COVID-19

Government resources for businesses and organizations

A resource guide for programs and initiatives launched by all levels of government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team will continue to update this page as new announcements are made and more information about initiatives becomes available.

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Government Support For Businesses

Opportunities For Businesses to Help Government

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Latest COVID-19 updates from Sussex

Application Now Open for Ontario’s Small Business Support Grant

January 15, 2021

This morning the Ontario government announced that applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant is now open. The previously announced grant provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses whose operations have been restricted due to the Province-wide Shutdown.

Provincewide Shutdown Announced for December 26

December 21, 2020

Today, the Ontario government announced the province will enter a second provincewide shutdown starting Saturday December 26 at 12:01 am. A provincewide lockdown is needed to reduce COVID transmission, prevent people travelling between regions and preserve health system capacity. The five public health units in the north will be in lockdown for two weeks, while Southern Ontario will be in lockdown for four weeks. The Chief Medical Officer of Health will be monitoring the data and will assess if it is safe to lift the restrictions or if they need to be extended.

New COVID-19 Restrictions Announced to Limit Spread in Ontario

November 20, 2020

Today, Premier Doug Ford, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott, Minister of Finance Rod Phillips and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams announced further measures to limit community transmission of COVID-19. The province is moving certain public health unit regions to new levels in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.

Federal Government Announces New $1 Billion Rapid Housing Initiative

October 27, 2020

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, alongside Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen announced a $1 billion investment to launch the new Rapid Housing Initiative which will support the development of affordable housing units. Almost $300 million of this new housing investment will go to Ontario’s large municipalities.

Faced with COVID’s Second Wave, Premier Ford Re-Imposes Restrictions in Hot Spots

October 9, 2020

Premier Ford announced that Ontario’s main hotspots of Ottawa, Peel and Toronto will be moving to a modified version of Stage 2 for at least the next 28 days.

Ontario Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Delivers on Both

October 7, 2020

Ontario’s Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction has tabled two significant initiatives designed to provide real world, tangible help to Ontario businesses and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

Federal Government Announces New $1 Billion Rapid Housing Initiative

October 27, 2020

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, alongside Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen announced a $1 billion investment to launch the new Rapid Housing Initiative which will support the development of affordable housing units. Almost $300 million of this new housing investment will go to Ontario’s large municipalities.

CERB Replacement Passes House of Commons in First Trudeau Confidence Measure

September 30, 2020

The House of Commons unanimously passed legislation containing new benefits for Canadians unemployed because of COVID-19 and for workers forced to take time off because of illness, isolation, or family care needs.

Liberals Unveil More Generous Employment Benefits, Paving Way for NDP Throne Speech Support

September 25, 2020

The Federal government unveiled legislation to implement new employment benefits to replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

Federal Government Announces Additional $2 Billion to Help Schools Reopen Safely

August 26, 2020

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced up to $2 billion in funding to support the provinces and territories in safely reopening schools.

Government Extends CERB and Announces New COVID-19 ‘Recovery’ Financial Benefits

August 20, 2020

Federal Ministers Carla Qualtrough and Chrystia Freeland announced next steps to provide support to individuals whose ability to work has been impacted by COVID-19.

Federal Government to Impose Dollar-for-Dollar Countermeasures to Trump’s Aluminum Tariffs

August 7, 2020

In response to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff on certain Canadian aluminum imports, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced dollar-for-dollar counter measures on US imports to Canada for a total of $3.6 billion (CAN).

Ontario Releases 2020-21 First Quarter Finances and Announces $1.6 Billion in First Round of Emergency Funding for Ontario Municipalities

August 13, 2020

The Ontario government released its report on the 2020-21 First Quarter Finances, which provides information on the fiscal and economic outlook from April 1 to June 30, 2020.

Ontario Announces Plan for Safe Reopening of Schools in September and Plan for Return of Child Care to Full Capacity

July 30, 2020

The Ontario government released the long promised plan for reopening schools, as well as its plan to allow child care centres to return to full capacity starting September 1, 2020.

Ontario Moves Toronto and Peel Region to Stage 3 and Launches Independent Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission

July 29, 2020

The Ontario government announced that the City of Toronto and Peel Region will move to Stage 3 on July 31 and launched the independent commission into COVID-19 and long-term care.

Ontario Announces Additional Regions to Enter Stage 3 this Week

July 20, 2020

The Ontario government said another seven regions are ready to advance to Stage 3.

Ontario Announces Regions to Enter Stage 3 this Week

July 13, 2020

Twenty-four public health units will enter Stage 3 on Friday July 17, 2020.

Ontario Introduces Legislation to Address the Ongoing Threat of COVID-19 with Flexibility Over the Next Year

July 7, 2020

The Ontario government proposed legislation that, if passed, would continue orders made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act related to COVID-19.

Federal Government Announces New $1 Billion Rapid Housing Initiative

October 27, 2020

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, alongside Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen announced a $1 billion investment to launch the new Rapid Housing Initiative which will support the development of affordable housing units. Almost $300 million of this new housing investment will go to Ontario’s large municipalities.

Ontario Bill 197, COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 Changes Landscape for Land Use Planning and Infrastructure Projects

July 13, 2020

Our Municipal and Provincial Teams continue to analyze the newly introduced Government of Ontario legislation: Bill 197, COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020.

Online Licensing and Permit Applications Launches in Toronto

July 8, 2020

The City of Toronto announced the launch of a new online business licensing and permits application process that allows for applications, document submissions, and payments to be completed virtually.

Final Week for Toronto’s Reopening Strategy Survey Feedback

June 23, 2020

Seven days are left for businesses, individuals and community groups to complete the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild’s survey on the City’s recovery strategy.

Toronto Provides Businesses with Expanded Guidance for Reopening

June 17, 2020

Mayor John Tory announced that the City has expanded its guidance resources for local businesses and organizations preparing for re-opening when Toronto enters into Stage 2.

Federal Government Announces $2.2 Billion in Municipal Gas Tax Funding

June 1, 2020

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an early transfer of $2.2 billion in federal Gas Tax funding for Canadian municipal infrastructure projects.

Paula Conboy Featured on iPolitics

August 12, 2020

Senior Counsel, Paula Conboy, discussed her experience in the energy sector and how it influences her role at Sussex with iPolitics.

COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act and the Environment

July 8, 2020

The Hon. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing introduced Bill 197, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020.

Ontario Announces Immediate Changes to Industrial Conservation Initiative in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

June 26, 2020

The Government of Ontario approved an amendment to O.Reg 429/04 respecting the Industrial Conservative Initiative (ICI).

What We’re Reading This Week - Sussex Environment Team

June 19, 2020

June 12 – June 19: A reading list from our Sussex Environment Team for the weekend!

What We’re Reading This Week - Sussex Environment Team

June 12, 2020

June 5 – June 12: A reading list from our Sussex Environment Team for the weekend!

What We’re Reading This Week - Sussex Environment Team

June 5, 2020

May 29 – June 5: A reading list from our Sussex Environment Team for the weekend!