Business Resources

The COVID-19 Economic Response Plan will provide up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses. This includes:

• Temporary wage subsidies for small businesses
• A Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to help businesses obtain financing during this period of uncertainty. The BCAP will support access to financing for Canadian businesses in all sectors and regions through:
  • Export Development Canada (EDC)
  • The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
• Updates on changes to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) services, due dates and programs affected by the pandemic
• Augmenting credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector through Farm Credit Canada
• Flexibility in the Canada Account limit to allow for additional support to Canadian businesses in exceptional circumstances
• Enhancing the Work-Sharing Program to help employers who are experiencing a downturn in business due to COVID-19, and their workers
• The Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy Program (CERS), which helps cover commercial rent or property expenses for businesses, non-profit organizations and charities that have seen a drop in revenue due to COVID-19

Employment and Social Development Canada (EI): Service Canada has made some changes to how you access their services.

If you need assistance finding benefits and resources your business may be eligible for, use the Government of Canada's Benefits Finder tool. 

• Ontario Small Business Support Grant: Applications for this grant are now open for businesses affected by the provincewide shutdown. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees may be eligible for the one-time grant of $10,000 to $20,000.

• Additional support for businesses: Businesses may also be eligible for other government programs, including energy and tax rebates. 

• Ontario Together: The Ontario government welcomes help from businesses, researchers and organizations who can supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support our response to COVID-19. If you make a submission though Ontario Together, please notify MPP Randy Pettapiece: randy.pettapiececo@pc.ola.org

• FedDev Ontario delivers programs and services catering to economic development in Canada and helps to address key economic challenges. Locally, business can reach out to Fed Dev Ontario offices for more information at 1-866-593-5505. 
  

• The Main Street Relief Grant for Personal protective equipment (PPE) provides up to $1,000 for PPE costs to eligible small businesses across Ontario with 2 to 9 employees.

• The Province is also offering Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebate Grants for businesses that were required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures (modified Stage 2 restrictions or, going forward, in areas categorized as control or lockdown). This application-based grant provides a rebate to eligible businesses in respect of property taxes and energy bills.
• Stop the Spread Business Information Line: Call Ontario’s Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659 if you have questions about temporary measures, including closures and essential workplaces. 

• Consumer Protection Ontario: If you’re aware of anyone charging higher-than-usual prices for in-demand products, call Consumer Protection Ontario at 1-800-889-9768.

• Perth Community Futures offers "quick loans" for businesses. The organization recently announced that businesses in St. Marys are eligible to apply for additional funding relief through the Government of Canada's Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. 
• Stratford-Perth Centre for Business provides free webinars and content to help businesses find low/no cost way to build digital resources
• The Training Bank has a free, 20-minute online course covering a variety of pandemic concerns in the workplace
• Festival Hydro is offering one-time relief grants for small business customers
• Partners in Employment helps connect employers with employees and provides training and support for job seekers

• The Canadian Mental Health Association offers tips to respond to employee anxiety and dedicated mental health support for members of the agricultural industry.
• Free mental health support for local businesses: thanks to a multi-business partnership with the United Way, Family Services Perth-Huron will provide one-on-one, confidential support. Existing clients of the Centre for Business & Perth CFDC will be provided the information directly via email/newsletter. Any owners/entrepreneurs whom are not yet clients can reach out to 
  • info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca or call 519-305-5055, ext. 1006
  • Call Family Services Perth-Huron directly 519-273-1020, ext. 108
  • The direct extension will be provided by Family Services Perth-Huron to the entrepreneur – no personal details need to be provided to the Business Advisory staff in order to access the program.