COVID-19: Skills Development Fund

On September 28, the Ontario government announced an investment of additional $83 million towards the Skills Development Fund. This brings the total investment to over $200 million. The eligibility has been expanded and organizations eligible for funding include employment service and training providers, labour, community, business and industry organizations, municipalities, hospitals, Indigenous Band offices, Indigenous skills and…

COVID-19: Updates from the Government of Ontario

Ontario Tourism Recovery Program On September 27, the Province announced that it is investing investing $100 million through the new Tourism Recovery Program to help stabilize the province’s tourism industry as it recovers from the impacts of COVID-19.  The program will help for-profit tourism businesses in the attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors protect critical jobs…

Ontario Releases Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy

Today, the province released the regulations and guidance for businesses and organizations to implement proof of vaccination requirements taking effect on September 22, 2021. The regulations can be accessed here and the guidance can be accessed here. Ontarians can print or download their vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal here. Those who need support obtaining a copy of their…

COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Extended

Today, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development announced that the paid infectious disease emergency leave under the COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit has been extended until December 31, 2021. It was originally set to end on September 25, 2021. The COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit was originally announced on April 29, 2021 and includes:…

Medical Officer of Health Strongly Recommending to Develop and Implement Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Policies

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts, is strongly recommending that employers put vaccination policies in place to protect their employees and the public from COVID-19. To support workplaces in adopting this recommendation, Public Health is distributing its Workplace Vaccine Policy Toolkit to all area employers and persons responsible for businesses…

Province Makes COVID-19 Vaccination Policies Mandatory for High-Risk Settings.

Today, the province announced that it is making COVID-19 vaccination policies mandatory in high-risk settings, pausing the province’s exit from the Roadmap to Reopen and providing third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable populations. The province is also expanding eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine to children born in 2009 or earlier. The Chief Medical Officer of Health…

COVID-19: Benefits and Business Supports Extended

On July 30, the Government of Canada announced an extension to the following benefits and supports for individuals and businesses: Extension of the eligibility period for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until October 23, 2021, and increase to the rate of support employers and organizations can receive…

COVID-19: Support for Francophone Communities

Today, the federal government announced an investment of more than $2.4 million through FedNor to support four strategic projects to maximize economic opportunities and create jobs in official-language minority communities (OLMCs). The investments announced today will support Place des Arts, the Conseil de la Coopération, Voilà Community Help, as well as the Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario.…

COVID-19: Funding Opportunities For Your Business

Digital Transformation Grant On July 19, the Ontario government announced an investment of $10 million towards the Digital Main Street program for 2021-22 to help over 13,000 small businesses expand their digital presence and market their services online. Small businesses across Ontario with a brick-and-mortar location and one to 50 employees can apply for $2,500…