The following updates are provided by Leeds Grenville Economic Development regarding COVID-19:
Government of Canada

• Canada Emergency Business Account - Small Business & Not-for-Profits - up to $40,000
• Parks Canada suspends camping, group activities and events at all national parks, historic sites and canals until May 31, 2020

Government of Ontario

• Emergency order extends until May 12 - April 14

The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office is receiving information on the impact of COVID-19 on business and our region from various sources. 

Please ensure your business information is up to date in the Leeds & Grenville  business directory and/or tourism directory.
Connect to the region’s Business Partners such as Small Business Centres, Employment Centres, Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Associations and many more.
Business Survey Report  Contact List for Business Support  Workshops & Seminar
The Government of Canada is committed to providing you with the information and support you need to make informed decisions as your business navigates through these challenges; including supporting your employees.

• Canada Emergency Business Account - Small Business & Not-for-Profits - up to $40,000
• Parks Canada suspends camping, group activities and events at all national parks, historic sites and canals until May 31, 2020
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit - updated April 10
  • Apply for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA

Service Request for CPP/OAS, EI, SIN

• Covid-19 Challenge: Filtration material for the manufacture of N95 respirators and surgical masks - submission deadline April 13, 2020, 14:00 EDT
• Passenger Vessel Restrictions - April 4, 2020
• Emergency Wage Subsidy for Employers - April 3 update
• Income Tax Filing and Payment Dates: CRA and COVID-19
• Support to Businesses
• Risk-informed decision-making guidelines for workplaces and businesses during COVID-19
• Frequently Asked Questions - 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers
• Employment and Social Development - Benefits and Services for Individuals and In Your Workplace
• Economic Response Plan: Support for Individuals, Businesses and Industries
• Resources for Canadian Businesses

Calling All Suppliers - Help Canada Combat COVID-19
The Government of Canada is asking suppliers about their ability to provide products and services.  See the list of items needed, and notify them if you can help out.
Government of Ontario

• Emergency Order Extends until May 12 - April 14
• Ontario Starts Planning for Economic Recovery - April 9
• Operation of Seasonal Trailer Parks and Recreational Campgrounds - April 4, 2020
• List of Essential Workplaces - Revised April 3, 2020
  • Businesses and service providers with question about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can learn more at Stop the Spread Business Information Line or call -888-444-3659.  Help is available Monday - Sunday, from 8:30 a.m - 5 p.m.
• Guidance Temporary Foreign Workers - March 31
• Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers' Association - March 30
• Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade Update - March 26, 2020
• WSIB Financial Relief Package
• Alcohol and Gaming Commission - Liquor Licenses sell liquor for takeout or delivery along with food - March 26, 2020
• Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 - March 25, 2020
• Newsroom

Calling All Suppliers - Help Ontario Combat COVID-19
The Government of Ontario welcomes help from businesses and organizations who can supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support our response to COVID-19.
See the list of items needed, and notify them if you can help out.
Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands Rideau Lakes

• MP Michael Barrett
  • Overview of Federal Programs from MP Office - April 6, 2020

FedDev Ontario
The Government of Canada is taking action to support tourism and other businesses and workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can take advantage of new investments and initiatives.  Learn more about the support available.

• 1000 Islands CDC
• Grenville CFDC
• Valley Heartland CFDC - loans

BDC

• Overview of federal and provincial government support for business
• Business Credit Availability Program - Support for Entrepreneurs
• Additional Measures to Provide Relief for Canadian Entrepreneurs - March 18, 2020
• What does coronavirus mean for your business?
• Support for Entrepreneurs
• Business Continuity Plan and Templates

Export Development Canada

• www.edc.ca/en/campaign/coronavirus-covid-19.html

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

• Canadian Business Resilience Network - tools and resources businesses need
• Crisis Communications Plan (pdf document)
• COVID-19 Business Resilience
• COVID-19 | Pandemic Preparedness for Business

Ontario Chamber of Commerce

• Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit for Ontario Business

Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)

• Small Business Frequently Asked Questions

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)

• Industry Conference Call Notes - April 7, 2020
• Survey Results - March 17-23
  
• Survey Results - March 12-26
• For TIAO updates, subscribe to www.tiaontario.ca/cpages/subscribe

Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO9)
RTO9 strives to support the tourism and travel industry in the region by closely monitoring events that could cause significant challenges to the industry, including the Covid-19 virus.  Visit the Tourism Talk website for more support.

• Survey Results - March 17-23
  

Restaurants Canada

• Resources for food service operators
  

For a look at some Frequently Asked Questions regarding Canadian Businesses & Workers Impacted by COVID-19 download the attached pdf file.

The Federal Government has delivered some welcome news for SMEs across the country. That news included the following announcements: 

• A 75% wage subsidy for qualifying businesses, for up to three months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This will help businesses to keep and return workers to the payroll. More details on eligibility criteria will start with the impact of COVID-19 on sales and will be shared before the end of the month.
  

 

• Allow businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) payments until June as well as customs duties owed for imports. This measure is the equivalent of providing up to $30 billion in interest-free loans to Canadian businesses. It will help businesses so they can continue to pay their employees and their bills and help ease cash-flow challenges across the country.

 

• The launch of the new Canada Emergency Business Account. This program will provide up to $25 billion to eligible financial institutions so they can provide interest-free loans to small businesses. These loans – guaranteed and funded by the Government of Canada – will ensure small businesses have access to the capital they need, at a zero per cent interest rate, so they can pay for rent and other important costs over the next number of months.

The launch of the new Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee program that will enable up to $40 billion in lending, supported through Export Development Canada and Business Development Bank, for guaranteed loans when small businesses go to their financial institutions to help weather the impacts of COVID-19. This is intended for small and medium-sized companies that require greater help to meet their operational cash flow requirements.