COVID-19 Business Supports

The past few months have been a challenging time for all of us and particularly stressful for business owners. We've brought together this list with some of the opportunities to help you as a business owner, whether you're looking for funding, learning opportunities, or best practice advice for operating safely.

This list is not a complete list and please be advised that we are doing our best to update this regularly, but changes are fast and frequent. Check back regularly for updates and contact us directly if you need help navigating these: we're here to help you!

Make sure you're also following us on our Do Business Huron-Kinloss page and that you're subscribed to the Business Banner Newsletter so that you don't miss out on any future updates.

Funding Opportunities

Deloitte has created a tool to help small businesses find specific funding opportunities to meet their needs.

Federal Programs

Provincial Programs

  • Time of Use Electricity Billing
    Residential, farm and small businesses get lowest-rate (off-peak price) for electricity. This has been automatically applied to bills and no application or enrollment is required.
  • Employer Health Tax Relief
    Increase to the exemption for 2020 from $490,000 to $1 million and a five-month relief period for businesses unable to file or remit their provincial taxes on time
  • Ontario Together Program
    Funds earmarked for retooling or adopting technological changes needed to produce or supply equipment for the healthcare sector or other critical public services

Local Programs

Funds for the Emergency Business Sustainability Loan and Business Pivot /Adaptation Grant have been allocated.

Businesses Start Up and Youth Programs
  • Starter Company Plus
    A hands-on training and mentorship program that gives entrepreneurs  an up to $5,000 grant.
  • Futurpreneur Canada
    Existing start-up program for individuals ages 18-39 and ready to launch a business; offering financing and mentoring with additional programs for acceleration and business plan support
  • Student Work Placement Program
    Real-world, hands-on works experience to post-secondary students across Canada

Deferrals
  • Federal Tax & Duty Deferrals
    Income tax deferrals until August 31, 2020; deferral of sales tax (GST/HST) remittance and customs duty payments to June 30th; taxes waived on certain medical goods
  • WSIB Payment Deferrals
    Employers can defer WSIB payments for up to 6 months

Learning Opportunities
  • Digital Main Street Webinars
    A range of webinars designed to help you do business online.
  • Contact North
    Online programs and courses from Ontario's 24 public colleges, 22 public universities, 9 Indigenous institutes and more.
  • Fanshawe College
    Offering small class, focused, hands-on skill development with placement opportunities at local employers in the region.

Expanding Your Businesses Online

Building and Storefront Improvements

Best Practice Information and Posters