For Employers
Helpful Links for Financial Support Programs: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (75%) program link, how to apply; Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB); 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy.
Updated resource page for all Federal programs and supports
Conference Board of Canada Covid-19 resources, updated daily
Canadian Federation of Independent Business Small Business Resources for Dealing with COVID-19
Free resources from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
Legends Landscape Supply: Best Practice Guidelines - COVID-19
Answers from the Canadian Payroll Association: About Payroll, Layoffs and Employment Insurance Benefits
NEWS:
Oct. 9
The federal government announces new business supports
Measures include rent subsidies, extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), and expansion of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). Read more.
Sept. 25
Covid-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces
Ontario employers are now required to screen employees for Covid-19 daily. Read more.
June 4, 2020
SiteOne Landscape Supply provides a weekly COVID screening questionnaire to be used by managers.
Download.
Rent assistance for small businesses announced: Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It offers unsecured, forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to reduce the rent owed by their impacted small business tenants and meet operating expenses on commercial properties. Apply here.
May 6, 2020
Ontario Extends Electricity Rate Relief During COVID-19
The Ontario government is extending emergency electricity rate relief to families, farms and small businesses until May 31, 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Full details.
May 1, 2020
Certain Businesses Allowed to Reopen Under Strict Safety Guidelines
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the province will allow some businesses, including lawn care and maintenance companies, to open on May 4 as long as they adhere to "proper health and safety guidelines." Essential construction projects, including municipal projects will also be deemed essential. By following the proper health and safety guidelines these businesses will be permitted to begin operations on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m.:
- Lawn care and landscaping;
- Additional essential construction projects
Official announcement.
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services provides Guidance Documents for our Workplaces during COVID-19 Outbreak:
Health and Safety for Garden Centre Sector, Lawn Care and Landscape Workers, Drivers and Truck Drivers, Agricultural and Office Workers, and more have been compiled online at HortTrades.com.
For the full list of Guidance Documents, see the Ontario website.
Workplace Safety Prevention Services provides a Pandemic Recovery: Return-To-Business-Checklist
This checklist is intended as a self-assessment tool to assist you in ramping back up to regular business operations. While it is a high level guide, it should be adapted and expanded upon to the unique requirements based on your type of business and work activities.
Topics include: Compliance Requirements, Pre-Opening Steps, Occupational Health & Safety Requirements.
Download the checklist.
April 28, 2020
Consulting By Hart provides complimentary 15-minute business coaching. Contact Jacki Hart to schedule a call.
Online Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) renewals now available online using the new online CVOR renewal service. Renew your CVOR 60 days prior to expiry with thee easy steps in 15 minutes or less.
Extended validation periods for driver, vehicle and carrier products and services
Learn about extensions on expiry dates for driver's licences, vehicle and carrier products and services due to COVID-19. More information.
April 27, 2020
Ontario Unveils Guiding Principles to Reopen the Province
Premier and Ministers Commit to New Phased Approach for a Safe Restart and Recovery
The Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee, as well as MPPs, will be consulting with people and businesses across all sectors impacted by the COVID‑19 outbreak.
These consultations will inform when and how the economy may be reopened, and a plan for Ontario to emerge from this emergency situation stronger than ever.
More details. Additional information.
April 26, 2020
School closures extended to May 31
April 24, 2020
The Canadian Payroll Association has updated a resource to support employers in completing payroll and the completion of ROE’s during COVID-19.
April 23, 2020
HortProtect announces help to employers for dental and extended healthcare benefits.
More information.
Ontario Provides Urgent Relief for Small Businesses and Landlords
The OCECRA will provide forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners experiencing potential rent shortfalls because their small business tenants have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. To receive the loan, property owners will be required to reduce the rental costs of small business tenants for April to June 2020 by at least 75 per cent and commit to a moratorium on evictions for three months.
More information.
April 23, 2020
Those having a hard time reaching Service Canada who do not have their access code to report online can fill out a form to request Service Canada to call them.
Access the form online.
Ontario Extends Emergency Orders to Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 until May 6, 2020.
Full announcement.
April 22, 2020
Support for students and new grads affected by COVID-19
The Province of Ontario has updated the Frequently Asked Questions about essential businesses, including Seasonal, Lawncare/Landscaping and Construction, plus Health & Safety Guidance to employers and employees.
Full details
April 17, 2020
Recent Federal Government Changes: CERB expansions, temporary foreign worker support and new rent assistance
The federal government recently announced expanded CERB ($2,000 support) to include workers earning less than $1,000 a month, seasonal workers affected by COVID-19 and those whose EI has run out since January 1; that businesses who hire temporary foreign workers (TFW), the government will also give you $1,500 for each TFW to help pay for their 14 day quarantine; a new commercial rent assistance program has been proposed and will offer a combination of loans and forgivable loans to commercial property owners who dramatically reduce rent for commercial tenants. (Details to follow).
CFIB FAQ’s related to Business Continuity.
Recent Provincial Government Changes
Ontario: COVID-19 relief measures for your business
Prime Minister announces new support to protect Canadian jobs
The Government of Canada is taking action to help Canadian businesses and organizations keep their doors open, keep their employees on the payroll, and recover quickly when Canada bounces back from this crisis. Full details.
Landscape Ontario update April 17, 2020: Spring is coming
CFIB provides guidance to business owners of occupational health and safety compliance.
Trying to navigate all the rules and regulations of workplace health and safety can seem daunting, expensive, and time-consuming, but it doesn’t need to be.
Use this handy guide from CFIB.
WSIB announces First Aid training recertification extension
April 16, 2020
Ontario Enables Auto Insurance Companies to Provide Driver Rebates During COVID-19
Regulatory changes open the door for auto insurance rebates
Landscape Ontario update (April 16, 2020) Focus on safety
April 15, 2020
Prime Minister announces expanded access to Canada Emergency Response Benefit and support for essential workers
April 14, 2020
Landscape Ontario update (April 14, 2020)
Effective April 16, 2020, all procedural time periods and limitation periods under the Construction Act will be restored.
This has two major implications for the industry; lien periods are back; and owners can once again release holdbacks safely.
How are you staying relevant to your employees during COVID-19? From HR consultant EIO Solutions
WSPS Health and Safety Resources for Cashiers, Drivers and Truck Drivers, Executives and Management and Sales and Customer Service Representatives
Ontario posts more information on Infectious disease emergency leave
Ontario Extends Declaration of Emergency to Continue the Fight Against COVID-19 until May 12, 2020
On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and with the approval of the Ontario legislature, the Ontario government is extending the Declaration of Emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act for a further 28 days.
More information
Resources for Nursery Growers $50M to help growers and processors bring in temporary foreign workers.
Download the Canada Business App to find tailored supports to address your needs in the face of COVID-19.
Key steps to access support programs: Get setup on CRA My Business account, and maintain up-to-date accounting records to support completion of support program applications.
CFIB updates small business on federal government supports, including the 75% wage subsidy (CEWS) and other programs
April 13, 2020
Landscape Ontario update (April 12, 2020)
April 11, 2020
Province extends Emergency Orders until April 23, 2020
April 9, 2020
Nursery growers asked to complete COVID-19 Ornamental Crops Impact Study survey.
Landscape Canada Committee provides guidance for Landscape Contractors to consider for our operations during COVID-19.
Canada Emergency Business Account launches, offering interest-free loans up to $40,000
Province Prevents Operators from Charging Fees while Child Cares are Closed
WSIB provides entitlement guidelines for WSIB related claims for COVID-19.
Province Connects Volunteers to Community Organizations Supporting Seniors and People with Disabilities During COVID-19.
Federal Government updates the Work-Sharing Program due to COVID-19.
The government has announced they will be collecting back the over-payments within the next 5-7 business days.
Landscape Ontario update (April 9, 2020)
Government provides further flexibility for employers to access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
April 8, 2020
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program is updated
Changes to Canada Summer Jobs program to help businesses and young Canadians affected by COVID-19
Ontario government seeks ideas for future business success
Ontario Accelerates Essential Construction Projects During COVID-19
Marsh Insurance: Are you at risk from a post-Covid scam?
April 7, 2020
Update from Landscape Ontario (April 7, 2020)
Guidance documents from Government of Canada for workplaces and businesses
Tips and resources from WSPS on working from a remote office
Employee Government Program Download from HR consultant EIO Solutions.
WSPS checklists, information sheets and various sector specific resources dedicated to COVID-19
April 6, 2020
Landscape Ontario member update (April 6, 2020)
WSIB decisions regarding COVID-19 related claims costs, including FAQs about WSIB claims, WSIB financial relief package and Adjudicative Guidance for COVID-19 claims
April 3, 2020
Landscape Ontario member update (April 3, 2020)
Ontario Extends Business Closures 14 Days to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 and announces updated essential workplace list.
CFIB: What’s the Ontario government doing to help your business?
Ministry of Labour update on changes to the Employment Standards Act related to COVID-19
CNLA launches national Action Centre page
