BusinessTO Newsletter

Announcements

CaféTO program details and registration form now available

CaféTO aims to provide more outdoor dining areas to help restaurants and bars create physical distancing for patrons on patios during the summer months. Learn more about the program, check out a guidebook on café placement and register online.

COVID-19 monitoring dashboard provides view on Toronto’s progress

Toronto Public Health launched a new COVID-19 monitoring dashboard. This publicly viewable dashboard uses current evidence and local data to provide an up-to-date summary on how the city is progressing in the response to COVID-19. The dashboard will be useful as Toronto moves forward through its restart and recovery.

Digital Main Street expanded to help small business go digital across the province

Building on Toronto’s foundational investments in Digital Main Street and ShopHERE powered by Google, the federal and provincial governments announced a $57-million investment to extend the support to businesses across Ontario. This expansion includes the existing ShopHERE powered by Google program which helps businesses build free Shopify online stores as well as the soon to be launched Digital Main Street Grant and Future-Proofing Main Street program. Interested businesses can pre-register for the Digital Main Street Grant and pre-register for Future Proofing Main Street.

Government of Canada announces additional support for Indigenous businesses

The Government of Canada announced additional funding to support Indigenous businesses and the Indigenous tourism industry in response to hardships created by COVID-19. The new funding is part of the federal government’s relief measures for Indigenous businesses.

City of Toronto Programs and Resources

• BusinessTO Support Centre: One-on-one virtual support to help businesses complete government assistance applications and navigate reopening.

• Digital Main Street: Support for businesses interested in going digital through resources, connections to trusted digital vendors, online learning and one-on-one virtual assistance.

• ShopHERE powered by Google: Assistance with setting up and launching a Shopify online store quickly, easily and at no cost.

• Business AdviceTO: Free online events to help entrepreneurs and leaders connect.

• Reopening Guidelines:

  • Toronto Public Health Planning Guide

  • COVID-19 Guidelines for Reopening your Restaurant

  • COVID-19 Guidelines for Personal Service Settings

• DonateTO: Make a difference in your community by donating or partnering with the City of Toronto.

Financial Support and Resources

Federal and provincial government financial supports:

• Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program

• Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program

• Support for Indigenous Businesses

• Business Credit Availability Program

• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

• Business Resilience Service

For one-on-one assistance with applications for any of these programs visit the BusinessTO Support Centre.

Support from industry groups and private sector organizations:

• Ritual One helps food businesses easily take commission-free orders online.

• Next Generation Manufacturing Canada provides funding for companies producing COVID-19 equipment and supplies.

• Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Technology Assessment Program supports manufacturers looking to complete a technology assessment.

Webinars and Online Events

Reopening Guidance (Free)
Personal Care Service Sector
Friday, June 19, 2 p.m.  – Register

Retail Sector – Watch On Demand (Webinar includes guidelines published up to and including June 11)

Restaurant Sector – Watch On Demand (Webinar includes guidelines published up to and including June 12)

Ask an Accountant – Applying for Government COVID-19 Support Programs (Free)
Wednesday, June 17, 3:30 p.m. – Register

Business AdviceTO Event Series (Free)
Business AdviceTO with Partners SheEO World | Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – Register
Business AdviceTO with Partners Retail Insider | Wednesday, June 17, 11 a.m. – Register
Business AdviceTO with Partners TechTO | Wednesday, June 17, 12 p.m. – Register
Business AdviceTO SisterTalk (BIWOC) Black Indigenous Women of Colour Biz Mentorship Circle | Thursdays, 10 a.m. – Register

Scarborough Business Association Cyber Breakfast – Economic Recovery & Next Steps(Free)
Wednesday, June 17, 9:15 a.m. – Register

Collision from Home
June 23 to 25 – Register

Elevate Live Event Series (Free)
Wednesdays, 12 p.m. – Register

Businesses community continues to generously support City of Toronto COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts

Canadian Tire Corporation committed $26,000 of personal protective equipment including face shields, hand sanitizer and cleaning products for frontline workers and vulnerable communities. This is just one of many ways businesses can contribute to the delivery of vital, community-focused services. Interested businesses can also contribute through donations of food, technology, services, partnerships or financial gifts. Learn how you can help at COVID-19: DonateTO.

Digital Main Street is helping businesses elevate their online marketing

From transforming hair to transforming their digital presence, hair studio Crown ‘N Gloryworked with Digital Main Street to generate new ideas for their online content. Jewelry store The Butler Collection is now reaching local audiences using geographic keywords, and Yoga Grove and Pretty Clean Shop taking a deep dive into the email marketing world, learning tips and tricks from segmentation to branding. Learn more about Digital Main Street and get support for your business.

New innovations help businesses provide a safer return to the office

From tracking mechanisms that map where staff has congregated and an app that allows touch-free office entry, to temporary walls that encourage physical distancing and a coating that keeps surfaces bacteria-free, technology companies are developing new strategies to make workplaces safer places to return to

Subscribe to the BusinessTO newsletter.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.