In the current context of the second wave of COVID-19, many companies no longer know where to turn to stay afloat. What if an expert’s advice could make a difference between getting through the crisis or putting the key under the door? This is what the Re-activate Laval program offers.

For Caroline Bastien, a liaison officer at the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCILaval), RE-activate Laval is an emergency service. “When companies call, it’s like they’re dialing 911,” she says. “They don’t know where to look to get by and need help.”

RE-activate Laval is an accompanying program for Laval companies affected by the impacts of COVID-19. It draws on the expertise of specialized resources that accompany it to help them solve internal issues caused by the health crisis. “The first thing you do is make a diagnosis. They are asked about what is not going well and what their needs are, the number of employees and the risks, for example,” explains Bastien.

Then, an in-depth analysis is carried out to understand the underside of the problem. A CCILaval expert leads the company through an accompanying journey. “At this stage, we are matching companies that are in difficulty with an expert accompanist,” says Bastien. During half a day of accompaniment, the expert intervenes to prepare a game plan, review the business model, or identify possible solutions to seek financing. “You have to understand that not all companies have departments of chartered accountants,” says the liaison officer.

The twenty or so companies that have used Re-activate Laval so far come mainly from the restaurant and entertainment sectors. “These are companies with high rents, or others that were involved in events like weddings and Christmas parties, which are now impossible,” says Bastien. According to her, these hard-hit companies no longer see the end. “It’s like they’re running a marathon where they’ll never see the finish line. They are hot and unable to continue. With the second wave, this creates a lot of anxiety, mainly related to a lack of working capital.”

Unfortunately, in many cases, the first wave has helped siphon off the turnover reserves of several companies that are now dry. “The message sent by Canada Economic Development (CED) is clear. The government wants to maintain jobs and avoid bankruptcies where possible. It is in solution modes for companies to pass the crisis without leaving their skin. This can include financing, grants, or low-interest loans. RE-activate Laval allows you to take a fresh look at the options available,” she concludes.