Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. adds funds to online business grant program

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Mar, 2021 09:58 PM
  • B.C. adds funds to online business grant program

The B.C. government says it's adding $30 million to its program aimed at helping businesses build or expand their online operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to high demand for the grant money.

The province committed $12 million last month to launch its online grant program, which was set to provide 1,500 businesses with up to $7,500.

Premier John Horgan says more than 3,500 businesses have applied so far, exhausting the initial fund.

The province says the additional money will help about 4,000 more businesses.

Horgan says the grants will help businesses adapt to the way the pandemic has pushed more customers to shop online, while the program has also been expanded to include businesses that sell services in addition to goods, benefiting the tourism sector and those with online booking systems.

B.C. says 30 per cent of the funds will be reserved for businesses whose owners are Black, Indigenous and people of colour, which is up from the 25 per cent that was previously set aside for Indigenous and rural businesses.

The province says in a news release that successful applicants will work with local service providers to complete their online store, meaning the grants help support marketing and technology companies in the province.

"More B.C. small businesses from the hardest hit sectors will have access to the tools they need to boost their online presence, grow their e-commerce capacity and become more resilient," Horgan said in a statement on Wednesday.

MORE National ARTICLES

PMO knew of Vance allegations in 2018: Trudeau

PMO knew of Vance allegations in 2018: Trudeau
The prime minister made the comments this afternoon in the House of Commons, confirming that then-military ombudsman Gary Walbourne spoke to Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan about an allegation against Vance in March 2018.

PMO knew of Vance allegations in 2018: Trudeau

Care home outbreaks reminder of vaccination limits

Care home outbreaks reminder of vaccination limits
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness and death, but they don't necessarily stop all transmission, so masks and physical distancing remain important.

Care home outbreaks reminder of vaccination limits

Police issue $6,900.00 in fines after alleged quarantine breach

Police issue $6,900.00 in fines after alleged quarantine breach
The woman was issued two separate violation tickets; one for the allegations made by PHAC, and one for the breach of quarantine requirements as observed by the officer. Both fines totalled $6,900.00.

Police issue $6,900.00 in fines after alleged quarantine breach

StatCan estimates nearly 14K excess deaths in 2020

StatCan estimates nearly 14K excess deaths in 2020
The early numbers attempt to measure so-called “excess mortality,” which occurs when there are more deaths during a period of time than would be expected.

StatCan estimates nearly 14K excess deaths in 2020

Flying in poor weather led to B.C. crash: TSB

Flying in poor weather led to B.C. crash: TSB
The TSB says the plane left Vancouver airport's water aerodrome on July 26, 2019, for Calvert Island on B.C.'s central coast despite poor weather forecasts for the area.

Flying in poor weather led to B.C. crash: TSB

Vaccinations stepped up but COVID still a threat

Vaccinations stepped up but COVID still a threat
The vast majority of Canadians are still susceptible to COVID-19, Dr. Theresa Tam, the country's chief public health officer, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Vaccinations stepped up but COVID still a threat