The Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan has redefined the relationship between government and small businesses, ushering in a new era of financial support. This monumental shift has not only buoyed businesses during trying times but has also sparked a revolutionary rethink on how governments can foster economic growth and resilience.
But why CEBA Loan changed the way governments approach small business? Let’s find out!
Few programs have been as instrumental in providing relief to Canadian businesses as the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). Unprecedented in both its size and applicability, the program is a product of its time. Since its inception at the beginning of a global pandemic, CEBA has been a financial lifeline to many Canadian businesses.
When facing financial disruption due to closures or lockdowns, business owners were often forced to choose between acquiring emergency capital or shutting their doors. This meant the Canadian government, which had never offered loans of this nature previously, had to roll out funds damn fast.
Beyond the unique aspects of the CEBA Loan (its loan forgiveness clause, interest-free status, and provision through partnerships with financial institutions), it also forced government bodies to consider the needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Over 98% of Canadian businesses are SMBs, and their flagging pandemic performance led to a massive dip in GDP. When the CEBA program was rolled out, the loan was used heavily in industries like construction, science, and technology, and funds primarily went towards paying out employee wages.
All of this demonstrated that SMBs matter, and could potentially shape the way governments fund business in the future, but only if you know how to use CEBA Loan.
Who Qualified for the CEBA Loan?
What makes the CEBA Loan so unique is its eligibility. The program applies to SMBs across a wide range of industries and organizations.CEBA is designed to support Canadian businesses by providing interest-free loans of up to $60,000. These loans carry an additional benefit, where 33% (up to $20,000) is forgivable if repaid by a given date (December 31, 2023). This unique structure made the CEBA Loan a sought-after option for many business owners, many of whom would ultimately qualify.
But how would one determine if their business qualified for the CEBA Loan? Eligibility criteria are comprehensive and precise, yet less strict than traditional underwriting measures. The program is intended to support as many Canadian businesses as possible, which means factors such as credit score do not apply. Instead, the loan required businesses to have the following:
- Business Registration: Your business must have been in operation as of March 1, 2020, and duly registered.
- Employment Income: Your business must have paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019.
- Business Bank Account: Your business must have an active business banking account with a participating financial institution. Businesses cannot apply if they use a personal bank account.
- Business Impact: The business must have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic
All of this is dramatically different from traditional criteria for getting a business loan in Canada. For example, consider a restaurant owner in Vancouver who was severely impacted by lockdowns and other COVID-19 restrictions. New to Canada, she had little credit of her own and invested most of her money back into her business.
Traditional banks were reluctant to offer her a business loan; without it, she could not afford to cover payroll. However, since she understood her eligibility for CEBA, she was able to secure the funds to keep her business afloat, pay her employees, and invest in a new outdoor seating area to accommodate customers.
Similarly, a tech startup in Toronto was banking on a cash infusion from a venture capitalist. Whenhen their expected funding fell through due to the pandemic’s economic uncertainty, they used the CEBA Loan. With the CEBA Loan, they could maintain their development timeline and keep team members employed.
In both cases, the government essentially ‘bailed out’ small businesses—a major shift from anything Canadian business owners have seen before.
What are the Benefits of Getting a CEBA Loan?
Interest-free, quick, and easy to repay, the CEBA Loans had plenty of benefits for cash-strapped business owners. These included:
- Financial Flexibility: CEBA provides an interest-free loan, which allows you to manage cash flow more effectively, no matter what interest rates exist in uncertain economic times.
- Loan Forgiveness: A portion of the CEBA Loan (up to $20,000) is forgivable, reducing the financial burden on the business.
- Safeguard Employment: Governments relied on SMBs to disburse aid during the pandemic: with additional financial support, SMBs can retain valuable employees and maintain operations, which helps the Canadian economy and supply chain as a whole.
Read more: How Does CEBA Loan Work?
Opening eligibility for the CEBA Loan made it possible to get vital funds out to businesses and the broader economy. Through this, the government enabled business owners to stay afloat, both protecting the supply chain and keeping Canadians employed. The loan represents a major shift for Canadian businesses.
Now that the CEBA Loan repayment deadline is approaching, these businesses will need to rely on financial professionals to provide guidance, help understand their options, and assist in starting to repay.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CEBA Loan program serves as a powerful testament to the indispensable role of SMBs in the Canadian economy. This program, born out of the fires of a global pandemic, not only provided a lifeline to struggling businesses but also highlighted the crucial need for more inclusive and accessible financial support for businesses of all scales and industries.
As we approach the loan repayment deadline, the ultimate impact of this financial experiment will become increasingly clear. Regardless of the outcomes, the CEBA initiative has indelibly shaped the future of government support for businesses in Canada.
