COVID 19 Business Supports

Visit the Town of Halton Hills COVID-19 for safety protocols and Town service updates 

Town Partners with Chamber to Distribute Workplace Rapid Screening Kits to Small Businesses

The Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Halton Hills have joined forces to provide free self-screening kits to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who employ up to 150 employees throughout the Town of Halton Hills. The goal of the program is to identify asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals and prevent them from spreading COVID-19 in the workplace, at home and around the community.

The booking portal will be launched next week and kits can be picked up starting May 26 (supply and delivery dependent). SMEs are required to electronically submit screening metrics weekly. Accumulated data will be reported to the appropriate government officials. It is recommended that staff be screened twice weekly.

Expression interest in the Halton Hills Chamber's Rapid Screening program.

Halton Region Resources

Global Business Centre
Small Business Centre

September 14, 2021 Update: Halton Region Public Health has prepared a business toolkit with links and resources for employers to help create and promote a safe work place. Click here for the business toolkit.

September 7, 2021 Update: Halton Region's Medical Officer of Health has issued an amended Letter of Instructions to businesses to support their efforts in preventing the spread of COVID-19. These instructions will make it easier for businesses to understand and implement requirements and current Provincial Rules for Step 3.

September 1, 2021 Update: The Province of Ontario will require people to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status to access certain businesses and settings, starting September 22, 2021. Click here for more information about this new requirement. 

August 26, 2021 Update: Halton Region's Medical Officer of Health is now recommending that businesses develop workplace vaccination policies. Click here to learn more about this recommendation. In addition, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has just released "Vax-Pass-Tenets," a proof-of-vaccination framework to support re-opening plans for Ontario private sector businesses. Click here to learn more about this framework.

Call to Action

• MICRO PPE PROCUREMENT PORTAL -Local Companies Helping Local Healthcare and Essential Services
  Currently, the Federal and Provincial governments are working toward procuring large quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In the short term, there are local companies across Halton Region which can help alleviate short-term critical supply of PPE for local hospitals and long-term care facilities, as well as, essential service businesses. No amount is too small. Learn more.

• SUPPLIERS NEEDED - The Government of Canada is calling all businesses that can supply products and services in support of Canada's response to COVID-1. Learn more.
• MANUFACTURERS NEEDED - If you are a manufacturer or business that can assist Canada in meeting the need for medical supplies, your help is needed. Learn more.
• SUPPLIES, INNOVATION, IDEAS - Ontario is looking for help from businesses and organizations who can supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support the response to COVID-19. Learn more.

Response Funding

• NGen's COVID-19 Response Program - $50 million to fund projects that involve the rapid production launch of products in short supply, including virus screening test kits, gloves, gowns, masks, and other personal protective equipment, hospital equipment such as ventilators and peripherals, as well as cleaning and sterilization chemicals and equipment.

Other Local Resources

Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Acton BIA

Downtown Georgetown BIA

The Retail Council of Canada has prepared a Retail Recovery Playbook 

The Playbook includes a comprehensive Retail Recovery Checklist.

What are the guidelines that I need to follow?

Businesses must follow public health measures and should review workplace safety guidelines, such as wearing masks, promoting physical distancing and frequent handwashing, sanitizing surfaces, installing physical barriers, staggering shifts, and using contactless payment options to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, in partnership with Ontario's health and safety associations, has released over 60 sector-specific health and safety guidelines, including guidelines for curbside pickup and delivery services. Business owners should review the guidelines and consult with local public health officials to ensure they have the information they need to protect workers, customers and the general public as the province prepares for the gradual reopening of the economy.

• Ministry of Health Guidelines for Essential Businesses.
• Sector-specific guidelines

To continue to support the local business community, the Town of Halton Hills has established an Economic Support and Recovery Task Force in collaboration with the Acton and Georgetown Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and Chamber of Commerce.

The move comes as a continuation of the Town’s efforts to bring together stakeholders and collectively work to support business continuity. Co-chaired by Mayor Rick Bonnette and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Brent Marshall, the task force includes the Director of Economic Development, Innovation and Culture, other senior staff, key business stakeholders and representatives from the two BIAs and Chamber of Commerce. “These are unprecedented times,” said the Mayor. "And it is during times of duress that it is more important than ever that we work together to address the significant challenges faced by our business community.”

The goals of the Economic Support and Recovery Task Force include:
1. Continued engagement of the business community;
2. Coordination of communication;
3. Data collection, analysis and reporting on business needs;
4. Minimizing economic impacts of COVID-19 by investigating potential support measures and best practices;
5. Exploring actions to support long-term economic recovery;
6. Advocating to other levels of governments to address local business needs; and
7. Developing and implementing an Economic Recovery Action Plan to position Halton Hills for an accelerated economic recovery.

According to CAO Marshall, the establishment of the task force is critical to supporting the ongoing health of the community. “The success of our businesses, large and small, supports the Town’s ability to deliver services. We have always fostered an attractive business environment to support the creation of opportunities for a strong, local workforce and now it is time to support their efforts to be resilient.”

The Task Force will build on the Town’s actions taken to date (as of April 9, 2020). These have included property tax relief, Halton Hills Hydro rate relief, launch of a dedicated website for COVID-19 business resources, ongoing business and investor outreach, a business survey, continued processing of existing and new planning applications, and the ongoing development of a Recovery Plan.

Virtual Town Hall Presentation
April 16, 2020
Presentation Slides
Watch Video

Letters from the Mayor
To Prime Minister Trudeau - Commercial Rent Relief - April 23, 2020 
To Premier Ford - Commercial Rent Relief - April 23, 2020 

Visit the Ontario Newsroom for the latest Provincial COVID-19 updates, funding and support announcements.

Visit COVID-19: Help for Businesses in Ontario for more information on Provincial supports and resources.

Ontario's "Stop the Spread" Business Information Line 

The province has launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province’s recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. Assistance is available from Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open

Canada's Economic Response Plan 

Supports for Canadian Businesses

Resources for Canadian Businesses

Work Sharing Program - Temporary special measures

Employment Insurance and Labour and Occupational Health and Safety

Spring Virtual Tourism Development Training Series - In response to COVID-19, the Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association (HHBRTA) has organized a Spring Virtual Tourism Business Development Series to support the tourism industry’s business re-emergence efforts. All modules selected for this series have been qualified based on HHBRTA’s; Mitigate, Re-Imagine, Re-Emerge Strategic Framework. Starting May 19th until June 25th, HHBRTA will host 5 one hour long webinar sessions providing informational training geared to help maximize present and future post-Covid business environments.

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario 

Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association

Destinations International
COVID-19 Response and Recovery Hub

Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
10 Point Action Plan

Canada Council For the Arts

Ontario Arts Council

Ontario Providing Employers with Workplace Safety Guidelines
The government safety guidelines released today will provide direction to those working in manufacturing, food manufacturing and processing, restaurant and food service, and the agricultural sector. 

Governments Invest $2.5 Million to Grow Agri-food e-Business During COVID-19
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $2.5 million to help the agri-food sector expand online, providing more opportunities for producers to grow their business and offer more food choices for families who are shopping from home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Canada and Ontario Supporting Agri-food Sector Supply Chain During COVID-19
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1 million in new funding to connect workers with in-demand jobs in the agri-food sector to keep the nation's supply chains strong and store shelves stocked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Quarantine Assistance Program 
Up to $1,500 per temporary foreign worker (TFW) will be provided to employers or those working with them to ensure isolation protocols are met.
Eligibility: Employers with TFWs adhering to the upon-arrival 14-day isolation period.

Increase to Farm Credit Canada’s lending capacity 
An additional $5 billion in lending capacity to assist the industry in addressing cash flow challenges.
Eligibility: Farmers, agri-businesses, and food processors.

Canada’s Advance Payment Program
$173 million in loan repayment deferrals under the Advance Payments Program through Agricultural Credit Corporation.
Eligibility: Farmers with APP loans

Canada’s Deferral of HST Remittance and Customs Duty Payments
Businesses, including self-employed individuals, can defer until June 30, 2020 their remittances of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), as well as customs duties owing on their imports.
Eligibility: Business who must remit HST and Customs Duties. Note that GST/HST rebates that are late filed may be considered for processing.

Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Ins. Board’s Financial Relief Package
As part of the Ontario government’s $1.9 billion in relief for employers, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will defer premium payments for six months for all businesses in the province.

Canada Emergency Business Account
An interest-free loan of $40,000 for qualifying businesses. Up to $10,000 of that amount will be eligible for complete forgiveness if $30,000 is fully repaid on or before December 31, 2022.
Eligibility: Businesses and not-for-profits are eligible to apply for this loan if they have an annual payroll of between $20,000 and $1.5 million.

In partnership with Halton Region, surrounding municipalities and local organizations, the Town of Halton Hills has established the Community Support Action Team (CSAT) to aid the community’s most vulnerable during COVID-19. The CSAT team is working with all local not for profit agencies and organizations to help those in need during this time. If you require support for funding, volunteers or resources, please contact us at 905-873-2600 x2273.

In an effort to support community, arts and culture organizations, the Town has also compiled a list of various supports available to eligible nonprofits and charitable organizations below:

Ontario Nonprofit Network COVID-19 Resources

Canada Helps – A Charity’s Guide to Canada’s COVID-19 Governmental Supports & Programs

Imagine Canada – List of Federal Government Measures to support Nonprofits/Charities

Federal Government – Announcement of $350 million to establish the Canada Emergency Support Fund

Conference Board of Canada: 
COVID-19: Implications for Canada and the Economic Impact

Export Development Canada: 
Managing the impact on global supply chain

Canadian Chamber of Commerce:
Pandemic Preparedness for Business

Ontario Chamber of Commerce
COVIC-19 Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for Ontario Businesses 

World Health Organization
COVID-19 -  Business and Employees

Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Small Business Resources for Dealing with COVID-19

Ontario Business Improvement Area 

Business Development Bank of Canada: 
Support for Entrepreneurs Impacted by the COVID-19 Coronavirus