Canadian Red Cross provides financial support to small businesses in Manitoba following 2025 wildfires

Press Release

January 27, 2026

$2,000 will be provided to eligible small businesses impacted by the 2025 wildfires

The Canadian Red Cross has announced the Support to Small Businesses Program to assist with ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. Funded by the Government of Manitoba, the program will provide financial assistance to eligible small businesses directly impacted by the 2025 Manitoba wildfires.

Small businesses located or operating in Manitoba communities that were subject to a mandatory evacuation order for at least three days due to the wildfires on or after May 7, 2025, may be eligible for $2,000. Funds may be used to cover expenses such as clean-up costs, insurance deductibles, storage and movement of inventory, and other urgent expenses.

To be eligible for this program, small businesses must have a business number in Manitoba as of April 1, 2025, and remain in good standing. Businesses must also have resumed operations or demonstrate an intention to resume operations following the wildfires.

For the full list of eligibility requirements, as well as application information for the Support to Small Businesses Program, please visit www.redcross.ca/2025ManitobaWildfires.

Applications for the Support to Small Businesses Program will be accepted until April 30, 2026. Communities eligible for this support were determined in collaboration with the Government of Manitoba.

Alongside this new program, the Canadian Red Cross continues its ongoing recovery support to individuals impacted by the wildfires. For more information on support available, please visit www.redcross.ca/2025ManitobaWildfires.

QUOTES:

“We recognize that small businesses form the foundation of our communities in Manitoba and are essential for holistic recovery. This financial support will help to assist small businesses in their recovery by alleviating some of the unforeseen costs resulting from the wildfires. The Canadian Red Cross continues to consult with Indigenous leadership and provincial, municipal and federal governments to support individuals, families, and communities impacted by the wildfires as they move through recovery.”

– Luc Mullinder, vice-president, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nunavut, Canadian Red Cross
“Small businesses are the backbone of Manitoba communities, and wildfires created real and unexpected challenges for many of them. By funding this program through the Canadian Red Cross, we’re helping small businesses cover urgent costs and take the next steps toward recovery.”

– Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation, Government of Manitoba

Additional Resources

@RedCrossCanada | facebook.com/CanadianRedCross | redcross.ca/blog
Red Cross donor inquiries: WeCare@redcross.ca or 1-800-418-1111
About the Canadian Red Cross

Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to helping people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supporting them in strengthening their resilience.

MEDIA CONTACTSEnglish Media: 1-877-599-9602 and media@redcross.ca

French Media: 1-888-418-9111 and communication@croixrouge.ca

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