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200407 Development AGDThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting April 7, 2020 7:30 a.m. Electronic Meeting AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Adoption of Agenda Proposed Resolution #1 Moved by: Seconded by: THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee Special meeting of April 7, 2020, be adopted. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting Proposed Resolution #2 Moved by: Seconded by: THAT the Minutes as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of March 10, 2020, be adopted. 4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof 5. General Business 4.1 Review of Key Federal and Provincial Business Support Programs 4.2 Update on COVID-19 Mayor’s Working Group 6. Local Business Support Programs 6.1. Community Futures Oxford 6.2. Downtown Business Improvement Association 6.3. Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce 6.4. Town of Tillsonburg 7. Adjournment Proposed Resolution #3 Moved by: Seconded by: THAT the April 7, 2020 Economic Development Advisory Committee Special meeting be adjourned at _____ a.m. The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting March 10, 2020 7:30 a.m. 10 Lisgar Avenue, Tillsonburg, ON MINUTES Present: Jesse Goossens, Collette Takacs, Jeff VanRybroeck, Randy Thornton, Lindsay Morgan-Jacko, Andrew Burns, Mayor Molnar, Cedric Tomico, Steve Spanjers, Lisa Gilvesy Absent with Regrets: Kirby Heckford, Councillor Deb Gilvesy Staff: Kyle Pratt, CAO; Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner; Laura Pickersgill, Legislative Services Coordinator 1.Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:36 a.m. 2.Adoption of Agenda Resolution #1 Moved by: Randy Thornton Seconded by: Andrew Burns THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of March 10, 2020, be adopted. Carried 3.Minutes of the Previous Meeting Resolution #2 Moved by: Collette Takacs Seconded by: Andrew Burns THAT the Minutes as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of February 11, 2020, be adopted. Carried A letter of support has been submitted to the Minister Long-Term Care in support of expanding services for the Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner Clinic and for a Tillsonburg Satellite Nurse Practitioner Clinic. 4.Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared at the beginning of the meeting. 5.General Business & Reports 5.1 Monthly Project Updates Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner, provided a summary of monthly project updates. 5.1.1 Building, Planning and By-Law 2019 Year End Report Geno Vanhaelewyn, Chief Building Official, provided an overview of the Building, Planning and By-Law 2019 Year End Report. Kyle Pratt arrived at 7:41 a.m. Staff to arrange a Committee tour of 83 Rolph Street with the current developer. 5.1.2 Economic Development and Marketing 2019 Year End Report Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner, provided an overview of the Economic Development and Marketing 2019 Year End Report. Identifying lands for potential development uses can be a proactive approach to expanding the potential uses based on location. 5.1.3 Industrial Land Inventory Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner, provided an explanation of the colour coding and the properties included on the industrial land inventory map. Planning staff are finalizing an analysis report on the Industrial Land Inventory. Jeff VanRyroeck declared pecuniary interest to agenda item 5.1.3 and left the meeting at 8:19 a.m. Staff previously received direction from Council to proceed with action regarding a strategic investment asset that is listed in the Town. Jeff VanRybroeck returned to the meeting at 8:27 a.m. 5.2 Tillsonburg Zoning By-Law General Update- ZN 7-20-1 Planning staff are in the process of updating the Tillsonburg Zoning By-Law. Staff to circulate notification to the Committee when the Zoning By-Law general update public meeting will be held. 5.3 Resignation of Board Members Resolution #3 Moved by: Steve Spanjers Seconded by: Randy Thornton THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee receives and accepts resignation of Committee Members, Jim Hayes and Ashton Nembhard, with regret. Carried 5.4 Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. Staff provided an update that Hydro One has indicated there will be an update of local transformers. It was noted that Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. is interested in updating local transformers to include additional capacity for this region. 5.5 Town Hall Task Force Staff to submit a report to Council in March or April 2020 on potential options for a Town Hall development. 5.6 Community Strategic Plan Staff to provide a report to Council in Q2 regarding options for updating or renewing the Community Strategic Plan. 5.5.1 Excellence in Local Government 5.5.2 Economic Sustainability 5.5.3 Demographic Balance 5.5.4 Culture and Community 6.Community Organization Updates 6.1 Downtown Business Improvement Association International Women’s Day Event was a successful fundraiser hosted on March 8th. March Break Family Fun Passport Event will take place during March 16-20. 6.2 Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce Staff to follow up with the Chamber of Commerce on who the replacement member will be as Chamber representation on the Committee. 6.3 Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board 6.3.1 February 2020 Commercial Listings 6.3.2 February 2020 Activity Report Lindsay Morgan-Jacko provided an overview of the February 2020 Commercial Listings and Activity Report. 6.4 Simcoe Street Vacant Properties Staff indicated that conversations are underway with the property owners for potential options on refreshing these properties. 7.Round Table There will be an Easter Egg Hunt hosted on April 11th at the Kinsmen Bandshell. A suggestion was made to the BIA representative that the BIA should host a monthly breakfast for local women in in the community. Information to come forward on a future agenda for input regarding the Oxford County Regional Service Delivery Review. The Inter-Community Transit Service to begin service on April 1st. Town is set to celebrate Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2020. International Women’s Day hosted at Tillsonburg CIBC branch on March 10, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. 8. Next Meeting Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. subject to be postponed at this time. 9. Adjournment Resolution #4 Moved by: Randy Thornton Seconded by: Cedric Tomico THAT the April 14, 2020 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 9:16 a.m. Carried Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 1 of 43 1. March 25th - Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 (March 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update) 2. April 2nd - Ontario Supports Trucking Sector 3. April 1st - $50 million Ontario Together Fund: Currently Active 4. March 25th - Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open at 1-888- 444-3659 – Currently Active 5. March 24th - Off-peak Time-Of-Use (TOU) electricity rate for small businesses, and farm customers – Currently Active 6. March 21st - Launch of Ontario Together Website Currently Active 7. March 19th - Municipal Emergency Act, 2020 - Supply Chain - Temporary Changes to Municipal Noise By-Laws: Currently Active 8. March 19th - Commercial Vehicles - Extension of validation Periods for Driver, Vehicle and Carrier Products: Currently Active 9. April 6th - Additional Measures to Protect First Responders During the COVID-19 Outbreak 10. April 6th - Relief for Remote Northern Property Taxpayers During COVID-19 11. April 6th - One-time Financial Assistance During School and Child Care Closures - Support for Families initiative – Currently Active 12. April 4th - New online portal connecting workers with employers looking to fill positions in the agri-food sector – Currently Active 13. April 4th - Relief funding for residential service providers that support vulnerable populations - Residential Relief Fund – Currently Active 14. April 3rd - Ontario Protecting Seniors in Retirement Homes During COVID-19 Outbreak – Currently Active 15. April 3rd - Ontario Extends Business Closures to Stop the Spread of COVID- 19 16. April 3rd - Ontario Increasing Public Health Units' Capacity to Stop COVID- 19 – Currently Active COVID-19 – Provincial Government – Support for Businesses Table of Contents COVID-19 – Provincial Government – Support for Individuals COVID-19 – Provincial Government – Ontario's Action Plan - March 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update – Support for Businesses and Individuals Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 2 of 43 17. April 2nd - Ontario Increasing Mental Health Support During COVID-19 – Currently Active 18. April 2nd - $4 million to support victims and protect front-line justice staff 19. March 31st - Ontario Increasing Health and Safety Measures to Better Protect Frontline Nurses 20. March 31st - Province Launches Second Phase of the Learn at Home Portal: Currently Active 21. March 31st - Province Supports Postsecondary Students During COVID- 19 22. March 30th - Province Investing $10 Million to Mobilize Businesses and Volunteers to Support Seniors 23. March 30th - Ontario Enhancing Public Reporting about COVID-19 – Currently Active 24. March 29th - Ontario Stepping Up Measures to Limit the Spread of COVID- 19 on Construction Sites – Currently Active 25. March 28th - Emergency Measures to Support Long-Term Care Homes During COVID-19 – Currently Active 26. March 28th - Ontario Protecting Consumers from Price Gouging – Currently Active 27. March 28th - Ontario Protecting Supply Chains to Support COVID-19 Emergency Response 28. March 24th - Off-peak Time-Of-Use (TOU) electricity rate for families and residential customers– Currently Active 29. March 23rd - Ontario Closing At-Risk Workplaces to Protect Health and Safety Currently Active 30. March 23rd - $200 million in social services relief funding - Currently Active 31. March 22nd - Ontario to Open Select Child Care Centres across the Province 32. March 20th - Ontario is waiving the three-month waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage 33. March 19th - Extension of validation Periods for Driver, Vehicle and Carrier Products, Services and Health Cards: Currently Active 34. March 17th - Ontario’s First Stage of the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund: Effective Immediately - Supporting Legislation to Follow 35. March 16th - Job Protection for Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Effective Immediately - Supporting Legislation to Follow 36. March 16th - Additional Support for Ontario Residents: Currently Active 37. Health Canada – Clinical Health Trials: Currently Active 38. March 31st - Government of Canada is investing $2 billion to support diagnostic testing and to purchase ventilators and protective personal equipment COVID-19 – Federal Government – Support for Businesses Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 3 of 43 39. March 27th – Deferral of all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax & customs duties owed for imports - Effective immediately, through existing authorities 40. March 27th - Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan 41. March 27th – $40,000 Business Loans - Canada Emergency Business Account 42. March 27th - 75% Wage Subsidy 43. March 27th – Bank of Canada – Additional Announcements 44. March 25th - $107 billion COVID-19 Economic Aid Package: Currently Active 45. March 23rd - $275 million for coronavirus research and medical countermeasures 46. March 23rd - $5 billion in lending capacity to producers, agribusinesses, and food processors 47. March 20th - Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 48. The Pandemic Response Challenge Program: National Research Council of Canada – Currently Active 49. March 20th - National Research Council of Canada (NRC) - COVID-19 Challenge Program – Currently Active 50. March 18th - Deferral of Income Tax: Currently Active 51. March 18th - 10% Wage Subsidy: Effective Immediately 52. March 18th - Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP): Currently Active 53. March 18th - Canada Account Limit 54. March 18th - Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) - FedDev Ontario 55. March 18th - Additional Support for Businesses: Currently Active 56. March 16th - Insured Mortgage Purchase Program: Currently Active 57. March 16th - Measures Enacted by the Bank of Canada 58. March 15th- Support for employers and workers through the Work-Sharing program : Currently Active 59. March 15th - Changes to the Employment Insurance sickness benefits: Currently Active 60. March 11th - Public Works and Government Services Canada – COVID- 19 Supplier Purchasing Program Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 4 of 43 65. March 18th - Mortgage Default Management Tools – Effective Immediately 66. March 18th - Goods and Services Tax (GST) Credit - Special Top-Up Payment: Implementation on April 9th 67. March 18th - Extension of Tax Filing Deadline: Currently Active 68. March 18th - Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) – Minimum Withdrawals 69. March 18th - Deferral of Canada Student Loan Payments: Implementation by Early April 70. March 18th - $305 million Indigenous Community Support Fund: Implementation by April 1. March 25th - Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 (March 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update) o $17 billion total response is a critical first step to ensure Ontario’s health care system, communities and economy are positioned to weather the challenges ahead. i. Action Plan includes:  $3.7 billion to directly support people and to protect jobs.  $3.3 billion in additional health care resources to protect the health and well-being of the people of Ontario.  $10 billion in support for people and businesses through tax and other deferrals  https://budget.ontario.ca/2020/marchupdate/action- plan.html?_ga=2.125139914.1996799419.1584986608- 1305037528.1580157468#section-0 61. April 3rd - Support for food banks and local food organizations 62. March 29th - Support for Vulnerable Canadians Affected by COVID‑19 63. March 25th - Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Applications will open April 6th 64. March 18th - Temporarily Boosting of Canada Child Benefit payments: Implementation by May COVID-19 – Federal Government – Support for Individuals COVID-19 – Provincial Government – Ontario's Action Plan - March 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 5 of 43  Further Breakdown of Action Plan: I. Resources for the Health Care System o $1.0 billion COVID-19 contingency fund for emerging health care needs related to the COVID-19 outbreak. o $935 million for the hospital sector, including increasing health care capacity by 1,000 acute care and 500 critical care beds and completing additional assessment centres. o $160 million to support COVID-19 monitoring, surveillance, and laboratory and home testing, while also investing in virtual care and Telehealth Ontario. o $243 million for surge capacity in the long-term care sector, as well as funding for 24/7 screening, more staffing to support infection control, and supplies and equipment to help tackle the COVID-19 outbreak. o $75 million to supply personal protective equipment and critical medical supplies to front-line staff to tackle COVID-19. II. Support for Businesses Helpful web link with details: https://budget.ontario.ca/2020/marchupdate/annex.html o Cutting taxes by $355 million for about 57,000 employers through a proposed temporary increase to the Employer Health Tax (EHT) exemption. i. Proposal to retroactively raise the EHT exemption from $490,000 to $1 million for 2020. The exemption would return to its current level of $490,000 on January 1, 2021. ii. W ould provide additional EHT relief of up to $9,945 per eligible employer. o Helping to support regions lagging in employment growth with a proposed new Corporate Income Tax Credit, the Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit. i. 10 per cent refundable Corporate Income Tax credit for capital investments. ii. 34 eligible regions in both Northern and Southern Ontario. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 6 of 43 iii. The tax credit would be available for expenditures in excess of $50,000 and up to a limit of $500,000 for qualifying investments. iv. For eligibility details please visit: https://budget.ontario.ca/2020/marchupdate/annex.html o $6 billion in support by providing five months of interest and penalty relief for businesses to file and make payments for the majority of provincially administered taxes. i. Beginning April 1, 2020, penalties and interest will not apply to Ontario’s businesses that miss any filing or remittance deadlines under select provincially administered taxes. This will continue for a period of five months, up until August 31, 2020, under the following provincially administered tax programs:  Employer Health Tax;  Tobacco Tax;  Fuel Tax;  Gas Tax;  Beer, Wine and Spirits Taxes;  Mining Tax;  Insurance Premium Tax;  International Fuel Tax Agreement;  Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts and Benefit Plans; and  Race Tracks Tax o $1.9 billion in support by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) allowing employers to defer payments for up to six months. o https://www.wsib.ca/en/financialrelief i. All employers covered by the WSIB's workplace insurance are automatically eligible for the provisions of the relief package and can defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. ii. They will not be required to opt in to receive this benefit. iii. There will be no negative consequences for businesses who defer premium reporting and payments. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 7 of 43 iv. The WSIB will continue to fully cover workers at eligible workplaces. v. The deferred premiums will amount to an average $1,760 for approximately 275,000 Ontario businesses. vi. Additionally, the government reduced costs to employers by deploying a new rate framework and via the elimination of the unfunded liability charge, putting more than $2 billion back into the economy. III. Support for Individuals & Families o Providing a one-time payment of $200 per child up to 12 years of age, and $250 for those with special needs, including children enrolled in private schools. o Proposing to double the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payment for low -income seniors for six months. i. Proposal to double the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) maximum payment to $166 per month for individuals and $332 per month for couples, for six months starting in April 2020 o Provides approximately $5.6 billion for electricity cost relief programs in 2020-21 (See Bullets 3 for detail on business accounts and Bullet 7 for residential details) o $9 million in direct support to families for their energy bills by expanding eligibility for the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and ensuring that their electricity and natural gas services are not disconnected for nonpayment during the COVID- 19 outbreak. o Expanding access to the emergency assistance program administered by Ontario Works o Providing six months of Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loan and interest accrual relief for students o $26 million to Indigenous peoples and communities, including emergency assistance for urban Indigenous people in financial need o Enhancing direct funding by $148 million for charitable and non- profit social services organizations such as food banks, homeless shelters, churches and emergency services Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 8 of 43 IV. Joint Support for Both Individuals & Businesses o Over $1.8 billion in support by deferring the upcoming June 30 quarterly municipal remittance of education property tax to school boards by 90 days, which will provide municipalities the flexibility to, in turn, provide property tax deferrals to residents and businesses o The government is postponing the planned property tax reassessment for 2021. • The Provincial government is reaching out on a daily basis to leaders at businesses big and small, including at our financial institutions, as well as unions, to ensure we have the latest information, and that there is an open line of communication as the government works to address COVID-19's impact on the economy. 2. April 2nd - Ontario Supports Trucking Sector o The Ontario government is working closely with truck drivers and associations to respond to the issues they face on the road. o The government is ensuring all 23 ONroute travel plazas remain open for take-out, grab and go and drive-through services, including washrooms with enhanced cleaning. o The province is also providing portable washrooms at 32 truck inspection stations, so trucks have a place to stop and rest safely. o These actions build on measures announced last month that allow the 24- hour delivery of goods without the restrictions of municipal noise by- laws, and the extension of the validation of driver's licences, Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration certificates and other products that expired on or after March 1, 2020 (see Municipal Emergency Act, 2020 and Commercial Vehicles - Extension of validation Periods for more details). 3. April 1st - $50 million Ontario Together Fund: Currently Active o The Ontario government is launching a new $50 million Ontario Together Fund to help businesses provide innovative solutions or retool their operations in order to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment, including: COVID-19 – Provincial Government – Support for Businesses Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 9 of 43 i. Gowns ii. Coveralls iii. Masks& face shields iv. testing equipment v. ventilators o This new Fund will support the development of proposals submitted by businesses through the Ontario Together web portal. o The government will be looking for the most viable, innovative proposals that can quickly provide critical goods and services and the greatest benefit to the people of Ontario. o The fund is time-limited and will be available to companies and organizations across the province. 4. March 25th - Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open at 1-888-444- 3659 – Currently Active o 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. o Help is available from Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m.―5:00 p.m. o 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. 5. March 24th - Off-peak Time-Of-Use (TOU) electricity rate for small businesses, and farm customers – Currently Active o For a 45-day period, the government is working to suspend time-of-use electricity rates, holding electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 cents-per-kilowatt-hour. o This reduced price will be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to all time-of-use customers. o Customers will see rate reductions of over 50 per cent compared to on- peak rates. o This discount will be applied automatically to electricity bills without the need for customers to fill out an application form. o Depending on billing cycles, some customers will see these changes on their next electricity bill. TOU customers whose billing cycle ended before their local distribution company implemented this change will receive the reduced rate as a credit on a future bill. 6. March 21st - Launch of Ontario Together Website Currently Active o Ontario Together, a new website that will help businesses and their employees work with the province to meet the challenges of COVID-19. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 10 of 43 o The website will identify the province's supply challenges and solicit ideas and advice from Ontario's business and manufacturing communities on how the government can work together to meet the need. o Through the portal, companies will be able to submit proposals for the government to procure required goods and services and share creative solutions quickly. o https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-your-organization-can-help-fight- coronavirus 7. March 19th - Municipal Emergency Act, 2020 - Supply Chain - Temporary Changes to Municipal Noise By-Laws: Currently Active o The new legislation ensures that for the near future, the delivery of goods to Ontario's businesses and consumers isn't impacted by municipal noise by- laws that may unintentionally be impeding such deliveries when they are most urgently needed. o The new legislation will waive local noise by-laws allowing delivery trucks to operate overnight. o These temporary changes will allow businesses to transfer goods between their warehouses and retail stores 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 8. March 19th - Commercial Vehicles - Extension of validation Periods for Driver, Vehicle and Carrier Products: Currently Active o New regulations include extensions for driver licences, licence plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others. o The Ministry of Transportation is also automatically extending the due dates for medical or vision reports o This extension will be in place until such time that, based on the advice of Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health officials, the current situation improves. • The Province is working with partners across the healthcare system, from public health to hospitals and community care, to do everything possible to contain the virus and ensure that the system is prepared to respond to any scenario. COVID-19 – Provincial Government – Support for Individuals Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 11 of 43 9. April 6th - Additional Measures to Protect First Responders During the COVID-19 Outbreak o The Ontario government has enacted an emergency order that will allow police, firefighters and paramedics to obtain COVID-19 positive status information about individuals with whom they are coming into contact. o The information disclosed will be limited to an individual's name, address, date of birth, and whether the individual has had a positive COVID-19 test result. o Strict protocols will be enforced to limit access to this information and will only be used to allow first responders to take appropriate safety precautions. o Once the declaration of emergency is lifted, this data will be made inaccessible to first responders. 10. April 6th - Relief for Remote Northern Property Taxpayers During COVID-19 o The Ontario government is deferring $15 million in property taxes for people and businesses in parts of Northern Ontario located outside of municipal boundaries. o The Province is giving taxpayers in unincorporated areas more time to pay each of the four 2020 Provincial Land Tax installments. Taxpayers will have 90 extra days to pay without incurring interest or penalties. o The Province will also adjust payments to school boards to offset the deferral and to ensure there is no financial impact on Local Roads and Services Boards, the Province will continue to make payments to these partners, as scheduled. o This measure of relief will assist the owners of over 63,000 residential and business properties outside municipal boundaries. o This tax deferral builds on the $10 billion in cash flow supports made available to people and businesses as part of Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. 11. April 6th - One-time Financial Assistance During School and Child Care Closures - Support for Families initiative – Currently Active o The Ontario government is offering direct financial support to parents while Ontario schools and child care centres remain closed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. o The new Support for Families initiative offers a one-time payment of $200 per child 0 to 12 years of age, and $250 for those 0 to 21 years of age with special needs. o Families can complete a simple online application at Ontario's Support for Families web page to access this financial support. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 12 of 43 o Parents already receiving Support for Parents payments through direct deposit will be automatically eligible for this financial support and do not need to submit a new application. o Through this initiative the government is providing over $300 million in relief to parents across Ontario as part of Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. 12. April 4th - New online portal connecting workers with employers looking to fill positions in the agri-food sector – Currently Active o This new online tool will make it easier to match people to essential jobs and training resources throughout the provincial food supply chain. o The new portal will ensure grocery store shelves remain full and families have food on the table during the COVID-19 outbreak. o Ontario.ca/AgFoodJobs provides access to information on job opportunities and training resources in all parts of Ontario's food supply chain - from grocery retailers to bakeries and cheese processing plants to opportunities on farms. o In 2018, Ontario's agri-food industry employed more than 837,000 people, representing 11.6 per cent of the province’s labour force and contributed $47.7 billion in GDP to the provincial economy (6.6 per cent of total Ontario GDP). 13. April 4th - Relief funding for residential service providers that support vulnerable populations - Residential Relief Fund – Currently Active o The Province is investing up to $40 million to support organizations that provide residential services for children and youth, people with developmental disabilities and emergency shelters for women and families fleeing domestic violence. o The COVID-19 Residential Relief Fund will cover costs such as additional staffing, residential respite for caregivers; personal protective equipment and supplies; initiatives to support physical distancing and transportation to minimize client exposure. o Ontario has also enacted temporary measures to help ensure that staffing and resources are available to help care for and protect people with developmental disabilities and the frontline workers who support them. o These temporary measures provide further flexibility for developmental service agencies to redirect their staffing and financial resources to essential tasks that keep individuals with developmental disabilities safe and out of hospital. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 13 of 43 o For details please visit: https://files.ontario.ca/solgen-oicwork-deployment.pdf 14. April 3rd - Ontario Protecting Seniors in Retirement Homes During COVID-19 Outbreak – Currently Active o A temporary order has been made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that will help retirement homes address emergency staffing needs as they respond to COVID-19. o With this temporary action, retirement homes will have more flexibility to recruit and reassign staff to address the impacts of this new virus and will be able to focus more resources toward implementing the protocols and procedures put in place to keep residents safe. o These important measures are aligned with similar orders issued for hospitals and long-term care homes and will allow retirement homes to more quickly deploy personnel as needed. o The Province is also investing $20 million in additional funding to support increased infection control and active screening measures. o For more details please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200118 15. April 3rd - Ontario Extends Business Closures to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 o The Ontario government is reducing the list of businesses classified as essential and ordering more workplaces to close. o This measure is necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of the people of Ontario, while ensuring that necessary goods and services remain available. o The government is ordering all businesses not covered by the updated Emergency Order to close effective as of Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. o This closure will be in effect for 14 days, with the possibility of an extension as the situation evolves. o The updated essential businesses list can be found here. o The government is also implementing additional measures to protect frontline workers in essential businesses by adding more than 60 special consultants and officers and doubling the number of phone agents at its Health and Safety Call Centre making it easier for workers to report safety concerns. o Workers worried their workplaces are unsafe can phone 1-877-202-0008 to speak with an agent. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 14 of 43 16. April 3rd - Ontario Increasing Public Health Units' Capacity to Stop COVID-19 – Currently Active o To support public health units' extensive efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, Ontario is taking further action to redirect existing resources to focus squarely on the fight against this new virus while allowing for public health units to considerably increase their capacity. o Ontario has launched a new user-friendly online portal for the public to easily access their COVID-19 lab test results. o This portal will help ease pressures on public health units and frontline workers to provide this information so that they can better focus on containing COVID-19. o Ontario is also issuing a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, effective immediately, to provide public health units the authority and flexibility they need to make staffing decisions that support their ongoing fight against the outbreak. o As a result, public health units will be able to significantly expand their capacity to implement critical public health functions, such as case and contact management, through the use of volunteers, including the thousands of retired nurses and medical students who have signed up through the province's website. 17. April 2nd - Ontario Increasing Mental Health Support During COVID-19 – Currently Active o The Province is providing emergency funding of up to $12 million to immediately expand online and virtual mental health supports and $2.6 million to hire new psychologists and other mental health workers to support Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) personnel. o With this investment, mental health agencies will receive emergency funding to hire and train more staff and purchase necessary equipment, appropriate technology and additional licenses. o These services will help people experiencing anxiety, stress and other mental health challenges, including people who are unable to access their regular in-person counselling supports. o For further details including several platforms currently expanding services please visit: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/ontario-increasing-mental-health- support-during-covid-19.html Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 15 of 43 18. April 2nd - $4 million to support victims and protect front-line justice staff o The government of Ontario is providing an emergency payment of more than $2.7 million to support services for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes during the COVID-19 crisis. o This additional one-time emergency payment will help more than 50 community agencies across Ontario, including victim crisis assistance organizations (VCAOs), Indigenous organizations and those based in rural areas, stay operational and accessible to victims during the public health crisis. o Funds will help front-line staff respond to challenges caused by the COVID-19 crisis and enhance access to immediate supports for victims, including extended hotels stays, and transportation and meal vouchers available through the Victim Quick Response Program Plus (VQRP+). o The government is also investing $1.3 million in technology to help courts and tribunals continue the transition to remote operations. o This funding was announced on March 25th in Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. o To date, all courtrooms in the Ontario Court of Justice are operating remotely. Matters involving individuals held in custody are now being held remotely, removing the need for transportation and transfers between correctional facilities and courthouses. 19. March 31st - Ontario Increasing Health and Safety Measures to Better Protect Frontline Nurses o The province, in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and in consultation with the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA), Ontario Health and the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), is issuing a directive on health and safety standards for frontline nurses in hospitals in order to prevent exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. o These standards have been developed with the guidance of clinically trained frontline nurses, hospital leaders and public health experts. o A joint statement from the province, the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the ONA can be found here. 20. March 31st - Province Launches Second Phase of the Learn at Home Portal: Currently Active o Launch of the second phase of Learn at Home, an online portal that will provide resources for families so students can continue their education while schools are closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 16 of 43 o The at-home activities offered provide quick and easy access to some of Ontario's best online kindergarten to grade 12 learning resources produced by Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Educators. o No student will have their graduation compromised by COVID-19. o For students who do not have access to a computer, work is underway, in conjunction with school boards, to provide the necessary technology to everyone who needs it. o There are now 36 high-quality English courses and 47 French-language courses available for secondary students to review, refresh and extend their learning as part of independent study. o Public schools will remain closed to teachers until Friday, May 1, 2020, and to students until Monday, May 4, 2020. As these dates come closer, this decision will be re-evaluated based on public health advice. 21. March 31st - Province Supports Postsecondary Students During COVID-19 o To ensure students can successfully complete the academic year, Ontario has finalized an agreement with eCampusOntario to make digital learning supports available to postsecondary institutions. o These interim digital learning supports, available in both French and English, will provide publicly-assisted colleges and universities with the technology they need to conduct year-end assessments. o The province is also distributing $25 million in additional funding to publicly-assisted colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes to help address each institution's most pressing needs in the wake of the COVID- 19 outbreak such as deep cleaning, purchasing medical supplies or offering mental health supports. o As previously announced, OSAP loans will be subject to a six-month interest-free moratorium until September 30, 2020. i. This means that during this time, borrowers will not be required to make any loan payments and interest will not accrue. ii. Any optional payments made during this period will go entirely towards their loan principal. iii. For more details please visit: 1. NSLSC.ca or www.canada.ca/student-financial-assistance 22. March 30th - Province Investing $10 Million to Mobilize Businesses and Volunteers to Support Seniors o The government is investing $10 million to help community organizations with the coordination of subsidized deliveries of meals, medicines and other necessities to seniors. o This investment doubles the government's initial commitment in Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 17 of 43 o The government is also working with grocers and pharmacists to prioritize seniors' delivery orders and establish senior-only shopping hours. o This $10 million delivery coordination program for seniors living at home is in addition to the $20 million over two years the province has invested to protect seniors in retirement homes through increased infection control and active screening procedures and the earlier announced $243 million for long-term care homes. o The government is also working with province-wide organizations including Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) and Older Adults Centres' Association of Ontario (OACAO) to identify and mobilize potential volunteer supports and expand the use of innovative technologies in the community to address social isolation and support daily living assistance. 23. March 30th - Ontario Enhancing Public Reporting about COVID-19 – Currently Active o Ontario has launched a new dedicated web page and is changing how COVID-19 cases are being reported to provide a more relevant summary of data. o Public Health Ontario will offer expanded information every day at 10:30 a.m. o The new summary provides more provincial and regional data on confirmed cases, including trends of cases since the outbreak began, geography, exposure and severity. 24. March 29th - Ontario Stepping Up Measures to Limit the Spread of COVID-19 on Construction Sites – Currently Active o Ontario's Chief Prevention Officer has announced updated guidance to help better understand what is needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on construction sites. o Workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. o If health and safety concerns are not resolved internally, a worker can seek enforcement by filing a complaint with the ministry's Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008. o Ministry inspectors are inspecting job sites every day and failure to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations could result in a stop work order. o Read the Chief Prevention Officer’s guidance to the construction sector on health and safety related to COVID-19. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 18 of 43 25. March 28th - Emergency Measures to Support Long-Term Care Homes During COVID-19 – Currently Active o New emergency order to ensure that staffing and resources are available to help care for and protect long-term care residents during the COVID-19 crisis. o These temporary measures provide further flexibility for long-term care homes and allow homes to redirect their staffing and financial resources to essential tasks. o Ministry of Long-Term Care is also implementing a new approach to redeploying its highly qualified inspectors. i. These nurses, dieticians, and physiotherapists will be supporting long-term care homes on the ground. o Critical funding for the long-term care sector was recently announced in Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 ($243 million fund announced on March 25th). 26. March 28th - Ontario Protecting Consumers from Price Gouging – Currently Active o The government has issued an emergency order that retail businesses and individuals in Ontario cannot charge unfair prices for necessary goods. o Individual offenders can face a ticket of $750 and could face a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and one year in jail. o If convicted, a company director or officer could face a fine of up to $500,000 and up to a year in jail, and a corporation could face a fine of up to $10 million. o Necessary goods include: i. Masks and gloves used as personal protective equipment in relation to infections. ii. Non-prescription medications for the treatment of the symptoms of the coronavirus. iii. Disinfecting agents intended for cleaning and disinfecting objects or humans. iv. Personal hygiene products, including soap products and paper products. o Consumers can report an individual who is price gouging by filing a complaint at 1-800-889-9768 or by filing a report online. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 19 of 43 27. March 28th - Ontario Protecting Supply Chains to Support COVID-19 Emergency Response o Government of Ontario has proclaimed the Supply Chain Management Act. o These regulations will enable the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and the Ministry of Health to centrally manage public sector supply chains. o The objective is to ensure front line healthcare workers have the essential goods and services they need in the fight against COVID-19 like ventilators, masks and swabs. o It will allow the collection of key data on inventories, orders and supply constraints and the development of a virtual inventory tool so that demand for crucial supplies are visible and trackable. o The government can now prioritize buying what is needed most, deploying them, and allocating them on a priority basis to support the delivery of essential services to Ontarians. 28. March 24th - Off-peak Time-Of-Use (TOU) electricity rate for families and residential customers– Currently Active o For a 45-day period, the government is working to suspend time-of-use electricity rates, holding electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 cents-per-kilowatt-hour. o This reduced price will be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to all time-of-use customers. o Customers will see rate reductions of over 50 per cent compared to on- peak rates. o This discount will be applied automatically to electricity bills without the need for customers to fill out an application form. o Depending on billing cycles, some customers will see these changes on their next electricity bill. TOU customers whose billing cycle ended before their local distribution company implemented this change will receive the reduced rate as a credit on a future bill. 29. March 23rd - Ontario Closing At-Risk Workplaces to Protect Health and Safety Currently Active o Ontario government will be ordering at-risk workplaces to close-down, while encouraging businesses to explore opportunities to continue operations through work-from-home and innovative business models o At-risk workplaces will be ordered to close by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24th and where possible, take the necessary measures so staff can work from home allowing operations to continue. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 20 of 43 o This closure will be in effect for 14 days with the possibility of extending this order as the situation evolves. o List of essential workplaces that will remain open: I. https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-essential- workplaces?_ga=2.37792678.408296183.1584988026- 960649370.1584550156 30. March 23rd - $200 million in social services relief funding - Currently Active o The Ontario government is providing $200 million in social services relief funding to help protect the health and safety of the province's most vulnerable people. o The province will be providing municipalities and organizations that administer social services with funding to support them in their response to COVID-19. o The funding will help municipalities and social service providers such as shelters, food banks, emergency services, charities and non-profits continue to deliver their critical services, hire additional staff, and find ways to promote social distancing and self-isolation to keep clients safe and healthy. o The funding will also help individuals who do not qualify for emergency financial supports under federal programs. o The government is putting in place an expanded Emergency Assistance program administered through Ontario Works (OW) to cover these individuals' needs such as food, rent, informal childcare, and services. 31. March 22nd - Ontario to Open Select Child Care Centres across the Province o In order to support health care and frontline workers during this COVID-19 outbreak, Ontario plans to exempt certain child care centres from the order to close all licensed child care centres. o Health care and other frontline workers, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police, and correctional officers, will be able to access safe, local emergency child care. o Once emergency child care centres open, a list of locations will be made available on ontario.ca/coronavirus. 32. March 20th - Ontario is waiving the three-month waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage o Additionally, the province will cover the cost of COVID-19 services for uninsured people who do not meet the criteria for OHIP coverage. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 21 of 43 33. March 19th - Extension of validation Periods for Driver, Vehicle and Carrier Products, Services and Health Cards: Currently Active o Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and ServiceOntario, is extending the validity period of driving products, services and health cards. o These changes reduce the need for in-person visits to ServiceOntario, International Registration Plan offices and DriveTest centres during the COVID-19 outbreak, helping to promote social distancing and contain the spread of the virus. o These new regulations include extensions for driver licences, licence plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others. o Expiring and expired health cards will continue to provide access to health services. o The Ministry of Transportation is also automatically extending the due dates for medical or vision reports o This extension will be in place until such time that, based on the advice of Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health officials, the current situation improves. 34. March 17th - Ontario’s First Stage of the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund: Effective Immediately - Supporting Legislation to Follow o Ontario is investing up to $304 million to enhance the province's response to COVID-19 by providing the following: I. $100 million for increased capacity in hospitals to assist with the effective treatment of COVID-19 patients both in critical care and medicine beds. II. $50 million for more testing and screening through public health, including additional funding to support extraordinary costs incurred to monitor, detect and contain COVID-19 in the province. This includes contact tracing, increased laboratory testing capacity and home testing. III. $50 million to further protect frontline workers, first responders and patients by increasing the supply of personal protective equipment and other critical supplies and equipment to protect them. IV. $25 million to support frontline workers working in COVID-19 assessment centres, including the creation of a new fund to provide respite care, child care services and other supports as they are needed. V. $50 million for long-term care homes to support 24/7 screening, additional staffing to support infection control and additional supplies. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 22 of 43 VI. $20 million for residential facilities in developmental services, gender-based services and protective care for children and youth to support additional staffing, respite for caregivers impacted by school closures, personal protective equipment and supplies and transportation costs to minimize client exposure and to support social distancing, as well as additional cleaning costs. VII. $5 million to protect seniors in retirement homes through increased infection control and active screening procedures. VIII. $4 million for Indigenous communities to support transportation costs for health care professionals and the distribution of critical supplies. 35. March 16th - Job Protection for Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Effective Immediately - Supporting Legislation to Follow o To protect Ontario’s workers during the COIVD-19 pandemic, the province is introducing legislation to protect Ontario’s workers. o The Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020, provides job-protected leave for employees unable to work for the following reasons: i. The employee is under medical investigation, supervision or treatment for COVID-19. ii. The employee is acting in accordance with an order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. iii. The employee is in isolation or quarantine in accordance with public health information or direction. iv. The employer directs the employee not to work due to a concern that COVID-19 could be spread in the workplace. v. The employee needs to provide care to a person for a reason related to COVID-19 such as a school or day-care closure. vi. The employee is prevented from returning to Ontario because of travel restrictions. o The legislation makes it clear that an employee is not be required to provide a medical note if they take the leave. o The measures are retroactive to January 25, 2020, the date that the first presumptive COVID-19 case was confirmed in Ontario. o Many workers will be eligible for Employment Insurance sickness benefits. o The legislation does not apply to people in sectors that fall under federal jurisdiction, including employees working for banks, airports, inter-provincial and international rail, and federal crown corporations Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 23 of 43 36. March 16th - Additional Support for Ontario Residents: Currently Active o The Province is reviewing current access and eligibility to emergency assistance which is available through the Ontario Works (OW) program to support individuals who are impacted by the coronavirus and who are not able to meet their basic living expenses. o The Province has halted new evictions, and postponed enforcement of eviction orders in order to protect Ontario residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic situation is still evolving, new programs and supports may be announced in the future. Websites highlighting useful resources for businesses: https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/campaign-campagne/ressources-entreprises- COVID-19-business-resources.aspx?lang=eng https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html 37. Health Canada – Clinical Health Trials: Currently Active o Companies and researchers with drugs, medical devices, or natural health products that may be effective in treating or diagnosing COVID-19 are encouraged to contact Health Canada to facilitate clinical trials. o Clinical trials are studies to find out whether a drug or medical device is safe and effective for people. o Health Canada can authorize clinical trials quickly in urgent situations - For further information please contact: i. trials using pharmaceutical drugs: OCT_BEC_Enquiries_Enquetes@hc-sc.gc.ca ii. trials using biologics or radiopharmaceuticals: hc.bgtd.ora.sc@canada.ca iii. trials using natural health products: NHPD-CTA.DEC- DPSN@canada.ca COVID-19 – Federal Government -Support for Businesses Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 24 of 43 iv. investigational testing of medical devices: hc.meddevices- instrumentsmed.sc@canada.ca 38. March 31st - Government of Canada is investing $2 billion to support diagnostic testing and to purchase ventilators and protective personal equipment o Investment will allow bulk purchases to be made with provinces and territories. o Personal protective equipment includes things like more masks and face shields, gowns, and hand sanitizer. o Since March 20, 2020, the Government of Canada has spoken directly with almost 3,000 Canadian companies that have offered their expertise and capacity to meet the country’s need for personal protective equipment and critical health supplies. o Firms which answer yes to the following, should visit the link below: i. You manufacture in Canada and/or have ready access to necessary inputs through your supply chain. ii. You have equipment or facilities that can be rapidly re-tooled to meet medical needs, including for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and surgical gowns; sanitizers; wipes; ventilators; and other medical equipment and supplies. iii. You have skilled workers who are able to respond and who could be available for work in the current circumstances. o Please send a short summary of your offer to ic.mid-dim.ic@canada.ca. o For more information please visit: I. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaingrowimprov ebusiness/manufacturers-needed.html o $50 million has been made available in funding for members of the Next Generation Manufacturing Supercluster to develop and scale-up new, in-demand technologies, equipment, and medical products. i. For further details please visit: ii. https://www.ngen.ca/covid-19- response?utm_source=RDP+Newsletter+%28Canada%29&utm_ca mpaign=8762956a16- EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_25_08_51&utm_medium=email&ut m_term=0_ab4e18cccd-8762956a16-332526719 Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 25 of 43 iii. https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5005023/Documents/COVIDRespon se/NGenCOVID-19ResponseProjectGuide_EN_V1.1.pdf 39. March 27th – Deferral of all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax & customs duties owed for imports - Effective immediately, through existing authorities o Allow businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) payments until June 2020, as well as customs duties owed for imports. o Equivalent of providing up to $30 billion in interest-free loans to Canadian businesses. o Generally, apply to remittances that become due in March, April, and May. o Amounts would normally have been due to the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency as early as the end of this month. o Administrative income tax actions required of taxpayers by the CRA that are due after March 18, 2020, can be deferred to June 1, 2020. o These administrative income tax actions include returns, elections, designations and information requests. Payroll deductions payments and all related activities are excluded. 40. March 27th - Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan o Will enable up to $40 billion in lending, supported through Export Development Canada and Business Development Bank. o Intended for small and medium-sized companies that require greater help to meet their operational cash flow requirements. o Guaranteed loans for small businesses when they visit their financial institutions to help weather the impacts of COVID-19. i. https://www.canada.ca/en/department- finance/news/2020/03/additional-support-for-canadian-businesses- from-the-economic-impact-of-covid-19.html The new Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Loan and Guarantee program will operate as follows: 1) Export Development Canada will provide guarantees to financial institutions so that they can issue new operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to businesses. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 26 of 43  EDC BCAP Guarantee a) Up to $6.25 million b) Additional details available on EDC website c) Online application (final steps to be completed by the primary financial institution of the business) https://www.edc.ca/en/campaign/bcap-guarantee.html d) Available through your primary financial institution 2) Small and medium-sized businesses can also get support through a new Co-Lending Program that will bring the Business Development Bank of Canada together with financial institutions to co-lend term loans to these businesses for their operational cash flow requirements.  BDC Co-lending (with financial institutions) a) Up to $6.25 million b) Commercial interest rate c) 10-year repayment period d) Available through your primary financial institution e) https://www.bdc.ca/en/pages/special- support.aspx?special-initiative=covid19 41. March 27th – $40,000 Business Loans - Canada Emergency Business Account o Will allow for zero interest (for first year) loans in the form of lines of credit of up to $40,000 to businesses and not-for-profits with payrolls of less than $1 million. o To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $50,000 to $1 million in total payroll in 2019. o Details: i. 0% interest until Dec 31, 2022 ii. Requires no minimum monthly principal payments until December 31, 2022 iii. Principal repayments can be made at any time iv. $10,000 loan forgiveness is available provided outstanding balance is fully paid on or before Dec 31, 2022 o Small businesses and not-for-profits should contact their financial institution to apply for these loans. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 27 of 43 o Program will provide up to $25 billion to eligible financial institutions so they can provide interest-free loans to small businesses. o These loans – guaranteed and funded by the Government of Canada – will ensure that small businesses have access to the capital. 42. March 27th - 75% Wage Subsidy o To support businesses that are facing revenue losses and to help prevent lay-offs, the government is proposing to provide eligible employers a temporary wage subsidy. o Details: i. 75% wage subsidy for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. ii. Would apply at a rate of 75% of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees – representing a benefit of up to $847 per week. iii. The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020. iv. Eligible employers who suffer a drop in gross revenues of at least 30 per cent in March, April or May, when compared to the same month in 2019, would be able to access the subsidy. v. Eligible employers would be able to access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy by applying through a Canada Revenue Agency online portal. The portal is slated to open in approximately six weeks. vi. Eligible employers would include employers of all sizes and across all sectors of the economy, with the exception of public sector entities. vii. For non-profit organizations and registered charities similarly affected by a loss of revenue, the government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their circumstances. o An eligible employer’s entitlement to this wage subsidy will be based entirely on the salary or wages actually paid to employees. All employers would be expected to at least make best efforts to top up salaries to 100% of the maximum wages covered. o Those organizations that do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy may continue to qualify for the previously announced wage subsidy of 10 per cent of remuneration paid from March 18 to before June 20, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer (see 10% Wage Subsidy for more details). Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 28 of 43 o For further information please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/the-canada- emergency-wage-subsidy.html 43. March 27th – Bank of Canada – Additional Announcements o The central bank lowered its policy rate to 0.25%. o Launched the Commercial Paper Purchase Program (CPPP) which will help to alleviate strains in short-term funding markets and thereby preserve a key source of funding for businesses. i. For the next 12 months, the Bank will conduct primary and secondary market purchases of Commercial Paper (CP), including asset-backed CP, issued by Canadian firms, municipalities and provincial agencies with an outstanding CP program. ii. The start date of the program and additional details will be announced next week. o The Bank will begin acquiring Government of Canada securities in the secondary market. i. Purchases will begin with a minimum of $5 billion per week, across the yield curve. ii. The program will be adjusted as conditions warrant but will continue until the economic recovery is well underway. iii. Effective start date is 1 April 2020. iv. The Bank will announce specific operational details ahead of each week’s operations through its regular Call for Tenders process. o For more details please visit: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/markets/market-operations-liquidity- provision/covid-19-actions-support-economy-financial-system/ 44. March 25th - $107 billion COVID-19 Economic Aid Package: Currently Active o Previously $82 Billion Package – now expanded o NEW LEGISLATION PASSED March 25th – Funding will boost access to employment insurance and other programs that will flow money to workers and businesses in need. o Ottawa has now budgeted for $52 billion in direct support payments and $55 billion in tax deferrals. 45. March 23rd - $275 million for coronavirus research and medical countermeasures o Part of the $1 billion COVID-19 Response Fund Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 29 of 43 o The funding will be used to advance projects that are already underway by university researchers and others to respond to COVID-19, and ensure domestic supply of potential vaccines. o $192 million in new projects that will be prioritized under the new Strategic Innovation Fund COVID-19 stream to deliver direct support to Canadian companies for large-scale projects. o Government of Canada is now providing $52 million in funding for 96 research projects. 46. March 23rd - $5 billion in lending capacity to producers, agribusinesses, and food processors o Farm Credit Canada will receive support from the Government of Canada o This will offer increased flexibility to farmers who face cashflow issues and to processors who are impacted by lost sales, helping them remain financially strong during this difficult time. o All eligible farmers who have an outstanding Advance Payments Program (APP) loan due on or before April 30 will receive a Stay of Default, allowing them an additional six months to repay the loan. o This important measure, which represents $173 million in deferred loans, will help keep more money in farmers’ pockets during these critical months. o https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/covid-19.html 47. March 20th - Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 o The Plan to Mobilize Industry to fight COVID-19 directly supports businesses to rapidly scale up production or re-tool their manufacturing lines to develop products made in Canada that will help in the fight against COVID-19. 48. The Pandemic Response Challenge Program: National Research Council of Canada (NRC) – Currently Active o This national vehicle will convene the best Canadian and international researchers from academia and small and medium-sized businesses to collectively accelerate R&D to address specific COVID- 19 gaps and challenges as identified by Canadian health experts. o The NRC will receive $15M to form dedicated teams to address challenges. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 30 of 43 o Funding is available to help cover the costs of research for academic institutions, small and medium-sized businesses, and other eligible recipients participating in the challenge teams. o The Pandemic Response Challenge Program is currently structured around 3 main research areas: I. Rapid detection and diagnosis II. Therapeutics and vaccine development and III. Digital health o Researchers at Canadian and international universities, government departments, colleges, and highly innovative firms with relevant expertise can now register their interest to work with us on these challenges by clicking the Register button below. I. https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/research- collaboration/programs/expression-interest-challenge-program- collaboration II. Over the coming weeks, NRC will post specific R&D challenges, send information to registered researchers, and invite them to indicate the expertise and capabilities they can bring to a team. 49. March 20th - National Research Council of Canada (NRC) - COVID-19 Challenge Program – Currently Active o COVID-19 Challenge Program: This program will post challenges seeking near-to-market solutions from small and medium-sized businesses (fewer than 500 staff) that need financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to refine and sell their product or solution to meet a COVID-19 related need. i. https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/research- collaboration/nrc-covid-19-response o Innovative Solutions Canada will launch calls for proposals over the next few weeks to address challenges, to fund development of solutions, and to buy successful products and services needed to address COVID-19. i. Challenges will be posted on the Innovative Solutions Canada website; Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 31 of 43 ii. Small and medium-sized businesses which are selected to proceed will receive funding to develop a proof of concept for their solution; iii. Phase 2 funding will be awarded to firms with the best concepts, enabling them to develop a working prototype; iv. Federal government departments or agencies will then be able purchase the product for use against COVID-19. o Additionally, NRC IRAP has been tasked by the Government of Canada to work with Canadian industry to address a range of medium‑term Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada needs, including: i. Personal protective equipment ii. Sanitization iii. Diagnostic and testing iv. Therapeutics v. Disease tracking technology o If your company is involved in developing or producing any of the products or technologies listed above, please complete the online registration form below with all information: I. https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation/covid- 19-national-research-council-industrial-research-assistance- program o Additionally, a $15 million investment will fund the certification of the NRC Biomanufacturing facility in Montreal, for Good Manufacturing Practices compliance, and will enable production of material that will be used in humans, particularly for vaccines or therapeutics. 50. March 18th - Deferral of Income Tax: Currently Active o Allows all businesses to defer, until September 1, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18th and before September 2020. o This means you will not be assessed any penalties or interest if your balance due is paid by September 1, 2020. o The due date for filing individual tax returns has been extended to June 1, 2020. o Taxpayers will have until August 31, 2020 to pay any 2019 income tax amounts owed. o This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 32 of 43 o No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. This measure will result in businesses having more money available during this period. o https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19- update.html 51. March 18th - 10% Wage Subsidy: Effective Immediately o To support businesses that are facing revenue losses and to help prevent lay-offs, the government is proposing to provide eligible employers a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months. o Those organizations that do not qualify for the 75% Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy may continue to qualify for the 10% wage subsidy. o The subsidy will be equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. o Eligible employers must have an existing business number and payroll program account with the CRA on March 18, 2020; and include:  individual (excluding trusts),  partnership (see notes in website below),  non-profit organization,  registered charity, or  Canadian-controlled private corporation (including a cooperative corporation) eligible for the small business deduction; o Firms do not need to apply for the subsidy and will be able to benefit immediately from this support by reducing their remittances of income tax withheld on their employees’ remuneration. o For details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19- update/frequently-asked-questions-wage-subsidy-small-businesses.html 52. March 18th - Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP): Currently Active o Through this program, Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will provide more than $65 billion in direct lending and other types of financial support at market rates to businesses. o BDC link: i. https://www.bdc.ca/en/pages/special-support.aspx?special- initiative=covid19 Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 33 of 43 o EDC link: i. https://www.edc.ca/en/campaign/coronavirus-covid-19.html o Additional financing available via the BDC  Please contact BDC for details - 1-877-232-2269 Terms & Conditions • Working Capital loans up to $2MM; with 12 months interest only payments and flexible repayment terms such as principal postponements for qualifying businesses; • 36-month term to a 60% balloon; • Pricing: Floating Only (Base – 1.75%) approximately 3.30%* • Flexible repayment terms, such as postponement of principal payments for up to 6 months, for existing BDC clients with total BDC loan commitment of $1 million or less; Documentation Required  Most recent three years of accountant prepared year-end financial statements;  Most recent interim financial statements (if year-ends are more than 3 months old) with comparisons to the previous year’s interim period (if available);  Projections and a cash flow forecast (a 6-month cash flow forecast may be most applicable); The purpose is to understand the company’s true cash needs for the next six months.  An organizational chart to the beneficial ownership level (i.e. shareholder level). 53. March 18th - Canada Account Limit o The government is changing the Canada Account so that the Minister of Finance would now be able to determine the limit of the Canada Account in order to deal with exceptional circumstances. o The Canada Account is administered by Export Development Canada (EDC) and is used by the government to support exporters when deemed to be in the national interest. o This will allow the government to provide additional support to Canadian companies through loans, guarantees or insurance policies during these challenging times. o https://www.edc.ca/en/about-us/corporate/disclosure/reporting- transactions/canada-account.html Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 34 of 43 54. March 18th - Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) - FedDev Ontario o Regional Development Agencies, including FedDev Ontario, are applying a three-month deferral for companies in repayment. This deferral takes effect on April 1, 2020. o Tourism operators, small- or medium- sized business and organizations that have received FedDev Ontario funding in the past, may be eligible to receive additional funding and/or flexible arrangements. o FedDev Ontario is also offering access to federal funding to help businesses impacted by the sudden shift in the economy and who require pressing assistance. I. https://www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_02567.html?Open Document 55. March 18th - Additional Support for Businesses: Currently Active o The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) announced it is lowering the Domestic Stability Buffer by 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, effective immediately. This action will allow Canada’s large banks to inject $300 billion of additional lending in to the economy. o Credit and liquidity support through financial Crown corporations, Bank of Canada, OSFI, CMHC and commercial lenders (e.g., Domestic Stability Buffer, Insured Mortgage Purchase Program, Banker’s Acceptance Purchase Facility) in the range of $500 Billion 56. March 16th - Insured Mortgage Purchase Program: Currently Active o Launch of an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program to purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). o As announced on March 16, this will provide stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders and support continued lending to Canadian businesses and consumers. o CMHC stands ready to further support liquidity and the stability of the financial markets through its mortgage funding programs as necessary. The Government will enable these measures by raising CMHC’s legislative limits to guarantee securities and insure mortgages by $150 billion each. 57. March 16th - Measures Enacted by the Bank of Canada o The Bank of Canada also took a series of actions to support the Canadian economy during this period of economic stress, enhance the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 35 of 43 resilience of the Canadian financial system, and help ensure that financial institutions can continue to extend credit to both households and businesses. o This included cutting the interest rate to 0.75% as a proactive measure in light of the negative shocks to Canada’s economy arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent sharp drop in oil prices. o The Bank has broadened eligible collateral for its Term Repo Facility, under which the central bank temporarily buys treasury bills from dealers to help maintain funding conditions by providing a backstop to regular private funding. o Bankers Acceptance Purchase Facility -- Purchase of securities linked to credit lines of small and medium-sized businesses. The first operation is planned for March 23. o Standing Liquidity Facility -- This is the Bank of Canada’s overnight credit facility for the country’s payment system. Bank of Canada said Monday it will allow a greater percentage of collateral to be in the form of non-mortgage loans. o Canada Mortgage Bonds -- The country’s mortgage fund program lets approved financial institutions pool eligible insured mortgages into marketable securities, guaranteed by the country’s housing agency. The Bank announced today it will target purchases of up to $500 million per week “as market conditions warrant” o For more details please visit: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/markets/market-operations-liquidity- provision/covid-19-actions-support-economy-financial-system/ 58. March 15th- Support for employers and workers through the Work-Sharing program: Currently Active o Work-Sharing (WS) is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. o The measure provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers. o Employees on a Work-Sharing agreement must agree to a reduced schedule of work and to share the available work over a specified period of time. o Introduction of temporary special measures that extend the maximum duration of Work-Sharing agreements from 38 weeks to 76 weeks across Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 36 of 43 Canada for those businesses affected by the downturn in business due to COVID-19 and for the forestry and steel and aluminum sector o https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work- sharing.html o Temporary special measures for the forestry and steel and aluminum sector: I. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social- development/services/work-sharing/temporary-measures-forestry- sector.html 59. March 15th - Changes to the Employment Insurance sickness benefits: Currently Active o Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement and is available to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine, to allow them time to restore their health and return to work. o Canadians quarantined can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. Service Canada is ready to support Canadians affected by COVID-19 and placed in quarantine, with the following support actions: o The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim. o This temporary measure will be enacted for a minimum of six months. o Establishing a new dedicated toll-free phone number to support enquiries related to waiving the EI sickness benefits waiting period o Priority EI application processing for EI sickness claims for clients under quarantine o People claiming EI sickness benefits due to quarantine will not have to provide a medical certificate o Contact the new dedicated toll-free phone number if you are in quarantine and seeking to waive the one-week EI sickness benefits waiting period so you can be paid for the first week of your claim: o Telephone: 1-833-381-2725 (toll-free) 60. March 11th - Public Works and Government Services Canada – COVID-19 Supplier Purchasing Program o In support of the Governments whole-of-government response to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Government is seeking to procure additional goods from suppliers Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 37 of 43 o If you are a supplier which can provide items from the list, or other items not listed, please complete the submission form for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) products and services. i. Disposable N95 masks ii. Disposable surgical masks iii. Nitrile gloves iv. Vinyl gloves v. Gowns vi. Bottles of hand sanitizer vii. Other prevention products o Services i. Guard / security services ii. Nursing services iii. Food services iv. Laundry services v. Accommodation maintenance services vi. Personal services vii. IT support services viii. Other services o For more information, please contact: Martin Montreuil: martin.montreuil@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca / Tel: 613-793- 3594 I. https://buyandsell.gc.ca/calling-all-suppliers-help-canada- combat-covid-19 Website highlighting useful resources: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html 61. April 3rd - Support for food banks and local food organizations o Investment of $100 million to improve access to food for Canadians facing social, economic, and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 – Federal Government - Support for Individuals Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 38 of 43 o Will provide funding to national, regional, and local organizations across Canada that are able to reach people and communities experiencing food insecurity. o These organizations include Food Banks Canada, Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada, among others. 62. March 29th - Support for Vulnerable Canadians Affected by COVID‑19 o Government of Canada will provide an additional $157.5 million to address the needs of Canadians experiencing homelessness. o The government will also provide up to $50 million to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres, including facilities in Indigenous communities. o The Government of Canada will give $7.5 million in funding to Kids Help Phone to provide young people with the mental health support they need during this difficult time. o The Government of Canada will contribute $9 million through United Way Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors. i. Services could include the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals’ needs and connect them to community supports. ii. The funding for seniors will be delivered through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. 63. March 25th - Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Applications will open April 6th o Will provide workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with $2,000 per month for the next four months. A maximum 16 weeks of benefits can be paid. o Eligible workers can apply no later than December 2, 2020. o Applicants who have requested EI on March 15th or later, won’t need to register for the CERB. o If applying online, with direct deposit requested, applicants can expect the payment within three to five business days . o The CERB payment cannot be combined with the 75% wage subsidy for businesses. o The Benefit is only available to individuals who have stopped work as a result of reasons related to COVID-19. Workers who have not stopped working because of COVID-19, are not eligible for the Benefit. o The new benefit combines the $10-billion Emergency Care Benefit and the $5-billion Emergency Support Benefit that were announced earlier. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 39 of 43 o Some examples workers eligible for the CERB include: I. Workers, including those who are self-employed, who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support; II. Workers who lost their employment, as well as workers who are sick, quarantined or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19; III. Working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures; and IV. Workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work. o For further details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb- with-cra.html https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social- development/news/2020/04/backgrounder--canada-emergency-response- benefit.html https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html o The CERB would be paid every four weeks and be available from March 15, 2020 until October 3, 2020. o Application details will be available through CRA MyAccount and My Service Canada Account on April 6th . Those recently laid off or have reduced hours are encouraged to apply for Employment Insurance Benefits o Canadians looking to get more information about the CERB or, who are unable to apply online, can call the toll-free telephone line at 1-833-966- 2099. 64. March 18th - Temporarily Boosting of Canada Child Benefit payments: Implementation with May payment o Additional assistance to families with children by temporarily boosting the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts, only for the 2019-20 benefit year, by $300 per child. o This measure would deliver almost $2 billion in extra support. o Those who already receive the CCB do not need to re-apply. Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 40 of 43 o For more information on the Canada Child Benefit such as how to apply and eligibility requirements, go to Canada child benefit or call 1-800-387-1193. 65. March 18th - Mortgage Default Management Tools – Effective Immediately o The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and other mortgage insurers offer tools to lenders that can assist homeowners who may be experiencing financial difficulty. o The Government, through CMHC, is providing increased flexibility for homeowners facing financial difficulties to defer mortgage payments on homeowner CMHC-insured mortgage loans. o CMHC will permit lenders to allow payment deferral beginning immediately. 66. March 18th - Goods and Services Tax (GST) Credit - Special Top-Up Payment: Implementation on April 9th o Will provide a one-time special payment on April 9, 2020. This payment will double the maximum annual GST/HST credit payment amounts for the 2019- 20 benefit year. o The average boost to income for those benefitting from this measure will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples. o This measure would inject $5.5 billion in the economy. o Those eligible will receive this payment automatically. o For more information please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family- benefits/covid-19-gsthstc-increase/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions- gsthstc-increase.html 67. March 18th - Extension of Tax Filing Deadline: Currently Active o The tax filing deadline for individuals has been extended to June 1, 2020, and allows all taxpayers to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18th and before September 2020. o This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. o The deadline to pay any balance due for your individual income tax and benefit return for 2019 has been extended from April 30, 2020, to September 1, 2020. o This means you will not be assessed any penalties or interest if your balance due is paid by September 1, 2020. o https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update.html Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 41 of 43 68. March 18th - Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) – Minimum Withdrawals o The reduction of minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25 per cent for 2020 in recognition of volatile market conditions and their impact on many seniors’ retirement savings. 69. March 18th - Deferral of Canada Student Loan Payments: Implementation by Early April o The implementation a six-month, interest-free, moratorium on Canada Student Loan payments for all individuals who are in the process of repaying these loans. 70. March 18th - $305 million Indigenous Community Support Fund: Implementation by April o $305 million for a new distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund, to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities. I. https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1584819394157/1584819418553 Measure 2020-2021 Cost/Impact Implementation GST Credit $5.5 billion By Early May *requires Royal Assent Enhanced Canada Child Benefit $1.9 billion May * requires Royal Assent Federal Government - E conomic Response Plan – Cost and Implementation Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 42 of 43 Temporary Business Wage Subsidy $3.8 billion Immediately Supporting legislation to follow Canada Student Loan Payments $190 million Early April * requires Royal Assent Support for Indigenous Communities $305 million April *requires Royal Assent Support for people experiencing homelessness (through Reaching Home) $157.5 million April *requires Royal Assent Support for women’s shelters and sexual assault centres including on reserve $50 million April *requires Royal Assent Lower Registered Retirement Income Fund Minimum Withdrawal Amounts $495 million Immediately Supporting legislation to follow Total $27.4 billion Other supports Flexibility for individual and corporate taxpayers (tax payment deferral until September) $55 billion Immediately Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) through BDC and EDC $10 billion + Immediately Credit and liquidity support through financial Crown corporations, Bank of Canada, OSFI, CMHC and commercial lenders (e.g., In the range of $500 billion Immediately Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Revision Update: April 6th, 2020 @ 4:30PM Page 43 of 43 • Office of the Prime Minister of Canada / Premier Ministre du Canada o https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/18/prime- minister-announces-more-support-workers-and-businesses-through • Government of Ontario News Room o https://news.ontario.ca/newsroom/en • Department of Finance Canada o https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas- covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and- businesses.html • Bank of Canada, feds take more steps to ease credit market strains o https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/bank-of-canada-boosts-support-for- credit-funding-markets-again-1.1406919 • The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) o https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus CONTACT INFORMATION: Prepared by: Michael Boni, Advisor (416-451-2731) Approved By: Darius Basarab, Manager, Fintech and Business Services Unit, Advanced Technologies Branch, Industry and Sector Strategies Division, Phone: 416- 418-3868 Domestic Stability Buffer, Insured Mortgage Purchase Program, Banker’s Acceptance Purchase Facility) Sources Review of Key Business Support Programs and Initiatives Economic Development Advisory Committee April 7, 2020 2 Outline •Key Federal Business Support Programs •Key Provincial Business Support Programs •COVID-19 Mayor’s Working Group •Local Business Support Programs •Community Futures Oxford •Downtown Business Improvement Association •Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce •Town of Tillsonburg •Survey Results - COVID-19 Impacts to Tillsonburg Businesses •Local Businesses – Offers to Help 3 Key Federal Business Support Programs •Canada Emergency Response Benefit •Provides $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers, small business owners and entrepreneurs who are not receiving a paycheque as a result of COVID-19 •Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy •Will cover 75 per cent of salaries for qualifying businesses, for up to three months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. •Employers of all sizes and across all sectors of the economy are eligible with the exception of public sector entities. •This program is designed to help employers hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic to keep and retain workers 4 Key Federal Business Support Programs •Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) •Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will provide more than $65 billion in direct lending and other types of financial support at market rates •Application is through your financial institution. •Program is expected to roll out in the three weeks after March 27 5 Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) •Canada Emergency Business Account •The new Canada Emergency Business Account will provide interest- free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced •To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $50,000 to $1 million in total payroll in 2019 •Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises •EDC is working with financial institutions to issue new operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to SMEs •Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises •BDC is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans to SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements •Eligible businesses may obtain incremental credit amounts of up to $6.25 million through the program 6 Key Federal Business Support Programs •Work Sharing Program •The Government of Canada has changed the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks •The Work-Sharing program is offered to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers 7 Key Provincial Business Support Programs •Eight Business Support Programs •April 2nd - Ontario Supports Trucking Sector •April 1st - $50 million Ontario Together Fund: Currently Active •March 25th - Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open at 1-888-444-3659 – Currently Active •March 24th - Off-peak Time-Of-Use (TOU) electricity rate for small businesses, and farm customers – Currently Active •March 21st - Launch of Ontario Together Website Currently Active •March 19th - Municipal Emergency Act, 2020 - Supply Chain - Temporary Changes to Municipal Noise By-Laws: Currently Active •March 19th - Commercial Vehicles - Extension of validation Periods for Driver, Vehicle and Carrier Products: Currently Active 8 Key Provincial Business Support Programs •Ontario Together Fund •The new $50 million Ontario Together Fund will help businesses provide innovative solutions or retool their operations in order to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment, including: •Gowns, coveralls, masks, face shields, testing equipment, ventilators •Redeployment of laid-off workers (SCOR) •New provincial online portal aimed at connecting employers with workers in the agri-food supply chain: •www.ontario.ca/Agfoodjobs 9 Mayor’s COVID-19 Working Group •Created at the request of the Mayor •Focused on support for businesses •Goal to ensure that Tillsonburg businesses are at the “front of the line” •Three meetings to date •Mar 23, Mar 27 and Apr 2 •Instrumental in creation of the Community Futures Oxford Emergency Micro Loan Program! 10 Community Futures Oxford •Emergency Micro Loan Program. •Eligible businesses must be located within Oxford County •Funding to be used for monthly cash flow requirements •Loan can be used to cover business rent/lease payments of up to $2,500/month for one year •Loan of up to $30,000 per client •No interest for the first 6 months (limited time offer) •Expedited application and approval process 11 Downtown Business Improvement Association •Council approved the redirection of Town/BIA funding of $31,000 each from the Façade Improvement Plan •Total funds of $62,000 available •Creation of a joint Retention Plan to assist downtown businesses •A final report on this plan is required to be submitted to Council on November 9, 2020 12 Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce •Member of Mayor’s COVID-19 Working Group •Marketing of programs •Distribution of Canadian and Ontario chamber information •Advocacy with other levels of Government 13 Town of Tillsonburg •Survey: COVID-19 Impacts to Tillsonburg Businesses •Creation of an business COVID-19 webpage •Helping businesses through the COVID-19 crisis •https://www.tillsonburg.ca/en/do-business/Resources.aspx •Survey: COVID-19 Business Listing Opportunity •https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8KDC3LH •Property Tax Deferral •Next Deadline is May 21 •County funding relief proposal being considered at their April 8 meeting, followed by Town consideration at April 14 meeting 14 Survey Results - COVID-19 Impacts to Tillsonburg Businesses (as of Mar 31) 15 Survey Results - COVID-19 Impacts to Tillsonburg Businesses 16 Survey Results - COVID-19 Impacts to Tillsonburg Businesses 17 Local Businesses – Offers to Help •Brethren in Christ Offer to use 31 Victoria St property •CedarCrest Wood Products - www.safespace24.com •Chrissy’s Catering – Food Service •Coward Pharmacy - 200 surgical masks, 120 bottles of hand sanitizer and 2000 Netrile gloves •Medpoint Health Care – Virtual Walk-in Clinic •Northern Speciality Supplies – Healthcare PPE •Oxford Packaging – Sewing of facemasks •Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (support) 18 Q&A