Ontario Moving to Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen

Ontario will enter Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 AM on Wednesday June 30, 2021. Step Two focuses on the resumption of more outdoor activities and limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn, with other restrictions in place.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people;
  • Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 5 people;
  • Essential and other select retail permitted at 50 per cent capacity;
  • Non-essential retail permitted at 25 per cent capacity;
  • Personal care services where face coverings can be worn at all times, and at 25 per cent capacity and other restrictions;
  • Outdoor dining with up to 6 people per table, with exceptions for larger households and other restrictions;
  • Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted at up to 25 per cent capacity of the particular room;
  • Outdoor fitness classes limited to the number of people who can maintain 3 metres of physical distance;
  • Outdoor sports without contact or modified to avoid contact, with no specified limit on number of people or teams participating, with restrictions;
  • Overnight camps for children operating in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health;
  • Outdoor sport facilities with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity;
  • Outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas, with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity;
  • Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways, with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity;
  • Outdoor fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals, permitted at 25 per cent capacity and with other restrictions.


While today’s news is a small step in the right direction to safely reopen our economy, many businesses – particularly small business and those in industries hit hardest by the crisis –continue to struggle to survive as they operate under extremely strict regulations. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Ottawa Board of Trade, and the Ontario Chamber Network have continued to call for evidence-based metrics for reopening Ontario’s economy as we work together towards a steady, robust, and inclusive recovery.

The facts are clear about Ontario’s reopening plan: we have achieved benchmarks for Step Three, yet we are taking a modest earlier move into Step Two. With nearly one-third of Ontarians fully vaccinated and our positivity rate dropping to the lowest since early Fall, we urge government to closely monitor the indicators for reopening so we can confidently move to the next stage of a safe reopening of our economy sooner than anticipated. Continued supports, such as an additional round of the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, will be critical to help keep businesses afloat.
Steps You Can Take to
Help Curb the Spread in Our Community

Step One: Follow Public Health Guidelines

Continue following public health guidelines and safety protocols, especially in the workplace. Be COVID Wise - wear a mask, stay home when you're sick, maintain physical distancing, and exercise proper hand hygiene.

Step Two: Rapid Test Screening

With vaccinations on the rise and case counts lowering, rapid testing is another critical part of curbing the spread of COVID-19, contributing to the safe reopening of our economy. The Ottawa Board of Trade are distributing FREE rapid test kits to Ottawa SMEs, in partnership with Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards and sponsored by Commissionaires Ottawa.
Step Three: Get Vaccinated

Getting vaccinated can bring us all back together, faster. Getting us back to doing all of the things we used to love, and visiting all of the places we used to go. The Ontario Chamber Network encourages every Ontarian to get their shot as soon as they can to help slow transmission of new variants and prevent a fourth wave.


Ontarians interested in getting vaccinated can book their appointment through the provincial booking system and participating pharmacies. With a majority of Ontario adults having received their first dose of the vaccine, the province is accelerating eligibility to book a second dose appointment.


Together we can all help curb spread and keep our economy open.
Applications for the Ontario Tourism and Travel
Small Business Support Grant Closing Soon!

Applications close THIS FRIDAY for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant, which will provide one-time payments of $10K to $20K to support eligible small businesses in the tourism and travel sector recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Applications close Friday, June 25, 2021.


New CEBA Application Deadline Extended to June 30!

The CEBA program provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. New CEBA applications have been extended to June 30, 2021. This deadline extension applies to any new applications for CEBA loans of $60,000 or to new applications from businesses that have already received the $40,000 loan and intend to apply for the additional $20,000.


For more resources, tools, and savings to help your business
Last Chance to Register for the
2021 Run for Women Ottawa
July 4, 2021 to July 11, 2021

The Ottawa Board of Trade invites you to join our team for the 2021 VIRTUAL Run for Women! Between July 4 and 11, over 5000 people in Ottawa will be taking to the streets to walk, roll, run, saunter, dance or skip, all in support of women’s mental health at The Royal.

Our actions today will make a world of difference for women in our community living with mental illness. With the COVID-19 crisis affecting every aspect our lives, now more than ever, our mental health matters and every action counts. 

If the cause doesn’t compel you to join us, the $100 Shoppers LOVE.YOU. swag bag should seal the deal!

Hurry! Join the Ottawa Board of Trade team before Friday June 25. Registration is $45 when you use the code RFWIMPACT!

Registration deadline Friday June 25, 2021
CAPITAL Magazine Launch
June 29, 2021 | 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

The Ottawa Board of Trade and gordongroup are proud to launch the next edition of CAPITAL Magazine on June 29, 2021 at 5:00 PM. With special guest, the Honorable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. 

The summer issue looks to the future as we explore world class city building and how Ottawa will thrive in a post COVID-19 world!

Thank you to all the CAPITAL Magazine project partners for making this important edition possible.
Mayor's Breakfast
June 25, 2021 | 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Don't miss the last edition of the Mayor's Breakfast series before the fall!

VIA Rail Canada, President & CEO, Cynthia Garneau speaks with media personality Mark Sutcliffe about VIA's plans for growth, new projects and how the pandemic affected them. Zoom networking starts at 7:30AM. Grab a coffee and come say hi!
Maximize Your Membership
June 28, 2021 | 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Maximize Your Membership is back this Monday at 1:00 PM! Join Kassondra Walters, Manager, Membership Experience, as she shares the benefits of membership with the Ottawa Board of Trade. Learn more about the work of the Ottawa Board of Trade and how membership can support your business growth.

Register today and learn how you can maximize your membership!
Congratulations to the 2021 Forty Under 40 Recipients!
THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERS!

Your Ottawa Board of Trade is a non-profit, non partisan, independent association that exists for the sole purpose of advocating for our businesses and growing community prosperity. Although we are driven by the needs of the entire business community, it is the members who make it possible for Ottawa to have a strong voice of business. And it may never be more important than now. So please join us in saying 
THANK YOU to our members.
Promote Your Business| Build Your Brand | Support Your Community
Special Thanks to our Community Partners!