MPP Sylvia Jones has provided information about the supports available to businesses impacted by the modified Step Two measures:
- The Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program
– Businesses will get back 50% of their reported property tax and energy costs
from the Province directly. This include:
– Education, and municipal property taxes
– Electricity, natural gas, propane, and heating oil
– 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
property tax and energy costs.
– Eligible 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.
– Online applications for this program will open in mid-January 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.
- Provincially Administered Tax Deferrals
To help improve cash flows, we are 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
– The six-month period will begin on January 1, 2022 and end on July 1,
2022.
– This measure will provide up to $7.5 billion in relief to help approximately
80,000 Ontario businesses.
– Approximately 80,000 businesses will have the option to delay their payments for
the following provincially administered taxes:
– Employer Health Tax
– Beer, Wine, and Spirits Taxes
– Tobacco Tax
– Insurance Premium Tax
– Gas Tax
– Retail Sales Tax or Insurance Contracts & Benefit Plans
– Race Tracks Tax
Help for Ontario Businesses: https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs
- Ontario Exploring Additional Supports
Ontario is also exploring options for providing further targeted and necessary supports for
business and workers impacted by the province’s move into a modified Step Two of the
Roadmap to Reopen, including grants. The government will also continue to call on the federal
government to come to the table to help us support Ontario businesses and Ontario workers by
allowing eligible businesses to defer HST and to enhance supports available to workers affected
by current public health measures.
- Federal COVID-19 Business Relief Measures:
-Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program
– For eligible businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry (e.g., hotels,
restaurants, travel agencies, tour operators, convention centres, convention and
trade show organizers)
– Support through wage and rent subsidies. Starts at 40% of the maximum subsidy
for Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) and Canada Emergency Wage
Subsidy (CEWS) for businesses 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). Subsidy rates will be reduced by half from March 13, 2022 to May 7,
2022.
– Top-up rate: An additional 25% for Lockdown Support pro-rated for the number
of days under a public health restriction.
– Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program
For businesses that do not qualify for the Tourism & Hospitality Recovery
Program
– Wage and rent subsidies, starts at 10% of the maximum subsidy for Canada
Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
(CEWS) for businesses with a 50% current-month revenue decline, up to a
maximum rate of 50%, for those with a current-month revenue decline of 75% or
higher. Subsidy rates will be reduced by half from March 13, 2022 to May 7,
2022.
– Top-up rate: An additional 25% for Lockdown Support pro-rated for the number
of days under a public health restriction.
- Local Lockdown Program
– For businesses facing temporary local lockdowns or capacity restrictions of at least 50 per cent (as of Dec 19, 2021), regardless of sector.
– Same subsidy rates as the Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Program except
minimum support and current-month revenue decline threshold is 25%, rather
than 40% as of Dec 19, 2021.
- Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit
– The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support
to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19
lockdown.
– It will provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers who are directly
impacted by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown or capacity-limiting
restrictions (at least 50 per cent), up until May 7, 2022
– Workers may apply for any weeks their region is eligible between October 24,
2021 and May 7, 2022.
– Workers may apply for any eligible 1-week period for up to 60 days after that
period has ended.
