• The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is extending all orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) until January 20, 2021. The list of orders under the ROA that have been extended can be found online on the Government of Ontario’s website.
• The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, has launched the 50 – 30 Challenge to advance and recognize diversity, inclusion and economic prosperity from coast to coast to coast. Minister Bains announced a $33-million investment in the Challenge, including for the development of tools and resources to help participating organizations advance diversity and inclusion in workplaces across Canada. Additionally, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) will leverage its programs to encourage companies that receive ISED funding to advance diversity and inclusion within their organizations. At the heart of the 50 – 30 Challenge are two goals for the board(s) and senior management of each organization: gender parity (50%) and significant representation (30%) of under-represented groups. To address the unique needs of various sectors in Canada, the Challenge offers three streams for participation: large corporations; small and medium-sized enterprises; and post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit organizations and charities.
• The Ontario government has made the sale of alcohol with food takeout and delivery orders permanent. Additional permanent reforms for the hospitality sector will allow:
  • alcohol service on docked boats by operators with a liquor sales licence;
  • reduced minimum pricing of spirits consumed on-site, to align with the reduced pricing introduced for takeout and delivery orders;
  • the length of time for temporary patio extensions to be set out by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO); and,
  • for a requirement that ensures third parties delivering from licensed restaurants and bars have a delivery licence.
• The province is also acting to support businesses by:
  • removing restrictive rules to allow for the delivery of alcoholic beverages in food boxes and meal kits;
  • allowing eligible alcohol manufacturers to deliver their own products and charge a delivery fee;
  • allowing restaurants and bars to offer mixed cocktails and growlers as part of a takeout or delivery order; and,
  • permitting eligible manufacturers to sell spirits and 100 per cent Ontario wine at farmers markets.
• Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, and Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, highlighted that the Government of Canada is investing an additional $1.5 billion in the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) with provinces and territories. The Government of Ontario has received $614 million to help respond to the increased number of Ontarians looking to re-enter the workforce, particularly those in hard-hit sectors and groups disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic.
• Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government, announced that COVID Alert has been updated with two new features. The first app update allows users to clear the screen that indicates exposure to COVID-19. After receiving a negative COVID-19 test result, the screen can be cleared enabling the app to alert the user of a new exposure. Users should follow public health guidance, and only clear the screen that indicates exposure following a negative test result or after they receive instructions provided by their public health authority. The second feature allows users to turn COVID Alert on and off without disabling Bluetooth. This change was made after listening to feedback from health care workers, who need flexibility to turn off COVID Alert while they are at work wearing their personal protective equipment (PPE).
• The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, introduced Bill C-18, An Act to implement the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA), in the House of Commons. Subject to parliamentary approval, by preserving the main benefits of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), including the elimination of tariffs on 98% of products exported to the United Kingdom, this agreement will maintain preferential access to the U.K. market for Canadian exporters, even as the United Kingdom exits CETA. British officials have expressed concern that the legislation may not be passed before the House rises for its year-end recess on Friday, meaning that tariffs would be imposed on January 1st.
• Hudson’s Bay Co. is asking an Ontario court to review the province’s decision to temporarily close non-essential retailers in Toronto and Peel Region. In a judicial review filed on Thursday, the Toronto-based retailer called the province’s approach “unreasonable” and “unfair” and asked to recognize that there is a need for a solution that prioritizes health and safety without jeopardizing the livelihood of thousands of retail workers and the future of many businesses.
• Canada on Wednesday approved its first COVID-19 vaccine and said initial shots will be delivered and administered across the country starting next week, while every Canadian will be able to be inoculated as early as the end of September. Canada is the third country after Britain and Bahrain to give the green light to Pfizer Inc’s vaccine, developed with Germany’s BioNTech SE. General inoculations for all Canadians will begin in April after priority populations are taken care of, the government said in a vaccination plan also released on Wednesday.
• The office of Wayne Gates, M.P.P. has compiled a list of available business support programs, which has been reproduced with his kind permission below. A list of business programs and resources can also be found on the GNCC’s website. Businesses are encouraged to review the list and apply for any and all programs that would be useful and for which they may be eligible. Questions about programs can be directed to the Ontario Stop the Spread Information Line at 1-888-444-3659, the Government of Canada Business Enquiries Line at 1-800-959-5525, your Member of Parliament or Provincial Parliament, or the GNCC.

Federal COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

Managing your business during COVID-19

A Government of Canada guide to reopening, financial support, loans and credit. This guide has a detailed list of programs open to businesses.

Provincial COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

Businesses: Get help with COVID-19 costs

A guide to government programs such as personal protective equipment cost recovery and rebates for expenses such as property tax and energy bills.

Small business recovery resources

An Ontario Government guide to resources available to businesses with fewer than 100 workers.

COVID-19: Help for businesses in Ontario

An Ontario Government for all businesses – including reopening guidance and financial relief.

Available funding opportunities from the Ontario Government

The following programs from this Ontario Government directory may be of interest:

• Reconnect Festival and Event Program 2020-2021 (in-person and online event funding)
• Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund (for-profit tourism organizations eligible)

Ontario Together

The province’s COVID-19 equipment supplier portal.

Ontario Pandemic Response Partnership Programs

Ontario Business Centres

Ontario announced it was providing $2,040,000 to support Small Business Entreprise Centres to create a Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network to enhance services.

Digital Main Street Grants

Resources to help businesses transition to digital services (training and grants).

Advocis Connect

Available professional financial advisory sessions focused on questions about government relief programs and business continuity.

Ontario small business financial literacy resources

CPA Canada Financial Literacy Program guide to resources for small businesses.

General Resources for Businesses

Regional Development Program

Program invests in businesses, through funding or services, for programs developing the region (job creation, private investment attraction, business growth etc.).

Small Business Access

A government guide to support, information and advice for running a small business.

Small business: advice, support services, regulations

A government guide to support for small businesses and government regulations.

Ministry of Finance Credits, Benefits and Incentives 

A list of tax credits for businesses.

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

This Government of Canada agency delivers funding programs for innovation and economic growth in southern Ontario.

Business grants and financing

A Government of Canada guide to grants, loans, private and public sector financing and how to leverage personal assets. The following funding directory allows businesses to filter information based on their personal business attributes and needs.

Community Futures Development Corporation

These offices offer services and financing to small and medium startup companies. Businesses can search an interactive map to find their local office.

Recent Ontario Press Releases & Plans

Ontario Supports Businesses, Workers and Families during COVID-19

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, December 4, 2020

Province Proposes Cap on Delivery Fees to Support Local Restaurants

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, November 26, 2020

Rebuilding Main Street: Helping Ontario Businesses Reopen Safer, Rehire Faster and Recover from COVID-19

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, 2020

Ontario Supporting Small Businesses with Financial Advice and Training

Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, November 19, 2020

Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover Promotes Job Creation by Reducing Taxes on Employers

Office of the Premier, November 10, 2020

Reading recommendations:

Meet the clean supermajors. They have the clout and financial might of the energy behemoths that plumbed the world over for oil and gas before them. But instead of digging mines and drilling wells, they’re leading the race to electrify the global economy. These four companies—Enel, Iberdrola, NextEra Energy and Orsted—prioritized the building or buying of clean-power plants when those assets were still considered alternative and expensive. Now they’re on the cusp of a breakthrough.