Protecting Manitobans
 

Manitoba Bridge Grant


Notice:

Beginning February 26, 2021, the Manitoba Government will begin issuing an additional payment to Bridge Grant recipients that were approved under the following categories:

  • Community Club, Centre or Community Service Provider
  • Not-Profit Organizations
  • Places of Worship
  • Previous eligible Bridge Grant recipients that fall into these categories will receive an additional payment in the amount of $5,000. 
  • Payments will be issued without any action on the part of the applicant and will be deposited to the same bank account provided in the initial application.
  • Recipients will receive email confirmation once the transaction has been processed.  Please allow up to 48 hours following notification for the funds to be deposited into your bank account. 
  • Applications submitted before closure of the application window that are currently in the adjudication phase, will be eligible for the additional payment if their application is approved.   
  • This payment is considered taxable business income.  
  • If you would like to opt out of the program, repay the funds, or if a payment has been made to you in error, please see the FAQs below.
  • Please allow up to five business days for the process to be completed.  If you have not received your second payment by March 5, 2021, please contact the Manitoba Bridge Grant administration office.  Contact information, along with your Application Confirmation number, is located on the approval email that accompanied your initial payment.

February 22, 2021

On this page:



Program Overview

  • The Manitoba Bridge Grant - Stream A provides financial assistance ranging from $10,000 to a maximum of $15,000 to eligible Manitoba businesses and organizations that were required to fully close their premises to the public as a result of Manitoba COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect as of November 12, 2020 or any revisions to those Orders

    • NOTE: If you operate a home-based business that has been impacted by COVID-19 Prevention Orders, please visit the Manitoba Bridge Stream B - Home-Based Business Support page. Home-based businesses that apply to Stream A will be asked to reapply under Stream B of the program.

  • Financial assistance is provided in one of two categories:

Category 1 applicants are eligible to receive a grant in the amount of $15,000. 

Category 1 applicants are those that identify as:

  • Community Clubs, Centres or Community Service Providers
  • Not-For-Profit Organizations
  • Places of Worship

Category 2 applicants are eligible to receive a grant in the amount of $10,000. 

Category 2 are entities that operate in sectors not listed in Category 1.

  • A business or organization is defined as:
    • Sole proprietorship
    • Partnership
    • Corporation
    • Co-operative
    • Non-share corporation
    • Not-for-profit organization
    • Registered Charity
  • To qualify:
    • the business or organization must be actively operating or conducting business in Manitoba immediately prior to the implementation of applicable public health orders;
    • the business or organization was required to fully close their premises to the public as a result of Manitoba COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect as of November 12, 2020 or any revisions to those Orders.
    • For Businesses: businesses not identified in Schedule A - “Businesses Permitted to Open”, are eligible for the Bridge Grant. To view a listing of businesses permitted to open, please visit the summary page.
    • Eligible organizations that were required to close between the period of November 12, 2020 to February 11, 2021, and that have now-reopened in accordance with public health orders, remain eligible.
  • Exceptions:
    • Eligible businesses and organizations that seek alternative ways to provide services to the public despite having to fully close their premises as a result of Manitoba COVID-19 prevention orders are eligible to apply.
    • Community clubs and Community Centres that had their premises ordered closed to the public by the relevant municipality on or after November 12, 2020 to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 are eligible to apply.
    • By exception to Schedule A - "Business Permitted to Open" of the public health order, the following business are eligible for the Manitoba Bridge Grant
      • Manitoba hotels, resorts, lodges and outfitters;
      • Travel agencies;
      • Janitorial services businesses;
      • Carnival operators;
      • Licensed Owner-operators of a licensed passenger transportation business for individuals.
  • Please ensure to apply to the correct program stream. For home-based businesses, please apply to the Bridge Program for Home-Based Businesses.
  • the business or organization must operate a physical location in the region to which the public health order applies to:

    Region are as follows:

    • Interlake-Eastern Region
    • Northern Region
    • Prairie Mountain Region
    • Southern Health-Santé Sud Region
    • Winnipeg Metropolitan Region
  • Eligible businesses or organizations will receive one grant per entity irrespective of the number of locations operated (i.e. one grant per business or organization).  Eligibility will be based on the nine-digit Business Number, and NOT the “BN-15”.
  • The program application deadline is March 31, 2021.
  • The application deadline is subject to change as determined by the Manitoba government.
  • The Manitoba Bridge Grant is taxable income.


Eligibility Criteria


To receive support from the Manitoba Bridge Grant, a business or organization must meet all of the following criteria:

  • be a permanent, Manitoba-based business or organization physically operating in the Province of Manitoba;
  • have been actively operating or conducting business on November 9, 2020;
  • operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, co-operative, non-share corporation, not-for-profit organization, or registered charity;
  • possess an active and valid Business Number;
  • be in good standing with the Manitoba Companies Office (not required for sole proprietors and registered charities);
  • have been required by Manitoba COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect as of November 12, 2020, or any revisions to those Orders, to fully close their premises to the public;
  • Eligible organizations that were required to close between the period of November 12, 2020 to February 11, 2021, and that have now-reopened in accordance with public health orders, remain eligible.

Note:

    • Community clubs and Community Centres that had their premises ordered closed to the public by the relevant municipality on or after November 12, 2020 to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 are eligible.
    • Manitoba hotels, resorts, lodges and outfitters, travel agencies, janitorial services businesses, carnival operators, and owner-operators of a licensed transportation business for individuals are eligible.
  • have an e-mail address and a valid business bank account with a Canadian financial institution.


Organizations that do not qualify include


  • Entities that were not required to fully close their premises to the public during the period of November 12, 2020 to Feb 11, 2021.
  • the following businesses or organizations are not eligible:
    • agriculture or farming industries;
    • real estate agents;
    • self-employed sales persons or commissioned-based sales;
    • health professionals;
    • lawyers, paralegals, accountants, translators, veterinarians, engineers or geoscientists;
    • businesses operating under a regulatory body of a profession;
    • businesses that deals in securities or manages financial portfolios or that provides financial services;
    • businesses that conduct multilevel marketing;
    • businesses that do not exist for the purpose of carrying on an active business in Manitoba; - passive businesses are not eligible*;
*Passive income is income that is derived from the ownership of capital property or assets that generate income without excessive effort on the part of the stakeholder. Examples of passive income include rental revenue, dividends, royalties etc.
  • Businesses or organizations that were in arrears for taxes owing to Manitoba on March 20, 2020 (i.e., before the first state of emergency), and that have not since rectified the amount in arrears (note: this does not include businesses that have deferred tax remittances incurred between April and September 2020).


How to Submit Your Application


Eligibility is determined based on information provided in the application form. The grant will be approved based on meeting the eligibility requirements.


Application Documents


Before proceeding to the online application, ensure you have the following information ready:

  • Your Business Number, Companies Office Registry Number, Workers Compensation Board or Retail Sales Tax account numbers (as applicable)
  • The business or organization's bank account information
  • Your Social Insurance Number, if you are applying as a sole proprietor or partnership, when the partner is an individual. The applicant must be the sole-proprietor, partner, director, or authorized representative of the business or organization.

If you require assistance in completing the online form, please contact

Manitoba Government Inquiry
204-945-3744
1-866-MANITOBA (1-866-626-4862)

Apply here: https://forms.gov.mb.ca/bridge-grant/



Common Questions and Answers


You are eligible to apply for this grant if you are a Manitoba business or organization and meet all of the following criteria:

  • A permanent, Manitoba-based business or organization physically operating in the Province of Manitoba;
  • Actively operating or conducting business on November 9, 2020;
  • Operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, co-operative, non-share corporation, not-for-profit organization, registered charity;
  • Possess an active and valid Business Number;
  • Be in good standing with the Manitoba Companies Office (not required for sole proprietors;
  • Have been required by Manitoba COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect as of November 12, 2020, or any revisions to those Orders, to fully close your premises to the public;
  • Business not identified in Schedule A - “Business Permitted to Open”
  • Not be a home-based business.  Home-based businesses should apply to the Bridge Grant for Home-Based Businesses.
  • Have an e-mail address and a valid business bank account with a Canadian financial institution.
  • Community clubs and Community Centres that had their premises ordered closed to the public by the relevant municipality on or after November 12, 2020 to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 are eligible.
  • Manitoba hotels, resorts, lodges and outfitters, travel agencies, janitorial services businesses, carnival operators, and owner-operators of a licensed passenger transportation business for individuals are eligible.

No. This program supports businesses and organizations that were required to fully close their premises a result of Manitoba COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect as of November 12, 2020


Yes. Restaurants and other eligible businesses and organizations that seek alternative ways to provide services to the public despite having to fully close their premises as a result of Manitoba COVID-19 prevention order, are still qualified to apply for the program.


Yes. Retail stores and other eligible businesses and organizations that seek alternative ways to provide services to the public despite having to fully close their premises as a result of Manitoba COVID-19 prevention orders are eligible to apply for the program.


Yes. Eligible businesses and organizations that seek alternative ways to conduct operations despite having to fully close their premises as a result of Manitoba COVID-19 prevention orders are still qualified to apply for the program. Examples include:

  • A restaurant that provides food delivery
  • A retail store that provides curbside pickup
  • A place of worship that streams its service online
  • A fitness instructor that offers online classes

Applications must be submitted on or before March 31, 2021.*

*The application deadline is subject to change as determined by the Manitoba government.


All businesses or organizations that have been required to fully close their premises to the public as a result of Manitoba COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect as of November 12, 2020 are eligible, except for:

  • Businesses listed in Schedule A - Business Permitted to Open
  • Businesses and organizations required to limit the number of occupants within its premises as a result of COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect as of November 12, 2020;
  • businesses or organizations that operate as the following are not eligible:
    • agriculture or farming industries;
    • real estate agents;
    • self-employed sales persons or commissioned-based sales;
    • health professionals;
    • lawyers, paralegals, accountants, translators, veterinarians, engineers or geoscientists;
    • businesses operating under a regulatory body of a profession;
    • businesses that deals in securities or manages financial portfolios or that provides financial services;
    • businesses that conduct multilevel marketing;
    • businesses that do not exist for the purpose of carrying on an active business in Manitoba; - passive businesses are not eligible.
  • Businesses or organizations that were in arrears for taxes owing to Manitoba on March 20, 2020 (i.e., before the first state of emergency), and that have not since rectified the amount in arrears (note: this does not include businesses that have deferred tax remittances incurred between April and September 2020).

Only businesses and organizations that have been required to fully close their premises, or who are listed in the program criteria, qualify for the Manitoba Bridge Grant.

Please find the most current public health orders here: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/protection/soe.html#current


Yes, as long as you meet all the eligibility criteria of the Manitoba Bridge Grant, you can apply.


No, your business does not automatically qualify for the Manitoba Bridge Grant. You will need to submit a new application and meet all the eligibility requirements of the MBG to receive funding.


No, as long as you meet all the eligibility criteria, you will not have to pay back the Manitoba Bridge Grant funds. However, it should be noted that Manitoba Bridge Grant contributions are taxable income.


Yes, your business or organization qualifies as long as the entity was operational prior to the COVID-19 Prevention Orders in effect as of November 12, 2020, or any revisions to those Orders, and you meet all the eligibility criteria.


You may apply directly to the program via the online application. To apply you will need to have the following information ready:

  • your Business Number, and if applicable, your Companies Office Registry Number, your Workers Compensation Board and Retail Sales Tax account numbers;
  • the applicant and one other partner's SIN number if the business is operated by a sole proprietor or partnership;
  • the Registered Charity number issued by the Government of Canada if you are applying as a registered charity;
  • the business bank account information and a void cheque/direct deposit form.

Eligible applicants will receive a payment in the form of a grant in the amount of a maximum of $15,000 for Category 1 applicants, or $10,000 for Category 2 applicants.  

The funds will be electronically deposited into the business bank account, with a confirmation email from the program.


If approved, your payment will be electronically deposited into your bank account within ten business days.


No, only one grant is permitted per Business Number. If your business partner has applied and received confirmation of the application was accepted, you would not be eligible to apply twice.


No, a business or organization is limited to a grant to a maximum of $15,000.  Please see the program overview for the compensation categories.


The Manitoba Bridge Grant is taxable income.


You will receive a confirmation number once the application is submitted. Please keep this number for future correspondence.

A confirmation email will only be sent after the application has been reviewed.


If you would like to opt out of the program, repay the funds, or if a payment has been made to you in error, please contact the program administration office at mbg@gov.mb.ca or mbghome@gov.mb.ca to make repayment arrangements.