Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) – Frequently Asked Questions

Due to significant volumes of inquiries to Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), it is currently taking longer to respond to calls and emails to the Contact Centre.

For faster service, the department has created the following list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) to help address some common concerns. For information not covered by the FAQ, please email your nearest Contact Centre.

WD aims to respond to your inquiries as quickly as possible and appreciates your patience during this unprecedented time.

Table of Contents

• About the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
• Small Businesses in Rural Areas
• Women-owned or women-led small- and medium-sized enterprises
• Application Questions
• Technical Support

About the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

• Is there a new eligibility criteria for the RRRF top-up funding?

  No, any new funding submissions must meet the same RRRF eligibility criteria outlined in the Application Guide.

• I already applied; should I reapply or revise my application to qualify for RRRF top-up funding?

  All unresolved applications will be considered along with new ones.

• What is the difference between RRRF and CEBA?

  Both the Regional Recovery and Relief Fund (RRRF) and Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provide eligible small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with an interest-free repayable contribution of up to $40,000 to help alleviate financial hardship resulting from COVID-19.

  Sole proprietors and not-for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply to the RRRF program that is delivered by WD.

• What funding options are there for sole proprietors and social enterprises?

  Businesses that are sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll may be eligible for either:

  • The Canada Emergency Business Account
  • The "RRRF – Community Futures Stream" for small rural businesses including sole proprietors and social enterprises, are eligible for loans up to a maximum of $40,000 if they are located in communities serviced by a Community Futures organization; or
  • The "RRRF- WEI Stream" for women-owned or women-led small businesses in both urban and rural areas, including sole proprietors and social enterprises, are eligible for loans up to a maximum of $40,000.

  Please note that your business may apply or receive funding from one program alone.

• I am eligible to apply under RRRF and CEBA. Which funding should I apply for?

  For RRRF requests delivered by WD,* up to $40,000 is available to those who have applied, but did not qualify for existing Government of Canada COVID-19 related support such as CEBA. As such, please apply for CEBA before applying for RRRF.

  *Under the "RRRF – CF Stream," rural SMEs can apply for loans up to a maximum of $40,000. Rural SMEs can apply under CEBA or the "RRRF – CF Stream," but cannot apply or receive funding from both.

  Visit the "RRRF – Community Futures Stream" for more information.

• I have already applied for funding (up to $40,000) under RRRF, but now I am eligible to apply for CEBA under the expanded eligibility rules. Should I apply for CEBA instead?

  Due to CEBA’s expanded eligibility rules that were announced on May 18, 2020, applicants may wish to withdraw* their RRRF application and apply for CEBA.

  Under CEBA, applicants can receive a full $40,000 regardless of the operating balance of their business. Under RRRF, applicants can only receive the amount of their operating balance (up to $40,000).

  *See section on Application Questions to learn how to submit a request to withdraw your funding application.

• I have received support from other federal relief measures, but require additional funding to mitigate cash flow pressures. What can I apply for?

  SMEs that have received other federal relief measures, but are still experiencing liquidity issues may be eligible for up to $1,000,000 in repayable contributions if they can demonstrate a meaningful contribution to the western Canadian economy.

  SMEs will need to describe the impact that COVID-19 has had on their business and how WD funding will enable their business to assist the western Canadian economy to:

  • retain diverse and valuable talent;
  • maintain sector knowledge and skills;
  • maintain capital flow;
  • maintain critical supply chains and increase capacity to withstand supply chain disruptions;
  • protect technologies and processes that improve resilience, productivity, and/or competitiveness; and/or,
  • protect vital intellectual property.

Small Businesses in Rural Areas

• How does the funding that WD is delivering through the RRRF differ from the funding delivered by Community Futures in Western Canada?

  Funding offered through Community Futures (CF) in Western Canada is intended for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly rural main street businesses and small/micro enterprises (including sole proprietors and social enterprises), located in communities serviced by a CF office. CF offices will deliver loans up to a maximum of $40,000.

  SMEs requesting assistance above $40,000 should apply directly to WD.

• How can I apply for Community Futures COVID-19 support programs?

  Community Futures in Western Canada has 90 offices supporting rural businesses. Small businesses outside of major metropolitan areas (Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg) seeking funding of up to $40,000 are encouraged to seek relief support to the "RRRF – Community Futures Stream."

  Visit the "RRRF – Community Futures Stream" for more information.

• How can I find my local Community Futures office?

  Small businesses can find their nearest local Community Futures office by entering their location at one of the following links:

  • British Columbia
  • Alberta
  • Saskatchewan
  • Manitoba

Women-owned or women-led small- and medium-sized enterprises

• How does the funding that WD is delivering through the RRRF differ from the funding delivered by Women’s Enterprise Initiative organizations across Western Canada?

  Funding offered through Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI) organizations in Western Canada is intended for rural or urban women-owned or women-led businesses (including sole proprietors and social enterprises). WEI will deliver loans up to a maximum of $40,000.

• How can I apply for the "RRRF – WEI Stream"?

  To apply for the “RRRF – WEI Stream”, contact the Women’s Enterprise Initiative’s office in your province:

  • British Columbia – Women’s Enterprise Centre
  • Alberta – Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
  • Saskatchewan – Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.
  • Manitoba – Women’s Enterprise Centre - MB

Application Questions

• Should I include dividend payments as part of the payroll expenses?

  Dividends should not be added to payroll expenses. As such, you may have to report a $0 entry in the payroll field. Please report dividend payments under "other" in the Operating Cost Table.

• When will I find out if my funding application is approved?

  Payment will be issued once the contribution agreement between client and WD is finalized.

  Funding requests over $40,000 are subject to a higher level of due diligence and follow up information may be required. WD will make best efforts to respond as quickly as possible. Applicants will receive a notification of decision as soon as the assessment is complete.

• When will I find out if my funding application is declined?

  WD will make best efforts to respond as quickly as possible. Applicants will receive a notification of decision as soon as the assessment is complete.

• How do I withdraw or update my funding application?

  An email is required from the primary or authorizing official contact stating their request to withdraw or update their funding application.

  Please email the nearest WD Contact Centre and include the application number in the request.

• Is my application transferrable between RRRF and other funding support programs?

  No, WD’s RRRF applications are non-transferrable. SMEs will need to resubmit a new application for each funding relief program, including the Community Futures COVID-19 support program.

Technical Support

• Why won’t the funding application load on my browser?

  WD’s funding application is best supported by Google Chrome or Internet Explorer.

• How can I upload multiple PDF files for my application?

  A maximum of three (3) files can be uploaded per application.

  All files must be uploaded at the same time.

  For Windows users: To attach multiple files, select the first file, then press and hold the [Ctrl] key. While holding down the [Ctrl] key, click each of the other files you want selected, then click Open.

  For Mac users: To attach multiple files, select the first file, then press and hold the [Command] key. While holding down the [Command] key, click each of the other files you want selected, then click Open.