Businesses participating in Restrictions Exemption Program to receive $2K grant

Linda Henry has her COVID-19 QR code scanned by Jonathan Gagne, manager of Orangetheory Fitness in Montreal, Wednesday, September 1, 2021, as the Quebec government’s COVID-19 vaccine passport comes into effect. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

The provincial government says small and medium-sized businesses that have chosen to implement the province’s Restrictions Exemption Program are eligible to receive a $2,000 grant.

The grant will provide the one-time payment to businesses they can use as they see fit.

The province says, to be eligible, businesses must be:

• on the list of eligible in-scope operators
• implementing the Restrictions Exemption Program consistently as part of daily operations
• verifying proof of vaccination, negative test results or medical exemption for patrons 12 and over
• a permanent establishment in Alberta, and
• employing fewer than 500 employees

To apply for the grant, businesses must register for a MyAlberta Digital ID and then they can apply online through the province’s grant application portal. 

Those who are approved will receive their grant directly to their bank account.

The province says it has committed $20 million in funding to the grant.