Financial Relief and Supports (COVID-19)
Since the beginning of COVID-19, the Town of Wasaga Beach has been making every effort to support you and your business. As we look towards careful re-opening and recovery, we have compiled special resources here to help you source COVID-related funding.
To our residents: COVID-19 is changing the way businesses and services operate. Below you will find available information and relief measures available to you.
To our business community: We will continue to support you in re-opening your business keeping employees and customers safe. For additional business resources please visit our Economic Development and Tourism page.
Please note that if you are looking for business financial support that is not related to COVID-19, click here.
General Funding Search Tools
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 COVID-19 counter measures with additional capital, global partner networks, and expertise. Apply now |
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.
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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% of all business properties in Ontario, starting January 1, 2021. This will create $450 million in immediate annual savings in the provincial portion of property tax bills. Read more. |
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) |
The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides rent and mortgage support for qualifying businesses who have suffered a revenue drop by subsidizing a percentage of their expenses, on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 65% of eligible expenses. A top-up of 25% is available for organizations temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority. Application period is ongoing |
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) |
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) provides support to businesses, who have experienced a drop in revenue due to COVID-19, to keep their employees on payroll retroactive to March 15, 2020. Application period is ongoing |
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) |
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19. |
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) |
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two (2) weeks, for workers who:
Application period is ongoing |
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. |
CanExport SME Funding |
CanExport SME Funding can help small and medium sized companies may access up to $50,000 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:
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Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR) Certificate Renewals |
The province had made some changes for commercial vehicle drivers who can now renew their CVOR certificate online in 15 minutes or less. |
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. Small businesses or registered charities with overdue electricity or natural gas bills can receive up to $1500 to offset them. Newly eligible customers can apply for these enhanced benefits through their local utility, starting in January, 2021. |
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. |
Employment Insurance (EI) Increased Access |
Employment Insurance (EI) program and leave information for workers, families, fishers and sickness, as well as how to apply and submit a report. |
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.
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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 up to $1m in funding for up to three years. |
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 |
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 |
LevelUP Student Partnership Program |
Level UP is a new program from Riipen that gives businesses the opportunity to complete projects with the support of top students. The program allows organizations to work directly with students on 80-hour remote projects, designed around a central project and at no cost to you. This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Work-Integrated Learning Initiatives. 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 Support announced on December 9, 2020. In effect from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2022 |
New Updates to the Ontario Business Registry |
In case you didn't know, the NEW Ontario Business Registry launched on October 19, 2021, making it easier, simpler, and more affordable for millions of businesses and not-for-profit corporations to interact with the government.
The new online registry will replace outdated technology, providing people across the province with direct access to government services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the first time ever.
As the launch date approaches, Service Ontario will continue to make updates to their main page here.
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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:
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Ontario Community Support Program (OCSP) |
The Ontario government is extending the Ontario Community Support Program (OCSP) until 2022 to ensure that low-income seniors and people with disabilities have access to food, medicine and other essentials during COVID-19. The program was established in April 2020, and involves an innovative partnership with the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) and its large volunteer base in communities across the province. During that period nearly 800,000 deliveries have been made. |
Ontario Expanding Supports for Families of Children with Autism |
The Ontario government is providing additional supports for families of children on the autism spectrum. Starting in March, the province will begin offering core clinical services based on a child's individual needs, a key element of the new Ontario Autism Program. These services include applied behaviour analysis, speech language pathology, occupational therapy and mental health supports. |
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:
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Ontario Helps People Impacted by COVID-19 Get Back to Work |
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 |
Ontario Invests in Accelerated Training for Personal Support Workers |
The Ontario government is investing over $115 million to train up to 8,200 new personal support workers (PSWs) for high-demand jobs in Ontario's health and long-term care sectors. In collaboration with Colleges Ontario, all 24 publicly assisted colleges will offer this innovative, fully funded program starting in April 2021. This is part of the government's Long-Term Care Staffing Plan, one of the largest PSW recruitment and training drives in the province's history. |
Ontario Keeping Seniors Safe and Socially Connected during COVID-19 |
The Ontario government is investing $14.3 million in 2020-21 to support nearly 300 Seniors Active Living Centres. These programs will deliver new virtual initiatives to help keep seniors safe and socially connected as they continue to self-isolate due to COVID-19. Read more |
Ontario Health Workforce Matching Portal |
The Ontario government has launched a new online tool that will help match skilled frontline workers with employers to increase the frontline capacity of hospitals, clinics, and assessment centers. |
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:
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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. |
Ontario Improving Safety and Enforcement for Towing Industry |
The Ontario government is making our roads and highways safer by launching a Joint Forces Operation team to address violence in the towing industry and introducing a tow zone pilot on designated sections of provincial highways. Ontario's provincial towing task force has also recommended additional actions to better protect customers and improve towing industry safety, including establishing an oversight model of the towing and storage industry, exploring licencing for tow truck drivers, and introducing clearer equipment standards. |
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:
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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 launches 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. |
Ontario Making It Easier and Less Costly to Manage Small Estates |
The Ontario government is easing the burden on those grieving the loss of a loved one by simplifying the process to apply to manage small estates. The changes, which include setting the limit for a small estate at $150,000, will help people receive their inheritances faster and make Ontario's probate process for small estates simpler and more accessible. |
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:
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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 Keeping Seniors Safe and Socially Connected during COVID-19 |
The Ontario government is investing $14.3 million in 2020-21 to support nearly 300 Seniors Active Living Centres. These programs will deliver new virtual initiatives to help keep seniors safe and socially connected as they continue to self-isolate due to COVID-19. Read more Support announced on March 1, 2020 |
Ontario Supports Francophone Community |
The Ontario government announced today it is investing $250,000 to support the promotion of products and services offered by Ontario's Francophone business community. Franco-Ontarian businesses, entrepreneurs and social enterprises will be able to sign up to access a free, bilingual digital platform to market their goods and services, allowing them to reach more consumers throughout Ontario and beyond. The province has partnered with the Regroupement des gens d'affaires de la capitale nationale (RGA) to develop and market the platform. Read more Support announced on January 27, 2020 |
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 Takes Action to Support Working Families and Improve Child Care |
The Ontario government announced regulatory amendments that support working families and improve the child care and early years sector and advance the province's dual priorities of accessibility and affordability for parents. Read more Added February 19, 2021 |
Ontario Taking Action to Expand Access to Reliable Broadband |
The Ontario government is introducing the Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021 which, if passed, would help connect more communities to reliable, high-speed internet sooner. This legislation proposes to reduce costs to broadband providers associated with attaching broadband wirelines to hydro utility poles, and would provide timely access to poles and to municipal rights of way to install broadband on municipal land. Read more Added March 5, 2021 |
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:
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Ontario Working with Municipal Partners to Improve Social Assistance |
The Ontario Government is working with its municipal partners to better connect people to the supports they need as the next step in the province’s plan to modernize the delivery of social assistance. As part of its plan, frontline workers will have more time to focus on connecting clients with supports such as job-readiness programs, housing, childcare, skills training and mental health services. At the same time, the province will gradually take on more program administration to make it easier for people to navigate the system. Read more Added February 19, 2021 |
Ontario's Property Tax and Energy Rebates Program for Businesses in Control or Lockdown Areas |
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:
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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 |
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 |
RTO7 Brings Back PPE COVID-19 Recovery Fund |
In light of current requirements around verifying vaccination passports, continued indoor masking, etc. (and popular demand), RTO7 is pleased to bring back the PPE reimbursement funding for tourism operators and businesses in BruceGreySimcoe. Every little bit helps, and this is a very easy win if you’ve incurred PPE expenses!
How it works:
RTO7 will reimburse a maximum of $1,000 before tax towards your purchase of PPE (defined as masks, sanitizer, shields, costs incurred to adhere to social distancing, touchless payments, new technology, increased cleaning, sanitization, etc.), retroactive to April 1, 2021.
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RTO 7 Partnership Programs |
Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) is still accepting applications for the 2021/22 Partnership Program which reflects RTO7’s COVID-19 RECOVERY PLAN 2021/22. In the past, the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, & Culture Industries has provided the organization with additional funding, providing matching dollars can be raised from tourism partners. RTO7 will also contribute additional funds from its base funding towards these partnerships.
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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 |
Seniors Community Grant Program |
The Ontario government is investing $4.5 million through the Seniors Community Grant Program to support over 180 diverse community projects. This year's funding focuses on helping older adults stay connected with their communities while self-isolating from the safety of their home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more The funding will help non-profit organizations, local services boards and Indigenous groups develop programs by:
Added February 19, 2021 |
"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 |
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. |
Support for Learners |
You can get financial support to help with additional costs during the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19covid 19. Eligible applicants will receive a one-time payment of:
Learn about one-time funding to support children, youth and students during the 2020-2021 school year. |
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:
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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 |
Tourism Relief Fund |
The Tourism Relief Fund, administered by Canada's regional development agencies and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), supports tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth.
Eligible applicants include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors, such as:
To be considered eligible for this fund, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
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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:
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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 WSIB 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.
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