The province is providing additional support for small businesses impacted by the current health measures.
The government is introducing a $10,000 grant for eligible businesses that have been forced to close.
Those able to access the funding 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, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions
-Meeting or event spaces
-Tour and guide services
-Conference centres and convention centres
-Driving instruction for individuals
-Before-and-after school programs
Eligible businesses that qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will be pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply to the new program.
Newly established and eligible small businesses will need to apply once the application portal opens in the coming weeks.
Small businesses that qualify can expect to receive their payment in February.
The government is also providing electricity relief for those impacted by the recent lockdown.
For 21 days starting January 18, electricity prices will be set 24 hours a day at the current off-peak rate of 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour.
That’s less than half the cost of the current on-peak rate.
The modified rate will automatically apply to residential, small businesses and farms who pay regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board.
Meantime, online applications for the previously-announced Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will open on January 18.
This program will provide eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with rebate payments for up to 100% of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures in response to the Omicron variant.
Eligible businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100% of their costs.
Those required to reduce capacity to 50%, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50% of their costs.
A complete list of eligible businesses will be provided prior to the launch of the application portal.
