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COVID-19 Business Supports

Please find below various resources for business during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

ONTARIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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(Toronto – January 7, 2022) – Today, Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement in response to the new Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant and additional electricity rate relief:

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“We welcome new supports announced today by the Ontario government and their responsiveness to our feedback. However, we are deeply concerned about those businesses that will be left behind. On the one hand, the grant is too narrow as it only applies to businesses that were required to fully close. It misses those that are at limited capacity or those losing revenue as a result of restrictions affecting their clients (such as food service suppliers). On the other hand, the electricity subsidy is too broad as it will largely benefit ratepayers that are not impacted by current restrictions.

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“We recognize that public health and a healthy economy are intrinsically linked. However, sweeping new restrictions – impacting employers, workers, and families – unaccompanied by appropriately targeted and commensurate supports are unacceptable nearly two years into the pandemic. Beyond this, we need a comprehensive plan that ties restrictions to clear, data-based metrics so that employers, workers, and families can plan ahead.”

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Haldimand and Norfolk Spark Program- DEADLINE- January 14th, 2021

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The January 14th deadline is fast approaching for the Haldimand & Norfolk "Spark" Program!

Do you have a new tourism idea for Haldimand or Norfolk?

You could be selected to receive a $3000 seed grant, mentorship and additional partner support to help get you started.

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Learn more and apply at https://www.tourisminnovation.ca/haldimandnorfolk.html

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Ontario Providing Supports for Small Businesses, Workers and Families

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Province's plan includes $10,000 grant for eligible small businesses and additional electricity-rate relief

 

January 07, 2022

 

Finance

TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing targeted relief for businesses and people impacted by the current public health measures aimed at blunting the spread of the Omicron variant. As part of this plan, the government is introducing a $10,000 grant for eligible businesses that are subject to closures under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen and is providing additional electricity-rate relief for businesses, as well as workers and families spending more time at home.

"Our government understands that public health measures needed to blunt the spread of the Omicron variant are impacting the lives and livelihoods of small businesses, workers and families across Ontario," said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. "Since the first day of the pandemic, we have provided unprecedented levels of support to protect people, jobs and our economy. We will continue to deliver on that commitment."

As part of a comprehensive plan to support workers and businesses, the government is announcing an Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. It will provide eligible small businesses with a grant payment of $10,000.

Eligible small businesses include:

  • Restaurants and bars;

  • Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms);

  • Performing arts and cinemas;

  • Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions;

  • Meeting or event spaces;

  • Tour and guide services;

  • Conference centres and convention centres;

  • Driving instruction for individuals; and

  • Before- and after- school programs.

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Eligible businesses that qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and that are subject to closure under modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will be pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply to the new program. Newly established and newly eligible small businesses will need to apply once the application portal opens in the coming weeks. Small businesses that qualify can expect to receive their payment in February.

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"Small businesses, job creators and the entrepreneurial spirit are the backbone of Ontario's economy. Unfortunately, these businesses have been some of the most impacted by COVID-19, and many continue to struggle," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "Since the start of the pandemic, we have provided unprecedented supports for businesses in every region of the province. With the new Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant, our government will provide relief for thousands of small businesses that create jobs for hard working Ontarians."

The Ontario government is also providing electricity-rate relief to support small businesses, as well as workers and families spending more time at home while the province is in Modified Step Two. For 21 days starting at 12:01 am on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, electricity prices will be set 24 hours a day at the current off-peak rate of 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is less than half the cost of the current on-peak rate. The off-peak rate will apply automatically to residential, small businesses and farms who pay regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board and get a bill from a utility and will benefit customers on both Time-of-Use and Tiered rate plans.

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"We know that spending more time at home means using more electricity during the day when prices are higher, that's why we are moving to off-peak electricity rates 24 hours per day, seven days a week," said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. "The off-peak rate will provide immediate savings for families, small businesses and farms as all Ontarians work together to slow the spread of the Omicron variant."

Further, online applications for the previously-announced Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will open on January 18. This program will provide eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with rebate payments for up to 100 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures in response to the Omicron variant.

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"Ontario's heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries have been hit first, hardest, and are expected to take the longest to recover from the pandemic," said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. "These new supports are critical to protect sectors that contribute more than $76 billion and hundreds of thousands of jobs in communities across the province."

These measures will build on Ontario's support for businesses and workers, including:

  • Cutting wholesale alcohol prices to provide approximately $60 million in annual support to restaurants, bars and other businesses, as well as making it easier for businesses to create and extend patios and permanently allowing licenced restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order.

  • Extending COVID-19 paid sick days until July 31, 2022 to keep workers safe and ensure they do not lose pay if they need to miss work for reasons related to COVID-19.

  • Enabling an estimated $10.1 billion in cost savings and support to Ontario businesses in 2021, with more than 60 per cent, or $6.3 billion, going to small businesses, including:

    • Supporting a reduction in Workplace Safety and Insurance Board premiums.

    • Allowing businesses to accelerate write-offs of capital investments for tax purposes.

    • Reducing the small business Corporate Income Tax rate to 3.2 per cent.

    • Providing the Digital Main Street program, which helped more than 20,000 businesses across the province to increase their digital presence in 2020-21.

    • Introducing and temporarily enhancing the Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit to encourage investments in certain regions of Ontario that have lagged in employment growth in the past.

    • Providing targeted COVID-19 support through the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant.

    • Lowering high Business Education Tax rates for job creators.

    • Increasing the Employer Health Tax exemption from $490,000 to $1 million.

    • Lowering electricity bills through measures such as the Comprehensive Electricity Plan, with the Province paying for a portion of high-priced, non-hydro renewable energy contracts.

    • Providing targeted COVID-19 support through the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which delivered $3 billion in urgent and unprecedented support to over 110,000 small businesses across the province.

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