Province Launches New Web Site Aimed at Helping Businesses Get Back on Track

Tuesday, 28 April 2020 at 16:40

The Province is prepared to allow temporary changes to provincial rules and regulations in order to remove any barriers that are hindering business and negatively impacting Ontario's supply chain.

ONTARIO - The Ontario Government has launched a new online portal for small business owners.

The COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers web site looks to help businesses overcome the unique challenges created by the global pandemic. Businesses working to retool their operations to produce health-related products, or those that want to continue their operations in this new environment of physical distancing, can submit any potential roadblocks to the web site. The province is prepared to allow temporary changes to provincial rules and regulations in order to remove any barriers that are hindering business and negatively impacting Ontario's supply chain.

Premier Doug Ford encourages says this web site will provide more support for small businesses.

"With COVID-19, we are facing uncharted territory. As government, we must be prepared to work with businesses and show some flexibility in helping them to overcome challenges they may have never faced before. This website will allow us to listen to and support businesses as they adapt to this new environment. At the same time, it should also make it easier for businesses to retool to produce the health-related supplies and equipment that our frontline workers need."

The website builds on steps the government has already taken to help businesses respond to COVID-19, including:

- Providing $10 billion in provincial tax deferrals, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board premium deferrals, and other business supports;

- Providing more than $900 million in urgent relief to small businesses and their landlords through a new program, the Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (OCECRA);

- Providing $50 million to help businesses such as manufacturers and distilleries retool so they can produce health-related products and supplies, such as ventilators, gowns, face masks and hand sanitizer;

- Permitting 24-hour construction for critical infrastructure;

- Permitting 24-hour deliveries in every municipality across the province to help grocery stores and pharmacies keep their shelves stocked; and allowing restaurants and bars to sell alcohol with food takeout or delivery orders.

You can find more information and access the portal online here.