Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced today the launch of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) to help businesses that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.

As first outlined in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, HASCAP will provide financial support to businesses through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million.

HASCAP is available to businesses across the country, in all sectors, that have been hit hard by the pandemic.

“Businesses across Canada continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. Whether they are operating at limited capacity, switching to online-only services or suspending their operations entirely, many businesses have been strongly affected. Just as these businesses have stepped up for the health and safety of their communities, our government is once again stepping up for them,” the minister stated in a press release.

Hard-hit businesses with multiple locations under one related entity could be eligible for up to $6.25 million. HASCAP will help businesses with their day-to-day operating costs during the COVID-19 crisis and enable them to invest in their longer-term prosperity.

To be eligible for HASCAP, businesses need to show a year-over-year revenue decline of at least 50% in three months, within the eight months prior to their application. They must also be able to show their financial institutions that they have previously applied for either the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.

Eligible businesses can start applying as early as February 1 at principal financial institutions and more widely by February 15. Interested businesses should contact their primary lender to get more information and to apply.

More information is available at www.bdc.ca/hascap.