TARGETED SUPPORTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES SUBJECT TO CLOSURES ANNOUNCED BY PROVINCE
The Government of Ontario is introducing a $10,000 grant for eligible businesses subject to closures under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen and is providing additional electricity-rate relief for businesses, as well as workers and families spending more time at home.
Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant will provide eligible small businesses with a one-time grant payment of $10,000.
Eligible small businesses include:
- Restaurants and bars
- Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms)
- Performing arts and cinemas
- Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions
- Meeting or event spaces
- Tour and guide services
- Conference centres and convention centres
- Driving instructions for individuals, and
- Before and after school programs
Eligible businesses that qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant previously and are subject to closure under new restrictions will have been pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply to the new program. Newly established and newly eligible small businesses will need to apply once the application portal opens in the coming weeks. Small businesses that qualify can expect to receive their payment in February.
Electricity Rate Relief
For 21 days starting at 12:01 am on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, electricity prices will be set 24 hours a day at the current off-peak rate of 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is less than half the cost of the current on-peak rate. The off-peak rate will apply automatically to residential, small businesses and farms who pay regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board and get a bill from a utility and will benefit customers on both Time-of-Use and Tiered rate plans.
Minister MacLeod (Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism & Culture Industries and Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy hosted a technical briefing to discuss the new relief measures. See notes from the briefing here.
School Update
The Province also announced a return to in-person learning on January 17.
