COVID-19 Fines and Enforcement
As of January 8th, 2021, this is the list of provincial, health, and municipal laws and by-laws regarding COVID-19 and the associated fees and enforcement in the event of non-compliance. We hope this is helpful. Please access the document by clicking here.
Province-Wide Shut Down
The Province-wide shutdown will go into effect as of Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.
- The impacts of these time-limited measures will be evaluated after 14 days in Northern Ontario and after 28 days in Southern Ontario to determine if it is safe to lift any restrictions or if they need to be extended.
- The government recognizes that small businesses impacted by these necessary public health measures will require additional support so they can continue serving their communities and employing people in Ontario. Which is why the government is announcing the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to eligible small business owners to help navigate this challenging period.
- Small businesses required to close or restrict services under the Province-wide Shutdown will be able to apply for this one-time grant. Each small business will be able to use the support in whatever way makes the most sense for their individual business. For example, some businesses will need support paying employee wages or rent, while others will need support maintaining their inventory.
- Eligible small businesses include those that:
- Are required to close or significantly restrict services subject to the Province-wide Shutdown effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26, 2020;
- Have less than 100 employees at the enterprise level; and
- Have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019.
- Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant will provide businesses with dollar for dollar funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Province-wide Shutdown. The business must demonstrate they experienced a revenue decline of at least 20 per cent when comparing monthly revenue in April 2019 and April 2020. This time period was selected because it reflects the impact of the public health measures in spring 2020, and as such provides a representation of the possible impact of these latest measures on small businesses.
- Essential businesses that are allowed to remain open will not be eligible for this grant. More information about the Ontario Small Business Support Grant is available here. Further details, including how to apply, will be announced in January 2021.
- Businesses that are impacted by the Province-wide Shutdown will also be eligible for the property tax and energy cost rebates. In November, the government launched a program to provide rebates to offset fixed costs such as property tax and energy bills for businesses that are required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures. These Ontario Small Business Support Grant rebates will continue to be available for businesses impacted by the Province-wide Shutdown and earlier restrictions. Business can apply for the rebates at www.ontario.ca/smallbusiness
- Also, as of Saturday, December 26th the Supporting Local Business Act’s cap on food delivery service fees will take affect across the entire province.
COVID-19 Resource List
We have compiled a list of resources and updates for business owners to stay up to date on the municipal, provincial, and federal responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, available supports for small business, and the sharing of best practices. If you have questions or concerns, email info@bartonvillage.ca and let us know how we can help. Frequently asked questions about essential businesses
Webinars
- Webinars with City of Hamilton public health for businesses
- Podcast by Municipal World - Helping Main Street Businesses survive COVID-19
- Rapid Recovery Series
Hamilton Resources
- Economic Recovery Task Force: The City of Hamilton has established an Economic Recovery Task Force to provide multi-sectoral leadership and direction to guide Hamilton’s economic recovery in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to view the terms of reference.
- Hamilton Business Centre: Visit the newly created COVID-19 Resource Page on the HBC website for up-to-date information.
- Google My Business: Optimization Checklist
- Hamilton Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Business Continuity & Recovery Information
Financial Supports
- Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: On March 18, 2020, the Prime Minister announced a new set of economic measures to help stabilize the economy during this challenging period. These measures, delivered as part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, will provide up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses.
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program: As a Canadian employer whose business has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for a subsidy of 75% of employee wages for up to 24 weeks, retroactive from March 15, 2020, to August 29, 2020. A new calculator on the CRA website has launched for businesses to calculate the amount they can expect to claim through the subsidy program. Try it now here.
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA): The Canada Emergency Business Account is a $40,000 government-guaranteed loan to help eligible businesses pay for operating costs that cannot be deferred and are critical to sustain business continuity (e.g. payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, debt payments and property tax). For a breakdown of how to apply via your financial institution.
Support for Entrepreneurs
- Support for Entrepreneurs Impacted by Coronavirus
- Business Continuity Plan and Templates for Entrepreneurs
Useful Links
- Alcohol and Gaming Commission: Liquor sales licensees may now sell liquor for takeout or delivery along with food
- BC Economic Development Association: Workplace and Employer Resources and Suggestions Planning for Coronavirus: A Guide for Businesses and Organizations
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Business Resilience Service
- Export Development Canada: EDC Stands Ready to Support Canadian Exporters Impacted by COVID-19
- Government of Canada: COVID-19 Update Page
- Government of Canada: Resources for Business
- Small business financial planning advice hotline: 1-866-989-1080 (toll-free) seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).
- Google Analytics: Google Analytics for Small Business Reference Guide
- Imagine Canada: Supports for Non Profits During COVID-19
- Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction: Small Business Support
- MEDJCT: Calling All Suppliers
- Municipal World: Municipal World Coronavirus News Update
- OBIAA: Sign For Small Businesses - Generic
- Ontario Chamber of Commerce: COVID -19 Preparedness for Business
- Ontario Ministry of Health: Stats and Self Assessment Tool
- Restore Your Economy: Leadership in Times of Crisis
- Retail Council of Canada: Road to Retail Recovery Playbook: to assist retailers in their reopening planning, Retail Council of Canada, has prepared the Road to Retail Recovery Playbook to help Canadian retailers, large and small, plan for the reopening of retail sector across the country.
- World Health Organization COVID-19: Business and Employees