COVID-19 DigiBC Member Resources
LAST UPDATED: January 4, 2021
DigiBC recognizes that our members are having an array of business challenges during this crisis, ranging from a few issues to very significant business threats. As your trade association, we are working to ensure our industry, as diverse as it is, comes out of this in the most positive way possible. We have put together this resource page for our members that has pertinent information on government policies, industry responses, and tips on getting through this challenging time. We will continue to keep this updated as information comes in.
Government Announcements / Policies / Funding |
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Support | Description | How to Access |
Small & Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant(Provincial) |
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CRA & COVID-19 Info for Employers (Federal) |
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Innovation Assistance Program (IRAP IAP) (Federal) |
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Click for more info |
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program (Federal)
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(Federal) |
On October 9, the government proposed the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to provide direct relief to businesses, non-profits, and charities that continue to be economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new rent subsidy would be available retroactive to September 27, 2020, until June 2021. | Click for more info |
Temporary Layoff Period Extended | To ease financial hardship on businesses and to keep employees connected with their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, government has extended the temporary layoff period to 16 weeks for COVID-19 related reasons. | |
GST & HST payments delayed until June (Federal) |
This will assist businesses with cash flow challenges. The government says these measures will best position small and medium-sized businesses to weather the pandemic and prepare for Canada’s economic recovery. |
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BC Hydro |
Bill deferral and payment plans |
Call 1-800-BC-HYDRO |
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) (Federal) |
More than $10 billion will be available to Canadian businesses for financing and credit insurance solutions through EDC and BDC | |
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) (Federal) |
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CEBA support has being expanded from $40K to $60K. This is available to all eligible previous and new CEBA applicants. |
(Provincial) |
The BC Government has partnered with the Digital Technology Supercluster and the Business Council of BC to create the COVID-19 Supply Hub. Organizations interested in offering support, equipment and supplies to help health workers fight the pandemic can access the online platform here. |
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An international coalition of think-tanks, research institutes, and organizations designed to start the conversation about recovery, even if it seems a long way off. |
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Canadian Business Resilience Network (CBRN) (Federal) |
The federal government and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have partnered to create the CBRN to help businesses of all sizes weather this pandemic and drive economic recovery. | Click for more info |
(Provincial) |
Companies, societies, co-operatives now able to meet electronically. A temporary change will allow electronic meetings during the province's state of the emergency. The order helps corporations hold annual or special general meetings, in accordance with the provincial health officer's order against gatherings of more than 50 people.
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Click for more info |
ESAC's Summary of Canadian Economic Stimulus Packages - updated June 16 (click to download) ESAC's Summary of Provincial Reopening Plans - updated June 15 (click to download) |
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Alacrity Canada now accepting applications for new virtual Digital Marketing Bootcamp
Alacrity Canada now accepting applications for new virtual Digital Marketing Bootcamp
Alacrity Canada now accepting applications for new virtual Digital Marketing Bootcamp
Alacrity Canada now accepting applications for new virtual Digital Marketing Bootcamp
Alacrity Canada now accepting applications for new virtual Digital Marketing Bootc
BC announces $500 million investment fund for high growth potential firms - September 22
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Innovate BC's Tech Co-op Grant Program
Tech companies of up to 500 employees are eligible to receive wage subsidies to hire a BC co-op student. Each employer is eligible to receive a max of four grants per program year valued at up to $5,000 each.
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Startups Among Companies to Benefit From New $961.4-million Relief Fund
Canada’s six regional development agencies will focus $961.4 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding on companies and industry sectors critical to the economy in each region. The funding is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises that have been unable to access the government’s existing support measures.
- CMF COVID-19 Info Hub for Screen-Based Industries
Canada Media Fund has put together this list of assistance programs for workers and businesses in Canada’s screen-based industries, as well as news from the CMF and pandemic-related headlines.
This provides individuals with info on federal, provincial and territorial benefits programs available, including the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the Canada Child Benefit top-up, as well as mortgage and student loan deferrals. |
Support | Description | How to Access |
BC Recovery Benefit |
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Online applications open December 18 & phone support available from December 21 |
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BC Hydro |
Bill deferral and payment plans |
Call 1-800-BC-HYDRO |
(CERB) Canada Emergency Response Benefit
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One-time additional tax-free payment of $1,000 to those on EI or CERB. | Apply starting May 1 (click for more info) |
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EI Sickness Benefit | One-week waiting period has been waived. | Call 1-833-381-2725 or apply online |
The Canadian Mental Health Association | The CMHA has put together some resources and suggestions to help support your mental health at this time of uncertainty. | COVID-19 & Mental Health Startup Survival Guide |
BC Psychological Association | In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the BCPA has compiled a list of helpful resources. | COVID-19 Resources |
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Support of nearly $9 billion for post-secondary students and recent graduates. This plan will help provide the financial support they need this summer, help them continue their studies in the fall, and help many get the experience they need to start their careers. |
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- $37B aid package extends CERB, expands EI & adds 'recovery' benefits - August 25
Self-employed or gig workers, for example, can apply for a benefit of up to $400 a week for up to 26 weeks if they have stopped working or had reduced incomes due to COVID-19.
- New mobile app to help Canadians identify of COVID-19 exposure now available - July 31
- Additional Support for Indigenous Community Support Fund
The Prime Minister announced $75 million in new funding for Indigenous organizations providing services to Indigenous peoples in urban centres and off reserve.
- Free Online Coding Workshops for Kids in BC
From creating online games to building websites, students in the province now have access to free online coding workshops through the Ministry of Education's website, Keep Learning BC.
Signal Boosting / #GiveBack / How Can I Help? |
Resources
- East Side Games has put together this handy list of local organizations that are currently looking for support and donations.
- Small Business BC has created a digital marketplace website where you can find out about and support some of the amazing small businesses still operating in the province.
- GamesIndustry.biz has put together a comprehensive list of organizations and initiatives supporting racial equity in the global games industry. From funding and training to online communities and advocacy groups, there is a growing number of resources encouraging racial diversity in the game industry.
- Canuck Place Children’s Hospice has partnered with EA Sports to put together an exciting team building opportunity for tech companies in Metro Vancouver. Want to give back to the community while participating in an online hockey tournament? Register by November 10 and entry fee is $1,000 (charitable donation to Canuck Place). Click here for more info.
- Klei Entertainment felt it was important to help out where they can during this moment in US history and have donated $1 million USD toward helping fight for equality, civil rights, and racial justice. Funds will be going to ACLU and NAACP.
- Electronic Arts is contributing $1 million to organizations dedicated to the fight for racial justice in the US and against discrimination around the world. Beginning with the Equal Justice Initiative, the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, and with more partners to come. Additionally, they will double any employee donations made to these organizations via its YourCause program throughout the month of June.
- The Coalition has donated 200 Xbox One X consoles to the Gamers Outreach. They will then be distributing the hardware to children's wards in US hospitals.
- The Vancouver Makers for Emergency Response & Support (YVRMERS) is a grassroots non-profit initiative that has a few projects on the go for providing free PPE to frontline healthcare workers. Click here to read more about what they are doing or to make a donation.
- Trent Shumay is a seasoned programmer, having previously worked at Slant Six, Next Level Games, A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. and Electronic Arts. A successful entrepreneur, he went on to co-found Finger Food Advanced Technology Group and then later Moody Ales. One of his current endeavors, IoT Design Shop, has retooled its production line to print out protective gear for nurses, doctors and other frontline healthcare workers. They have partnered with LNG Studios and created a GoFundMe to help raise money for the cost of materials. Click here to support this awesome effort!
Companies Currently Hiring |
- East Side Games - list of current openings
- Doberman Pictures - list of current vacancies
- Unity Technologies - list of open positions
- SkyBox Labs - list of available vacancies
- Hyper Hippo - list of open positions
- Kabam Vancouver - list of job openings
- Mainframe Studios - list of open roles
- Next Level Games - list of job openings
- Relic Entertainment - list of current vacancies
- Blackbird Interactive - list of available roles
- WildBrain Studios - list of open positions
- Atomic Cartoons - list of job openings
- Phoenix Labs - list of available roles
- Kano Apps - list of open vacancies
- Animal Logic - list of job openings
- Cinesite - list of current open positions
- Sony Imageworks - list of job vacancies
The following job boards are also great resources:
DigiBC Job Board
VFX Vancouver Job Board
VIATEC Job Board (Victoria & Vancouver Island)
Workplace Guidelines & Resources |
Guides & Resources
- COVID-19 Return to Studio Guide (Animation & VFX Alliance of BC)
- COVID-19 & Returning to Safe Operation (Worksafe BC)
- What Employers & Workers Need to Know (Worksafe BC)
- Getting Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19 (World Health Organization)
- Guidelines for Hosting Online Meetings, Events & Classes (Facilitators for Pandemic Response Group)
- COVID-19 & Mental Health (Canadian Mental Health Association)
- The Future of the Office (CBRE Industry Report)
- Diversity & Inclusion Resource HUB (HR Tech Group)
- Tech Space Quarterly Newsletter (CBRE High Tech Facilities Group)
Working From Home
- WFH Digital Guide (by LocalGlobe and Latitudevc)
- continually being updated so is a great resource to have bookmarked
Key Priorities
- Ensure your team members and their family members are safe and cared for
- Ensure you can continue studio operations as best as possible
- Ensure your staff are tech-enabled to work at home for an extended period
- Provide ongoing communication to employees in response to information provided by health officials as the situation progresses
Who do you want to be during COVID-19?
Credit: Oxford Leadership's Self-Managing Leadership Community Group
#CRUSHCovid Campaign |
#CRUSHCovid is a great initiative from ESAC and the Public Health Agency of Canada that was created to reach Canadians aged 13-29. By sharing trusted health messaging, the hope is that gamers in this age demographic will continue to step up and help keep each other and our communities safe by encouraging and engaging in four health measures that can stem the spread of COVID-19.
BC's Restart Plan |
The government's plan is a four phase strategy that outlines the gradual restarting of the economy. It is a series of careful steps to protect people and ensure that the province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before. We are now in Phase 3. Click here for further details.
COVID-19 Information |
- Public Health Alert: HealthLink BC
- Local Situation: Vancouver Coastal Health
- Global Situation: World Health Organization
- BC Centre for Disease Control: bccdc.ca
- Essential Services - List of Services in BC
- General Info: 1-888-COVID19
COVID-19 Testing |
- Have symptoms? Anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-19 symptoms can be assessed and get a test. Testing is done through a primary care provider, walk-in clinic, urgent and primary care centre or community collection centre. Additionally, drive-thru testing is available in Vancouver at the St. Vincent's location (4875 Heather St). Click here to see the full list of collection centres in the province.
Physical Distancing Orders |
- Violations of Public Health Orders can carry fines of over $25,000 or jail time
- Gatherings are banned
- Maintain 2 metre distance from others
- Stay home as much as possible, do not visit with friends (call them instead)
- It’s okay to go outside for fresh air and exercise, but stay away from others
- Self-isolate if you are sick, even if it is not COVID-19
Hygiene Tips |
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing and then wash hands immediately
- Consider no longer shaking hands and instead use another form of greeting (fist bump, elbow bump or our favourite, the Spock Vulcan greeting with LL&P)
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