Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is impacting Canadian businesses and its operations. The City of Mississauga’s Economic Development Office (EDO) is committed to helping our local business community get the most accurate and up to date information to help business owners make informed decisions through this challenging time.
The Economic Development Office, including the Mississauga Business Enterprise Centre (MBEC) is here for our businesses and we will continue to be operational and accessible by phone, email, and online and web conferencing during regular business hours.
The Economic Development Office has dedicated this page to offer businesses affected by COVID-19 the most up to date information as it becomes available. Please continue to monitor this page for the latest updates.
Page Last Updated:
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Business Relief Portal
This Relief Portal is a self-selection tool that helps identify relief programs and incentives that best apply to specific business needs and links to the government source of support.
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| Program Name | Resource Provider | Description | Website | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FedDev Ontario Repayment Deferral | FedDev Ontario and other Regional Development Agencies | A three month deferral for companies in repayment. This deferral takes effect on April 1, 2020, and will relieve some of the pressure your business is facing. FedDev Ontario will work with you to formalize these deferrals into an amended repayment schedule and outline other measures that may help your business. Tourism operators, small- or medium- sized business and organizations that have received FedDev Ontario funding in the past, may be eligible to receive additional funding and/or flexible arrangements. FedDev Ontario is also offering access to federal funding to help businesses impacted by the sudden shift in the economy and who require pressing assistance. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Income Tax Deferral | Canada Revenue Agency | "Tax filing deadline for individuals moved to June 1 2020. For self-employed deadline is still June 15. Payments on 2019 owed taxes by individuals deferred to Sept 1, 2020. For self employed, any balance due for individual income tax deferred to August 31. To support Canadian businesses and tax preparers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CRA has extended several filing deadlines for corporations and trusts to September 1, 2020." | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Suspension of Parking Offences | City of Mississauga | Suspension of parking enforcement for: On-street time limit offences; such as five (5) and fifteen (15) hour parking Overnight 2 a.m. – 6 a.m. parking restrictions | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Stormwater Charge Deferral | City of Mississauga | At the March 25 Council meeting, Mississauga City Council provided for a deferral of the Stormwater Charge by up to 90 days and amended the City’s Sign By-law in response to COVID-19 to help further mitigate impacts on residents and businesses. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Provincial Tax Deferral and Penalty Relief | Province of Ontario | Beginning April 1, 2020, penalties and interest will not apply to Ontario’s businesses that miss any filing or remittance deadlines under select provincially administered taxes. This will continue for a period of five months, up until August 31, 2020. See link for list of tax programs. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Province of Ontario Postponing Planned Property Tax Reassessment | Province of Ontario | The government is postponing the planned property tax reassessment for 2021. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| WSIB Financial Relief Package | Province of Ontario | The financial relief package allows businesses to defer premium reporting and payments?until August 31,?2020. All businesses covered by the WSIB’s workplace insurance are automatically eligible for the financial package. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| CanExport | Government of Canada | Funding for international market development activities. Due to travel restrictions during COVID-19 crisis CanExport advises applicants to develop a project plan that can be executed remotely from your target market. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| Region of Peel Defers Water and Wastewater Increases | Region of Peel | Region of Peel will be deferring the water and wastewater rate increase scheduled for April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Region of Peel Defers Water Bill Payment | Region of Peel | Region of Peel introduced a 91-day grace period for water bills due from April 1 – June 30. During this time, no late payment charges will be applied. The grace period will take effect immediately. Customers who are currently on a pre-authorized payment plan can contact us at 905-791-8711 or email ZZGPaymentsNew@peelregion.ca to change scheduled payments. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Work Sharing Program | Employment and Social Development Canada | Work-Sharing (WS) is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The measure provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers. The Government of Canada has introduced temporary special measures that extend the maximum duration of Work-Sharing agreements from 38 weeks to 76 weeks across Canada for those businesses affected by the downturn in business due to COVID-19. Other measures are still in place for the forestry and steel and aluminum sectors. You are eligible to apply if you are experiencing a downturn in business activity related to the global outbreak of COVID-19, and have: - WS agreements signed between March 15, 2020 and March 13, 2021 - WS agreements that began, or ended between March 15, 2020 and March 14, 2021, and - WS agreements that ended between June 23, 2019, and March 14, 2020 and are in their mandatory cooling-off period | Business Financing & Income Support, Employment Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| GST, HST & Import Duty Tax Deferral | Government of Canada | Government of Canada will allow businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) payments as well as customs duties owed for imports until June. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Support for Industrial, Commercial and Small Business Electricity Consumers During COVID-19 | Province of Ontario | The Ontario government is extending emergency electricity rate relief to families, farms and small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak through the suspension of time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates. Starting on June 1, 2020, customers will be billed based on a new fixed COVID-19 Recovery Rate of 12.8 cents per kilowatt hour. This fixed rate will apply to TOU customer bills 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The COVID-19 Recovery Rate will be in place until October 31, 2020, followed by a new customer choice initiative. The government will continue to subsidize electricity bills by 31.8 percent through the Ontario Electricity Rebate. The government is providing approximately $5.6 billion in 2020-21 as part of its existing electricity cost relief programs, to help ensure more affordable electricity bills for eligible residential, farm and small business consumers. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| City of Mississauga Business Licensing | City of Mississauga | All fines, penalties and late fees have been temporarily suspended for any licence that has expired after March 1, 2020. Business licenses that have expired since March 1, 2020 are extended until further notice. New licence applications are suspended until further notice. Complaints related to business licensing will still be investigated. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Construction Site Health & Safety During COVID-19 | Province of Ontario | The Province of Ontario has put together resources, best practices and information to help construction employers understand their rights and responsibilities while operating during COVID-19. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources, Workplace Health & Safety | Construction | Learn More | |
| Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace: Employers, employees and essential service workers | Government of Canada | The Government of Canada has outlined detailed policies and practices for employers to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. | Workplace Health & Safety | General | Learn More | |
| COVID-19 Regulatory Measures Impacting Business | Region of Peel | Region of Peel COVID-19 business resources webpage includes detailed information on COVID-19 regulatory measures impacting business, including an FAQ on the Province of Ontario's mandatory closure of non-essential businesses. | Government Regulations & Policy, Workplace Health & Safety | General | Learn More | |
| Free Public Transit in Mississauga | City of Mississauga | No fare payment will be required. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Property Tax Deferral | City of Mississauga | On May 6, 2020, Council unanimously agreed to provide further financial assistance to taxpayers to help ease financial pressures as a result of the impacts of COVID-19 by deferring final tax instalments for residential and non-residential property owners for 90 days and stopping late payment charges and fees related to tax payment requests for changes. Council previously provided cash flow assistance by deferring the April to June interim tax instalment dates by 90 days and is again asking all landlords to pass this additional financial relief on their tenants. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| COVID-19 Small Business Help Centre | Canadian Federation of Independent Business | The CFIB has put together a resource page for small businesses with FAQs related to employee management, health & safety and business continuity planning. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources, Workplace Health & Safety | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Canadian Business Resilience Network | Canadian Chamber of Commerce | In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to help Canadian businesses navigate the COVID-19 reality and prepare for recovery. This website includes resources to support businesses, including continuity plans, health & safety measures and business recovery plans. A toolkit for reopening has been added. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources, Workplace Health & Safety | General | Learn More | |
| Ontario Agri-Food Job Portal | Province of Ontario | A one-stop-shop that highlights employment openings and training resources in Ontario’s agriculture and food sector. | Workforce Development Opportunities | Food & Beverage | Learn More | |
| Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises | Export Development Canada and Private Financial Institutions | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Private Bank Debt & Payment Relief | Private Financial Institutions | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Ontario Health Workforce Matching Portal | Province of Ontario | 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. | Workforce Development Opportunities | Healthcare, Life Sciences | Learn More | |
| Inventory of Resources and Supports for Canada's Music Industry | Canadian Independent Music Association | Canadian Independent Music Association has provided an inventory of COVID-19 related information and resources for Canada's music industry | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | Culture | Learn More | |
| Municipal Accommodation Tax Deferral | City of Mississauga | Municipal Accommodation Tax remittances due on March 31, April 30 and May 31, 2020 are deferred to June 30, July 31 and August 31, 2020 | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | Hospitality, Tourism | Learn More | |
| Late Licence Renewal Fees for Mobile Business Licences Waived | City of Mississauga | Late renewal fees for mobile business licences will be waived until further notice. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| COVID-19 Implications for Canada and the Economic Impact | Conference Board of Canada | A go-to resource for insights and analysis on COVID-19 to include updates, data, forecasts, research on the growing spread of coronavirus, and useful tools that will help you and your organization navigate these challenging times. All resources listed on this page are free. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | General | Learn More | |
| Canada Summer Jobs Program Enhancements | Government of Canada | Temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program include an increase to the wage subsidy to 100%, extension of the end date for employment to February 28, 2021, and allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis and adapt projects to support esstential services. The hiring period for Canada Summer Jobs 2020 started May 15, 2020. Thousands of opportunities are being posted to the Job Bank website for jobs available across the country. Thousands more will be posted over the coming weeks and months, with a target of approximately 70,000 placements. | Workforce Development Opportunities | General | Learn More | |
| Canada Emergency Response Benefit | Government of Canada | CERB provides financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19. Payments of $2,000 for a 4-week period (the same as $500 a week) will be made for up to 16 weeks. Individuals are required to reapply for CERB every four weeks if support is still needed. Eligibility criteria for the CERB have been expanded, including allowances for individuals earning income while receiving support, seasonal workers and those who recently exhausted EI benefits. Please follow link for full information on eligibility and the application process. | Business Financing & Income Support, Employment Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| Canada Emergency Business Account | Government of Canada, Private Financial Institutions | NOTE: Eligibility for CEBA loans will be expanded to allow businesses without payroll to apply, please see link for more details. In partnership with private sector financial institutions, the Government of Canada is guaranteeing interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover operating costs they have not been able to defer due to COVID-19. Loans are available to Canadian employers with $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019, and operating as of March 1, 2020 or those with eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. If the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022, 25 per cent (up to $10,000) will be forgiven. To determine eligibility and to access a loan, businesses should contact their primary lender. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| MaRS COVID-19 Resources for Entrepreneurs | MaRS Discovery District | This resource brings together a set of tools and tactics startups can use to prepare, plan and respond to COVID-19 | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | General | Learn More | |
| BDC Continuity Plan and Templates for Entrepreneurs | Business Development Bank of Canada | 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. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Temporary Doubling of the Employer Health Tax Exemption | Province of Ontario | 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. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| COVID-19 Information & Resources for Ontario's Music Industry | Music Ontario | Music Ontario has provided an inventory of COVID-19 related information and resources for Ontario's music industry | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | Culture | Learn More | |
| Workplace Safety & Prevention Services COVID-19 Resources | Workplace Safety & Prevention Services | WSPS COVID-19 website includes a range of resources related workplace health & safety, as well as COVID-19 information & infection control that can assist employers in responding to COVID-19. | Workplace Health & Safety | General | Learn More | |
| Indigenous Small and Medium Business Support | Government of Canada | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| BDC Oil and Gas Sector Financing | Business Development Bank of Canada | Financing includes loans between $15 million and $60 million for Canadian-based oil and gas producers, oilfield service companies and midstream providers. Please see link for details. | Business Financing & Income Support | Oil and Gas | Learn More | |
| BDC COVID-19 Working Capital Loans | Business Development Bank of Canada | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| Credit Support for Producers, Agribusinesses and Food Processors | Farm Credit Canada | Farm Credit Canada 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | Food & Beverage | Learn More | |
| Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Part 1 Licence Fee Waive | Government of Canada | 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. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | Culture, Media | Learn More | |
| COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations | Canadian Heritage | The new 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | Culture, Tourism, Recreation, Media | Learn More | |
| Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy - 75% Wage Subsidy | Government of Canada | Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) provides a 75% wage subsidy to eligible employers for up to 12 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020. The Government of Canada has provided a detailed description of the applicaton process and eligibility criteria, including a subsidy calculator that allows employers to calculate their eligible funding amount. Applications are now open. Direct deposits will begin to appear in employers’ accounts as of May 7, 2020. The program was originally set to end June 6, 2020. The program will now be extended until August 29, 2020. Please see link for more details. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| NRC IRAP Innovation Assistance Program | National Research Council of Canada | This Program is Currently Closed to Applications: National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program provides a wage subsidy to eligible employers for up to 12 weeks (amount determined on a case by case basis). Small or medium-sized businesses (SMEs) pursuing technology-driven innovation who have been unable to secure funding under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy are eligible and can apply for financial assistance under this program. Please see the link for further details on eligibility and the application process. | Business Financing & Income Support | Information Communications and Technology | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| COVID-19 Futurpreneur Canada Funding for Young Entrepreneurs | Futurpreneur Canada | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Pandemic Info Share | Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safet | An online space to enable businesses to share their pandemic-related good practices and resources that other workplaces may find helpful in developing their own business continuity plans.The website is available in English and French, and users can search by industry/sector, resource type, and topics. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | General | Learn More | |
| Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (OCECRA) | Government of Canada, Province of Ontario and Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation | OCECRA for small businesses provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It offers unsecured, forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to: reduce the rent owed by their impacted small business tenants; and meet operating expenses on commercial properties. Property owners must offer a minimum of a 75% rent reduction for the months of April, May and June 2020. This program will be administered through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation and funding will be distributed through commercial property owners with small business tenants. The application portal is now open. To find out how much rent support an entity may be eligible for, please visit Ontario.ca/rentassistance to use the Rent Assistance Calculator. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Sign By-law and Portable Signs on Road Allowances Corporate Policy Amendments | City of Mississauga | Amended the Sign By-law and Portable Signs on Road Allowances Corporate Policy to provide additional advertising opportunities for businesses and community groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| Province of Ontaro Extension of Validation Periods for Driver, Vehicle and Carrier Products | Province of Ontario | New regulations include extensions for driver licences, licence plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| Municipal Emergency Act, 2020 | Province of Ontario | The new legislation ensures that for the near future, the delivery of goods to Ontario's businesses and consumers isn't impacted by municipal noise bylaws that may unintentionally be impeding such deliveries when they are most urgently needed. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020 | Province of Ontario | Provides job-protected leave for employees who are in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, or those who need to be away from work to care for children because of school or day care closures or to care for other relatives. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| Insurance Act Amendment | Province of Ontario | 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. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| List of Essential Workplaces; Stop the Spread Business Information Line: 1-888-444-3659 | Province of Ontario | Following advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, as of Monday, May 4, 2020, certain businesses and workplaces may reopen as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ontario government announced the retailers, seasonal businesses and health and community service providers who will be permitted to open or expand their services on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., provided that the general trend on health indicators continues to improve as part of the first stage of the government's reopening framework. The government also announced additional seasonal services and activities will be permitted to open as early as Saturday May 16, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., in time for the Victoria Day long weekend, as key public health indicators continue to show progress. Businesses that are not identified on this list must keep their physical place of business closed. If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, please visit the program link or call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| Agri-Food Open for E-Business Initiative | Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs | The Governments of Ontario and Canada are investing up to $2.5 million to help the agri-food sector expand online, providing more opportunities for producers to grow their business and offer more food choices for families who are shopping from home during the COVID-19 outbreak. 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. This targeted application intake features two funding streams: (1) Bring Your Business Online - Eligible organizations and businesses can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to establish an online e-business and marketing presence; (2) Develop Online Business Opportunities - Eligible organizations, businesses and collaborations can apply for cost-share funding of up to $75,000 to implement high-impact projects. Please see link for more details. | Business Financing & Income Support, Business Planning & Advisory Resources | Food & Beverage | Learn More | |
| A Framework for Reopening our Province | Province of Ontario | "The government is planning a stage-by-stage approach to reopening the economy to ensure there are appropriate measures in place so workplaces can open safely. Public health officials will carefully monitor each stage for two to four weeks, as they assess the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak to determine if it is necessary to change course to maintain public health: Stage 1: For businesses that were ordered to close or restrict operations, opening select workplaces that can immediately modify operations to meet public health guidance. Opening some outdoor spaces like parks and allowing for a greater number of individuals to attend some events. Hospitals would also begin to offer some non-urgent and scheduled surgeries, and other health care services. Stage 2: Opening more workplaces, based on risk assessments, which may include some service industries and additional office and retail workplaces. Some larger public gatherings would be allowed, and more outdoor spaces would open. Stage 3: Opening of all workplaces responsibly and further relaxing of restrictions on public gatherings. Throughout each stage, continued protections for vulnerable populations must be in place, along with the continued practice of physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene, and significant mitigation plans to limit health risks." | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers | Province of Ontario | Businesses working to retool their operations to produce health-related products, or those that want to continue their operations in this new environment of physical distancing, can submit any potential roadblocks to the website. | Government Regulations & Policy, Business Planning & Advisory Resources | General | Learn More | |
| Help For My Restaurant | Help For My Restaurant | A task-force of volunteers has collaborated and put together a resource package for restaurant, bar, and hospitality venues to help them respond to COVID-19, including business continuity, pivoting service delivery towards take-out and e-commerce, and food & health safety measures. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Tourism | Learn More | |
| Principles for Restarting the Canadian Economy | Government of Canada | "As the first wave of COVID-19 activity passes, Provincial and Territorial governments will move at their own pace to safely restore economic activity within their jurisdictions, while protecting the health of Canadians. The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial governments have come together and agreed to a set of common principles for restarting the Canadian economy. The statement released on April 28, 2020 identifies the criteria and measures that need to be in place in order to begin to take steps to restart the economy. These include: i. COVID-19 transmission is controlled, so new cases are contained at a level that the health care system can manage. ii. Sufficient public health capacity is in place to test, trace, isolate, and control the spread of the virus. iii. Expanded health care capacity exists to support all needs, including COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. iv. Supports are in place for vulnerable groups, communities, and key populations. This includes the protection of seniors, residents of group living facilities, workers in close quarters, homeless people, and Indigenous people and those living in remote locations, health care workers and other essential workers, and inmates. v. Support and monitoring of workplace protocols are in place to keep Canadians safe at their jobs, and prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19. vi. Restrictions on non-essential travel are eased and managed in a coordinated manner. vii. Communities are supported in managing local disease activity, including in child care, schools, and public transportation, and industry and economic sectors are engaged to support the health of Canadians, reduced viral activity, and protection of the economy as it restarts. " | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| BDC Capital Bridge Financing Program | Business Development Bank of Canada | BDC Capital, BDC’s investment arm, 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. BDC will invest alongside these groups. This is not limited to BDC’s portfolio. All companies that meet the criteria are eligible to apply. Interested companies should speak to their lead investor for details. Venture capital firms looking to participate can contact BDC Capital at VCReliefProgram@bdc.ca to discuss their eligibility. Please see link for more details. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy | Government of Canada | The 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers is a three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Please see link to for details, including how to calculate your remittance reduction. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| Work Integrated Learning Program | Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) | Work Integrated Learning program provides wage subsidies up to 70% (to a maximum of $7,000) of a work term student’s pay to encourage work opportunities for students. In response to COVID-19, ITAC has made program adjustments, including allows students to work from home. Please see link for details. | Workforce Development Opportunities | Information Communications and Technology | Learn More | |
| COVID-19 Tools and Resources for Business | Ontario Chamber of Commerce | The OCC website includes a Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit and other resources for businesses. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | General | Learn More | |
| Health and Safety Association Guidance Documents for Workplaces During the COVID-19 Outbreak | Province of Ontario | In partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Ontario's Health and Safety Associations have released a series of more than 60 technical sector guidance documents to further support employers and employees in remaining safe in the workplace during the COVID-19 outbreak. | Workplace Health & Safety | General | Learn More | |
| COVID-19 Sector Specific Health & Safety Posters & Guidelines | Province of Ontario | Ontario is releasing safety guidelines to protect workers, customers and the general public from COVID-19 as it prepares for a gradual reopening of the provincial economy. Sector guidelines contain recommendations and tips for employers on how to keep workers safe on the job. Posters for both employers and workers also offer advice on preventative actions, including physical distancing and workplace sanitation. Employers are encouraged to download the posters to print and post in the workplace. | Workplace Health & Safety | General | Learn More | |
| Farm Credit Canada Term Loans | Farm Credit Canada | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | Food & Beverage | Learn More | |
| Renew Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR) Certificate | Ontario Ministry of Transportation | Commercial vehicle drivers can now renew their CVOR certificate online in 15 minutes or less. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| Ontario 511 App to Support Trucking Industry | Province of Ontario | The Province has launched an app to support the trucking industry. The Ontario 511 app provides images from over 600 cameras and includes up-to-date highway information on construction, collisions and road closures. It also identifies open rest areas and locations throughout the province that offer food and fuel. The app includes an easy to use map view and features a drive mode that provides hands free audio alerts. | Government Regulations & Policy | Logistics | Learn More | |
| Industrial and Commercial Electricity Global Adjustment Charge Deferral | Province of Ontario | The Province will defer a portion of Global Adjustment (GA) charges for industrial and commercial electricity consumers that do not participate in the Regulated Price Plan for the period starting from April 2020. This initiative is intended to provide companies with temporary immediate relief on their monthly electricity bills. On May 30, 2020, the Province announced that this emergency order and a related regulatory amendment have been extended through to the end of June 2020. The GA rate for smaller industrial and commercial consumers (i.e., Class B) has been set at $115 per megawatt-hour, which is roughly in line with the March 2020 value. Large industrial and commercial consumers (i.e., Class A) will receive the same percentage reduction in GA charges as Class B consumers. Subject to the approval of subsequent amendments, deferred costs would be recovered over a 12-month period beginning in January 2021. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| EDC Credit Insurance | Export Development Canada | Credit insurance programs for exporters which cover 90% of insured losses against risk of non-payment. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| Foreign Exchange Facility Guarantee | Export Development Canada | This program allows businesses to manage exchange rate risk without putting up capital. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| Account Performance Security Guarantee | Export Development Canada | EDC will provide a 100% guarantee to financial institutions on behalf of businesses for letters of guarantee. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| Export Guarantee Program | Export Development Canada | EDC will provide guarantees on money borrowed by exporters to increase their access to capital. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| Emergency Processing Fund | Government of Canada | The Government of Canada will provide targeted support to farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and food processors by creating a $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund to help food producers access more personal protective equipment (PPE), adapt to health protocols, automate or modernize their facilities, processes, and operations, and respond to emerging pressures from COVID-19 so they can better supply Canadians with food during this period. More details to follow. | Business Financing & Income Support, Workplace Health & Safety | Food & Beverage | Learn More | |
| AgriRecovery | Government of Canada | A $125 million fund to help producers faced with additional costs incurred by COVID-19. This new federal funding will help beef and pork producers and processors adapt to a changing market, and help farmers and ranchers keep their animals longer before marketing due to the temporary closure of food processing plants. More details to follow. | Business Financing & Income Support | Food & Beverage | Learn More | |
| Tariff Relief for Importers of Certain Medical Goods, Including PPE | Government of Canada | The government is waiving tariffs on certain medical goods, including PPE such as masks and gloves. Tariff relief for these goods will remain in place for as long as necessary to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. The list of applicable goods and tariff relief application process can be found on the Canada Border Services Agency’s website link provided below. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Tariff Relief to Importers of Certain Medical Goods | Government of Canada | 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, firstresponse 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. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Learn More | |
| Agri-food Workplace Protection Program | Canadian Agricultural Partnership | The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing $2.25 million in provincially licensed meat processing plants to better protect employees and ensure the continued supply of healthy products for consumers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the first stream of the Agri-food Workplace Protection Program will provide funding to implement COVID-19 health and safety measures in provincially licensed meat plants, including purchasing additional personal protective equipment, redesigning workstations, supporting employees who require mandatory isolation, and work-site mobility and transportation. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) will begin accepting applications on May 12, 2020 and will expedite the approval process to get the necessary support to the agri-food sector faster. Eligible applications will be received and assessed on a continuous basis, while funding is available. | Business Financing & Income Support | Food & Beverage | Learn More | |
| Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) | Canada Development Investment Corporation, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the Department of Finance | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Learn More | |
| BDC Mid-Market Financing Program | Business Development Bank of Canada and Private Financial Institutions | With the goal of helping more Canadian businesses face the financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Mid-Market Financing Program available under Business Credit Availability Program with support from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). This program will provide loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million for medium-sized businesses particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, co-managed by BDC and their primary financial institution, to cover operational liquidity needs and business continuity. This program is available to medium-sized businesses whose credit needs exceed what is already available through the Business Credit Availability Program and other measures. The Bank anticipates that qualifying companies will have annual revenues in excess of approximately $100 million. Please complete the form in the program link to get an update once more information is available. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Voluntary Redeployment of Education Workers to Fill Staffing Shortages | Province of Ontario | 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. Starting later this week, 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. | Workforce Development Opportunities | Educational Services, Healthcare, Social Services | Learn More | |
| Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) | FedDev Ontario and other Regional Development Agencies | The new Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) devotes nearly $962 million to help businesses and organization who do not qualify for, or have been rejected from, current Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures. Priority may be given to SMEs in the manufacturing, technology, tourism and other sectors key to the region, that are major employers in small communities or that support the government’s commitment to underrepresented groups. Applications can be submitted for support for fixed operating costs, where business revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario will deliver: $213 million for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing financial pressure; and $39.4 million to provide rural businesses with access to capital and technical support, delivered by southern Ontario’s Community Futures Development Corporations. The program will provide financial contributions (interest-free loans) to help support fixed operating costs of SMEs, where business revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. | Business Financing & Income Support | General, Information Communications and Technology, Manufacturing, Technology, Tourism, Life Sciences, Cleantech, Aerospace, Automotive, Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Recreation | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Allowing Temporary Workers to Get Back to Work Quickly | Government of Canada | 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. | Workforce Development Opportunities, Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| Ontario Government Supporting Parents as Economy Reopens - Protecting Licensed Child Care | Province of Ontario | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | Child Day Care Services | Learn More | |
| COVID-19 Response and Reforms to Modernize Ontario Act, 2020 - Conducting Business While Practicing Physical Distancing | Province of Ontario | On May 12, 2020, the Ontario Government passed the COVID-19 Response and Reforms to Modernize Ontario Act, 2020, which will help people conduct business while practising physical distancing. New legislation will allow for more virtual or remote transactions during COVID-19. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| EDC Export Help Hub | Export Development Canada | EDC’s Export Help Hub provides insights for your most pressing export questions to navigate this pandemic. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | General | Learn More | |
| BDC Small Business Loan | Business Development Bank of Canada | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| EDC Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program | Export Development Canada and Private Financial Institutions | With the goal of helping more Canadian businesses face the financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program available under Business Credit Availability Program with support from Export Development Canada (EDC). This 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 per cent 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. More details will be made available soon. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises | Business Development Bank of Canada and Private Financial Institutions | Through the Business Credit Availability Program, Business Development Canada (BDC) is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans to SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements. Eligible businesses may obtain incremental credit amounts up to $6.25 million BDC’s portion of this program is up to $5 million maximum per loan. Eligible financial institutions will conduct the underwriting and manage the interface with their customers. This support is available until or before September 30, 2020. This program is now available at various financial institutions and credit unions. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Ontario Workplace PPE Supplier Directory | Province of Ontario | The Province of Ontario has added a Workplace PPE Supplier Directory to its Ontario Together website. The directory will assist workplaces to find personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect against COVID-19. Please see link for more details. | Workplace Health & Safety | General | Learn More | |
| Government of Canada Funding for Fish Harvesters | Government of Canada | The Government of Canada announced up to $469.4 million in new measures to support Canada’s fish harvesters, who are economically impacted by the pandemic but cannot access existing federal measures. Fundings covers the Fish Harvester Benefit and Fish Harvester Grant programs as well as adjustments to the Employment Insurance program to better support self-employed fish harvesters. Please see link for details. | Business Financing & Income Support | Food & Beverage | Learn More | |
| Agriculture and Food Business Solutions Fund | Farm Credit Canada | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | Food & Beverage, Manufacturing | Learn More | |
| Medical Innovation Xchange (MIX) | Medical Innovation Xchange (MIX), Province of Ontario | 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. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | Manufacturing | Learn More | |
| ArchAngel Network of Funds | ArchAngel | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support, Business Planning & Advisory Resources | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Small Business Relief Fund | Canadian Chamber of Commerce | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| COVID-19 Legislative Changes Allow Corporations to Operate Virtually and Electronically | Province of Ontario | In response to COVID-19, temporary and permanent legislative amendments have been made to help corporations continue to function while still adhering to physical distancing guidelines and legal requirements. The Province is permitting Ontario corporations to conduct virtual meetings and to defer certain annual meetings in specified circumstances and is allowing the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services to accept copies of documents, electronic signatures on documents, and electronic filing of documents. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Learn More | |
| Business Resilience Service | Canadian Chamber’s Canadian Business Resilience Network, EY, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, Imagine Canada | "The Business Resilience Service will provide options for any vulnerable small to medium-sized business, not-for-profit or charity to immediately connect with experienced accounting and tax professionals across the country from professional services firms. The program, delivered to organizations free of charge, will: - Provide guidance on program options and eligibility - Rapidly direct businesses – including enterprises involving Indigenous peoples, women and diverse groups – to the most appropriate support organizations - Help organizations make decisions to support recovery plans - Provide real time insights and feedback to policymakers The BRS program, coordinated by EY, will be provided for four weeks from Monday, May 25, and will involve support from approximately 125 business advisors from across the accounting profession. Organizations can access the BRS seven days a week from 8am – 8pm ET (5am – 5pm PT) by calling 1-866-989-1080." | Business Planning & Advisory Resources | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Virtual Action Centre | Province of Ontario, UNITE HERE Local 75 | "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; - Peer group facilitation and employment preparation through videoconferencing." | Workforce Development Opportunities | Hospitality, Tourism | Learn More | |
| Ontario Tools Grant | Province of Ontario | 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. | Workforce Development Opportunities | Motive Power, Construction, Manufacturing | Learn More | |
| Loans for Tools Program - Loan Forgiveness | Province of Ontario | 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. | Workforce Development Opportunities, Tax & Payment Relief Measures | Motive Power, Construction, Manufacturing | Learn More | |
| Women Entrepreneurship Strategy | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | 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. | Business Financing & Income Support | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Youth Employment and Skills Program Enhancement for Youth in the Agriculture Sector | Employment and Social Development Canada | The Federal Government is investing up to $9.2 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and fund up to 700 new positions for youth in the agriculture industry. The YESP will provide agriculture employers up to 50 per cent of the cost of hiring a Canadian youth up to $14,000. Indigenous applicants and those applicants hiring a youth facing barriers are eligible for funding of up to 80 per cent of their costs. Eligible applicants include producers, agri-businesses, industry associations, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous organizations and research facilities. Employers may apply for this funding retroactive to April 1, 2020, with projects to be completed by March 31, 2021. Application forms are available through the Youth Employment and Skills Program, or to get more information, please contact aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@canada.ca, or call: 1-866-452-5558. | Business Financing & Income Support, Workforce Development Opportunities | Food & Beverage | Learn More | |
| Student Work Placement Program | Government of Canada | "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." | Workforce Development Opportunities | General | Learn More | |
| Mississauga Joins Digital Main Street’s ShopHERE | City of Mississauga | To help support our local small businesses, Mississauga is proud to announce it will be joining the ShopHERE, powered by Google program. The program will provide independent businesses and artists with resources to develop and launch an online store, with the support of local post-secondary students. Local businesses and artists can apply for the program to get their online store built at no-cost. | Business Planning & Advisory Resources, Workplace Health & Safety | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| Infectious Disease Emergency Leave | Province of Ontario | 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. | Government Regulations & Policy, Workplace Health & Safety | General | Learn More | |
| Ban on Electricity Disconnections for Low-Volume Small Business Consumers | Ontario Energy Board | The OEB is extending the current ban on electricity disconnections for non-payment for all residential customers to July 31, 2020. Low-volume, small business customers will now also be protected by the ban. In addition, the OEB is calling on distributors to be more flexible on arrears payment arrangements. | Government Regulations & Policy | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
| COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program- Small Business (CEAP-SB) | Province of Ontario | The Province has announced $8 million in funding through this program to provide support to businesses struggling with bill payments as a result of the COVD-19 outbreak. Applications for this program will be made available in the coming months. | Tax & Payment Relief Measures | General | Start-Up, Small or Medium Size Businesses | Learn More |
Government of Canada - COVID-19 Business Relief Portal
The Government of Canada is also offering a Relief Portal; here you’ll be asked 7 to 10 questions, one at a time. Once complete, the Government of Canada will provide you with a list of benefits that may help in your situation. It will also have links for more information.
Reopening & Recovery
As the Province begins Stage 1 of business openings, we advise you to follow the health and safety guidelines to ensure your business is well-positioned to open.
Stage 1
Province of Ontario: Framework for Reopening
A Framework for Reopening our Province lays out the government’s approach to the next chapter in the ongoing fight to defeat COVID‑19. It outlines the principles the government will use to reopening businesses, services and public spaces in gradual stages.
Province of Ontario: Sector Specific Industry Guidelines & Resources
Ontario is releasing safety guidelines to protect workers, customers and the general public from COVID-19 as it prepares for a gradual reopening of the provincial economy.
Province of Ontario: List of Essential Workplaces
Read the list of essential workplaces in response to COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus). If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, click learn more or call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
Online Webinars to Support Businesses
The City of Mississauga, Mississauga Business Enterprise Centre (MBEC) is offering a series of free online webinars to support small business owners and entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 crisis. Hear information and insights from business and industry experts on a variety of topics. See upcoming events below:
COVID-19 Countermeasures
Are you a business or service provider that can help supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support Canada’s response to COVID-19? Here is a list of available opportunities to contribute to the cause:
Filter by:
| Program Name | Resource Provider | Description | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government of Canada: Calling all suppliers – Help Canada combat Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) | Government of Canada | The Government of Canada is asking suppliers about their ability to provide products and services in support of Canada’s response to COVID-19. | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| NRC COVID-19 Procurement, Manufacturing and Pandemic Response Programs | National Research Council Canada | 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. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Ontario Centres of Excellence COVID-19 Collaboration Platform | Ontario Centres of Excellence | 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. | Collaboration Platforms | Learn More |
| Region of Peel Accepting Donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | Region of Peel | The Region of Peel is accepting donations of unused, unopen and unexpired Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Region will arrange a courier to pick up donations or they can be dropped off at designated locations. Courier services are for large donations only. | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| Help Trillium Health Partners Respond to COVID-19 by Donating Personal Protective Equipment | Trillium Health Partners | Donations are required from our community to respond rapidly to our local need, including the expected surge of patients at Trillium Health Partners. | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| Health Canada – Clinical Health Trials | Health Canada | 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 - For further information please contact: i. trials using pharmaceutical drugs: OCT_BEC_Enquiries_Enquetes@hc-sc.gc.ca ii. trials using biologics or radiopharmaceuticals: hc.bgtd.ora.sc@canada.ca iii. trials using natural health products: NHPD-CTA.DECDPSN@canada.ca iv. investigational testing of medical devices: hc.meddevicesinstrumentsmed.sc@canada.ca | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 | Government of Canada | 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: I. You manufacture in Canada and/or have ready access to necessary inputs through your supply chain. II. 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. III. You have skilled workers who are able to respond and who could be available for work in the current circumstances. | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Recovery: Rapid Response Innovation Program | Creative Destruction 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. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Tech 4 Learning | Venture X | Venture X is actively inviting the donation of laptops, tablets and monetary donations to help reach the goal of donating 10,000 computing devices to support Peel District School Board. The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the education of millions of students. School boards are turning to distance learning to ensure kids are still able to continue their school year. This plan needs to be supported by access to a computer, laptop or tablet, and a high speed internet connection. | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| Ontario Together: Help fight Coronavirus | Province of Ontario | 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. | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| #CanadaPerforms Concert Streaming Opportunity | National Arts Centre | 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. | Creative Industries Platforms | Learn More |
| COVID-19 Program - Digital Technology Supercluster | Canada's 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. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| COVID-19 Canadian Tech Group Slack Channel | Council of Canadian Innovators | 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. | Collaboration Platforms | Learn More |
| Ontario COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund | Province of Ontario | 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. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association - One Million Mask Challenge | 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). | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| MusicTogether | MusicTogether | A living room concert series to pay artists in need. MusicTogether supports working Ontario musicians during the COVID-19 crisis with direct funding, new opportunities for fan discovery, and eCommerce tools. | Creative Industries Platforms | Learn More |
| SPARK Ontario - Volunteer Opportunities During COVID-19 | SPARK Ontario | 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. | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| NGen’s COVID-19 Response Program | Next Generation Manufacturing Canada | 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. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Canadian COVID Genomics Network (CanCOGeN) | Genome Canada | 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. For more information please contact Genome Canada at info@genomecanada.ca. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Strategic Innovation Fund | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | 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. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Mitacs COVID-19 Research & Development Opportunities | Mitacs | Mitacs has introduced new programming and enhanced existing programs and funding amounts to encourage and support COVID-19 related research initiatives. Please see Mitac link for details. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Coronavirus Global Response | European Union and International Partners | 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. | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| Surplus Food Purchase Program | Government of Canada | The $50 million food surplus purchasing program is part of the larger $252 million in aid the Federal government is contributing to the agriculture and food production industries. Under the program, the Federal government will recover the cost of buying the surplus food products —such as potatoes, poultry and pork —and send them to charitable groups across Canada. | Surplus Purchasing | Learn More |
| CovidPPEHelp | University of Toronto | COVID PPE HELP is a network that facilitates distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to organizations in forms of customers, suppliers, donors and logistics to help fulfill PPE needs across Canada. | Donations and Procurement and Service Requests | Learn More |
| Accelerated Ocean Solutions Program | Canada's Ocean Supercluster | 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: i. remote operations, ii. environment technologies, iii. and digital or automated technologies. The application process is now open and begins with expressions of interest which will close on May 22. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) | Department of National Defence | "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." | Research Challenges | Learn More |
| Innovative Solutions Canada COVID-19 Challenge Program | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | Dedicated funding to help combat current and future outbreaks of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and other similar threats. The program will help support the Government of Canada's fight against COVID-19 by funding R&D 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. | Research Challenges | Learn More |
News & Updates
This is an accumulation of some of the information that is being circulated by Government and other regional agencies that may be relevant to our local business community and employees.
Most Recent Announcements:
The Ontario government continues investing in local manufacturers in order to keep frontline workers and communities safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. More innovative businesses are receiving financial support today through the Ontario Together Fund to re-tool their processes and increase their capacity to make personal protective equipment (PPE).
To help support our local small businesses, Mississauga is proud to announce it will be joining the ShopHERE, powered by Google program. The program will provide independent businesses and artists with resources to develop and launch an online store at no-cost, with the support of local post-secondary students.
Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the names of nine business leaders who will join Monique Leroux on the new and recently announced Industry Strategy Council. The Council provides a forum for the Government to hear from and collaborate with well-respected industry leaders to assess the scope and depth of COVID-19’s impact on industries and to understand specific sectoral pressures.
On May 31, 2020, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced that the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) will receive $30 million in FedDev Ontario RRRF funding to provide financial relief to destination marketing organizations (DMOs) across southern Ontario that have experienced significant revenue shortfalls.
The Government of Canada is taking further action to support businesses operating in Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas dealing with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 700 businesses may now be eligible for relief from the Government of Canada under similar eligibility conditions to those of the CECRA program. The Government of Canada will waive up to 75 percent of eligible commercial rents for the months of April, May and June 2020 or equivalent amounts of annual rents. This relief is additional to measures announced March 27 allowing commercial operators to defer payments normally due on or after April 2, 2020 to as late as September 1, 2020.
As part of Canada’s fourth National AccessAbility Week, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, announced financial support of up to $6.4 million over three years for up to 16 organizations across Canada through the disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP-D). This funding will support partnerships between disability stakeholders and the federally regulated private sector and help to develop best practice tools and resources in the areas of accessible workplaces, accessible service design and delivery, and communication.
Today, the government announced that it 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.
The Ontario government announced that it will continue to support provincial electricity consumers by providing stability and greater customer choice, while helping those struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), which was announced on April 1, 2020, helps employers protect jobs, rehire employees, and provide workers with a decent income. The Department of Finance Canada is seeking information and feedback from businesses of all sizes, labour representatives, not-for-profits and charities on potential changes to the program, with a view to maximize employment in Canada and encourage growth. This consultation will help inform potential changes to the CEWS to help maximize employment and best meet the needs of businesses and workers during these challenging times. Feedback will be open until June 5, 2020.
As the province carefully and gradually reopens the economy, the Ontario government is implementing the next phase of its COVID-19 testing strategy to detect and quickly stop the spread of the virus. Testing will now be available to concerned individuals as well as targeted vulnerable populations and outbreak management.
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Mississauga businesses are shifting their operations and contributing to the fight against COVID-19. Click the button below to read their stories.
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