On January 7, 2022, the Ontario government announced the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen. The government also announced the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program, which will open on January 18, 2022.

Read the full announcement

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Small Business Relief Grant

Eligible businesses subject to closures as a result of the province’s move to the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will receive a grant of $10,000.

Eligibility

To receive the grant, a small business must:

• be required to close due to public health orders that took effect 12:01 a.m. on January 5, 2022
• have fewer than 100 employees

Eligible businesses that previously qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will be pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply for 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 the coming weeks.

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
• performing arts venues 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 instruction for individuals
• before- and after- school programs

How to apply

Applications for the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant will be open in the coming weeks.

Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program

Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs, while businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs.

A full list of eligible business types will be available through a program guide in mid-January 2022.

Online applications for this program will open January 18, 2022. Payments to eligible businesses will be retroactive to December 19, 2021.

Businesses will be required to submit property tax and energy bills as part of the application process. If you have questions about the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program, call 1-866-668-8297 (1-866-ONT-TAXS).

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Additional Resources