BusinessTO News is a weekly newsletter that primarily focuses on available resources and supports to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Toronto businesses. Learn about the current health situation, changes to City services, resources to support reopening and economic support at toronto.ca/covid19.

Announcements

Bigger and better CaféTO program coming to help local restaurants

Toronto City Council unanimously approved a bigger and better CaféTO program to help Toronto’s main street restaurants and bars. The first wave of registration will begin in late February and, pending public health orders, the first approved CaféTO curb lane closure locations for 2021 would be in installed as soon as May – almost two months earlier than last year. 

Applications open for Ontario's New Skills Development Fund

Applications are now open for the Ontario government's new two-year $115 million Skills Development Fund. The fund is designed to support workers and apprentices, and help reduce obstacles to hiring, training and retaining while preparing workers for the province's economic recovery. 

ShopHERE program wins award

The City of Toronto and Digital Main Street have won the Economic Developers Council of Ontario’s (EDCO) award for “Innovation in Community Resiliency (Urban)” for the ShopHERE program. The EDCO Awards of Excellence is a well-established program recognizing outstanding economic development initiatives and individuals in Ontario. Learn more about how ShopHERE is helping businesses transition to online.

Business Community News 

Ontario Tourism Education Corporation offers new resilience training series 

The Ontario Tourism Education Corporation offers a free resiliency training series to help address worker skills gaps and build a more resilient workforce in an uncertain COVID-19 environment. Learn more about the program and how to register.

Celebrating Black Entrepreneurs

February is Black History Month and Toronto is celebrating:

• Check out Black Owned Toronto, a directory of black-owned businesses.
• For those interested in tech, don’t miss MaRS Discovery District’s online tech events celebrating the month.
• For City of Toronto's Black History Month events, visit toronto.ca/blackhistorymonth.

Webinars and Online Events

Guidelines for Mandatory Mask Usage in Enclosed Public Places (Free)
Watch On Demand

Ontario Small Business Support Grant Webinar (Free)
Watch on Demand

Scarborough Business Association Events (Free)

• Cyber Breakfast: Speaker Mayor John Tory | February 10, 9:15 to 10 a.m. – Register
• After 5 Virtual Networking Magic | February 10, 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Register
• February Festival of Food | February 12, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. - Register

How to Successfully Apply for Government Funding (Free)
Wednesday, February 10, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Register

B Corp 101 Workshop: Learning to Measure What Matters (Free)
Tuesday, February 16, 10 a.m. to noon – Register

Ask the Expert: Marketing and Sales (Free)
Friday, February 19, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Register

Ontario Small Business Support Grant – Information Webinar (Free)
Thursday, February 25, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Register

Lower Water Costs For Business – Partners in Project Green (Free)
Thursday, February 25, 1 to 2 p.m. – Register

General Small Business Tax Literacy Seminar (Free)
Friday, February 26, 9:30 a.m. to noon – Register

Ask the Expert: Legal Advice for Business (Free)
Friday, March 5, 9 a.m. to noon – Register

City of Toronto Programs and Resources

• Business licensing and permit application portal

• BusinessTO Support Centre: One-on-one virtual support to help businesses complete government assistance applications, navigate reopening guidelines and more

• CurbTO: Provides temporary curbside parking pick-up zones for main street businesses

• Digital Main Street: Provides support for businesses interested in adopting technologies to help their businesses

• DonateTO: Make a difference in your community by donating or partnering with the City of Toronto

• Reopening Guidelines

  • Mandatory mask-wearing guidelines

  • Printable posters 

• ShopHERE powered by Google: Get help to set up and launch an online store quickly, easily and at no cost (with expanded eligibility criteria)

• Webinars

Financial Support and Resources

Federal and provincial government financial supports: 

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program
• Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program
• Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
• Support for Indigenous Businesses
• Business Credit Availability Program 
• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) 
• Ontario Small Business Support Grant

For one-on-one help with applications for any of these programs contact the BusinessTO Support Centre.