covid-19 / Coronavirus Toolkit

for small and medium businesses

Merci de noter qu’une trousse à outils sur la COVID-19 sera bientôt disponible en français.

It is now more critical than ever for employers to monitor the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak and implement strategies to protect their workforce and the community while maintaining operations. 

Click on the following links for the latest information on the COVID-19:

Businesses who have questions about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. 

The following links are intended to help educate small and medium businesses, employers and employees on how to prepare for and address the impacts of the Coronavirus.

Please note that information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The links below are intended to direct you to the most up-to-date information. Regular updates will follow

Starting Tuesday, May 19: retail stores that are not in malls and have street-front entrances are allowed to open, with strict physical distancing guidelines. This also includes animal services, pet groomers and vets (by appointment), housekeeping and maintenance services. The province has also lifted further limits on essential construction.

Here's the full list of things allowed to open on May 19. 

Also announced today is this directory of companies that can provide PPE, for businesses that need PPE to re-open.

Additional resources that are available for businesses: 

I’m a small business and I need financial support:

 

I do a lot of business abroad,
how can I keep up with all the travel advisories?

  • Public Health Agency of Canada Travel Advisories


Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

You can find all Federal actions to face the COVID-19 outbreak on this website, included support for businesses and individuals.


Relief and information for businesses

Banking Solutions - NEW!

Effective immediately, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, National Bank of Canada, RBC Royal Bank, Scotiabank and TD Bank have made a commitment to work with personal and small business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help them manage through challenges such as:

  • Pay disruption due to COVID-19

  • Childcare disruption due to school closures

  • Those facing illness from COVID-19

This support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products.

Wage subsidy

 You are an eligible employer if you:

  • are a non-profit organization, registered charity, or a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC);

  • have an existing business number and payroll program account with the CRA on March 18, 2020; and

  • pay salary, wages, bonuses, or other remuneration to an employee.

The wage subsidy rate will be increased to 75 per cent from the previously announced 10 per cent for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This is intended to help businesses keep and return workers to payroll. More details are expected to follow before the end of the month.  These details will presumably include eligibility criteria, revised per employee and per employer limits, and the process for receiving the subsidy. See details from Logan Katz HERE.

A closer look at the Wage Subsity (Logan Katz)

Defer tax filing 

Businesses can defer the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020. The government will not initiate any GST/HST or Income Tax audits for the next four weeks.

Information about municipal property tax bills and water utility bills (Property Tax Relief)

Small Business Loan

Low-interest loans up to $100,000 if your business has been generating revenues for at least 24 months.

Purchase order financing

Cover up to 90% of the purchase order amount to ease cash flow to your suppliers.

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)

Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will provide more than $10 billion in direct lending and other types of financial support at market rates to businesses with viable business models whose access to financing would otherwise be restricted. 

Noise By-Laws Temporarily Waived for Grocery Stores

This bill allows for 24/7 delivery to grocery stores by temporarily waiving noise bylaws that may impact the delivery of goods. It also gives municipalities the ability to conduct council, local board and committee meetings electronically in these exceptional circumstances.

Information for workers

COVID-19 CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT (Logan Katz)

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is a taxable benefit that will provide up to $2,000 a month for up to four months (16 weeks) for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CERB replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit and is intended to be a simpler and more accessible combination of these measures. The CERB also expands and defines eligibility requirements.

Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies)

provides job-protected leave for employees who are in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, or those who need to be away from work to care for children because of school or day care closures or to care for other relatives. These measures are retroactive to January 25, 2020, the date the first presumptive COVID-19 case was confirmed in Ontario. The legislation will also make it clear employees cannot be required to show sick notes.

Employment Insurance (EI) Regular Benefits

Provides regular benefits to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits Program

Provides up to 15 weeks of income replacement to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine. Please note that the one-week waiting period has been waived, as well as the requirement for a medical certificate for employment insurance (EI) sickness benefits to provide immediate support for workers in quarantine

Employment Insurance for Food Industry Workers (Google Doc from Apt613).

COVID-19 & Employment Rights: Everything You Need to Know (Samfiru and Tumarkin LLP)

You can contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, your local public health unit, or your primary care provider if you’re experiencing symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus. Please do not visit an assessment center unless you have been referred by a healthcare professional.

Dr. Vera Etches advises how individuals can prepare for a pandemic situation.

Visit the following links for the most current information from on COVID-19:

  • Social distancing and self-isolation (City of Ottawa Public Health)

  • How to prepare for COVID-19 (City of Ottawa Public Health)

  • COVID-19 Self-Assessment (Government of Ontario)

  • How to Self-Monitor If You Are Sick (Government of Ontario)

  • Safety and Emergency Preparedness (Government of Canada)

  • COVID-19 Prevention and Risks (Government of Canada)

  • Cases & Latest Updates (Government of Ontario)

  • Guidance for the Health Sector (Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)

Helpful Tips in Planning Ahead

Review human resource policies. Consider flexible work options. This can mean telecommuting, different worksites or flexible schedules. Remind employees if they're sick, they should stay home.

Create an employee communications plan. Share accurate information with employees as situations develop. Basic information, like what the virus is, how it spreads, and how to take care of one's self, can go a long way to prevent rumours and misinformation. Think ahead about how you will communicate in case one of your employees becomes sick.

Plan ahead for how you will handle absenteeism. Ontario schools have been cancelled, which will force many employees to stay home to care for children.

Coordinate with state and local public health officials as needed.

Make a business continuity plan. Be prepared to execute a new strategy, if necessary. Think of alternative suppliers, critical customers or how to continue operations.

Review travel policies and plans. The latest guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) can be found on the PHAC Website

Stay Healthy

A little planning can ensure smooth business operations and protect public health at the same time. All individuals should continue to take the following basic personal-hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the virus:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer;

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;

  • Avoid handshakes;

  • Avoid contact with people who are sick; and

  • Stay home when you are sick.

Recognize the Symptoms of COVID-19

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Difficulty Breathing