We are in this together. The Municipality of South Huron is committed to ensuring all businesses within our community have the information they need to navigate through these challenging times.
Effective, February 17, 2022, Ontario is moving to the next phase of public health measures. A full list to measures and conditions can be found in O. Reg. 364/20 Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step.
For the status of municipal services, please visit our COVID-19 information page.
For information related to community resources and personal supports available, please visit our COVID-19 Community Recovery Resources page.
Ways to Stay Informed
Resources and supports available to businesses are rapidly changing and new initiatives are being announced often. Although this page will be updated as information becomes available, it is suggested to consult the following federal and provincial government websites for the latest information:
- The Government of Canada has developed a COVID-19 Economic Response Plan website which will support Canadians and businesses and provide up to date information on resources available.
- The Province of Ontario has created a COVID-19 Support for businesses website which provides up to date resources for business owners during this time.
General COVID-19 Resources for All Businesses
| Reopening procedures for businesses |
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To learn more about the province's reopening plan, visit the Roadmap to Reopen website for detailed information on stages and timing for reopening of specific businesses.
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| Digital Transformation Resources |
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Digital Service Squad - Huron County: The Digital Service Squad members will provide one-on-one assistance with trained specialists who meet with small businesses, at no cost, to help them improve their online presence. The Squad members can assist with a number of activities, including:
Digital Main Street was created to provide programs and services to help businesses achieve digital transformation to grow their business. Although grant programs are closed, Digital Main Street offers many great resources for small businesses to help them adopt digital tools and e-commerce platforms including digital online training, vendor directory, case studies, and content specific tools. Digital Main Street ShopHERE: ShopHERE provides independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away. |
| Health and Safety during COVID-19 |
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The provincial government has updated the COVID-19 worker and employee screening form and the COVID-19 customer screening form. The Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) has issued instructions on use of face coverings indoor commercial and public spaces, effective Friday July 17. The HPPH has prepared the following to provide assistance to businesses:
On June 16 the Ontario Government released a template for businesses to use to develop a COVID-19 workplace safety plan in order to help protect workers, clients and customers from COVID-19. This template includes identifying risks, determining what controls are needed, how to create a workplace safety plan, methods to implement the plan, and how to communicate the plan. The Ontario Government has also created a series of technical sector guidance documents for workplaces during the COVID-19 outbreak. These documents help support employers and employees in remaining safe in the workplace. The Huron-Perth Public Health's COVID-19 Information: Workplaces, Employers, Employees page is dedicated to provide resources regarding workplace health and safety during COVID-19. Below are other resources aimed to assist in ensuring the health and safety in the workplace during COVID-19:
The Ontario Government has launched a Ontario Together: help fight coronavirus page, which includes a directory of Find PPE Supplies which includes companies and suppliers who produce personal protective equipment (PPE) to help businesses protect their employees. Rapid Response Platform was created and supported by a number of industry partners in order to automatically match supply with demand for companies requiring PPE supplies. |
| List of Essential Businesses |
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Ontario has created a Reopening Ontario page, which includes information about the Roadmap to Reopen, the province’s three-step plan to safely and gradually lift public health measures based on ongoing progress of provincewide vaccination rates and improvements of key public health and health care indicators. |
| Local Business Resources |
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Resources for Local Businesses during the COVID Pandemic was created by the County of Huron which provides up to date information on supports available and local assistance for businesses. The County of Huron Huron County Economic Development has joined the Ontario Small Business Centres network which is a central portal where businesses can access digital tools, training, connect with mentors and industry experts, and get information on government programs to help them navigate COVID-19 and more. The Exeter Business Improvement Area (BIA) provides relevant resources related to local businesses. |
| Training Opportunities |
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Industry Specific Resources
The Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan and Ontario's Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace provide sector specific guidelines and resources.
| Agriculture |
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Financial Assistance Programs For more general financial assistance programs, visit the Financial Support for Businesses section below.
Ensuring a Safe Workplace
Information/Resources
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| Construction |
Ensuring a Safe Workplace
Resources The following resources have been created to provide sector specific resources and guidance during COVID-19:
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| Food and Retail |
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Ensuring a Safe Workplace
Resources The following resources have been created to provide sector specific resources and guidance during COVID-19:
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| Manufacturing |
Ensuring a Safe Workplace
Resources
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| Sports and Recreation |
| Huron Perth Public Health Letter of Instruction for Owners/Operators of Facilities used for organized sports (October 6, 2021) |
| Tourism |
| Tourism & Hospitality workers that are out of work or working less due to COVID-19 can receive help through the Tourism & Hospitality Emergency Response. Visit Tourism Hospitality Workers for information on training, employment supports, and relief programs. You can also register for the Tourism & Hospitality Workers’ Registry to receive information about job opportunities, safe return to work, and regional and virtual employment services. This new initiative is led by OTEC and funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre and the Government of Ontario.
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Financial Support for Businesses
| Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) |
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The Government of Canada has established the Business Credit Availability Program through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) to work with private sector lenders to coordinate on credit solutions for individual businesses, including sectors such as oil and gas, air transportation, exports and tourism. The program includes:
Information on the program can be found on the Government of Canada's Economic Response Plan site. |
| Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) (Interest-Free Loan) |
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The Canada Emergency Business Account will provide interest-free loans to small and not-for-profit organizations to assist with operating costs. To qualify for the loan, organizations must demonstrate they paid total payroll in 2019 between $50,000 to $1 million. Applicants now have until June 30, 2021 to apply for a $60,000 CEBA loan or the $20,000 expansion at their financial institution. The Government of Canada announces new, targeted support to help businesses through pandemic. |
| Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) |
| Businesses, non-profits and charities who have seen a decrease in revenue can receive funds to cover part of their rent or property expenses. Landlord participation is not required. Click here to learn more. |
| Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) |
| Self-employed individuals can apply to receive $1000 per 2 week period if they have ceased operations or have seen a 50% reduction in average weekly income due to the pandemic. Applicants must not be eligible for EI. Learn more about the Canada Recovery Benefit. |
| Canada United Small Business Relief Fund |
| Together RBC, the Federal Government, and other Canada United partners are offering grants of up to $5000 to help small businesses offset the costs of reopening and adopting technologies. Learn more about the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund. |
| Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) |
| Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy provides 75 percent wage subsidy to eligible employers. |
| COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program - Small Business (CEAP-SB) |
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The Government of Ontario is providing $8 million to support small business and registered charity customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. Small business and registered charity customers may be eligible for up to $850 in support of their electricity bill if they primarily use electricity for heating or up to $425 otherwise. Small businesses and registered charity customers could also be eligible for up to $425 in support of their natural gas bill. CEAP-SB is being delivered by electricity distributors, natural gas distributors, and unit sub-meter providers (USMPs), in accordance with rules laid out by the OEB. Visit their webpage for details or to apply. |
| Digital Main Street Grants |
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| Financial Assistance Available for Ontario Farm Businesses |
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| Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) |
| Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) gives businesses the opportunity to access low-interest loans to cover operation costs by providing a loan guarantee to financial institutions. It also includes up to a 12-month postponement of principal payments. |
| Hospitality Workers and Apprentice Programs |
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The Ontario Government announced a virtual job training program for hospitality workers and helping apprentices back into the workforce. |
| Main Street Relief Grant for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) |
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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. Visit the Ontario COVID-19 Business Support Grants page for more information. |
| Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebate Grant |
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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, Lockdown or Provincewide Shutdown). This provincial application-based grant provides a rebate to eligible businesses in respect of property taxes and energy bills. Visit the Ontario COVID-19 Business Support Grants page for more information. |
| Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit |
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The Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit supports business investment, economic growth and job creation in designated regions across the province that lagged in employment growth between 2009 and 2019.
It is a 10% refundable Corporate Income Tax credit for corporations that invest more than $50,000 to construct, renovate or acquire eligible commercial and industrial buildings in these regions, including Huron County.
For more information on the Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit, visit the Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit page.
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| Regional Relief and Recovery Fund |
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The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF2) provides financial contributions (interest-free loans) to help support businesses that are unable to access other federal COVID relief measures. For Huron County, visit Community Future Huron on Regional Relief and Recovery Fund available to help local small businesses. |
| Temporary Business Wage Subsidy (10%) |
| The Temporary Business Wage Subsidy (10%) 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). |
| Tools for Navigating Funding Opportunities |
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| Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant |
| Learn how you could receive funding through the new one-time Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant recovery program. Note: recipients of the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will not be eligible. |
| Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant |
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The Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant provides one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and travel sector. |
Financial Support for Employees
| Canada Recovery Benefit |
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The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will launch the new Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) on September 27, to extend financial support to non-EI claimants. |
Financial Support for Community and Not-for-Profit Organizations
United Way Huron-Perth has initiated the Emergency Community Support Fund for Organizations which provides funding to community service organizations providing support to vulnerable Canadians, including low-income seniors, women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, refugees, Indigenous peoples, members of racialized communities, and more.
Financial Support for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations
The Government of Canada announced an Emergency Support Fund to support the culture, heritage and sport sectors through partner organizations. Information can be found on the Support for Canadian Heritage grants and contributions recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic page.
Can your business help fight COVID-19?
The federal and provincial governments are calling on all businesses that can supply product and services to let them know to help fight COVID-19 - learn more below about the ways your business can help!
- The Government of Canada is requesting the help from businesses to provide products and services needed to fight COVID-19. Visit the Calling all Suppliers - help Canada combat Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) page for more information.
- The Ontario Together Fund supports businesses provide innovated solutions or retool existing operations to help manufacture essential medical supplies - including gowns, coveralls, masks, face shields, testing equipment and ventilators. Visit the Ontario Together: Help Fight Coronavirus for more information.
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