For full details of the latest news release from the province click on the following file.
You can contact: Stop The Spread Helpline for questions on the lockdown or support programs at 1-888-444-3659, open 7 days a week. Further details, including how to apply for the grant just announced , will be made available in January 2021.

Businesses that are impacted by the Provincewide 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 Provincewide Shutdown and earlier restrictions. Business can apply for the rebates at www.ontario.ca/smallbusiness

Received from the local Health Unit:
COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Mandatory masks

July 6, 2020 – Today local health units announced a regional
approach to mandatory masks. In Leeds, Grenville and Lanark,
this Instruction will require businesses to adopt a policy to
ensure facial coverings/masks are worn inside enclosed public
spaces. This will come into effect July 7, at 12:01am. This is an
added measure to the existing public health measures in place, to
reduce the spread of COVID-19. We kindly ask that you read
our recent media release for a better understanding.
We continue to have a low number of new cases, so please
continue to practice physical distancing of 2m/6ft, stay home
when you are sick, wash your hands, and do regular cleaning of
common hard surfaces. When you do need to go out in public,
take a cloth face covering/mask with you so you can put it on
when you are potentially in close contact with other people.
We all need to work together to help stop others from becoming
sick.
Our offices and service sites are closed to the walk-in public
Check the health unit website for answers to many of your questions. If
you would like to speak to someone, call 1-800-660-5853 –extension 2222 for COVID-19 questions, extension 2308 for business re-opening questions, extension 2499 for all other inquires.
Find out how to get tested.
– Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health

 Katie Nolan – OMAFRA Report
·         Open for E-Business program still paused, applications being processed as fast as possible
·         Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program - stream for producers http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/capproducers.htm
·         Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program - steam for provincially licensed meat plants: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/meatplants.htm 
·         Federal Programs 
Local Food Infrastructure Fund
 
Eligible applicants consist of:
·         community or charitable organizations
·         Indigenous groups
·         not-for-profit co-operatives
Projects should be mostly infrastructure specific, community-driven and dedicated to improving access to safe and healthy foods for Canadians at risk of food insecurity. 
 
Applicants under this program will be eligible to receive a minimum of $5,000 and up to $250,000 in non-repayable funding as follows.
1.       Grant funding for projects requesting funding up to and including $50,000; (no administration costs will be paid)
2.       Non-repayable contribution funding for projects requesting funding above $50,000 and up to $250,000.
·         Emergency Food Processing Fund 
Emergency Food Processing Fund
Food processors can receive up to $5 million (on a cost shares basis) to help enhance worker health and safety and for domestic food processing.
 
Program Details
 
The Emergency Processing Fund will offer:
·         Emergency COVID Response - Non-repayable funding to help companies implement changes to safeguard the health and safety of workers, their families, and communities.
·         Strategic Investments - Repayable funding to help companies improve, automate and modernize facilities to increase Canada’s food supply capacity.
 
Eligible costs related to a project will be shared between the Program and the successful applicant. Small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) can receive up to 50 per cent of total eligible costs. Larger companies can receive up to 25 per cent of total eligible costs.
 
All eligible activities must be completed by September 30, 2020. The program will fund activities retroactive to March 15, 2020.

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.