

“Many Manitoba small and medium-sized businesses are facing significant pressures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to help them through this challenging time,” said Pallister. “We created a Manitoba solution to bridge the gap for approximately 20,000 businesses that don’t qualify for the federal funding announced in response to COVID-19, to make sure some relief is available to local businesses so they can minimize layoffs, hire staff back and prepare to safely restore the services they offer to Manitobans.”

The premier announced the $120-million MGPP last week and noted staff worked hard to get a website up and running so Manitoba businesses can submit applications for funding. The MGPP provides an interest-free, forgivable $6,000 loan to small and medium-sized businesses in Manitoba that have experienced hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health orders. Loans are available to businesses that fail to qualify for the various federal government assistance programs and wage subsidies created because of COVID-19.

Eligible businesses will receive a one-time, lump-sum payment of $6,000, electronically deposited into their business bank account.

“Our government has been working with Manitoba’s business sector to identify the greatest need and target our support to businesses harmed by the pandemic and its fallout,” said Pallister. “We are working with our partners to ensure we make the right decisions at the right time so we can provide maximum opportunities for recovery for the benefit of all Manitobans.”

Permanent, Manitoba-based businesses that were operational in the province on March 20 (the date the Manitoba government declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19) are eligible to apply if they temporarily ceased or curtailed operations as a result of a COVID-19 public health order, which harmed their business in Manitoba. Businesses must not have received federal government COVID-19 grant funding support, and do not intend to apply for and receive previously announced federal government COVID-19 non-repayable funding support.

Eligible businesses are now able to submit online applications forms at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/business/mgpp.html. To apply online, applicants must have:
•    a valid Manitoba Business Number;
•    a Companies Office registry number;
•    good standing with the Companies Office;
•    Manitoba Workers Compensation Board and Manitoba Retail Sales Tax account numbers, if applicable;
•    the sole proprietor’s social insurance number (SIN) as well as one other partner’s SIN (if the business is a partnership);
•    business email address; and
•    business bank account information for purposes of depositing the payment.

The full form and list of eligibility criteria is available online. Individuals that require assistance in completing the online form can contact the Manitoba Economic Support Centre (toll-free) at 1-888-805-7554.
 
The province’s goal is to provide a $6,000 deposit to eligible businesses within a few days of applying online, the premier added.

The application deadline for MGPP is July 31.

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