COVID-19 Information and Resources for Businesses
Following advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, on April 3, 2020, Ontario updated the list of essential businesses that can remain open. The restrictions are aimed at further reducing contact between people and stopping the spread of COVID-19.
By 11:59 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2020, businesses that are not identified on this list must close their physical locations.
The province has launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province’s recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
For more information visit Ontario Newsroom
Smiths Falls DBA will continually be compiling a list of relevant resources for your small business needs. Please let us know if you have any questions that we can help answer by emailing dba@smithsfalls.ca. This list will be continually updated and adjusted, so please be sure to check back regularly. Our goal is to provide a list of resources, products, blogs and more that you can rely on during these times to help your business.
DMS Academy – Main street businesses can access free workshops and training on topics relevant to their learning needs.
Small Business Starter Kit – The DMS team wanted to put together a package of short snippet resource guides to provide you with topics and ideas you should consider
Where should you build your site?
Product Photography Guide – Our own DMS team member Lana Pribic curated a small business product photography guide that is full of practical information
The Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls, Lanark County, northern Leeds Grenville) will be hosting FREE webinars to help you during Covid-19 Crisis: you can find more details and how to register here.
- General Business Advice for COVID-19 available via phone and email to provide support:
Cindy James, The Small Business Advisory Center 613-283-7002 x 108 or cjames@smallbizcentre.ca - Support with Cashflow Management for COVID-19:
Scott Runte, Launch Lab: scott.runte@launchlab.ca
Algonquin College launches free virtual training to support the business community during COVID-19
How to Build a “Buy Online, Pickup Curbside” store on Shopify: Step-by-step
COVID19 Response Announcement – Including: 90 day free trials, Gift cards available on all plans, Local in-store/curbside pickup and delivery for POS, Community Forum/Live Webinars/Meetups for Support
Shopify Academy – Free Shopify training to help you build and grow a profitable business. Topics include starting your online store, promoting it via social media, photography, and more
Shopify Blog – Industry leading blog featuring articles on how-to-guides, practical advice, revenue strategies and more
COVID-19: Ad credits for Google Ads Small and Medium-sized Businesses
If your organization uses Google G Suite, you now have free access to advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing capabilities through July 1, 2020
Think With Google Canada – Insights. Ideas. Inspiration. Take your marketing further with Google. Think with Google.
Grow With Google – Free training, tools, and events to help you grow your skills, career, or business.
Google Primer – Bite-sized lessons to better your business. Google Primer is a free mobile app that offers quick, easy-to-understand lessons to help business owners and individuals grow skills and reach their goals.
Google My Business – Businesses affected by COVID-19: Guidance on updating info and temporary closures
Hootsuite, the software that many of us use to manage our social media accounts, is giving free access to Hootsuite Professional plan tools to small businesses and non-profits until July 1st, 2020
Hootsuite Academy – Whether you’re looking to build your skills or take the next leap in your career, our courses and certifications will help you succeed with social media.
Curbside Pivot is the worlds first integrated curbside ordering and pickup system, built by owners, for owners. It re-imagines your dine-in experience as a take-home atmosphere providing an easy, seamless way for you to adapt with current times.
FREE advertisement on local Radio websites
Digital Tools to
Keep Business Communications Open
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: The Federal Government has announced a 75% wage subsidy available for businesses that have suffered a 30% or more loss in revenue due to COVID-19. The application process will open on April 27th.
Canada Emergency Business Account provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced.
To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019.
Business owners can apply for support from the Canada Emergency Business Account through their banks and credit unions.
- A 75% percent loan to Landlords with 2/3 of it being non repayable, for rents up to 50K. Meaning 50% of rents will be covered by the government.
- The balance (25%) will be on the landlord. The other 25% will be on the tenant. This way all three parties contribute to the solution.
While we know work will need to be done on this, we hope that this package is a great start. It is our understanding this package will only apply to landlords whose tenants have suffered (and can prove) a 70% loss in revenue.
To support workers and help businesses keep their employees, the government has proposed legislation to establish the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This taxable benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
The Fund supports businesses impacted by COVID-19 that have been unable to access other Government of Canada measures.
The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020.
The financial relief package allows businesses to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. Businesses who report and pay monthly, quarterly or annually based on their insurable earnings are eligible for this deferral.
Ontario is moving quickly to support the frontlines and businesses during the COVID-19. To help remove obstacles and streamline Ontario’s ability to respond to the outbreak and navigate through it, several temporary rules and regulations have been put in place.
To support your ongoing work during COVID-19, you can request a temporary regulation or policy to change to help:
- assist the health care system meet the needs of needs of the emergency
- assist businesses in retooling or producing essential or health-related products and supplies
- make it easier for businesses trying to operate remotely or in a non-traditional fashion and are facing unexpected challenges
Further assistance and programs
(loans, continuity planning, exporting information and more)
Export Development Canada
Farm Credit Canada
Trade Commissioner
BDC
Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)
Get more information on specific programs and services being offered to businesses – Find COVID-related supports for businesses
FedDev
Employment and Social Development Canada
Work-Sharing Program pages