Covid-19 Financial Relief and Supports

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

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. 

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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 Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. HASCAP is available to businesses across the country, in all sectors, that have been hit hard by the pandemic. Eligible businesses can start applying as early as February 1, 2021 at principal financial institutions.

• 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. 

• 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 Loan provides up to $2 million dollars in financing to cover operational cash flow needs. This financing is meant to help you get your operations back to where they were prior to the pandemic. 

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.

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 

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

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. 

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two (2) 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.

Application period is ongoing

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 Fu​nding​ 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:

• 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​

The province had made some changes for commercial vehicle drivers who can now renew their CVOR certificate online in 15 minutes or less.

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.

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) program and leave information for workers, families, fishers and sickness, as well as how to apply and submit a report.

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 issue letters of guarantee without putting up cash or credit to your financial institution as collateral. They will provide a 100% guarantee to financial institutions for any bonds it posts on your behalf.

• Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) Guarantee Get the cash flow you need during the COVID-19 pandemic by working with your financial institution and EDC. Qualified applicants can quickly improve their cash flow through their bank or credit union to help manage day-to-day expenses like buying inventory and paying your suppliers, or for new costs your business bears due to COVID-19.

• 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 working capital.

• Export Help Hub provides insights for your most pressing export questions to navigate this pandemic. The  EDC has helped thousands of Canadian companies find international success - online and for free.

• Foreign Exchange Facility Guarantee allows businesses to manage exchange rate risk without putting up capital as collateral.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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:

• Helping older men and women receive the support they need in their community, reducing demand on acute and long-term care
• Ensuring older adults are less at risk for neglect, abuse and fraud, and that their rights and dignity are protected
• Making sure more seniors are connected and engaged and not as socially isolated
• Providing more opportunities for older adults to achieve greater financial security

Added February 19, 2021

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.

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:

• $200 for each child or youth up to Grade 12
• $250 for each child or youth up to age 21 with special needs

Learn about one-time funding to support children, youth and students during the 2020-2021 school year.

Read more

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

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.

• businesses;
• not-for-profit organizations, such as tourism associations; and
• band councils or other Indigenous organizations and cooperatives.

• Be a key supplier or operator in the visitor experience;
• Be part of a defined tourism cluster or a tourism dependent community, including supporting downtown cores; or
• Provide an anchor product or service in a tourism destination.

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.

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

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

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

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.