COVID-19 Supports

During this difficult time, the Town of Halton Hills is committed to supporting the business community.

We are monitoring the situation and are continuously gathering information and supports to help navigate through the available resources being announced through all levels of government.

We encourage businesses to visit the Government of Canada interactive business benefits finder for a list of government supports that your business may be eligible for.

Canada Business Benefits Finder

To support restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments, the Town has launched the 'Al Fresco in the Hills' initiative. It provides opportunities for additional dining space to help reduce revenue losses caused by necessary compliance with COVID-19 regulations.

Learn More about Alfresco in the Hills

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Economic Development Team with any questions or concerns. We will also be updating the business community on Town initiatives through our Invest Halton Hills newsletter.

Subscribe to the Economic Development E-Newsletter

For current Provincial Government announcements, visit the Ontario COVID-19 webpage.

Revised updates from Halton Region Public Health: Halton COVID-19 webpage.

Visit the Town of Halton Hills COVID-19 page for safety protocols and Town service updates.

Local Information and Updates

Visit the Town of Halton Hills COVID-19 for safety protocols and Town service updates

Town Partners with Chamber to Distribute Workplace Rapid Screening Kits to Small Businesses

The Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Halton Hills have joined forces to provide free self-screening kits to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who employ up to 150 employees throughout the Town of Halton Hills. The goal of the program is to identify asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals and prevent them from spreading COVID-19 in the workplace, at home and around the community.

The booking portal will be launched next week and kits can be picked up starting May 26 (supply and delivery dependent). SMEs are required to electronically submit screening metrics weekly. Accumulated data will be reported to the appropriate government officials. It is recommended that staff be screened twice weekly.

Expression interest in the Halton Hills Chamber's Rapid Screening program.

Halton Region Resources

Global Business Centre
Small Business Centre

Call to Action

SUPPLIERS NEEDED - The Government of Canada is calling all businesses that can supply products and services in support of Canada's response to COVID-1. Learn more.
SUPPLIES, INNOVATION, IDEAS - Ontario is looking for help from businesses and organizations who can supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support the response to COVID-19. Learn more.

Response Funding

NGen's COVID-19 Response Program - $50 million to fund projects that involve the rapid production launch of products in short supply, including virus screening test kits, gloves, gowns, masks, and other personal protective equipment, hospital equipment such as ventilators and peripherals, as well as cleaning and sterilization chemicals and equipment.

Other Local Resources

Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Acton BIA

Downtown Georgetown BIA

Retail Businesses

The Retail Council of Canada has prepared a Retail Recovery Playbook

The Playbook includes a comprehensive Retail Recovery Checklist.

What are the guidelines that I need to follow?

Businesses must follow public health measures and should review workplace safety guidelines, such as wearing masks, promoting physical distancing and frequent handwashing, sanitizing surfaces, installing physical barriers, staggering shifts, and using contactless payment options to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, in partnership with Ontario's health and safety associations, has released over 60 sector-specific health and safety guidelines, including guidelines for curbside pickup and delivery services. Business owners should review the guidelines and consult with local public health officials to ensure they have the information they need to protect workers, customers and the general public as the province prepares for the gradual reopening of the economy.

Economic Support and Recovery Taskforce

To continue to support the local business community, the Town of Halton Hills has established an Economic Support and Recovery Task Force in collaboration with the Acton and Georgetown Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and Chamber of Commerce.

The move comes as a continuation of the Town’s efforts to bring together stakeholders and collectively work to support business continuity. Chaired by Mayor Rick Bonnette, the task force includes the Director of Economic Development, Innovation and Culture, other senior staff, key business stakeholders and representatives from the two BIAs and Chamber of Commerce. “These are unprecedented times,” said the Mayor. "And it is during times of duress that it is more important than ever that we work together to address the significant challenges faced by our business community.”

The goals of the Economic Support and Recovery Task Force include:

Continued engagement of the business community;
Coordination of communication;
Data collection, analysis and reporting on business needs;
Minimizing economic impacts of COVID-19 by investigating potential support measures and best practices;
Exploring actions to support long-term economic recovery;
Advocating to other levels of governments to address local business needs; and
Developing and implementing an Economic Recovery Action Plan to position Halton Hills for an accelerated economic recovery.

The Task Force will build on the Town’s actions taken to date (as of April 9, 2020). These have included property tax relief, Halton Hills Hydro rate relief, launch of a dedicated website for COVID-19 business resources, ongoing business and investor outreach, a business survey, continued processing of existing and new planning applications, and the ongoing development of a Recovery Plan.

Virtual Town Hall Presentation
April 16, 2020
Watch Video

Province of Ontario

Visit the Ontario Newsroom for the latest Provincial COVID-19 updates, funding and support announcements.

Visit COVID-19: Help for Businesses in Ontario for more information on Provincial supports and resources.

Ontario's "Stop the Spread" Business Information Line

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 following recommendations by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. Assistance is available from Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open

Government of Canada

Canada's Economic Response Plan

Supports for Canadian Businesses
Resources for Canadian Businesses
Work Sharing Program - Temporary special measures
Employment Insurance and Labour and Occupational Health and Safety

Tourism, Arts and Culture Resources

Agri-Business Supports

Ontario Providing Employers with Workplace Safety Guidelines
The government safety guidelines released today will provide direction to those working in manufacturing, food manufacturing and processing, restaurant and food service, and the agricultural sector.

Governments Invest $2.5 Million to Grow Agri-food e-Business During COVID-19
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $2.5 million to help the agri-food sector expand online, providing more opportunities for producers to grow their business and offer more food choices for families who are shopping from home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Canada and Ontario Supporting Agri-food Sector Supply Chain During COVID-19
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1 million in new funding to connect workers with in-demand jobs in the agri-food sector to keep the nation's supply chains strong and store shelves stocked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Quarantine Assistance Program
Up to $1,500 per temporary foreign worker (TFW) will be provided to employers or those working with them to ensure isolation protocols are met.
Eligibility: Employers with TFWs adhering to the upon-arrival 14-day isolation period.

Increase to Farm Credit Canada’s lending capacity
An additional $5 billion in lending capacity to assist the industry in addressing cash flow challenges.
Eligibility: Farmers, agri-businesses, and food processors.

Canada’s Advance Payment Program
$173 million in loan repayment deferrals under the Advance Payments Program through Agricultural Credit Corporation.
Eligibility: Farmers with APP loans

Canada’s Deferral of HST Remittance and Customs Duty Payments
Businesses, including self-employed individuals, can defer until June 30, 2020 their remittances of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), as well as customs duties owing on their imports.
Eligibility: Business who must remit HST and Customs Duties. Note that GST/HST rebates that are late filed may be considered for processing.

Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Ins. Board’s Financial Relief Package
As part of the Ontario government’s $1.9 billion in relief for employers, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will defer premium payments for six months for all businesses in the province.

Canada Emergency Business Account
An interest-free loan of $40,000 for qualifying businesses. Up to $10,000 of that amount will be eligible for complete forgiveness if $30,000 is fully repaid on or before December 31, 2022.
Eligibility: Businesses and not-for-profits are eligible to apply for this loan if they have an annual payroll of between $20,000 and $1.5 million.

Non-Profit and Charity Supports

In partnership with Halton Region, surrounding municipalities and local organizations, the Town of Halton Hills has established the Community Support Action Team (CSAT) to aid the community’s most vulnerable during COVID-19. The CSAT team is working with all local not for profit agencies and organizations to help those in need during this time. If you require support for funding, volunteers or resources, please contact us at 905-873-2600 x2273.

In an effort to support community, arts and culture organizations, the Town has also compiled a list of various supports available to eligible nonprofits and charitable organizations below:

Ontario Nonprofit Network COVID-19 Resources

Canada Helps – A Charity’s Guide to Canada’s COVID-19 Governmental Supports & Programs

Imagine Canada – List of Federal Government Measures to support Nonprofits/Charities

Federal Government – Announcement of $350 million to establish the Canada Emergency Support Fund

Other Business Resources

Conference Board of Canada:
COVID-19: Implications for Canada and the Economic Impact

Export Development Canada:
Managing the impact on global supply chain

Canadian Chamber of Commerce:
Pandemic Preparedness for Business

Ontario Chamber of Commerce
COVIC-19 Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for Ontario Businesses

World Health Organization
COVID-19 - Business and Employees

Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Small Business Resources for Dealing with COVID-19

Ontario Business Improvement Area

Business Development Bank of Canada:
Support for Entrepreneurs Impacted by the COVID-19 Coronavirus