As The Voice of Retail™, RCC is here to help retailers navigate through this crisis.
NOTICE: This page regarding COVID-19 information and protocols may be out of date. RCC members looking for clarification regarding this resource are asked to email membership@retailcouncil.org.
Recent Updates
- COVID-19: Fourth dose eligibility expands to 18+, test distribution through grocers to continueLast week, Ontario announced that the age eligibility for Ontarians who can access the fourth COVID-19 dose will now include adults 18 to 59. … Continued
- Newfoundland & Labrador proof of vaccination for front-facing employees endsReminder that Newfoundland and Labrador’s Mandatory Vaccine Regulations will be suspended and thus, “cease to have effect” on June 1, 2022. This rule has … Continued
- Nova Scotia extends paid sick leave programThe province’s COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Program has been extended until May 7, 2022. The program reimburses eligible employers who provide paid sick leave … Continued
- COVID-19: Fourth dose eligibility expands to 18+, test distribution through grocers to continueLast week, Ontario announced that the age eligibility for Ontarians … Continued
- Newfoundland & Labrador proof of vaccination for front-facing employees endsReminder that Newfoundland and Labrador’s Mandatory Vaccine Regulations will be … Continued
- Nova Scotia extends paid sick leave programThe province’s COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Program has been extended … Continued
- PEI ends most COVID-19 restrictions, masks to remainThe PEI Government announced the end of most COVID-19 restrictions … Continued
- B.C. legislation to clarify paid sick leave by calendar yearFollowing extensive input from RCC and other business associations, the … Continued
- Nova Scotia removes masking rules for businessesAs of March 21, 2022, all COVID-19 related business restrictions … Continued
- New Brunswick lifts remaining COVID-19 restrictionsAs of Monday, March 14, 2022, all COVID-19 restrictions (including … Continued
- Newfoundland and Labrador ends COVID-19 mandatesProvincial officials lifted all COVID-19 restrictions as of Monday, March … Continued
- Ontario to remove COVID-19 masking on MondayOntario will be removing its mandatory mask and face-covering requirement … Continued
- Manitoba ends COVID-19 restrictionsAs of Monday, March, 14, 2022, the government of Manitoba … Continued
- Alberta legislation to limit municipal health ordersAlberta’s government has introduced legislation to limit the ability of … Continued
- B.C. government drops indoor mask requirementsB.C. will lift the indoor mask requirement for indoor public … Continued
- Ontario to remove masking requirement on March 21, 2022Ontario will be removing its mandatory mask and face covering … Continued
- Manitoba grocers support rapid test distributionThe Government of Manitoba has announced a partnership with Retail … Continued
- Timeline for ending mandatory masking in QuebecThe Government of Quebec has announced the relaxation of certain … Continued
COVID-19 Recovery Tools
Survey on removal of mask mandates
Survey of RCC Members on how retailers will manage mask rules as mask mandates are removed.
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.
Retail Supplier Directory
Find suppliers of masks, hand sanitizer, signage and more in the new PPE section of the Retail Supplier Directory.
Financial support and payroll resources
- Federal support:
- RCC’s guide to Federal relief measures (see Federal relief measures section)
- 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)
- Rent support for small businesses: Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small
- 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: Michel Rochette, mrochette@cccd-rcc.org, (514) 792-4430
- Atlantic: Jim Cormier, jcormier@retailcouncil.org, 902-818-7738
- Public Affairs: Karl Littler, klittler@retailcouncil.org, 416-906-0040
- Media: Michelle Wasylyshen, mwasylyshen@retailcouncil.org
- President & CEO: Diane J. Brisebois, djbrisebois@retailcouncil.org, 416-801-3793