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Ontario Announces New COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for Businesses Required to Close

Posted on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 10:28 AM

The Ontario government announced a new Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that have been subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. The program will provide a $10,000 grant to eligible businesses.  

Eligible small businesses include: 

  • Restaurants and bars; 
  • Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms); 
  • Performing arts and cinemas; 
  • Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres,...

Empty chair and microphone ontop of desk inside Council Chambers

Mayor Bonnette Calls on Province and Community to Support Local Businesses

Posted on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 10:27 AM

The Provincial government’s recent announcement about a 21-day pause has raised concerns amongst local businesses and particularly restaurants feeling the impact of reduced capacities and shutdowns. While the legislative direction is beyond the control of municipalities, Mayor Rick Bonnette is calling on Premier Ford to expedite funding for businesses impacted by the mandated closures, and is calling on the community to support local businesses.

Please see the following for more information on Mayor...

Ontario Temporarily Moving to Modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen

Posted on Monday, January 03, 2022 12:13 PM

In response to recent trends that show an alarming increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is temporarily moving the province into Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen with modifications that take into account the province’s successful vaccination efforts. These time-limited measures will help blunt transmission and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed as the province continues to accelerate its booster dose rollout. 

Unlike...

Ontario Updating Public Health Measures and Guidance in Response to Omicron

Posted on Monday, January 03, 2022 10:25 AM

In response to the highly transmissible Omicron variant, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is taking further action to provide additional protection to high-risk settings, and continue to safeguard hospitals and ICU capacity as the province continues to rapidly accelerate its booster dose rollout. Based on the latest evidence and Ontario’s high rate of vaccination, the province is also updating testing and isolation guidelines to protect our most vulnerable...

Ontario Increasing Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour

Posted on Monday, January 03, 2022 08:29 AM

The Ontario government has raised the general minimum wage to $15.00 per hour starting on January 1, 2022. This new, higher general minimum wage is expanded to now include bartenders and alcohol servers. The special minimum wages for students under 18, homeworkers and hunting, fishing and wilderness guides have also increased.

As of January 1, 2022, the following wages are in place in Ontario:

  • General minimum wage workers are now earning $15.00 per hour, a raise from $14.35.
  • Liquor servers have...