14. LONG TERM LOAN

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Alterna Bank for a principal amount of $30,243 (December 31, 2022 - $29,533) (CAD$40,000) under the Canada Emergency Business Account Program (the “Program”).

The Program, as set out by the Government of Canada, requires that the funds from this loan shall only be used by the Company to pay non-deferrable operating expenses including, without limitation, payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, property tax and regularly scheduled debt service, and may not be used to fund any payments or expenses such as prepayment/refinancing of existing indebtedness, payments of dividends, distributions and increases in management compensation.

In April 2021, the Company applied for an additional loan with Alterna Bank under the Program and received $15,122 (CAD$20,000) (December 31, 2022 - $14,767). The expansion loan is subject to the original terms and conditions of the Program.

The loan is interest free for an initial term that ends on January 18, 2024. Repaying the loan balance on or before January 18, 2024 will result in loan forgiveness of up to a third of loan value (up to CAD $20,000). Any outstanding loan after initial term carries an interest rate of 5% per annum, payable monthly during the extended term i.e. January 19, 2024 to December 31, 2025. The loan is due December 31, 2026.

The balance as at December 31, 2023 was $45,365 (CAD $60,000) (December 31, 2022 - $44,300 (CAD $60,000)).