Government Resources for businesses during COVID-19

April 2, 2020
News&Events

Updated February 15, 2022

Government of Canada COVID-19 support for businesses main page: 
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaingrowimprovebusiness/resources-for-canadian-businesses.html#_2._Support_for

Current Federal programs available:

Hardest Hit Recovery Program (HHBRP)

To qualify for the HHBRP, you must meet the following two conditions:

  • You have a 12-month average revenue drop from March 2020 to February 2021 of at least 50%
  • You have a claim period revenue drop of at least 50% – for example you can claim for the Oct. 24 to Nov. 20, 2021 period if your business experienced a 50% revenue drop for that period compared to the same period in 2019. 

One of the programs the Government of Canada introduced when the CERS AND CEWS programs were closed on Oct. 23, 2021. Eligible organizations, regardless of their sector, may qualify for rent and wage subsidies similar to the CERS and CEWS programs through the HHBRP if they don’t qualify for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).

We checked with MP Chrystia Freeland’s office and many of the Bloor Annex BIA retailers, restaurants, and personal care businesses are eligible. Periods open for application:

  • Oct. 24 to Nov. 20, 2021 – deadline to apply is May 19, 2022
  • Nov. 21 to Dec. 18, 2021 – deadline to apply is June 16, 2022

To read more about wage and rent subsidy programs or to apply please click here.

Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)

Similar to the HHBRP program except the THRP is only eligible to theatres, cinemas, restaurants, bars, and hotels.

To qualify for the THRP, you must meet the following two conditions:

  • You have a 12-month average revenue drop from March 2020 to February 2021 of at least 40%
  • You have a claim period revenue drop of at least 40% – for example you can claim for the Oct. 24 to Nov. 20, 2021 period if your business experienced a 40% revenue drop for that period compared to the same period in 2019. 

One of the programs the Government of Canada introduced when the CERS AND CEWS programs were closed on Oct. 23, 2021. Eligible hospitality and tourism  may qualify for rent and wage subsidies similar to the CERS and CEWS programs through the HHBRP if they don’t qualify for the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP).

We checked with MP Chrystia Freeland’s office and Bloor Annex BIA restaurants, bars, and cafés that experienced a 40% revenue drop are eligible. Periods open for application:

  • Oct. 24 to Nov. 20, 2021 – deadline to apply is May 19, 2022
  • Nov. 21 to Dec. 18, 2021 – deadline to apply is June 16, 2022

To read more about wage and rent subsidy programs or to apply please click here.

Local Lockdown program

This program provides wage and rent subsidies to employers subject to capacity-limiting restrictions of 50 per cent or more; and reduce the current-month revenue decline threshold requirement to 25 per cent. Eligible employers will receive wage and rent subsidies from 25 per cent up to a maximum of 75 per cent, depending on their degree of revenue loss. The 12-month revenue decline test continues to not be required in order to access this support.

The majority of our members will be eligible for this support due to the capacity restrictions which began on Dec. 19, 2021. 

Businesses will apply through the same portal as the HHBRP and the THRP when applications for the Dec. 19 to Jan. 15, 2021 period open in February. 

To read more about the Local Lockdown program, please click here.

To read more about wage and rent subsidy programs or to apply please click here.

Government extends loan forgiveness repayment deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program has provided interest-free, partially forgivable loans of up to $60,000. 

The repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness is being extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023, for all eligible borrowers in good standing.

Repayment on or before the new deadline of December 31, 2023, will result in loan forgiveness of up to a third of the value of the loans (meaning up to $20,000).

Outstanding loans would subsequently convert to two-year term loans with interest of 5 per cent per annum commencing on January 1, 2024, with the loans fully due by December 31, 2025.

Please click here to read the full release from the Government of Canada.

Province of Ontario COVID-19 main page:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca

Current Provincial programs available:

Application portal for the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant now open to new applications

The application portal for the $10,000 Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant (OSBRG) will be open from February 9 to March 11 for applications from:

  • Newly established businesses
  • Businesses that may not have previously applied to the Ontario Small Business Support Grant in 2021
  • Businesses that were previously deemed ineligible but are now eligible.

 In order to be eligible, applicants will need to confirm that they:

  • Had fewer than 100 employees as of December 31, 2021
  • Were an active business as of January 14, 2022
  • Were required to close indoor operations on January 5, 2022.

Eligible small businesses for the OSBRG include:

  • Restaurants and bars
  • Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms)
  • Racing venues, casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
  • Performing arts venues 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
  • Before- and after-school programs.

The Ministry of Economic Developed has emailed businesses operating in eligible sectors under the new grant that qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant in 2021 and were ordered to close on January 5, 2022. These businesses have been pre-screened and do not need to apply for the OSBRG. But they may be asked to confirm their continued eligibility.

New applicants will be required to provide supporting documentation to demonstrate a 20 per cent or greater revenue decline from December 2021 to January 2022.

Businesses may consult the OSBRG User Application Guide for detailed information about applying for the grant and eligibility requirements. Please also find a comprehensive walkthrough video that helps guide applicants through the online application process. 

For further assistance with the application process, call centres are open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding government and statutory holidays. The call centres are closed on Saturday and Sunday:

Toll-free: 1-855-216-3090 
TTY: 416-325-3408 
Toll-free TTY: 1-800-268-7095

Please click here to apply or for more information.

Ontario Costs Rebate Program

Eligible businesses required to close or reduce capacity due to the current public health measures  can applyfor the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program starting today, Jan. 18, 2022. Through the new program, the government will provide eligible businesses with a rebate payment of up to 100 per cent for property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these restrictions.

Eligible businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs. Those required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs.

Businesses will be required to submit proof of costs associated with property tax and energy bills as part of the application process. All eligible businesses must submit an application to be considered, including those that received previous COVID-19 support payments.

Types of businesses are eligible for support 

  • Restaurants and bars 
  • Personal care services relating to the hair or body
  • Retailers less than 50,000 sq ft (Non-grocery) 
  • Small grocery stores less than 5,000 sq ft 
  • Gyms and other facilities used for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including indoor spectator sports) 
  • Places of worship 
  • Indoor meeting and event spaces available for rent 
  • Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas 
  • Indoor museums, galleries, historic sites, and similar attractions 
  • Indoor business associated with tour and guide services 
  • Indoor teaching and instruction centres 
  • Day camps and overnight camps for children 
  • Before- and after-school programs 
  • Pet and veterinary services

To learn more visit the online application portal here.

Postponing Planned Property Tax Reassessment

The next property valuation to be completed by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) in 2020 for the 2021 year has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the assessments for the 2021 taxation year will continue to be based on the same valuation date that was in effect for the 2020 taxation year.

More info: https://budget.ontario.ca/2020/marchupdate/annex.html#section-4

City of Toronto COVID-19 Economic Support & Resources for Businesses main page:

https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/covid-19-economic-support-recovery-for-businesses/

City of Toronto Programs Available:

BusinessTO Support Centre

The City of Toronto recently announced a new service, called the BusinessTO Support Centre, to assist businesses in completing applications for government assistance programs. 

The BusinessTO Support Centre provides one-on-one virtual support to help businesses complete applications for Government of Canada COVID-19 funding programs and get general business advice.

CaféTO is back!

CaféTO provides restaurants and bars in Toronto with the opportunity to expand their outdoor dining space through sidewalk cafés, curb lane cafés or patios on private property.

New for 2022, café operators are now eligible for a matching grant of up to $7,500 to cover 50 per cent of the cost of eligible property or site improvements related to curb lane café installations, sidewalk cafés or patios on private property, through the CaféTO Property Improvement Program.

Quick facts:

  • Sidewalk café installations can be permanent
  • Fees are waived for 2022
  • Deadline for curb lane café applications is April 2, 2022

Please contact Melanie in the Bloor Annex BIA office to assist with your application. 

For more information on the program or to apply, please click here.

Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program

The program offers matching funding equal to 50 per cent of the cost of interior improvements to owners and tenants of vacant properties or the risk of being vacant properties at street level, or properties at risk of becoming vacant (that have received funding from the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy program) within the city of Toronto that are locally owned and operated. A minimum of three eligible improvements must be made.

  • The maximum base grant under the program is $20,000 (based on a minimum of $40,000 of improvements).
  • Further funding of up to $4,000, for a total maximum grant of $24,000, is available for upgrades to meet AODA accessibility standards .
  • Additional funding of up to $20,000 ($4,000 per additional unit, for up to five units) is available for multi-unit properties.

This is a 50% cost-share funding for businesses to make improvements to the inside of their buildings. Some of costs covered include:

  • HVAC and ventilation improvements
  • electrical and plumbing upgrades
  • security upgrades and fire prevention
  • multiple energy reduction improvements

The first round of applications will be accepted until February 28, 2022 with 3 more rounds to follow.

Please click here to read more or to apply.

Exterior Commercial Renovation Program / CaféTO Property Improvement Program

The program is available to owners and tenants of commercial and industrial properties in Toronto to improve the appearance and/or function of exterior spaces associated with the property.

Matching grants of up to $5,000 (based on a minimum of $10,000 improvements are available to owners and tenants of street-level commercial and industrial properties in Toronto to improve the appearance and/or function of exterior spaces associated with the property. Funding can include patio improvements on private property and spaces on public property for which a valid permit has been issued. Additional grant funding of up to $2,500 is available for exterior accessibility improvements such as the installation of ramps, handrails and other accessibility devices which meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) design standards.

Eligible projects:

  • Permanent improvements to patio or café spaces on private property that serve a business use excluding furnishings
  • Café spaces on City property for which a valid permit has been issued
  • Ground mounted signage
  • Exterior decorative or security lighting
  • Permanent on-site boulevard landscaping features (excluding plant material)
  • Fencing
  • Installation of wheelchair ramps, handrails and other exterior accessibility improvements which meet AODA design standards.

The first round of applications will be accepted until June 30, 2022, or when funds are expended, whichever comes first.

Please click here to read more or to apply.

Please contact Melanie in the Bloor Annex BIA office to assist with your application. 

Retail Accelerator Program

This program provides access to retail training, advisory services and mentoring opportunities. In addition, it offers a micro grant valued at $10,000 to help retail businesses develop and expand.

Eligible Businesses

The Retail Accelerator Program is available to owners of retail businesses within the City of Toronto.

The following types of independent business ventures are eligible to participate:

  • Sole proprietorship or corporation where the applicant is the majority shareholder; or
  • Partnership where the applicant holds the majority share; if shared 50/50 only one partner may apply

Ineligible Businesses

  • Franchises, commissioned sales and distributorships
  • Online e-commerce retail operations (must have a physical location)
  • Mobile retail operations of any kind
  • Not-for-profits, social enterprises, co-operatives or charitable enterprises

The first round of applications will be accepted until March 31, 2022, or when funds are expended, whichever comes first.

Please click here to read more or to apply.

Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA)

Current TABIA Programs:

ShopHERE

The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of having an online presence to sell goods and services. This is tool is amplified that much more with the curbside pick up approach to the first stage of opening Ontario’s retail businesses.
 
Leveraging Toronto’s technology community, the City of Toronto and Digital Main Street have brought together a range of partners to build and optimize online stores for Toronto’s independent businesses and artists at no-cost.
 
Thanks to volunteer developers, marketing and business students, and the support of corporate partners, Toronto’s independent businesses and artists – whether they are along a main street, in an industrial park, or a studio – can access ShopHERE to get their online store built and launched with hands-on support throughout the entire process in just a matter of days.

What do businesses and artists get as part of ShopHERE?

  • Their choice of a template online Shopify store customized with their information, branding, logo, etc.
  • Hands-on assistance setting up and launching their online store.
  • Training and support covering digital marketing, shipping and operating their online store.
  • Access to free tools and various credits (from over 10 partners) to help support the launch of their online stores.

Participant Requirements:
The ShopHERE program is open to any businesses or artist that meets the following requirements:

  • Pays commercial property taxes in the City of Toronto
  • Have fewer than 10 employees, or fewer than 25 if they are a café, restaurant, or bar
  • Not be a corporate chain or franchise
  • OR must be an artist located within the City of Toronto.

 To sign up for this exciting program and receive a free online store you can fill out the application form here: https://digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere/
 
If you have any questions, reach out to Jackie Michie at Digital Main Street at jackie.Michie@digitalmainstreet.ca.

Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario

As part of its broader package of measures to support Ontarians and businesses that have been significantly impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19, the Government has amended Regulation 719 under the Liquor Licence Act (LLA) to temporarily allow liquor sales licensees (i.e., licensed bars and restaurants) to sell beer, wine and spirits as part of a food order for takeout or delivery.  These changes are effective immediately, and last until December 31, 2020.

Full details here: https://www.agco.ca/bulletin/2020/info-bulletin-no-61-liquor-sales-licensees-may-now-sell-liquor-takeout-or-delivery

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business

 The CFIB has a small business help centre which includes live chat availability: 
https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/small-business-resources-dealing-covid-19

The Board of Trade:

The Toronto Board of Trade also has a help site with live chat assistance: https://supportbusiness.bot.com/?fbclid=IwAR2IYXfgrEkbUkkt17aoDUv36941waeRJ-CANjf7xpJFxBaQVSCD1wbybsk#

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