Responding to support businesses

small business retail location

The City of Brantford remains committed to supporting businesses during these unprecedented times.  We endeavor to communicate and engage on an ongoing basis with businesses to help them navigate the challenges they are experiencing. 

Below is a curated list of business support programs and resources. We will continue to update this page as new resources or changes to existing resources are announced.

On this page

Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency

Effective Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., a stay-at-home order was issued by the provincial government requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for permitted purposes or activities, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for work where the work cannot be done remotely.

  • For any inquiries, businesses are encouraged to contact the Stop the Spread Business Info Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 Crisis and Save Lives

Understanding the implications for local businesses

On March 31, 2020, the City of Brantford initiated an online survey to grasp the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local business community and to understand the resources and supports required to address the challenges being faced. Overall, 139 surveys were completed and an overview of the survey responses follows.

View the business survey Results.

Connect with Economic Development

We are open to support businesses. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or if we can be of service to support you. 

Call us. 519-751-9900.

Email us.

COVID-19 Local Health Information

Please note: the lead Agency in Brantford for local information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the Brant County Health Unit. For City programs and services updates, please visit the City of Brantford's COVID-19 information page. For regional health measures (five stage colour coding), please visit the Province of Ontario COVID-19 response framework information page.

Online events and webinars

Upcoming online events and webinars related to business resources during the COVID-19 pandemic will be shared below.

Table: online events and webinars
Online events and webinars
DescriptionDate(s) Start TimeSource
       

Not-for-profit resources

These specific resources support non-for-profits. There are also other general resources listed in the business section below that are also available to non-for-profits.

Table: not-for-profit-resources
Not-for-profit resources
DescriptionSummarySource
Deferral of T3010 filing (Registered Charities) 2019 T3010 returns are not due until December 31, 2020, regardless of the organization’s normal filing deadline Government of Canada
Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations Financial support to maintain jobs, support business continuity, and stabilization Government of Canada
Local Food Infrastructure Fund Funding program to strengthen food systems through improving access, supporting the local economy, and improving health outcomes Government of Canada
Nonprofit AGM Deferral Program Authorization form to defer annual general meetings due to COVID-19 Government of Canada
Work Sharing Program Program to help employers avoid layoffs due to a temporary decrease in business activity Government of Canada
Imagine Canada Newsletter Weekly parliamentary news and updates that affect the nonprofit sector delivered to your email inbox Imagine Canada
Resilient Communities Fund A one-time fund to support the non-profit sector recover and rebuild from the impacts emerging from COVID-19 with possible funding from $5,000 to $150,000. Ontario Trillium Foundation
Financial Relief Navigator Comprehensive listing of relief measures searchable by province and territory   Prosper Canada

Business resources

Government of Canada resources

Canadian Parliament Buildings

The Government of Canada is moving to provide relief and stability for Canadians and Canadian businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.  Below is a summary of programs, resources, and supports available to both workers and businesses.

Table: Government of Canada resources
Government of Canada resources
DescriptionSummarySource (unconfirmed)Worker Business
Canada Emergency Response Benefit Up to $2K/mo in lost wages. CERB ended October 2020 and being replaced by EI and New Recovery Benefits. However CRA is continuing to accept and process retroactive applications until December 2, 2020. Canada Revenue Agency •  
New Recovery Benefits If you were receiving CERB, you may be eligible for one of the new recovery benefits retroactive to September 27, 2020 and available until September 25, 2021. Employment and Social Development Canada •  
Support for Tourism and Hospitality The federal government plans to create a new funding program to help restaurants, tourism companies and other businesses in industries hardest hit by COVID-19. TBD • •
Business Assistance Tool Credit and support for exporters Export Development Canada   •
Business Continuity Plan Maintaining business in emergencies Business Development Bank of Canada   •
Business Credit Availability Program BCAP loans up to $2M EDC / BDC   •
Canada Emergency Business Account up to $40,000 in loans, with up to $10,000 forgiven Export Development Canada   • 
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) If your small business has been affected by COVID-19, the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy is there for you - it’ll now come directly to you, not through your landlord, and cover up to 65% of your rent. Canada Revenue Agency   • 
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

Changes to CEWS as of November 19, 2020 (Bill C-9): the subsidy is extended to June 2021; the maximum subsidy rate for periods 8 to 10 will remain at 65% (40% base rate + 25% top-up); beginning in period 8, the top-up rate and base rate are is now calculated using the same one-month revenue drop -- for periods 8 to 10, use the new top-up calculation or the previous 3-month average drop, whichever works in your favour. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2021, or 180 days after the end of the claim period, whichever comes later

 Canada Revenue Agency   •
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. Business Development Bank of Canada   •
Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) Bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers, whose needs during the pandemic are not being met through conventional financing. Canada Development Investment Corporation   •
Learning from COVID-19 Lessons for businesses (blog) Business Development Bank of Canada   •
Supplying Products/Services Providing needed supplies Public Works and Government Services Canada   •
Trade Commissioner Service Helping navigate global markets Trade Commissioner Service   •
Wage Subsidy Calculator Estimate the amount of your wage subsidy Canada Revenue Agency   •
Wage Subsidy FAQs Details on wage subsidy for employers Canada Revenue Agency   •
Work-Sharing Program Enhancements to the program Employment and Social Development Canada   •

Province of Ontario resources

Queen's Park Buildings in Toronto

The Province of Ontario is also responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with measures to slow its spread while supporting the province's economy.  Below is a summary of programs, resources, and supports available to both workers and businesses.

Table: Province of Ontario resources
Province of Ontario resources
DescriptionSummarySourceWorkerBusiness
COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool tool to help determine how to seek further care Government of Ontario •  
Family Supports for Caring for Children one-time payment of $200 per child up to 12 years of age, and $250 for those with special needs Government of Ontario •  
Guaranteed Annual Income System increasing the payment for low-income seniors for six months Government of Ontario •  
Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Learn about employees’ rights to paid infectious disease emergency leave for COVID-19. Government of Ontario  •  
Support for Indigenous People and Communities emergency assistance for urban Indigenous people in financial need, and costs for health care professionals and critical supplies Government of Ontario •  
Agriculture and Food Jobs in Ontario Apply for agriculture, agri-food and food industry jobs to support the response to the novel coronavirus Government of Ontario • •
Charitable and Non-Profit Social Services Supports funding for organization such as food banks, homeless shelters, churches and emergency services such as the Red Cross Government of Ontario • •
Electrical Costs Support for Residential, Farm and Small Business Customers setting electricity prices at the lowest rate, known as the off-peak price, 24 hours a day for 45 days, additional supports for low income families Government of Ontario • •
Business Tax Relief for Interest and Penalties relief for businesses to file and make payments for the majority of provincially administered taxes Government of Ontario   •
COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program - Small Business (CEAP-SB) Provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. Government of Ontario   •
COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers Learn how to request a temporary rule or regulation change to help your business respond to COVID-19 (coronavirus). Government of Ontario   •
Ontario Small Business Support Funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Provincewide Shutdown. Government of Ontario   •
Ontario Together aligning resources, innovation, and manufacturing Government of Ontario   •
Reducing Employer Health Tax (EHT) increasing the EHT exemption for businesses Government of Ontario   •
Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace Find sector-specific guidelines and posters to help protect workers, customers and the general public from coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ontario. Government of Ontario   •
Small Business Support Grant The grant provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due to the Provincewide Shutdown. Government of Ontario   •
Support for Businesses Information and advice to help your business navigate the economy during COVID-19. Government of Ontario   •
Workplace PPE Supplier Directory Review a list of companies that sell personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to keep your employees and customers safe from COVID-19. Government of Ontario   •
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Deferrals Details around the program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government of Ontario   •

Municipal and local resources

Brantford welcome sign along 403

The City of Brantford and local partners are committed to supporting businesses through this time. Below is a summary of news and resources available in our community.

Table: municipal and local resources
Municipal and local resources
DescriptionSummarySourceWorkerBusiness
Local COVID-19 Information Sources City web page identifying local resources City of Brantford • •
Workplace Rapid Screening Kits for Businesses The COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Self Screening Kits allow your employees to test themselves twice per week, ensuring a safe work environment. These free rapid test kits give your business a chance to protect your employees, customers, and community from spreading and contracting COVID-19. Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant •  • 
Digital Main Street Service Squad help for main street small businesses to improve their online capabilities Brantford-Brant Business Resource Centre   •
Resources for small businesses and start ups

The BRC is helping small businesses and start ups respond to the pandemic.  They offer free business resources and advice from expert advisors who have hands-on business experience. 519-756-4269 

 Brantford-Brant Business Resource Centre   •

Resources from other sources

looking up at skyscrapers in Toronto

There are many resources, supports, and sources of information available to businesses and workers.  Below is a summary of some targeted at business preparation and response.

Table: resources from other sources
Resources from other sources
DescriptionSummarySourceWorkerBusiness
Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support Free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals Wellness Together Canada • •
Get Ready has a proven cloud-based Screening Tool  

Cloud-based Screening Tool to easily track employees, essential visitors who are entering your workplace. The Daily Screening Tool helps your employees and visitors complete the required assessment on their desktop or mobile device, to determine if they are COVID-19 safe to enter the workplace.

Remove the paperwork and reduce the touchpoints and save time by switching to this simple digital tool.		  Get Ready •  • 
Canadian Business Resilience Network The Canadian Chamber of Commerce established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to bring together its vast network to help the business community prepare, persevere and ultimately, prosper as we collectively face the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Chamber of Commerce   •
Frequent Insights on COVID-19 perspectives on COVID-19 and the economy The Conference Board of Canada   •
Manufacturers Response Toolkit Forum “Manufacturers Need Help” - open source forum for all Canadian manufacturers in response to COVID-19 Excellence In Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)   • 
Labour Law Updates FAQ prepared by Siskinds Law Firm around medical leave and doctor notes, specific to COVID-19 Excellence In Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)   •
Small Business Survival Guide Advice to help boost your business during COVID-19. Intuit   •
Rapid Response Platform - PPE Supplier Directory As Canada's industries return to work, there is an increased demand for PPE. The Rapid Response Platform automatically matches supply with demand, simplifying supplier discovery during the procurement process. Multiple Partner Organizations   •
Small Business Help Centre expert advice, policies, templates, FAQ Canadian Federation of Small Business   •
         
Business Pandemic Planning checklist for businesses  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   •

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