September 3rd, 2020 | COVID-19 Government and Business Support Updates

Dana Burdenuk posted on 9/3/2020 11:16:00 AM

CENTRE WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROVIDES COVID-19 GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS SUPPORT UPDATES

COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business: Applications Begin August 31

The Government of Ontario is making $8 million available to support small business and registered charities who are struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of COVID-19. The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments.

To apply for CEAP funding, customers should contact their energy provider. Electricity and natural gas utilities and unit sub-meter providers (USMPs) will begin accepting applications for CEAP-SB on August 31, 2020, delivering the program in accordance with rules laid out by the OEB. CEAP-SB funding is limited, with utilities and USMPs expected to process applications in the order in which they are received. Please note, submitting an application does not guarantee funding.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and on-bill credit amounts, visit oeb.ca/ceap.

Canada United Small Business Relief Fund

The #CanadaUnited campaign is a nationwide small and local business campaign encouraging Canadians to buy local, culminating on Canada United Weekend which was August 28-30.

Thank you to everyone for joining the Canada United movement and showing your support for small, local and Canadian businesses, where we saw over 200 million impressions, over 65 supportive partners, and over 30 municipal proclamations.

They are now accepting applications from small businesses for a relief grant of up to $5,000.

The relief grant can be used for COVID-19 recovery efforts, such as purchasing PPE, renovating physical spaces or developing e-commerce capabilities.

Learn more about the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund here.

Send a message to Queen’s Park!

The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are looking for your insight on what matters to business amidst the pandemic. How confident are you in Ontario’s economy and recovery? What is your organization’s outlook for 2021? How happy are you with the pandemic recovery programs offered by government?

Share your views by taking a short three-minute survey here

This survey is being conducted by Golfdale Consulting, an independent consulting firm.

All responses will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential.

Closing date: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at midnight

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is committed to ensuring government understands the issues impacting business in this province. That’s why we need your help to express the voice of business loud and clear at Queen’s Park.

Engage in our survey and let the government know what is important to you.

Temporary Wage Subsidy (TWS) Reporting

The CRA has released Form PD27, 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy Self-Identification Form for Employers that all eligible employers must submit, whether they are receiving the Temporary Wage Subsidy or not. For more information, please refer to the CRA guidelines for reporting TWS here.

Extension of CEBA and BCAP Programs Announced August 31, 2020

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland announced that the application deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is extended from August 31 to October 31, 2020 and that the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) is extended to June 2021 to support the flow of additional credit that businesses need to maintain operations and keep employees on the payroll.

The government is working closely with financial institutions to make the CEBA program available to those with qualifying payroll or non-deferrable expenses that have so far been unable to apply due to not operating from a business banking account. Further details on these changes will be released in coming days. Read the full news release here.

Ontario-Quebec Summit to Convene on Economic Recovery

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Québec Premier François Legault will convene their first-ever Ontario-Québec Summit to advance shared priorities on economic recovery and health preparedness, issues important to the people of the two provinces. The summit will take place on September 8 and September 9, 2020 in Mississauga. Read the full press release.

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About the Author

Dana Burdenuk

I worked most recently with Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph where I was responsible for procuring donated products from local businesses for the ReStores and build sites. This role got me involved with many of our great businesses here in Centre Wellington as well as participating on the Member Services Committee with CWCC.

Habitat was a big career change for me as I had spent the previous 25 years working in corporate Human Resources and Sales & Marketing roles in a number of industries including Manufacturing, Distribution, and Financial Services. I made the decision to leave the corporate world behind to pursue opportunities to be more community-focused (and spend less time travelling all over North America!).

When the opportunity for the GM role with CWCC presented itself, I felt it was a perfect blend of my skills, business knowledge, and passion. I was previously a Board of Directors member with the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce and participated in their Membership Services Committee for eight years, which gave me a good understanding of the Chamber business model. I’m so pleased to be here, focused on providing service, solutions and benefits to local businesses and raising awareness of the value that the Chamber provides.

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