The Open in Bruce Map showcases the businesses that are open during the pandemic.

As part of a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, Digital Main Street has announced three new programs to support businesses across Ontario.

• ShopHERE powered by Google will assist businesses to hire highly skilled and trained students to build and support the launch of online stores for businesses that previously did not have the capacity. 
• Digital Main Street Grant of $2,500 will help main street small businesses be digitally more effective. The grant will be administered by the Ontario BIA Association and will help businesses adopt new technologies and embrace digital marketing. 
• Future-Proofing Main Street will provide specialized, in-depth transformation services. 

Reopening Ontario 

Health Guidance for reopening

Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace

Phase 1 Updates

Phase 2 Updates

Infographic - Bruce County Business Resources - I need support ...

Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provides financial support to post-secondary students, and recent post-secondary and high school graduates who are unable to find work due to COVID-19. 

This benefit is for students who do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance. 

From May to August 2020, the CESB provides a payment to eligible students of: 

• $1,250 – for each four week period,
• or $2,000 – for each four week period, if you have dependents or a disability. 

Full details - www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/emergency-student-benefit.html 

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) 

The Government of Canada announced on May 19 that it has expanded the eligibility criteria to include many owner-operated small businesses. The Program will now be available to sole proprietors earning income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll. 

To qualify, applicants with a payroll of less than $20,000 would need: 

• A business operating account at a participating financial institution. 
• A Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return. 
• Eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.

More information and application: www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy has been extended to August 29, 2020. The Government will consult with key business and labour representatives over the next month on potential adjustments to the program to incent jobs and growth, including the 30% revenue decline threshold. 

More information and application: www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy.html  

Temporary Wage Subsidy

Canada has announced an up to 75 percent wage subsidy for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This will help businesses to keep and return workers to the payroll. Eligible businesses will need to prove that their revenue has dropped by at least 30%. Wage subsidies will be capped at $847 per week and backdated to March 15. Large and small businesses, non-profits and charities will all be eligible if they meet criteria.

More information is available at Government of Canada's Economic Response Plan: Support to Businesses page.  

Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)  

Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small business 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 
• 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.
  

  Additional Loans

  Saugeen Economic Development Fund - Business Improvement Loan Fund 

Ontario Federation of Agriculture - Statement on COVID-19 Pandemic

Employee Support - Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council 

Government Support/Financial Assistance - Farm Credit Canada

Business Support - Canadian Federation of Agriculture

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Information for Industry

Mental Health and Wellness - OFA Resources

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario - COVID-19 Updates Page

Regional Development Agencies COVID-19 Info sheet

Tourism Industry of Canada - Current situation review and sign up for email updates related to COVID-19 Supports

Destination Canada - COVID-19 Updates 

Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association

Restaurants Canada

Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

Council of Ontario Construction Associations

Canadian Construction Association

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Ministry of Health: Poster

Government of Canada: Infographics