On Monday, March 21, mandatory masking requirements were lifted for most settings, with the exception of long-term care and retirement homes. Hospitals and private businesses may choose to implement their own masking policies in the absence of a provincewide mandate.

Individuals may be required to show proof of vaccination when travelling within and outside of Canada. Check applicable requirements at destination.

The Town of Orangeville’s Economic Development & Culture/SBEC office continues to support our community during COVID-19. We have compiled a list of resources that may be helpful for local businesses. Contact us for further guidance in navigating the various programs and restrictions for your business. 

Financing and Cash Flow Support

Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP)

Businesses, charities, or non-profits in Canada who do not qualify for the Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program but have faced deep losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, may be eligible for a wage subsidy, a rent subsidy, or both through the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program. 

To qualify for the HHBRP, businesses must meet the following two conditions:

  • have a 12-month average revenue drop from March 2020 to February 2021 of at least 50%
  • have a claim period revenue drop of at least 50%

Subsidy rates start at 10% for eligible organizations with a 50% current-month revenue decline to a maximum rate of 50% (for those with a current-month revenue decline of 75% or higher). There are no claim periods for the wage and rent subsidies after May 7, 2022; however, you can still apply for open claim periods until their deadlines have passed. Find eligibility requirements and calculate subsidy rates here. 

Ontario Together Fund (OTF)
The objective of the Ontario Together Fund (OTF) is to provide funding to firms and organizations for projects that support Ontario’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or Ontario’s preparedness for future public health emergencies. The OTF focuses on supporting manufacturing and innovation that helps combat COVID-19 and provides goods and services critical to the health, safety, and security of Ontarians. Find eligibility requirements and full details here. The program is available until October 1, 2022.

Provincially administered tax deferrals 
The Government of Ontario is providing additional support to help improve cash flows for Ontario businesses by providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes. This will:
  • support businesses in the immediate term while capacity restrictions are in place
  • provide the flexibility Ontario businesses will need for long-term planning

This measure will provide up to $7.5 billion in relief to help approximately 80,000 Ontario businesses. Businesses will have the option to delay their payments for the following provincially administered taxes:

  • Employer Health Tax
  • Beer, Wine & Spirits Taxes
  • Tobacco Tax
  • Insurance Premium Tax
  • Fuel Tax
  • International Fuel Tax Agreement
  • Gas Tax
  • Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts & Benefit Plans
  • Mining Tax
  • Race Tracks Tax

The six-month period will begin on January 1, 2022 and end on July 1, 2022. Learn more at ontario.ca.

Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)

Businesses, charities or non-profits in Canada who has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,  may be eligible for a wage subsidy, a rent subsidy, or both through the the Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program.

Business that may qualify include:

  • those that are part of the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or recreation sectors, or
  • those affected by a qualifying public health restriction

The subsidy rate starts at 40% for eligible organizations with a 40% current-month revenue decline to a maximum rate of 75% (for those with a current-month revenue decline of 75% or higher). There are no claim periods for the wage and rent subsidies after May 7, 2022; however, you can still apply for open claim periods until their deadlines have passed. Find eligibility requirements and calculate subsidy rates here. 

Those businesses that do not qualify under the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program but are still facing significant losses may be eligible for the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program. 

Workforce Retention and Support

Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)

The Canada Recovery Hiring Program helps employers hire the workers they need so that the economy can fully recover more quickly. Eligible employers could receive a subsidy to cover part of their wages as they hire new employees and increase existing employees' wages or hours. There are no claim periods for the wage and rent subsidies after May 7, 2022; however, you can still apply for open claim periods until their deadlines have passed. Find eligibility requirements and apply online at canada.ca. 

Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit
Paid infectious disease emergency leave requires employers to provide employees with up to three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave because of certain reasons related to COVID-19. This entitlement is in addition to employees' rights to unpaid infectious disease emergency leave. Find details at ontario.ca. The program has been extended to July 31, 2022

Temporary COVID-19 Business, Service and Public Space Extensions

Extension of patio policy for licensed premises
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has extended the patio policy, which allows for the temporary physical extension of liquor licensed premises until January 1, 2023. The policy was previously set to expire January 1, 2022.

Under the patio policy, all eligible liquor sales licensees and holders of a By-the-Glass endorsement may add or temporarily extend their licensed premises without having to apply to the AGCO, provided that they meet certain criteria. One of the criteria is that the municipality in which the premises is located has indicated it does not object to an extension.

This patio policy extension will continue to provide flexibility and support to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.