| Announcements |
| Vaccination home stretch More than 4.2 million vaccine doses have been administered in Toronto. Everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated, with both a first and second dose, as soon as possible. All City-run vaccination clinics are now open to walk-ins, including for youth age 12 and older. Appointments scheduled for later this summer or fall, can be rebooked to get vaccinated earlier. Book or rebook appointments through the provincial online booking system or by calling 1-833-943-3900. |
| City of Toronto to engage Toronto businesses on small business tax relief This month, the City of Toronto will be engaging with the small business sector on the potential creation of a separate property tax class for small businesses in Toronto, which if implemented, could provide a measure of property tax relief for small and main street businesses in the city. The City is hosting public consultations where businesses from across the city can have their voices heard and provide feedback. These consultations will be held virtually from 10 a.m. to noon on August 10 and from 1 to 3 p.m. on August 11. WebEx login details can be found at www.toronto.ca/smallbusinesstaxrelief. Questions submitted in advance are welcomed and can be sent to RSPolicy@toronto.ca. All Toronto residents are encouraged to have their say by completing the survey on tax relief for small businesses. |
| City of Toronto seeks operator for Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship The City of Toronto has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for an Indigenous-led operator that reflects the unique values, principles and needs of Tkaronto’s diverse Indigenous business and entrepreneurship community for the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ICIE). The ICIE will be an Indigenous-led, City-owned space designed to connect First Nations, Inuit and Métis entrepreneurs to business development resources and one another. Applications are requested by August 30 at noon. |
| Main Street Recovery Act: Proclamation of amendments to the Municipal Act and City of Toronto Act From September 19 onwards, municipalities will not be able to regulate noise related to the delivery of goods to the following destinations: Retail business establishmentsRestaurants, including cafes and barsHotels and motelsGoods distribution facilitiesThese changes will come into force on the same day as the expiry of temporary regulations (O. Reg. 70/20 and O. Reg. 71/20). These regulations, introduced at the outset of the pandemic, limit municipalities from regulating all noise related to the delivery of goods. Once the temporary regulations expire, municipalities will again have the authority to regulate delivery noise to destinations other than the four categories listed above. |
| Ontario makes historic investment in safe, innovative festivals and events The Ontario Government announced $43 million in funding to support 439 festivals and events with grants of up to $250,000 through the Reconnect Festival and Event Program. Recipients included 114 festivals and events in Toronto, as well as province wide events based in Toronto such as the Toronto International Festival of Authors, Virtual Pride Toronto Festival and Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival. |
| Updates to Toronto Public Health COVID-19 guidance for restaurants, bars, and other food service premises Toronto Public Health has updated the COVID-19 guidance for restaurants, bars, and other food service premises. This guidance should be used by owners and operators to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Owners and operators are responsible for ensuring that their food premises is in compliance with all applicable legislative requirements under provincial and municipal law, including all emergency orders made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020. |
| CaféTO registration closes August 20 Since registration opened on February 26, nearly 1,200 restaurants have been supported by the City of Toronto’s CaféTO program. Registration for CaféTO Curb Lane Cafés will close on Friday, August 20 at 4:30 p.m. Restaurants looking to have a curb lane café are encouraged to apply as soon as possible at www.toronto.ca/CafeTO. The final installations of approved curb lane cafés will occur in early September. Operators are required to submit a proper Certificate of Insurance and hold a business licence to successfully register. Online registration for sidewalk cafés will remain open through the end of the year, and restaurants looking for a sidewalk café may apply at any time. |
| Free COVID-19 rapid screening kits available for businesses The City of Toronto has partnered with the Toronto Region Board of Trade to provide free COVID-19 rapid screening kits to help small- and medium-sized businesses of 150 or fewer employees safely reopen. Eligible Toronto businesses can place an order online to receive an initial four-week supply of testing kits. They can also book a time slot for pickup at one of the following four locations:Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West MallNorth York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St.Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr.Fort York Visitor Centre, 250 Fort York Blvd. |
| Business Community News |
| DineTOgether to support local restaurants Registration is now open for the City of Toronto’s DineTOgether program to support the recovery of local restaurants and celebrate Toronto’s diverse culinary scene. DineTOgether, part of ShowLoveTO, in association with Founding Sponsor American Express and in partnership with Destination Toronto, will run from September 17 to October 3 to encourage residents to patronize local eateries through a feature menu available by takeout, delivery, patio dining and/or indoor dining. Registration will remain open for eligible restaurants until August 31 at 11:59 p.m. at www.toronto.ca/dinetogether. |
| De-escalation training for street-front retailers The City of Toronto is now offering De-Escalation Training Sessions for Street-front Retailers. The sessions are geared to managers or employees who interact with the general public regularly and would like to learn strategies and skills for communicating with individuals who may be street involved or displaying agitated behaviours. Training is facilitated by the Downtown Yonge BIA and a mental health educator. Learn more and register for free. |
| Webinars and Online EventsA full list of webinars and learning opportunities is available online. WSIB: Laws & Regulations for Small Businesses in These Challenging Times August 18, 9:30 to 11 a.m. – Register (Free) Web Presence 101 – Ensuring Your Foundation Is Set August 24, 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Register (Free) CaféTO & Expanded Outdoor Dining Program 2021 Watch on Demand (Free) Business Learning Hub Courses Register (Pay what you can) Small Business Centres Ontario On-going Online Events and e-Learning – Register (Free to $35) |
| City of Toronto Programs and ResourcesBusiness licensing and permit application portalBusinessTO Support Centre: Provides one-on-one virtual support to help businessesDigital Main Street: Provides support for businesses interested in adopting technologies COVID-19: Guidelines for Businesses & Community OrganizationsMandatory mask-wearing guidelinesPrintable posters Reopen Safely with Rapid Testing Kits: The City of Toronto has partnered with the Toronto Region Board of Trade to provide free COVID-19 rapid screening kitsPreventing COVID-19 in the Workplace: Requirements of employers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplaceRapid Screening Kits for Businesses ShopHERE powered by Google: Get help to set up and launch an online store quickly, easily and at no cost Free Webinars |
| Financial Support and ResourcesFederal and provincial government financial supports: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) programCanada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) programCanada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)Support for Indigenous BusinessesBusiness Credit Availability Program Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) Ontario Small Business Support GrantFor one-on-one help with applications for any of these programs contact the BusinessTO Support Centre. |
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