As The Voice of Retail™, RCC is here to help retailers navigate through this crisis.
Recent Updates
- Reopening of dining rooms and movie theatres in QuebecGiven the epidemiological situation and the many pressures to which it is subject, the government has announced the easing of certain measures. Thus, throughout … Continued
- PEI COVID-19 Wage RebateThe PEI government has launched its 25% COVID-19 Wage Rebate to assist businesses that have been closed between January 19-31, 2022. Cinemas are able … Continued
- Vaccination passport now required in certain retail establishments in QuebecAs of January 24, 2022, the vaccination passport will be requested from anyone 13 years of age and older who wishes to enter a … Continued
- Reopening of dining rooms and movie theatres in QuebecGiven the epidemiological situation and the many pressures to which … Continued
- PEI COVID-19 Wage RebateThe PEI government has launched its 25% COVID-19 Wage Rebate … Continued
- Vaccination passport now required in certain retail establishments in QuebecAs of January 24, 2022, the vaccination passport will be … Continued
- Ontario tracks to remove capacity restrictions for retail on February 21Ontario announced today that the restrictions put into place in … Continued
- PEI increases restrictions – Quick serve restaurants limited to delivery, take-out and drive-thruDue to increases in COVID-19 cases, Prince Edward Island will … Continued
- Introduction of the vaccination passport in some retail businesses and reopening on Sundays in QuebecThe Quebec government has announced the terms and conditions surrounding … Continued
- New Brunswick moves to Level 3 – Increased restrictions, status quo for RCC membersAs expected, due to the impact on the health care … Continued
- Nova Scotia announces Sector Impact Support grantSmall retailers impacted by the latest public health restrictions may … Continued
- Current Manitoba COVID-19 prevention orders extended until February 1, 2022The Manitoba government has announced that all current COVID-19 prevention … Continued
- Saskatchewan adequately prepared for now to handle COVID case increasesWith active Omicron variant cases on the rise, Saskatchewan continues … Continued
- Most PCR testing replaced with rapid testing, isolation requirements reduced in ManitobaManitoba is replacing most PCR testing with rapid antigen tests … Continued
- Ontario’s 2022 pandemic business support programs announcedTo support businesses impacted by the return to Ontario’s Modified … Continued
- Mandatory presentation of vaccination passports in “non-essential” retail stores in the coming weeks in QuebecHealth Minister Christian Dubé announced today the upcoming introduction of … Continued
- Restrictions extended until January 17, 2022The COVID-19 related restrictions put in place before Christmas, have … Continued
- Newfoundland and Labrador retailers must enforce physical distancing as entire province moves to Alert Level 4On January 4, 2022, the entire province moved to Alert … Continued
In these challenging times, RCC welcomes retailers across Canada to subscribe to our Retail policy news & COVID-19 updates and attend our weekly Member Town Hall Briefings. We are your voice during this crisis and beyond
COVID-19 Recovery Tools
Requirements for Retailers by Region
View all regulations and safety guidelines retailers must follow to be open by region.
Relief Measures by Region
Financial aid, grants and other relief measures specifically applicable to retailers.
Questions & Answers on COVID-19
Frequently asked questions from our members on working through COVID-19 and its operational challenges.
Retail Supplier Directory
Find suppliers of masks, hand sanitizer, signage and more in the new PPE section of the Retail Supplier Directory.
Videos and Podcasts
Employer vaccine policies – Your FAQs answered and more
Joseph Cohen Lyons, Senior Associate with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada answered the most frequently asked questions by our retail members around vaccination policies, vaccination incentivizing and more.
The Voice of Retail Podcast
Each and every week TVOR interviews top retailers and industry thought leaders coving topics including the ongoing response and impact to their business and the retail sector of the COVID-19 crisis.
Financial support and payroll resources
- Federal support:
- RCC’s guide to Federal relief measures (see Federal relief measures section)
- New rules for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- Government of Canada Work-Share overview
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
- Loans for small & medium businesses: Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
- Canada Small Business Financing Program
- Government’s overview of federal government Services for Small Business
- Provincial support: RCC’s guide to relief measures and updates (see interactive table to view your region)
- Municipal support: RCC’s database of utility payment extensions, municipal relief and more
- Rent support for small businesses: Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small
- Payroll: Canadian Payroll Association on ROE coding
- Workers’ compensation: 2020 provincial workers’ compensation updates for retailers
- Stewardship programs: Stewardship Programs Offering COVID-19 Deadline Extensions
Maintaining your business
- HR recovery planning: Managing return to work anxiety
- Impact on consumer behaviour: Tracking the impact of FMCG, retail and media (Neilson)
- Consumers surveys: Tracking surveys (Leger)
- Consumer education: #ShopSmart campaign – Guidelines shoppers should follow during COVID-19 (RCC)
- Statistics: Info on COVID-19 (Statistics Canada)
- Pandemic planning for retailers: COVID-19 planning checklist for retailers (RCC)
- Business continuity: A guide to robust business continuity planning (KPMG)
- Impact on Canadian retailers: COVID-19 Voice of Canadians and impact to retailers (Deloitte)
- Guide for senior executives: The heart of resilient leadership: Responding to COVID-19 (Deloitte)
- Resources for retailers: Retail Industry Leaders Association
- Fraud Prevention: Tips to protect yourself from COVID-19 related payment scams (Interac)
- Cyber Security: Helpful advice for small and medium organizations to protect against COVID-19-related threats
- Interactive dashboard: Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Situational Awareness Dashboard
If you have questions specific to your area, please contact RCC’s Regional Directors directly:
- Pacific: Greg Wilson, gwilson@retailcouncil.org, 604-730-5254
- Prairies: John Graham, jgraham@retailcouncil.org, 204-926-8624
- Ontario: Sebastian Prins, sprins@retailcouncil.org, 416-467-3759
- Quebec: Francis Mailly, fmailly@cccd-rcc.org, 514-316-9185
- Atlantic: Jim Cormier, jcormier@retailcouncil.org, 902-818-7738
- Public Affairs: Karl Littler, klittler@retailcouncil.org, 416-906-0040
- Grocery Division & Regulatory Affairs: Jason McLinton, jmclinton@retailcouncil.org, 613-656-7903
- GR and Regulatory Affairs: Cory Anderson, canderson@retailcouncil.org, 613-656-7901
- Media: Michelle Wasylyshen, mwasylyshen@retailcouncil.org
- President & CEO: Diane J. Brisebois, djbrisebois@retailcouncil.org, 416-801-3793
Thank you to the retailers, vendors and suppliers who have extended financial support to Retail Council of Canada to help us continue to advocate for you 24/7 during these difficult times.