Business Recovery Portal

• Town of Wasaga Beach Business Directory
• Explore Simcoe County From Home
• Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce Digital Marketplace
• South Georgian Bay Tourism

Spend your money where it matters the most. By supporting your local businesses you support your community.

Your dollars stay in the community and help local jobs, development, community culture and create more walkable and livable neighbourhoods. The pandemic has hit us all deeply and the effects continue to rattle our business community. 

If you can afford to #Pledge to Support Local. Here's how:

• Order delivery or curbside pickup from your favourite restaurant, toy stores, flower shop, bookstore or clothing boutique.
• Purchase from local online stores. You would be surprised who has artisan sites online. 
• Purchase gift cards from your favourite hair or nail salon, spa, babysitter or hardware store. It doesn't have to be much, but a $10 gift card purchased from many people in the community can go a long way. Offer gift cards to your family, friends and staff. 
• Share on your social media news of your most beloved menu or gift item with your friends and family, being sure to tag the retailer or restaurant. Give the gift of awareness generously. 
• Call and check-in on your favourite store or local service provider and ask them how you can best support them at this time. They may have expanded their offerings or are able to work with you to find new products they do not normally offer. Also, it is a nice thing to let business owners know that they matter. 
• Continue to hire your regular cleaner, landscaper or dog sitting service.
• Attend a virtual class. Many of your local gyms, tutors, yoga instructors, coaches, financial planners, music instructors as many of them have modified programs and have moved services online.   
• If you can afford to, give a tip to your service workers.
• If programs are cancelled, consider making a donation to organizations and charities who do good work in your community. As well, consider lending a helping hand and offer some of your time. 
• If you are a business owner, reach out to your competitors and open discussions on how to support one another - and to support your local industry.
• If you learn of a unique promotion or program idea elsewhere, share your discovery with your favourite businesses and challenge them to start it locally.
• Challenge yourself to discover new brands and products from new businesses in your community. 
• Ask your local business about loyalty programs as a means of getting you back on a more regular basis. Win-win!
• Follow up with that local review you were meaning to get around to from that amazing service you received that one time.
• The pandemic does not need to be boring. We are all adjusting to the new world. Challenge you and your partner or friend to create a new date night or hang out. How can you make a socially-distanced occasion interesting while at the same time supporting your local businesses?
• Consider early holiday shopping - and don't just think to Christmas. Get ahead on sourcing your special gift idea for Mother's Day or Father's Day.  
• Continue to do window shopping. Just because stores are closed doesn't mean that businesses are not investing the time in merchandising their wears. It may also help you understand what is being offered in your back yard.
• Sign up for newsletters to your favourite stores and be in the know when new deals and products are rolled out. 

If you have other great ideas on how to support our local business community that you think we should add to this list, let us know at edo@wasagabeach.com

Business Support Navigation Tool

The Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) Canada has updated its business support finder to include COVID-19 related programs. Stop scouring dozens of websites and making countless phone calls, click the link below and, through the magic and wonder of technology, a comprehensive list of information, tailored to your needs, is at your fingertips.

Canada Business App

Download the Canada Business App​ to see how easy it is to navigate government services, get recommendations tailored to your business, set up personalized notifications and find the answers you need to start up, scale up and access new markets. Download on the Apple App Store or Get it on Google Play.

ArchAngel Network of Funds

ArchAngel is a consortium of superangels and venture capitalists, from the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor ecosystem have come together to create an early stage investment fund to support Canada's new entrepreneurs and proven innovators for the current COVID-19 crisis. The fund is meant to augment government COID-19 counter measures with additional capital, global partner networks, and expertise. Read more

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Funds

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has unrolled supports for entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19 providing more short-term loans, working capital and export insurance-credit. 

• Business Credit Availability Program supports entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19 providing more short-term loans, working capital, and export insurance-credit. There are two primary financing options available through the BCAP: The Canada Emergency Business Account and SME Loan and Guarantee Program. Contact your primary financial institution for more information.
  • Co-Lending Program for SMEs Through the Business Credit Availability Program, Business Development Canada (BDC) is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans of up to $6.25 million to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for their operational cash flow requirements. The program offers differing maximum finance amounts based on business revenues. This program is now available at various banks and credit unions. This support is available until June 2021.
• Capital Bridge Financing Program BDC Capital has launched the BDC Capital Bridge Financing Program where they may match, with a convertible note, a current financing round being raised through qualified existing and/or new investors made into eligible Canadian start-ups. The program is ideal for high potential companies who have venture capital investor syndicates that are willing to support them. Eligible applicants must have previously raised at least $500,000 and be specifically impacted by COVID-19. BDC will invest alongside these groups. 
• Continuity Plan and Templates for Entrepreneurs Contains themed templates that can be used by businesses to develop contingency plans for dealing with emergency situations. Templates include but not limited to, identifying essential services, key customers, critical suppliers and action plan for maintaining essential services.
• COVID-19 Working Capital Loans The BDC COVID-19 Working Capital loan provides loans between $100,000 and $2 million with a 24-month term and 12-month principal postponement. Reduced rates on new eligible loans are available during this difficult time. 
• Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program
• Mid-Market Financing Program Through the Business Credit Availability Program, the Business Development Canada’s (BDC) Mid-Market Financing Program will provide commercial loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million to medium-sized businesses whose credit needs exceed what is already available through the Business Credit Availability Program and other measures. BDC anticipates that qualifying companies will have annual revenues in excess of approximately $100 million. This support is available until June 2021.
  
• Small Business Loan Businesses can access up to $100,000, have the ability to postpone capital payments for the first six months and repay the loan at their own pace over five years. Reduced rates on new eligible loans are available during this difficult time.
• Working Capital Financing

Business Education Tax (BET) Rates Reduced

Through the 2020 Budget, the government of Ontario announced that it will level the playing field by lowering high Business Education Tax (BET) rates for over 200,000 employers, or 94 per cent of all business properties in Ontario, starting January 1, 2021. This will create $450 million in immediate annual savings and represents a reduction of 30 per cent for many businesses currently subject to the highest BET rate in the province. Read more

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free loans to small businesses and not-for-profits to support business expenses. As of December 4, 2020, CEBA loans for eligible businesses were increased from $40,000 to $60,000. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of up to $20,000. Applicants have until March 31, 2021, to apply. Read more​

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

This will provide $2,000/month for up to four months for workers and entrepreneurs who are not receiving a pay cheque as a result fo COVID-19. As well, those receiving CERB are entitled to earn up to $1,000/month while collecting the benefit. Click h​ere. If you do not have a CRA My Account, find out how you can register for one here​. Also, Click here to set up a CRA direct deposit.

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)

The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides a direct subsidy of property-related expenses, including lease, mortgage interest and property tax and insurance payments to qualifying businesses, charities and non-profits. Qualifying organizations that have been significantly restricted by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority can receive an additional 25% of rent support through the Lockdown Support.

The combined effect of the rent subsidy and the Lockdown Support is that hard-hit businesses, non-profits and charities subject to a lockdown can receive rent support of up to 90%. The CERS and the Lockdown Support are available until June 2021. As part of the Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19: Fall Economic Statement 2020, the federal government is proposing to extend the current rates of the CERS and Lockdown Support until March 13, 2021. Applications are now available.. Read more

• Online CERS Calculator The Canada Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy Calculator provides CERS applicants an overview of the amount they can apply for. After calculating the amount, applicants will have to apply for the subsidy online through My Business Account or Represent a Client.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)​​

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) has been extended to June 2021. The CEWS provides support to businesses, who have experienced a drop in revenue due to COVID-19, to keep their employees on payroll. For the periods beginning December 20, 2020 until March 13, 2021 the maximum subsidy has been raised to 75%. Applications are now available. Read more​

• Online CEWS Calculator will help small and large employers alike prepare to apply for the next period of the CEWS program. The CEWS calculator includes detailed information to help employers understand how the CEWS can support their employees and operations, who is eligible to apply, and how claim periods are structured. 

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). Applications are now open for the CRB. Read more 

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:

• Unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19
• Because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.

Applications are now open for the CRCB. Read more

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who:

• Are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
• Are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
• Have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.

Applications are now open for the CRSB. Read more

Canada Summer Jobs

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is now open for applications and has been adjusted to better support youth and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CSJ provides wage subsidies (up to 75% of minimum hourly wage) to employers to create employment for youth between the ages of 15 and 30. Jobs can be part-time or full-time (12 - 40 hours/week) and between 6-23 consecutive weeks.

All funded employers may offer job placements between April 26, 2021 and February 26, 2022, and may amend project and job activities if the proposed project is impacted by COVID-19 restrictions after an agreement is signed. CSJ has three objectives:

• Provide quality work experiences for youth;
• Respond to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers; and
• Provide opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills
  
  

Applications to this fund will be accepted online until January 29, 2021. ​Read more

Canada United Small Business Relief Fund

Relief grant of up to $5,000 for businesses with 75 or  less employees and between $300,000 and $3M in annual sales in 2019. Grant can be used for purchasing PPE, renovating physical space to adhere to reopening guidelines or developing/improving e-commerce capabilities. On October 20,  the Federal government announced an investment of $12 million into the fund. Starting on October 26, small businesses can apply online through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for the next wave of Canada United Small Business Relief Fund grants. Read more

Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (ELCC)

The Federal and Provincial governments announced an additional investment through the one-year Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (ELCC) of nearly $147 million to Ontario for 2020-21. This funding will help licensed child care providers and EarlyON child and family centres.

In 2020-21, ELCC funding supported measures to minimize the impacts of COVID-19.  It will also continue to support initiatives outlined in the initial three-year agreement, including increased access for families and professional learning for staff. Funding provided through the ELCC is in addition to $234.6 million being provided through the Safe Restart Agreement to keep children and staff safe in child care and early years settings. Read more

CanExport SME Funding

CanExport SMEs Fu​nding​ can help small and medium sized companies may access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. ​Must be an incorporated legal entity or a limited liability partnership (LLP)​. 

With international travel restricted due to COVID-19, the CanExport SMEs program is pivoting to now help small businesses:

• develop and expand their e-commerce presence by covering partial costs associated with online sales platforms and digital strategy consulting, as well as advertising and search engine optimization
• attend virtual trade shows and other business-to-business events
• navigate new COVID-19-related trade barriers by helping pay for new international market certifications and requirements​

Find more information and apply here

Commercial Evictions - Temporarily Paused

The Province is temporarily stopping or reversing evictions of commercial tenants and protecting them from being locked out or having their assets seized during COVID-19. This applies to businesses that are eligible for federal/provincial rent assistance, for evictions from May 1, 2020. It does not apply to those participating in CECRA for small businesses. Read more

Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR) Certificate Renewals

Commercial vehicle drivers can now renew their CVOR certificate online in 15 minutes or less. Read more

COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program - Small Business (CEAP-SB)

The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments.

Any small business or registered charity customer with an overdue electricity or natural gas bill will now be eligible to apply. Small businesses can receive up to $1500 to help cover their electricity and natural gas bills. Newly eligible customers can apply for these enhanced benefits through their local utility, starting in January 2021.. Read more

CyberSecure Certification to Help Businesses from Cyber Attacks

CyberSecure Canada is officially launching a web portal to help organizations obtain cyber certification. Canada’s cyber security certification program helps small and medium-sized organizations assess, plan and implement cyber security practices to guard against cyber attacks, protecting their business, their clients and their partners.

By obtaining CyberSecure certification, Canadian organizations will:

• Protect their data and cyber activities,
• Increase supply chain trust and confidence among suppliers, customers and investors,
• Establish valued relationships with their partners and consumers, who will know steps have been taken to mitigate risks, and
• Increase their competitive advantage.

Read more

Deferral of Sales Tax Remittance and Customs Duty Payments

The Canadian Revenue Agency will extend the remittance deadline until June 30, 2020. This means that businesses that file monthly can delay remitting amounts collected for the February, March and April 2020 reporting period. Read more

Deferred Salary Leave Plan (DSLP)

The Federal government announced the release of proposed amendments to the Income Tax Regulations that apply to registered pension plans and deferred salary leave plans. These temporary relieving measures would help the participating employers and employees of those plans in the face of challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deferred salary leave plan (DSLP) rules permit employees to defer part of their salary over a number of years in order to fund a paid leave of absence from their job. The deferred salary is taxable when received by the employee during the leave of absence. As part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some employees have been recalled to work before having been on leave for six months.

As well, some employees will not be able to begin their leave of absence as scheduled. Under existing tax rules, when an employees DSLP ceases to meet the relevant conditions, the plan must be terminated and all deferred salary must be paid to the employee and included in their income. To address these circumstances, the government proposes to add temporary stop-the-clock rules to the conditions applicable to DSLPs. These temporary changes will not require a DSLP to be terminated if an employee suspends a leave of absence to return to work or if an employee chooses to delay their paid leave of absence. Read more

Digital Transformation Grant

Through the Digital Main Street Program, the Digital Transformation Grant provides eligible and approved main street small business owners with a grant of $2,500 to assist them in their digital transformation. Through a partnership with FedDev Ontario and the Province of Ontario, grant opportunities are available to enable this digital transformation process. The application deadline has been extended to December 31, 2020 or until grants are exhausted. Read more​

Employer Health Tax (EHT) Exemption

The Ontario government has permanently increased Employer Health Tax (EHT) payroll exemption to $1 million in order to provide tax relief to businesses around the province so that they can focus on supporting the well-being of their employees and their continued operations. Read more​

Employment Insurance (EI) Increased Access

The Federal Government will be transitioning to an expanded Employment Insurance (EI) program, effective September 27, 2020, to provide income support to those who remain unable to work and are eligible. Temporary measures to help Canadians access EI benefits more easily include: 120 hours of work required to qualify, minimum benefit rate of $500 per week, and at least 26 weeks of regular benefits.

Canadians already receiving benefits through Service Canada will be transitioned to the EI program once they have received the maximum CERB benefits for which they are entitled, if they are EI eligible and continue to need income support. Canadians who are currently receiving the CERB from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) who believe they are entitled to EI will need to apply through Service Canada after September 26. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) would administer the Canada Recovery Benefits, and Canadians would be able to apply through the CRA. Please see the link for more details.

Additionally, the Government is freezing the EI premium rate for employees at the 2020 level of $1.58 per $100 of insurable earnings for two years. The rate for employers, who pay 1.4 times the employee rate, will also remain unchanged at $2.21 per $100 of insurable earnings. Read more

Export Development Canada (EDC) Funds

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, we equip them with the tools they need – the trade knowledge, financial solutions, equity, insurance, and connections – to grow their business with confidence.

• Account Performance Security Guarantee Export Development Canada (EDC) will provide a 100% guarantee to financial institutions on behalf of businesses for letters of guarantee.
• Credit Insurance programs for exporters which cover 90% of insured losses against risk of non-payment.
• Export Guarantee Program will provide guarantees on money borrowed by exporters to increase their access to capital
• Export Help Hub provides insights for your most pressing export questions to navigate this pandemic.
• Loan Guarantee for SMEs Through the Business Credit Availability Program, Export Development Canada (EDC) is working with financial institutions to guarantee 80% of new operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This financing support is to be used for operational expenses and is available to both exporting and non-exporting companies. This program is now available at various financial institutions and credit unions. This support is available until June 2021.
• Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program will bring liquidity to companies who tend to have revenues of between $50 million to $300 million, to sustain operations during this uncertain period. EDC will continue to work with Canadian financial institutions to guarantee 75 % of new operating credit and cash-flow loans – ranging in size from $16.75 million to a maximum of $80 million. These expanded guarantees are available to exporters, international investors and businesses that sell their products or services within Canada.

Extension of Lay-Off Periods - Federally Regulated Private Sector

Provides temporary measures under Part III of the Canada Labour Code have extended certain time periods set out in the Regulations to give employers in the federally regulated private sector more time to recall employees who have been laid off. See link for more details. Read more

Extension of Lay-Off Periods - Province of Ontario

For employers with non-unionized employees, the Ontario government is extending regulatory changes brought forward under the Employment Standards Act to July 3, 2021.The regulation's changes include putting non-unionized employees on job-protected leave during the COVID-19 outbreak any time their hours of work are temporarily reduced by their employer due to the pandemic to prevent temporary layoffs from becoming permanent. Under the Act, temporary layoffs become terminations when they exceed the permitted period. Previously set to expire on January 2, 2021, the extension of this amendment ensures that workers remain employed while providing relief to employers. To support the hospitality industry and other hard-hit industries, the government is creating a special industry regulation allowing employers to negotiate alternative arrangements with unions for putting termination and severance pay into trust for laid-off employees. Employers with laid-off unionized workers need to put all potential termination and severance payments in a trust after 35 weeks while employees wait to be recalled to their jobs. Read more

FedDev Ontario Repayment Deferral

FedDev Ontario clients affected by COVID-19 in their operations may be eligible for deferrals and/or flexible arrangements. Contact FedDev Ontario for more information. Read more

Foreign Exchange Facility Guarantee

This program allows businesses to manage exchange rate risk without putting up capital. Read more

Group Sponsorship Grant

The Ontario government is investing $20 million to help small businesses jointly sponsor and train apprentices through the new Group Sponsorship Grant program, increasing the number of people training and working in the skilled trades. The program will reduce pressure on any one employer to see an apprentice through to completion of training and provide apprentices with the support needed to become a registered journeyperson.

Group sponsors consist of two or more people who act as a single sponsor to collectively provide training to apprentices to grow their skills and help them gain work experience to improve their career success. The application is available to existing and new group sponsors. Successful applicants may receive funding for up to three years. Read more

Group Sponsorship Program

The Group Sponsorship Program will provide job seekers with training supports and help businesses with reduced administrative costs. Read more

HeyLocal

HeyLocal is a simple way to find local products and services near you. It recognizes what town a shopper is in and displays only products and services within a 50km radius of that shopper! The best parts - It's FREE for 2020 and no extra work is required from you! This program is FREE thanks to funding provided by the County of Simcoe. Read more

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program

On November 30, 2020 the Canadian Federal Government announced HASCAP, the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program. The initiative's intent is to provide pandemic support to tourism and other highly-affected sectors. The news was announced in the governments fall economic statement. Read more

Inclusive Communities Grant Program

Ontario is investing $2 million over two years through its new Inclusive Community Grants program to strengthen communities and provide local opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities. Local organizations can receive up to $60,000 for projects that foster inclusive community involvement for older adults and people of all abilities, where select examples include retrofitting buildings with ramps and accessible washrooms and installing self-serve kiosks with software that people with vision or hearing loss can use. Read more

Income Tax Payment Deferrals

2019 income tax payments have been deferred to September 1, 2020. This applied to tax balances due to income tax installments. There will be no penalties or interest for deferring your payments to September. Read more

Industrial Conservation Initiative Peak Hiatus

The Ontario Government has introduced an Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) peak hiatus for ICI participants to allow industrial and commercial businesses to focus on recovering from the impacts of COVID-19. Class A customers do not need to anticipate and reduce their electricity demand during peak hours in 2020-2021 as they work to return to full levels of operation. Instead, Class A customers will have their peak demand factor from the 2019-2020 period used to determine their global adjustment charges in 2021-2022. Read more

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

On November 6, the Federal government announced that over $155 million will be provided to extend the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program's Innovation Assistance Program. The extension of IRAP IAP will allow existing recipients meeting the eligibility criteria to access funding, on a priority basis, for the period of June 24, 2020 through December 19, 2020, and will apply a declining scale of support, similar to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, meaning the maximum benefit will gradually decline as the program progresses. Over the coming weeks, existing IAP recipients will be contacted with more information. Read more

Infectious Disease Emergency Leave

The Province has enacted a new regulatory amendment that will put non-unionized employees on Infectious Disease Emergency Leave during the COVID-19 outbreak any time their hours of work are temporarily reduced by their employer due to COVID-19. This will ensure businesses aren't forced to terminate employees after their ESA temporary layoff periods have expired. Under the new regulatory change to the Employment Standards Act, non-unionized employees who have had their hours reduced or eliminated because of the pandemic will be deemed to be on Infectious Disease Emergency Leave. Workers will remain employed with legal protections and be eligible for federal emergency income support programs. Read more

Insurance Act Amendment

The Ontario government is enabling auto insurance companies to provide temporary insurance premium rebates to drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The province has amended a regulation under the Insurance Act to allow insurance companies to provide auto insurance premium rebates to consumers for up to 12 months after the declared emergency has ended. Read more

Insolvency

​Here is a Government of Canada guide to help businesses navigate filing for bankruptcy or making a proposal. Read more​

Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)

This program will provide bridge financing to Canada's largest employers, whose needs during the pandemic are not being met through conventional financing, in order to keep their operations going. The program will be open to large for-profit businesses with the exception of those in the financial sector as well as certain not-for-profit businesses, such as airports, with annual revenues generally in the order of $300 million or higher.

To qualify for support, eligible businesses must be seeking financing of about $60 million or more, have significant operations or workforce in Canada, and not be involved in active insolvency proceedings. Broader sectoral dynamics for LEEFF applicants will be considered through processes led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Applications for this financing are now open. Read more

Liquor Reforms to Small Businesses

The Government of Ontario has amended a number of regulations that affect the liquor industry, including making the allowance for liquor takeout and delivery with food from eligible liquor licensed establishments permanent. Read more

Loans for Tools Program - Loan Forgiveness

The Province forgiving more than $10 million in outstanding loans owed by apprentices for tool purchases made at the beginning of their careers through the Loans for Tools Program. The Loans for Tools Program allowed thousands of new apprentices to buy tools, equipment, clothing, manuals and code books required for their trade. About 19,000 apprentices who participated in the program owed, on average, $495. Read more

Main Street Relief Grant for Personal Protective Equipment

The Ontario government is offering one-time funding of up to $1,000. The Main Street Relief Grant is designed to help small businesses create safer workplaces for their staff and customers. The grant is retroactive to March 17, 2020. Read more

To be eligible businesses must 1) have between 2-9 employees and 2) be in following sectors: retail, accommodations and food services, repair and maintenance and personal and laundry services sectors. 

Ontario Caps Food Delivery Fees to Protect Small Businesses

The Supporting Local Restaurants Act, 2020 came into effect December 19, 2020. Food delivery companies will be required to limit the rates they charge to 20% for each transaction — with no more than 15% for commission for food delivery services. The cap applies in areas where indoor dining is prohibited, to help restaurants stay in business and continue contributing to their communities.

To support this change, the government will:

• Provide food delivery company employees or contractors who perform delivery services with protection that their compensation will not be reduced in response to these changes;
• Enable restaurants and food delivery company employees or contractors to file online complaints if they are charged fees that exceed the cap or if their compensation or payments are reduced; and
• Impose fines of up to $10 million to food delivery service companies that do not comply with the law.

Read more

Ontario Continues to Gradually and Safely Reopen Child Care for Working Parents

The Ontario government announced its plan to allow licensed child care centres across Ontario to open at full capacity starting September 1, 2020. EarlyON Child and Family Centres will also be permitted to reopen with in-person programming along with before- and after-school programs for school aged children which will be permitted to operate with standard ratios and maximum group size requirements. All of these programs will be subject to health and safety protocols in order to keep kids safe. Read more

Ontario-Canada Commercial Rent Assistance Program (OCECRA)

The Ontario government is partnering with the federal government to provide urgent relief for small businesses and landlords affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The province is committing $241 million through the new Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (OCECRA). The total amount of provincial-federal relief that would be provided is more than $900 million, helping to ensure small businesses are ready to reopen their doors when the emergency measures are lifted. Read more​​

Ontario Extension of Validation Periods for Driver, Vehicle and Carrier Products

New regulations include extensions for driver licenses, license plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others. Read more

Ontario Government Supporting Parents as Economy Reopens

The government has unveiled a plan that, together with federal and municipal partnership, provides supports to licensed child care providers to ensure they remain sustainable and ready to open when parents return to work.

The plan is focused on protecting child care spaces for parents with a time-limited approach that includes:

• Support for fixed operating costs for eligible child care and EarlyON Centres, while providers are prohibited from charging parent fees while the Emergency Order is in effect;
• Direct and rapid funding delivery through municipal service managers for centres that currently receive funding;
• A straightforward application process for child care centres that do not currently receive provincial funding by allowing them to apply directly to the Ministry of Education;
• Direction that all child care centres will be required to maximize all available support under Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, including staffing costs retroactively to March 15, 2020, in addition to federal-provincial rental subsidy supports;
• Red tape reduction and cost savings by waiving all child care licensing applications, renewals and revision fees;
• Automatic extension of child care licenses set to expire during the emergency period, and
• Protecting existing base funding for licensed home child care agencies, and regular funding and wage enhancement grant funding for licensed home child care providers who have remained active during the emergency closure.

Read more

Ontario Health Workforce Matching Portal 

The Ontario government is launching a new online tool that will help match skilled frontline workers with employers to increase the frontline capacity of hospitals, clinics, and assessment centres. Read more

Ontario Helping Apprentices Cover Living Expenses During Training 

The Ontario government is making the skilled trades more accessible by investing an additional $75 million over the next two years to help apprentices cover living expenses during their in-class training. The government is also appointing a five-member Skilled Trades Panel to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development on developing a new approach to training and certification. This $75-million investment includes:

• The Grant for Apprentice Learning, a $5.8 million commitment to support those ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) while attending in-class training, including a boost of $1.3 million this year and next year.
• The Apprentice Development Benefit, a $24 million commitment to increase the maximum benefit rates for EI-eligible apprentices attending full-time in-class training, including a boost of $4 million this year and next year.
• The In-Class Enhancement Fund, a $211.9 million commitment to support training providers so they can deliver higher quality training, including a boost of $11.8 million this year and $22.3 million next year.
• The Apprenticeship Capital Grant, a $24 million commitment to training providers to upgrade their facilities with state-of-the-art and modern equipment, including an additional $10 million next year.
• $5.1 million for training delivery agents, and an additional $500,000 for pre-apprenticeship training service providers, to assist them with implementing COVID-19 health and safety measures during the pandemic (e.g. purchase personal protective equipment, cleaning products and digital supports).
• $4.7 million as part of a multi-year $19.4 million investment in the development of a client-facing digital system to support the skilled trades and apprenticeship system in Ontario. The portal will provide skilled trades and apprenticeship clients with secure and convenient access to online information and services and will bring Ontario in line with digital delivery channels in other provinces.
• $2.5 million this year and $7.5 million next year to launch the new non-repayable Tools Grant

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Ontario Increasing Services to Workers and Small Business 

Ontario is providing more than $600,000 to the Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) and Office of the Employer Adviser (OEA) to help make it easier for workers and small businesses to navigate the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board's (WSIB) compensation system. Through these two adviser offices non-unionized workers and small businesses will be able to access advice, education, and representation at the WSIB and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT). These services are offered at no cost. Read more

Ontario Investing to Support Francophone Business and Recovery 

As Ontario prepares to celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day this Friday, September 25, the Ontario government announced a new investment of $500,000 to support Franco-Ontarian entrepreneurs and businesses. $250,000 will support the creation of a new online platform ? the Francophone Business Network ? that will help businesses share their expertise and best practices and form new strategic partnerships. The remaining $250,000 will fund a campaign focused on promoting Franco-Ontarians products and services:

• The Francophone Business Network will connect entrepreneurs and businesses with the goal to create or expand their product lines, services and markets, and to increase their visibility.
• Slated for winter 2021, the promotional campaign will be designed to showcase Franco-Ontarian businesses and encourage Ontarians to buy local products and services.

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Ontario Launches New "Support Local" Marketing Campaign

Destination Ontario, an agency of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, is launching a new "Support Local" campaign to encourage people to "show your love for local" by exploring new and creative ways to reconnect with the unique small businesses and places that make the province's communities special.

The new campaign will launch on TV, radio, digital and social media starting mid-December and run until mid-January 2021. Advertisements will focus on the close-knit relationship between local businesses and the communities they serve. Read more

Ontario Lowers Hydro Bills

To support people during the Provincewide Shutdown, the Provincial government will hold electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for all time-of-use and tiered customers on a temporary basis starting January 1, 2021. This low rate will be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for a 28-day period. The off-peak price will automatically be applied to bills of all residential, small business, and farm customers who pay regulated rates. Read more

Ontario Makes it Easier for Truck Drivers to get Tested for COVID-19

The Ontario government is piloting a new system that will make it easier for truck drivers to access COVID-19 testing through a partnership with DriverCheck. This is part of the government's efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health across the province.

The pilot program will allow truck drivers to access voluntary testing on a first-come, first-served basis at locations where there is high volume truck traffic, including Kitchener and Ayr, as well as a mobile option. DriverCheck will roll out the project in phases beginning July 8 until September 8, 2020. Read more

Ontario Postponing Planned Property Tax Reassessment

The government is postponing the planned property tax reassessment for 2021. Read more

Ontario Onwards

The Ontario government released Ontario Onwards: Ontario's COVID-19 Action Plan for a People-Focused Government, an action plan to make government services simpler, easier to use, and more convenient and accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The plan includes 30 projects, where some key initiaitives to support businesses include:

• Reducing red tape and simplifying policies while protecting public health and safety, such as reducing barriers to development and construction approval by allowing a digital application process to get shovels in the ground faster on transit and housing projects
• Improving government purchasing by leveraging the combined bulk-buying power of the province, while taking advantage of the world-class capabilities of local Ontario businesses, to transform how the government purchases goods and services, so the province can have the supplies it needs. 

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Ontario Small Business Financial Advice and Training

The Ontario government is investing over $2.2 million through the Ontario Together Fund to provide small businesses with free, tailored financial advice and online training to help them make informed financial decisions and navigate the unprecedented economic circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more 

Ontario Small Business Support Grant (OSBSG)

In January 2021, applications will open for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant of $10,000 to $20,000. This grant will help small businesses (less than 100 employees) that are required to close or significantly restrict services under the new Provincewide Shutdown effective December 26, 2020. Businesses may use the support to address their business needs (e.g. some businesses will use the support to pay employee wages, while others will need support maintaining their inventory). Read more

Ontario Supporting Home-Based Food Businesses During COVID-19

The Ontario government has introduced a guide on how to start a home-based food business, which includes an overview of public health requirements that need to be followed as a food operator. To further support these entrepreneurs, the government has also made regulatory changes to allow more flexibility to sell low-risk, home-prepared foods. See link for more information, including Ontario's guide on how to start a home-based food business. Read more

Ontario Together

The Province is looking for essential businesses, researchers and organizations who can​ supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support our response to COVID-19. We have $50 million to support submissions that we can action quickly. The Ontario Together Fund will help companies retool, build capacity or adopt the technological changes needed to produce supplies and equipment for hospitals, long-term care homes and other critical public services. Read More​​​

Ontario Tools Grant

The Province is providing an Ontario Tools Grant of $2.5 million in 2020-21 and $7.5 million in 2021-22 and ongoing. This will help new eligible apprentices purchase the equipment they need to start their careers. The funding amounts will be distributed as follows:

• $1,000 for those in motive power sector trades;
• $600 for those in construction and industrial sector trades;
• $400 for those in service sector trades.

To be eligible for the new grant, apprentices must have: - completed level 1 training on or after April 1, 2020, - an active registered training agreement, and - been registered as an apprentice for at least 12 months. Read more

Ontario's Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebates Program for Businesses in Regions Categorized as Control or Lockdown

Businesses that were required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures (in areas categorized as control or lockdown) can apply for rebates, provided in the form of grants, to help with their fixed costs. Applications are now available. Read more

Pathways to Post-Military Employment

Pathways to Post-Military Employment will offer job matching with employers in the construction sector, provide formal skills evaluations and support on-the-job training.

This program will provide opportunities for veterans and reservists in several fields, including skilled trades, management, administration, planning, scheduling, logistics, security, engineering, and accounting. Helmets to Hardhats is delivering the Pathways to Post-Military Employment program in partnership with Canada's Building Trades Unions, the Council of Ontario Construction Associations, the Electrical Power Systems Construction Association, the Construction Labour Relations Association of Ontario, Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command, and Good Shepherd Ministries. Read more

Pension Contribution Deferral and Extension

Employers who sponsor certain defined benefit pension plans can defer pension contributions due between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. To do this, employers must file an application (called an "election") and pay deferred contributions, with interest and following a set schedule, by March 31, 2022. For contributions to be eligible for deferral, plans must:

• Be single-employer, private-sector defined benefit pension plans; and
• Not already benefit from existing special relief measures.

As in any year, employers may be required to make a catch-up contribution after a valuation report is filed for the pension plan, depending on how much was contributed to the plan before the report was filed. Employers have 120 days (instead of the usual 60 days) to pay any catch-up contributions on valuation reports filed on or before April 1, 2020. Employers do not need to submit an election (application) to get the extension. Read more

Private Bank Debt and Payment Relief

Private sector banks and credit unions in Canada have made a commitment to work with personal and small business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help them manage through challenges such as pay disruption due to COVID-19, childcare disruption due to school closures, or those facing illness from COVID-19. Financial institutions will also be cutting credit card interest rates. Businesses are encouraged to contact their financial representatives. Read more

Pro-bono Professional Financial Advice

Supported by Government of Ontario funding, the Financial Advisors Association of Canada (FAAC) will provide pro-bono professional financial advice for small companies through its online platform. Read more

Recovery Activation Program (RAP)

The Recovery Activation Program (RAP) is an online workshop program that connects businesses with industry experts for guidance, mentorship and practical advice about process modernization and end-to-end digital transformation. It is completely free for businesses and supports firms of any size across Ontario. Program is accepting applications. Read more

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

Federal Development will be offering interest free loans for SMEs that have not been able to access other resources. No security, no payments required until December 31, 2022. All applications will be completed online. CFDCs will be offering the same option 1 product in rural communities that are serviced by the Community Futures Program. Businesses can only apply to one stream. Apply Now!​

Option 1: Up to a $40,000 Conditionally Repayable Contribution (Interest-Free Loan)

• An interest-free loan with partial forgiveness of loan amount
• No payments required until December 31, 2022
• Up to 25 percent (or $10,000) contribution forgiveness, provided 75 percent, or up to $30,000 is paid back by December 31, 2022
• If 75 percent of the contribution amount is not repaid by December 31, 2022, the balance owing will be converted to a term loan with no forgivable portion

Option 2: Up to a $500,000 Unconditionally Repayable Contribution (Interest-Free Loan)

• An interest-free fully repayable contribution (loan)
• 100% repayable
• No payments required until December 31, 2022
• Fixed payment schedule beginning January 2023​

In addition, not-for-profit organizations that do not have a revenue stream should check their eligibility for a non-repayable loan by contacting FedDev Ontario directly. Click here for more information. 

Residential Evictions Temporarily Paused

The Ontario government has issued an emergency order to temporarily pause the enforcement of residential evictions and ensure people are not forced to leave their homes during the provincial declaration of emergency and while the stay-at-home-order is in force. Read more

If you are a tenant and your landlord has locked you out, or is threatening to lock you out, you can contact Ontario’s Rental Housing Enforcement Unit for help.

Second Career

The Ontario government is providing $77 million to help people who were laid off due to the impact of COVID-19 find in-demand jobs in their local communities. This funding is being provided through the redesigned Second Career grant program and will help more than 2,750 job seekers with up to $28,000 for tuition, training materials and living expenses.

The updated initiative will help job seekers train for careers in sectors including: advanced manufacturing, life sciences, information and communications, and supportive health services. Enhancements will focus on training initiatives with a duration of 52 weeks or less, helping more people get trained quicker and get back to work faster. These changes will also remove existing caps on the funding amount available to cover tuition at a wider range of institutions. Read more

"Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!" Campaign

The Ontario Government is celebrating International Small Business Week with the launch of the "Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!" campaign, encouraging Ontarians to support their local small businesses and to shop safely while doing so. The province's campaign asks for mayors, local leaders and groups to support our small businesses by committing on social media to "Shop Local, Shop Safe, Shop with Confidence," while highlighting the best practices put in place by businesses to help keep shoppers safe while ensuring that the reopening of Ontario continues to be a success. Read more

ShopHERE

ShopHERE is a program that offers businesses and artists the opportunity to build a digital presence by having an online store built at no-cost! Powered by Google, this program is a collaboration between Digital Main Street, Google, Shopify, Mastercard and Microsoft, to build and optimize online stores in a matter of days.​ This program is FREE thanks to funding provided by the County of Simcoe. Read more

Small Business Relief Fund

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, through the generosity of Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), will provide 62 small Canadian businesses from coast to coast to coast with $10,000 grants to help their recovery efforts during these unprecedented times. Businesses can use the $10,000 grants to support their recovery efforts, including paying salaries, acquiring safety and personal protective equipment for staff, replenishing materials or paying for the measures required to adapt business models to the economic impacts of COVID-19. Applications can be made between June 1 to 12. Read more

Social Services Relief Fund

The Ontario government is allocating an additional $120 million to help municipalities, food banks, homeless shelters and indigenous community partners protect the health and safety of vulnerable people during COVID-19. This investment builds upon the second phase of social services relief funding announced this fall and brings the government's total allocation to $510 million. Read more

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)​

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund is a business expansion funding program for large-scale project. It that incentivizes companies to invest in new facilities and equipment. It attracts projects that have a significant impact on business productivity and create new employment opportunities within the company.

To qualify for SWODF funding, Southwestern Ontario businesses must provide a minimum investment of $500,000, have at least 10 employees at the time of application, and commit to creating at least five jobs during the project. 

SWODF will fund up to 15% of project costs. Rolling application deadlines.

Tariff Relief to Importers of Certain Medical Goods

The Federal Government is waiving tariffs on certain medical goods, including PPE such as masks and gloves. This will reduce the cost of imported PPE for Canadian businesses, help protect workers, and ensure our supply chains can keep functioning well.

This measure builds on other relief from tariffs and sales taxes for goods imported for emergency use by, or on behalf of, certain health-related entities, including hospitals, first response organizations and care homes. Tariff relief for these goods will remain in place for as long as necessary to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. o This allows for the relief of customs duty for eligible goods which were imported on or after May 5, 2020. This relief can be claimed at the time of importation or within two years of the date of importation. Read more

Temporary Extended Time Periods for Employers to Recall Employees Laid Off Due to COVID-19

The Federal government announced changes to extend time periods for temporary layoffs to allow employers more time to recall laid-off employees. The temporary changes will help protect the jobs of federally regulated private-sector employees and support employers facing economic hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Prior to these changes, employers could temporarily lay-off their employees for up to three months if no notice with a recall date was provided, or for a period of up to six months if they provided a notice with an expected recall date, before the lay-off became a termination. The amendments, which are set out in the Canada Labour Standards Regulations, temporarily extend these time periods by up to six months:

• For employees laid off prior to March 31, 2020, the time period is extended by six months or to December 30, 2020, whichever occurs first.
• For employees laid off between March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2020, the time period is extended until December 30, 2020, unless a later recall date was provided in a written notice at the time of the layoff.

These changes, which came into effect on June 22, 2020, do not apply to employees who are covered by a collective agreement that contains recall rights. Read more

Temporary Doubling of the Employer Health Tax Exemption

In order to provide immediate financial relief to employers impacted by the COVID?19 outbreak, the government proposes to retroactively raise the EHT exemption from $490,000 to $1 million for 2020. The exemption would return to its current level of $490,000 on January 1, 2021. Read more

Temporary Workers to Get Back to Work Quickly

The Federal Government is announcing, effective immediately, a new, temporary policy that will drastically reduce the time it takes for a temporary foreign worker to start a new job. 

While this policy is in place, a worker who is already in Canada and has secured a new job offer, typically backed by a labour market test, can get approval to start working in their new job, even while their work permit application is being fully processed. This will cut what can often take 10 weeks or more, down to 10 days or less. There is no change to the role of the employer in the process for hiring foreign workers. Read more 

Virtual Action Centre

The Province is investing nearly $2 million to open a Virtual Action Centre in partnership with UNITE HERE Local 75. This virtual job training resource will provide up to 7,000 unemployed workers in the hospitality sector with access to a wide range of services and supports online and over the phone, including:

• Stress management and mental health resources through video conferencing;
• Immediate health and safety online training for workers who return to work at designated quarantined sites, - Technical skills online training;
• Online training to upgrade English language and digital skills; and
• Peer group facilitation and employment preparation through videoconferencing.

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Voluntary Redeployment of Education Workers to Fill Staffing Shortages

The Ontario government is working together with the province's education sector to voluntarily place available employees in staffing roles needed at congregate care settings during the COVID-19 outbreak. This initiative is part of the government's ongoing efforts to redeploy broader public sector workers to areas where they are needed most, such as hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes, women's shelters, and homes serving those with developmental disabilities.

Subject to a local agreement of the framework, eligible education sector staff who volunteer will be able to register through an online portal and to be matched with congregate settings that are facing staffing shortages. Positions available may include custodial, maintenance, food preparation, children and youth service workers, social workers, and educational assistants. Training and appropriate safety equipment will be provided to redeployed staff. Volunteers who are redeployed will be eligible for Ontario's temporary pandemic premium and emergency child care. Read more

Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2020

The Ontario government introduced the Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2020 that would, if passed, protect employers from an unexpected increase in Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums, while maintaining an increase to the maximum earnings cap for worker benefits.

The loss of jobs among lower wage workers, including those in the retail, hospitality and the service sector, during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase in the average industrial wage (AIG) of Ontario workers by 7.8 per cent, compared to an average increase of 2-3 per cent. The proposed amendment would limit the impact the increase the AIG has on WSIB premiums to 2 per cent, making sure struggling business owners aren't subject to sudden undue costs during these challenging times. Additionally, this new amendment will not impact the 7.8 per cent increase in the earning cap for workers, ensuring they will continue to be fairly compensated for work-related injuries and occupational diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Financial Relief Package

The financial relief package allows businesses to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. Businesses who report and pay monthly, quarterly or annually based on their insurable earnings are eligible for this deferral.

To continue to help reduce the financial burden on businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, any repayment of deferred WSIB premiums will not begin before January 2021. WSIB will provide more information on the repayment installment schedule for deferred amounts, along with 2021 premium rate information, in the fall. Any employer participating in the financial relief package will have to report deferred amounts by October 31, 2020. Regular monthly and quarterly reporting and payment schedules will resume in September 2020 for all businesses. Read more

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Payment Deferrals

Employers are allowed to defer payments for up to six months to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), to make $1.9 billion available. This allows businesses to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. Read more​

Work-Sharing Program: Extended

Effective March 15, 2020 to March 14, 2021, and not limited to one specific sector or industry, the Government of Canada is introducing temporary special measures to support employers and workers affected by COVID-19 through the Extended Work-Sharing Program. 

• Extension of the maximum possible duration of an agreement from 38 weeks to 76 weeks
• Mandatory cooling off period has been waived for employers who have already used the Work-Sharing program so that eligible employers may immediately enter into a new agreement
• Reduce the previous requirements for a Recovery Plan to a single line of text in the application form
• Reduce the requirement and expand eligibility to employers affected by accepting business who have been in business for only 1 year rather than 2, and eliminate the burden of having to provide sales/production figures at the same time, and
• Expand eligibility for staff who are essential to recovery, Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) and non-for-profit organization employers.

Agri-Food and Forestry Industries

Agri-Food Open for e-Business Initiative

The Agri-Food Open for e-Business initiative will help food producers, farmers' markets, retailers, garden centres, greenhouses, nurseries, and agricultural associations develop online business, providing consumers with greater access to a wide variety of food and agriculture products. Read more

Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program

OMAFRA has partnered with the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) to provide agri-food businesses, organizations and associations with educational resources, tools and consulting services to help them implement COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Read more

Agriculture and Food Business Solutions Fund

A $100 million fund to support agribusiness and agri-food sector companies through unexpected business disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund is set up to support a wide range of enterprises, including companies involved in primary production, agri-tech, manufacturing, packaging and distribution. The fund will provide companies with innovative solutions such as convertible debt investments and other flexible financing solutions. Applications will be assessed individually on their merit, and will be supported to a maximum of $10 million. To qualify, companies need to demonstrate an impact from an unexpected business disruption, such as the loss of a key supplier, temporary loss of a facility or permanent loss of critical staff or leadership. Read more

AgriRecovery

The AgriRecovery Framework is part of a suite of federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) Business Risk Management (BRM) tools under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. AgriRecovery is an FPT disaster relief framework intended to work together with the core BRM programs to help agricultural producers recover from natural disasters. The focus of AgriRecovery is the extraordinary costs producers must take on to recover from disasters. Extraordinary costs are costs which producers would not incur under normal circumstances, but which are necessary to mitigate the impacts of a disaster and/or resume farming operations as quickly as possible following a disaster. Further, AgriRecovery is intended to respond in situations where producers do not have the capacity to cover the extraordinary costs, even with the assistance available from other programs. Read more

Canadian and Ontario COVID-19 Beef Emergency Feed Maintenance Initiative 

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million in immediate, emergency assistance to help the province's beef farmers manage costs associated with the impacts of COVID-19 and to help protect Ontario's food supply network.

Starting Monday, December 21, 2020, Ontario beef farmers can apply for funding to help cover increased costs of feeding and setting aside market-ready cattle due to COVID-19 related processing delays. The Canada-Ontario COVID-19 Beef Emergency Feed Maintenance Initiative is being offered through AgriRecovery, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Read more

Canadian and Ontario Support Beef and Hog Farmers During COVID-19

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $10 million in emergency assistance for beef and hog farmers. The funding will help cover the increased costs of feeding market ready cattle and hogs due to COVID-19 related processing delays, while redirecting surplus pork products to help those in need. Farmers can claim $2 per head of cattle per day to help pay for additional maintenance costs should they have to keep their market-ready animals on their farms for extended periods of time. Read more

Credit Support for Producers, Agribusinesses and Food Processors

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) will receive support from the Government of Canada to support producers, agribusinesses and food processors during COVID-19. Effective immediately, FCC has put in place:

• a deferral of principal and interest payments up to six months for existing loans, or
• a deferral of principal payments up to 12 months.

If you’d like more information on these options or on how FCC can help improve your financial position, please contact your local office or the Customer Service Centre at 1-888-332-3301 for further details. Read more

Emergency Funding for COVID-19 Safety Measures in Forest Operations

The Government of Canada will be providing up to $30 million to offset additional costs associated with COVID-19 safety measures for small and medium enterprises in the forest sector, including tree-planting operations. This investment will help cover extra costs for things like sanitizing stations, additional accommodations and/or transportation, facilities and services to maintain social distancing, and personal protective equipment. In addition, funding will help support the scheduled planting of 600 million trees. Read more

Emergency On-Farm Support Fund

The Emergency On-Farm Support Fund provides a $35 million investment to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19. The fund will provide support to farmers for direct infrastructure improvements to living quarters and work stations, temporary or emergency housing (on or off-farm), as well as personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitary stations, work stations and any other health and safety measures to safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19. Read more

Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program

The original $15 million investment has been extended to $36.6 million to help support the agri-food sector and better protect workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program will help more farmers and packing operations by significantly increasing the cost-share funding to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and do workplace modifications and other measures to improve health and safety for their workers and ensure the continued supply of locally grown food during the COVID-19 outbreak.  Under the expanded program, the amount farmers can claim for preventive expenses including a combination of workplace modifications, PPE, transportation and temporary housing will double to $15,000. The program will also include a new category for small capital projects of up to $100,000 for housing modifications, workplace modifications and equipment to allow greater physical distancing for workers. Read more

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Term Loans

FCC has expanded offerings to include term loans up to $2.5M, with no fees and an 18-month interest-only option available over a 10-year amortization. These funds can be used for working capital and to modify production due to the impacts of COVID-19. FCC customers and non-customers are eligible to apply for FCC lending products. More information is available by contacting a local office or the Customer Service Centre at 1-888-332-3301. Read more 

Helping Agri-Food Businesses with Canada Brand Digital Marketing

The Government of Canada will refresh the Canada Brand platform to ensure industry and partners have access to new graphics and tools optimized for today’s digital platforms. The refresh will also enable them to reach more consumers and enhance virtual connections with international buyers, and will include a modernized look, signature, messaging, and suite of digital-first marketing products for the Canada Brand.

The Canada Brand program is open to Canadian entities that have a role in producing, promoting or supporting Canadian agriculture, food and seafood products. It currently includes branding and graphics material, photography for use in marketing and promotional materials, Canadian content statements, messaging on Canada’s advantages and promotion at Canada Pavilions for international trade shows. Read more

Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative

Program will provide up to $150,000 per project for improvements to product handling and processing equipment. It will also cover consulting and engineering costs associated with planning future projects and will open to applications on December 4, 2020. Read more

Ontario Supporting Agricultural and Horticultural Societies during COVID-19

The Ontario government is investing $5 million to help offset revenue losses for eligible agricultural and horticultural societies impacted by the necessary cancellation of fall fairs and exhibits during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. This funding was announced as part of 2020 Ontario Budget, Ontario's Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover. Read more

Black Entrepreneurs

Black Entrepreneur Program (BEP)

The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions. With an investment of up to $221 million over four years, it will help Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed now and into the future.

• Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub The Knowledge Hub will be run by partnership between a Black community organization (or consortium of Black community organizations) and a post-secondary or other accredited educational institution in Canada. Ideal partners will be a Black-led organization, equipped with strong networks partnership with a post-secondary institution with the capacity for sound data analysis.

  Interested partners can apply by submitting a concept through the call for concepts. The successful partners will receive up to $5 million over 4 years to develop and implement the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub. The result of this Call for concepts will lead to one consortium receiving the funding.

• Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund The Federal government is supporting Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund that will provide loans of between $25,000 and $250,000. This initiative is part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program, in which the Federal government is investing up to nearly $93 million. 

Black Youth Action Plan

The Ontario government is doubling funding for the Black Youth Action Plan by investing an additional $60 million over three years. This funding will renew existing Black Youth Action Plan programming, which will include the creation of a new economic empowerment programming stream to support and train young black entrepreneurs and increase economic opportunities. Read more

National Ecosystem Fund

The Federal government is investing up to $53 million to develop and implement the National Ecosystem Fund to support Black-led business organizations across the country. This will help Black business owners and entrepreneurs access funding and capital, mentorship, financial planning services, and business training. his initiative is part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program, in which the Federal government is investing up to nearly $93 million. Read more

Creative Industries

Actors Fund of America Funding

The Actors Fund of America (AFC) is providing emergency financial aid for entertainment professionals. Read more

Behind the Scenes Basic Needs Grants

The Behind the Scenes Basic Needs Grant provides financial assistance for seriously ill entertainment technology professionals in the U.S. and Canada. Grants may be used for medical care and basic living expenses including rent, mortgage, utilties, transportation and childcare. Read more

Broadcast Sector Relief

The Government of Canada will provide additional relief to eligible television and radio stations by waiving Part II broadcasting license fees in 2020-21, which are collected annually by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Waiving these fees will provide as much as $50 million in relief for these companies, helping them maintain their broadcasting productions for Canadians. The CRTC will contact all eligible broadcasters regarding the next steps. Read more

#CanadaPerforms Concert Streaming Opportunity

The National Arts Centre and Facebook Canada have teamed up to launch #CanadaPerforms streaming concerts. Canadian performing artists (including musicians, comedians, dancers, singers, theatre artists, and ensembles of less than 10 people) can apply by email. Read more

Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission Relief

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will not issue letters requesting payment for Part I licence fees by broadcasters for the 2020–21 fiscal year. This fee will be paid by the Government of Canada. Read more

CBC and Canada Council for the Arts Digital Originals 

A new $1 million fund to help artists, groups and arts organizations pivot their work to online audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Creators can apply for a maximum of $5000 in funding per project, a selection of which will be curated and digitally showcased by CBC/Radio-Canada. Read more

CBC Creative Relief Fund

The CBC has launched The CBC Creative Relief Fund to provide immediate, urgent support to Canadian creators. The unprecedented new Fund will provide $2 million in development and production funding for a diverse range of innovative, original Canadian storytelling, including scripted comedies and dramas, unscripted entertainment, kids and young adult programming, podcasts, play adaptations and short documentaries. Read more

COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations

The COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations will be a $500 million fund to help address the financial needs of affected organizations within these sectors so they can continue to support artists and athletes.

This measure is consistent with the Government of Canada's other existing COVID-19 support measures for wages and fixed costs for organizations. Beginning May 8th, partner organizations will be contacted so that funds can begin to flow to cultural and sport organizations. Canadian Heritage is working closely with its partners – in particular, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Canada Media Fund, FACTOR, Musicaction, and Telefilm Canada – to distribute the funds as quickly as possible using existing channels.

As part of Phase 2 of the disbursement of funds, to address gaps that have been identified by industry, additional funding will be directed to other organizations - some of which do not normally receive funding rom Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada or the Canada Media Fund. Read more

COVID-19 Financial Assistance for the Music Industry 

In response to  COVID-19, Unison works to provide support to professional musicians. A payment of $1,000 may be made to qualified applicants to help meet basic living needs. Other sources of financial relief applicants may receive do not affect eligibility for Unison assistance. Read more

Emergency Financial Assistance to Canada's Entertainment Industry 

Short-term emergency financial assistance to Canadian entertainment professionals. Read more

Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S Artists 

The Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers, tip-based workers is being administered by Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto. This fund will help cover emergency aid and paid work for LGBTQ2S artists, performers and tip-based workers.

Facebook-National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists

The Facebook-National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists is accepting applications from artists who post a 45 to 60 minute online performance between today and March 31, 2020. Financial grants will be given out from a $100,000 relief fund. Read more

Inventory of Resources and Supports for Canada's Music Industry

Canadian Independent Music Association has provided an inventory of COVID-19 related information and resources for Canada's music industry. Read more

MusicTogether Fund

MusicTogether is a $300K emergency relief fund for Ontario musicians put together by the provincial government and members of the music community. Musicians can apply for a one-time $1,000 performance fee tied to a livestream.​ Read more

Ontario Creates

Ontario Creates, an agency of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, is providing Ontario-based businesses support to recover Ontario's culture industry. Recent announcements have been made to include: - $5 million in grants to help independent local book and magazine publishers access new markets and bring Canadian creative content to new audiences, both at home and around the world, and - $1.3 million in grants to help bring Canadian film, TV and digital content to audiences around the world. Read more

Ontario Live

A virtual marketplace that brings Ontario together to help support local artists, operators, attractions and businesses throughout the province. Coming soon, you'll be able to buy, donate to, or experience the best Ontario has to offer all in one place. Read more 

Reconnect Festival and Event Program

The Reconnect Festival and Event Program offers non-capital funding to in-person and online events in Ontario that provide experiences that encourage people to travel locally and rediscover the beauty and diversity of their community. The application deadline for this program has been extended to December 22, 2020. Read more

ShopHERE

ShopHERE is a program that offers businesses and artists the opportunity to build a digital presence by having an online store built at no-cost! Powered by Google, this program is a collaboration between Digital Main Street, Google, Shopify, Mastercard and Microsoft, to build and optimize online stores in a matter of days.​ This program is FREE thanks to funding provided by the County of Simcoe. Read more

Woodcock Fund Grant 

The Woodcock Fund Grant provides emergency funds for writers mid-project. Read more

Female Entrepreneurs

Tech Undivided

The Federal Government announced a $370,000 investment to support women entrepreneurs for Tech Undivided, as part of the Government's recent top-up of $15 million to Canada's first-ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund. With this investment, to be delivered through FedDev Ontario, ventureLAB's Tech Undivided program will support women entrepreneurs in the tech sector to generate revenue and investment capital, by putting them on a sustainable path to growth and long-term success. Areas of focus will include:

• Customer acquisition with ventureLAB will plan and deliver three curated virtual business-to-business customer matchmaking events to provide female-founded tech companies with strategically aligned connections and introductions to potential customers.
• Incremental support in raising investment capital with ventureLAB will organize a series of three virtual Investor Roundtables to enable female-led companies to pitch to a group of highly curated and strategically aligned investment partners.
• Brand visibility and networking connections with ventureLAB will forge a sponsored partnership with Women of Influence to build visibility, networking opportunities and lead generation for its founders in the professional ecosystem.
• Subject matter expert advisory support with ventureLAB will provide hands-on support for entrepreneurs by engaging a pool of external subject matter experts to help improve awareness, visibility and revenue opportunities for female-led ventures, as well as assist them in developing a longer term vision and plan to build their sales teams.

Read more

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy

On May 16, 2020, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced that the Government of Canada will provide $15 million in additional funding to support women entrepreneurs through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). This money will go directly to select organizations that are currently WES Ecosystem Fund recipients and will help women entrepreneurs through the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)

The Ontario government is providing the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) with $110,000 from the Ontario Together Fund to deliver online tools and resources that will support Indigenous businesses. Read more

Indigenous Small and Medium Business Support

Funding will allow for interest-free loans, as well as non-repayable contributions, to help Indigenous businesses unable to access the government's existing COVID-19 support measures. Support for Indigenous businesses will be provided through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, and administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association and the Métis capital corporations in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada. Read more

Support for Indigenous Businesses

The Federal Government has announced additional funding totaling $133 million in new funding to support Indigenous business through the pandemic and into recovery. Of these additional funds, $117 million will reach more community-owned First Nation, Inuit and Métis businesses including microbusinesses, who are not eligible for existing business support measures. A new stimulus development fund will also provide $16 million to support the Indigenous tourism industry. Read more

Social Services Relief Fund

The Ontario government is allocating an additional $120 million to help municipalities and Indigenous community partners protect the health and safety of vulnerable people during COVID-19. This investment builds upon the second phase of social services relief funding announced this fall and brings the government's total allocation to $510 million. Read more

Support for People and Jobs Fund

The government of Ontario is providing up to $10 million through the Support for People and Jobs Fund to Indigenous-owned small and medium sized businesses to help them with much needed capital as the province begins to safely and gradually reopen the economy.

Loans of up to $50,000 will be available to businesses that are either ineligible for, or unable to access, existing federal and provincial COVID-19 response initiatives for small businesses. Loans will be available through Aboriginal Financial Institutions. Up to 50% of each loan will be in the form of a non-repayable grant, with no interest due on the loan portion until December 31, 2022.

Businesses may use these funds to cover general expenses such as payroll, rent, utilities and taxes. They may also be used towards increasing production capacity, developing new products, moving to online marketing, or to make improvements to accommodate social distancing requirements, such as the installation of plexiglass barriers. Read more

Manufacturing Industries

Medical Innovation Xchange (MIX)

A platform providing non-medical manufacturing companies free support as they retool to provide essential supplies and equipment to health care facilities during COVID-19. Non-medical manufacturing companies that have received funding through the Ontario Together Fund, or a Purchase Order with the Province of Ontario, can access MIX members' medical advisory services, including assistance navigating regulatory hurdles and increasing efficiencies. Read more

Ontario Made

This initiative will promote the many world-class goods that are made across the province by helping consumers easily identify, access and purchase local products. As part of this program, there will be:

• A new Ontario Made logo that manufacturers can use to help consumers identify their made-in-Ontario products. Canadian Manufacturing Enterprises (CMEs) will also meet with major retailers to promote Ontario Made products in-store and increase visibility for customers, and
• A new SupportOntarioMade.ca website that will connect consumers and supply chain partners to manufacturers of made-in-Ontario products through one directory.

Read more

Ontario Together

The Province is looking for essential businesses, researchers and organizations who can​ supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support our response to COVID-19. We have $50 million to support submissions that we can action quickly. The Ontario Together Fund will help companies retool, build capacity or adopt the technological changes needed to produce supplies and equipment for hospitals, long-term care homes and other critical public services. Read More​​​

WILWorks - Student Wage Subsidy for Manufacturers​

The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) WILWorks program provides wage subsidies for student placements in manufacturing and related sectors (e.g. North American Industry Classification - NAICS codes 31-33). ​​The program is offered as part of the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).

Subsidies are 75% of the cost of wages, up to a maximum of $7,500 per student placement.  Students can work from home and the program is in effect until March 31, 2021. Apply now

Accelerated Grant Program

Blue Mountain Village Foundation (BMVF) knows that COVID-19 continues to cause great challenges within our community, increasing the demands on families, heath care teams, essential workers, businesses and our local charitable organizations who are responding as best and as fast as they can. Following our spring Accelerated One-Page Grant Program which identified and supported immediate needs in the wake of COVID-19, our local social sector partners have identified 5 key social challenges that are impacting our community’s wellbeing and health at this point in time. They include:

• Mental health challenges
• Food access and food security gaps
• Job losses and financial stress
• Access to housing availability
• Diversity, inclusion and anti-racism education

Read more

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)

The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides a direct subsidy of property-related expenses, including lease, mortgage interest and property tax and insurance payments to qualifying businesses, charities and non-profits. Qualifying organizations that have been significantly restricted by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority can receive an additional 25% of rent support through the Lockdown Support.

The combined effect of the rent subsidy and the Lockdown Support is that hard-hit businesses, non-profits and charities subject to a lockdown can receive rent support of up to 90%. The CERS and the Lockdown Support are available until June 2021. As part of the Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19: Fall Economic Statement 2020, the federal government is proposing to extend the current rates of the CERS and Lockdown Support until March 13, 2021. Applications are now available.. Read more

• Online CERS Calculator The Canada Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy Calculator provides CERS applicants an overview of the amount they can apply for. After calculating the amount, applicants will have to apply for the subsidy online through My Business Account or Represent a Client.

In-Market Special Project Fund

Applications are now open for Year 2 of the In-Market Special Project Fund, with $100,000 available for projects in 2021. The goal of the fund, as in previous years, is to increase support for entrepreneurs across Simcoe County.

At a minimum, one Small Business Enterprise Centre and one CFDC need to be partnered with an organization in their service area for a project to be eligible. The Fund doesn’t support regular, ongoing entrepreneurial support activities - it enables innovative, new approaches and partnerships or enhancements to existing activities. Read more 

Resilient Communities Fund

The Ontario government is investing $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to provide grants to help eligible non-profit organizations recover from COVID-19 and continue the delivery of vital programming in their communities. The OTF's Resilient Communities Fund will provide grants of up to $150,000 to help eligible non-profit organizations to implement new approaches, develop new and/or alternative sources of revenues, adapt service delivery and procure equipment to renovate spaces and adapt to new ways of working. Read more

Tourism Industries

Ontario Live

A virtual marketplace that brings Ontario together to help support local artists, operators, attractions and businesses throughout the province. Coming soon, you'll be able to buy, donate to, or experience the best Ontario has to offer all in one place. Read more 

Ontario Parks: Commercial Day Use Vehicle Permit

Ontario Parks has designed the Commercial Day Use Vehicle Permit for 2021 with accommodators in mind. This initiative will provide a simple, effective and affordable option for tourism operators to add value to their guests' experience by packaging and promoting day-use visits to local provincial parks as a component of their promotional offers. 

The pass provides unlimited day-use access to all provincial parks where payment is normally required. The permit is now available for purchase online at the Ontario Parks store or at your local provincial park for $225 + HST. 

The pass is valid from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Read more

RTO7: Consumer Confidence Video

Tourism operators who provide copies of receipts for $1,500 in operational expenses to the Regional Tourism Organization (RTO7) can receive a Consumer Confidence video developed for your business, to provide assurance to consumers and employees of safety precautions you are undertaking. This fund is available on a first-come first-served basis. Read more 

RTO7: Personal Protective Equipment Funding

Regional Tourism Organization (RTO7) will reimburse tourism businesses a maximum of $1,000 towards the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) or costs incurred to adhere to social distancing, touchless payments, new technology, increased cleaning, sanitation, etc. This funding is retroactive to April 1, 2020. Businesses will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are allocated. Read more

Eligibility: Operators that have direct access to tourists and rely directly on those tourists for a significant portion of their revenue currently servicing the consumers within Bruce/Grey/Simcoe OR have served the tourism consumer during 2020 OR be planning to serve the tourism consumer within 45 days of the application date in the case of seasonal businesses or event organizations. 

Safe Travels Stamp

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has been chosen by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to administer the Safe Travels Stamp in Canada. The Safe Travels Stamp is an international symbol designed to allow travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene protocols - so consumers can experience Safe Travels. Apply here. See list of applicants. 

SGBT: Free 2021 Membership

South Georgian Bay Tourism (SGBT) will be offering complimentary membership to tourism businesses in South Georgian Bay, including Wasaga Beach.

SGBT is committed to COVID-19 recovery and continue to be the first-stop for visitor inquiries to the region. Register for free today to claim your complimentary listing. Enhanced listings are still available for $150. 

The SGBT website is promoted through Google Ad Campaigns with an annual budget of $170,000.

TIAO: Free 2020 Membership

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has launched a 2020 free membership initiative to individuals and businesses in the tourism industry. With this, TIAO will continue to advocate on your behalf, and provide an even more inclusive message as they represent your voice to the provincial government. Read more

Benefits include:

• FREE Membership within TIAO for a period of one year from the date of signing.
• For those who have paid their membership already, you can become a Green Shoots sponsor. This sponsorship will be recognized by TIAO and will help support research and vital actions to rebuild and to represent the tourism industry's voice to the Ontario government. 

Tourism Economic Development Recovery Fund

The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million through the new Tourism Economic Development Recovery Fund and offering promotional incentives at provincial attractions to help the province's tourism industry and welcome back visitors after the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will support projects that develop innovative tourism products and experiences, drive private sector tourism investments, workforce development, and support tourism operators to learn more through tourism industry associations. Read more

Tourism Response Fund

The COVID Tourism Response Fund provides $500,000, to be distributed by Regional Tourism Organization 7 in collaboration with Grey County, Simcoe County, City of Barrie and the City of Orillia for tourism-related businesses in the form of a one-time, non-repayable contribution of $2,500 - $20,000. Read more

Black Youth Action Plan

The Ontario government is doubling funding for the Black Youth Action Plan by investing an additional $60 million over three years. This funding will renew existing Black Youth Action Plan programming, which will include the creation of a new economic empowerment programming stream to support and train young black entrepreneurs and increase economic opportunities. Read more

Canada Summer Jobs

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is now open for applications and has been adjusted to better support youth and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CSJ provides wage subsidies (up to 75% of minimum hourly wage) to employers to create employment for youth between the ages of 15 and 30. Jobs can be part-time or full-time (12 - 40 hours/week) and between 6-23 consecutive weeks.

All funded employers may offer job placements between April 26, 2021 and February 26, 2022, and may amend project and job activities if the proposed project is impacted by COVID-19 restrictions after an agreement is signed.

CSJ has three objectives:

• Provide quality work experiences for youth;
• Respond to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers; and
• Provide opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills

Applications to this fund will be accepted online until January 29, 2021. ​Read more

Futurpreneur Canada Funding for Young Entrepreneurs

The Federal Government has announced an additional $20.1 million in support for Futurpreneur Canada to continue to support young entrepreneurs across Canada (aged 18-39) who are facing challenges due to COVID-19.  The funding will allow Futurpreneur Canada to provide payment relief for its clients for up to 12 months. Please see link for more details. Read more

Green Jobs in Natural Resources

The Government of Canada has announced $15.8 million to create green jobs and training opportunities for Canadian youth in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the energy, forestry, mining, earth sciences and clean technology sectors. To be eligible to receive funding through this program to hire an intern, employers or hiring organizations can be:

• Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous organizations and groups, or
• Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies where applicable.

Applications are now available. Read more

Student Work Placement Program

As part of the Federal COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan, an additional $80 million in funding will be provided for the Student Work Placement Program to support up to 20,000 post-secondary students across Canada to obtain paid work experience related to their field of study. Additionally, funding through the program will temporarily be more flexible:

• "Net new" hire restrictions have been removed. All new co-op students are now considered for funding (not just new roles or more students than previous years).
• Up to 75% in wage subsidies (to a max. of $7500) per co-op student hired.
• Shortened work terms may now be eligible for funding (i.e.: work terms that begin after May).
• Up to 75% of the wage subsidy may be provided in advance, reducing up-front hiring costs.
• Co-op students can work from home.

Read more

WILWorks - Student Wage Subsidy for Manufacturers​

The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) WILWorks program provides wage subsidies for student placements in manufacturing and related sectors (e.g. North American Industry Classification - NAICS codes 31-33). ​​The program is offered as part of the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).

Subsidies are 75% of the cost of wages, up to a maximum of $7,500 per student placement.  Students can work from home and the program is in effect until March 31, 2021. Apply now

Economic Development Newsletter

Help us keep you informed on new developments to help your business or organization. To sign up for our Economic Development Newsletter, Click here

Employment Ontario

Employment Ontario helps job seekers, workers and employers with advice, grants and other services around public and private sector employment. Local Employment Ontario Centres include Career Solutions in Wasaga Beach and Tracks Employment and Resource Services in Collingwood. They can assist with creating a resume to helping you put a job search plan into action. 

Magnet

Co-founded by Ryerson University and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Magnet is a non-profit digital social innovation platform with a mission to accelerate inclusive economic growth in Canada. Magnet currently supports an interconnected network of 1.1 million job seekers and students, 97 post-secondary institutions, 516,000 employer accounts, over 100 chambers and industry associations, and 450 community organizations across Canada.

Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board

The Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board is a community directed, non-profit corporation that acts as a neutral broker, sourcing, conducting and distributing labour market research as well as engaging and facilitating community stakeholders in workforce development activities. 

Work In Simcoe County Job Portal

The Made In Simcoe Job Portal is an interactive tool featuring job opportunities, local resources, career exploration tools and local success stories. Tap into the local labour market and advertise your employment opportunities. 

This website aggregates job listings from over 20 websites including popular sites like Indeed and Workopolis that represent multiple sectors and communities within the County of Simcoe. This alleviates local employers from having to enter their job postings on multiple sites, as well as job seekers having to search a variety of platforms to search for local opportunities.

Province of Ontario – Stop the Spread Business Information Line
Businesses who have questions about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. The service is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please consult the Government of Ontario’s website.

Develop a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan

Business Development Centre

The Business Development Centre is here to support and advise businesses during COVID-19. They will answer questions, help make sense of new information coming down from the provincial and federal governments and provide advice on how to manage through these challenging times. 

Centre for Business and Economic Development

The Centre for Business and Economic Development offers free targeted coaching and advice by telephone or video conferencing as well as information for businesses seeking financing.

Small Business Enterprise Centre

The Small Business Enterprise Centre offers free consultations by phone as well as informational webinars and digital advice. They also look after the Digital Main Street program locally. 

Town of Wasaga Beach Economic Development 

The Town of Wasaga Beach Economic Development office offers free consultations on business supports including navigating municipal business licensing and approvals, partnership resources, financial resources, as well as recommendations on economic recovery for businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce

The Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce offers free consultations by phone as well as informational webinars and business-related networking events. 

For More Information on Managing Financial Hardship

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has put together a guide to assist those who are worried about the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on your finances. Click here​​​​​

Please contact your elected officials directly with any questions you may have on federal and provincial programs.

Construction

• Canadian Construction Association
• Council of Ontario Construction Associations
• Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
• Province of Ontario
• Toronto Construction Association

Entertainment

• Music Ontario

Events and Meetings

• Province of Ontario

Food and Beverage

• And Access
• Dine Safe
• Food and Beverage Ontario
• Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association
• Province of Ontario
• Restaurants Canada

Hospitality

• Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association
• Province of Ontario
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services

Manufacturing

• Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
• Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association
• Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
• Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium
• Food and Consumer Products of Canada
• Ontario Aerospace Council
• Province of Ontario
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services

Office 

• Building Owners and Managers Association
• Province of Ontario
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services

Sports and Recreation

• Province of Ontario
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services

Retail  

• And Access
• Bank of Canada
• Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers
• Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
• Government of Canada
• Ontario Convenience Stores Association
• Province of Ontario
• Retail Council of Canada
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services

Start-Ups and Entrepreneurs

• MaRS Discovery District
• Public Service Health and Safety Association
  
• Province of Ontario
• RIC Centre
• ventureLAB
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services

Tourism

• Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association
• Province of Ontario
• Tourism Industry Association of Canada
• Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services

Transportation

• Canadian Trucking Alliance
• Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
• Transportation Association of Canada
• Province of Ontario

Sourcing Business Expansion Opportunities: Help Address COVID-19 Need

Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program

The program will invest up to $35 million in short-term ocean projects to help continue to build resiliency in ocean sectors during this challenging time. The Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program is focused on three project themes:

• Remote operations;
• Environment technologies; and
• Digital or automated technologies.

The application process is now open and begins with expressions of interest which will close on May 22. Read more

One Million Mask Challenge

The Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA) is seeking to bring industry together to collect 1 million masks for frontline workers. These masks will be available for direct distribution to public institutions and organizations operating on the frontlines: hospitals, clinics, shelters (homeless, women’s, youth). Read more

Canadian COVID Genomics Network

Genome Canada has launched the Canadian COVID Genomics Network (CanCOGeN), an initiative that will generate accessible and usable genomics data to inform public health decisions in the time of a pandemic. Led by Genome Canada, in partnership with the six regional Genome Centres, the National Microbiology Lab and provincial public health labs, genome sequencing centres through CGEn, hospitals, academia and industry, CanCOGeN will coordinate and scale up existing COVID-19 genome sequencing activities into a national effort and interface with international sequencing networks in the UK and in the US in order to improve patient outcomes and accelerate public impact. Read more

Coronavirus Global Response

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined other global leaders to launch the Coronavirus Global Response. This online pledging event aims to initially raise more than $8 billion (USD) to help researchers and innovators develop solutions to test, treat, and protect people, and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The funds collected will be channeled into three principal strands: diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. Funds may also be used to strengthen health systems. To date, the Government of Canada has announced investments of over $850 million (CAD) that support this fundraising target. Read more

COVID-19 Canadian Tech Group Slack Channel

The Council of Canadian Innovators has started a Slack channel for the tech community across Canada.  It now has over 1700 members and is an excellent resource to share knowledge, key learnings, and to create collaborative opportunities between companies (small, large) to get through the COVID19 crisis. Read more

COVID-19 Digital Technology Supercluster

Through the COVID-19 Program, the Digital Technology Supercluster will invest up to $60 million to improve the health and safety of Canadians and Canada’s ability to address issues created by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Supercluster will invest in projects that align with the five Areas of Focus (Health System, Community Health, Safe Living, Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Emergency Response), namely projects that will deliver digital technology solutions to improve the health and safety of Canadians and Canada’s ability to address the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as future health crises. Read more

CDL Recovery Program

Creative Destructive Lab (CDL) Recovery is a new program designed to rapidly transform technological innovations into useful products and services in the areas of public health (e.g., diagnostic tests, vaccines, remote treatments, telemedicine) and economic recovery (e.g. virtual work, retraining, remote operation, automation, food supply) in response to the global crisis. Applications for the program open today. All types of innovative teams may apply – startups, corporations, informal collaborations, sole inventors, social impact ventures, and not-for-profit initiatives. Read more

Calling All Suppliers

The Government of Canada is asking suppliers about their ability to provide products and services in support of Canada’s response to COVID-19. Read more

Clinical Health Trials

Companies and researchers with drugs, medical devices, or natural health products that may be effective in treating or diagnosing COVID-19 are encouraged to contact Health Canada to facilitate clinical trials. Health Canada can authorize clinical trials quickly in urgent situations. Read more

Donations for PPE

Donations are required from our community to respond rapidly to our local need, including the expected surge of patients at Trillium Health Partners. Read more

Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security

The Department of National Defence (DND) is issuing the first of a series of calls for innovations aimed at addressing some of the key challenges Canada is facing. With an initial commitment of $15M, the first three challenges focus on:

• Viable and effective processes and methods for safely and rapidly decontaminating enclosed work environments (e.g., buildings and modes of transportation) containing sensitive equipment;
• Innovative material and designs to aid in decontamination of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), operational clothing and equipment for personnel responding to events involving biological hazards; and
• Data gathering solutions to support the early detection and community-based monitoring of outbreaks of contagious diseases.

In addition to the call for innovation, these panels are engaging Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises to refine their near-to-market products to meet a COVID-19 related need. Promising solutions in the areas of PPE, sanitization, diagnostics and testing, therapeutics, and disease-tracking technology may receive funding to further their solutions of interest. This effort is a collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Health Canada and sees an additional investment of up to $10M. Read more

Innovative Solutions Canada COVID-19 Challenge Program

Dedicated funding to help combat current and future outbreaks of the COVID-19 and other similar threats. The program will help support the Government of Canada's fight against COVID-19 by funding research and development and testing prototypes in real-life settings that can help protect Canadians.

Two new challenges have been posted to include: COVID-19 Challenge: An intelligent digital clearing house; and COVID-19 Challenge: Magnetic reagents for detection of COVID-19 and other RNA based molecular diagnostic kits. Innovative Solutions Canada will launch calls for proposals over the next few weeks to address challenges, to fund development of solutions, and to buy successful products and services needed to address COVID-19. Read more

Mitacs COVID-19 Research and Development Opportunities

Mitacs has introduced new programming and enhanced existing programs and funding amounts to encourage and support COVID-19 related research initiatives. Read more

NGEN COVID-19 Response Program

NGen will invest $50 million in Supercluster funding to support companies as they rapidly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by building a Canadian supply of essential equipment, products, and therapeutics. Projects will be selected for funding according to critical needs identified by the Government of Canada and the ability of manufacturers to produce products that are safe for both patients and health care workers. Read more

NRC COVID-19 Procurement, Manufacturing and Pandemic Response Programs

This program will post challenges seeking near-to-market solutions from small and medium-sized businesses (fewer than 500 staff) that need financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to refine and sell their product or solution to meet a COVID-19 related need. Three existing challenges under this program include the Challenges Procurement Program, Pandemic Response Challenge Program, and Biomanufacturing Capacity. Read more

Ontario Centres of Excellence COVID-19 Collaboration Program

OCE is identifying the innovative technologies, SMEs and experts from across the province to help fill the current product and service gaps related to COVID-19. If you have a piece of the puzzle – whether it is an asset, a technology or a product – and are looking for collaborators to assist your efforts, please contact OCE. Read more

Ontario COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund

If you are a researcher from one of Ontario's publicly-assisted colleges or universities, research hospitals or research institutes, you can apply for funding to conduct research to fight COVID-19 and support the province's response effort. The Ontario COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund provides research institutions with funding to contribute to global efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no maximum funding amount that can be requested per grant. All funding requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Read more

Ontario Together

The Province of Ontario is providing $50 million to support submissions from businesses that can supply critical medical products, virtual mental health services, supply chain resilience monitoring, and financial planning and advisory services for small businesses. The Ontario Together Fund will help companies retool, build capacity or adopt the technological changes needed to produce supplies and equipment for hospitals, long-term care homes and other critical public services.

Over 14,000 submissions have been received through the Ontario Together Portal. More than 7,500 emergency supply submissions have generated nearly $90 million in purchases of critical equipment and supplies. The Province has also added a Workplace PPE Supplier Directory that will assist workplaces to find personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect against COVID-19. Read more

Plan to Mobilize Industry to Fight COVID-19

The Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 directly supports businesses to rapidly scale up production or re-tool their manufacturing lines to develop products made in Canada that will help in the fight against COVID-19. Firms which answer yes to the following, should contact ic.middim.ic@canada.ca:

• You manufacture in Canada and/or have ready access to necessary inputs through your supply chain.
• You have equipment or facilities that can be rapidly re-tooled to meet medical needs, including for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and surgical gowns; sanitizers; wipes; ventilators; and other medical equipment and supplies.
• You have skilled workers who are able to respond and who could be available for work in the current circumstances.

Read more

SPARK Ontario - volunteer Opportunities During COVID-19

The Government of Ontario is partnering with SPARK Ontario to help seniors and the most vulnerable stay connected and healthy as they self isolate during the COVID-19 outbreak. SPARK Ontario is the province's first bilingual volunteer hub designed to direct volunteers to where they are needed most. Read more

Strategic Innovation Fund

Further to the Government's announcement on April 23, 2020 of $600 million funding support, the Strategic Innovation Fund will support projects to advance Canada's medical countermeasures in the fight against COVID-19. This includes support for COVID-19 related vaccine and therapy clinical trials led by the private sector, and Canadian bio-manufacturing opportunities. Read more

Surplus Food Rescue Program

The Surplus Food Rescue Program is a $50 million initiative which will help to support Canada’s food system, food processors, and food producers, and distributors to help ensure food availability for all Canadians. Funding will be used to help manage and redirect existing surpluses to organizations addressing food insecurity and ensure that these surplus products are not wasted. Read more

Sourcing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

COVID-19 PPE Help

Developed by the University of Toronto. Discover a network of PPE distributors of PPE. Read more

Essential Services Contingency Reserve

Developed by the Government of Canada. Access the contingency reserve, view eligibility requirements and application form. Read more

Rapid Response Platform Canada

Find your match and get connected with PPE requests and offerings. Read more

The Supply Hub

Developed by the Government of Canada. Explore resources and information to sell and buy PPE. Read more

Workplace PPE Supplier Directory

Developed by the Province of Ontario. Explore companies that sell PPE and other supplies. Read more

Virtual Learning

Click here to explore the Simcoe County Virtual Learning Resource Page