The Official Site of The City of Markham
Small Business Help
Your one-stop source to start & grow your small business
Our team at the Markham Small Business Centre (MSBC) can help you make the right decisions as you start up your business venture, help develop your management capabilities as it grows or help you pivot as we adapt to the COVID-19 crisis
Le services de la centre d'encadrement des petites entrepreneurs do Markham (MSBC) est disponible en francais à la demand pour les programmes financé de l'Ontario. Cliquez ci-dessous pour en savoir plus.
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COVID-19 Service Update
The City of Markham is committed to the health and safety of the Markham community, its small businesses and our employees. We are working closely with our Public Health colleagues at the regional, provincial and national levels concerning the evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.
Update regarding our small business advisory services:
- The MSBC office within the IBM Innovation Space – Markham Convergence Centre will remain closed to the general public and guests until further notice.
- To ensure continued access to our small business advisory services, MSBC will remain accessible by phone, email and web meetings for scheduled appointments
The situation continues to evolve quickly and while we anticipate these measures will remain in place until further notice, we continue to monitor and will provide updates as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of each other and the Markham community.
For up-to-date information about COVID-19, please visit york.ca/covid19
Our services
The City of Markham has many services to offer small businesses in our community. These include:
Free Counseling
Our consultants can help you with:
- Business planning
- Start-up procedures
- Regulations
- and more!
This counseling is offered at no cost, and is confidential. Depending on what stage you are at with your business/idea, we may recommend one of our group consultations or a one-on-one consultation.
To find out more, please contact the Markham Small Business Centre:
- 905.477.7000 extension 6722
- msbc@markham.ca
Resource Centre
(Note: access to this in-person service is temporarily closed until further notice)
Our Resource Centre offers literature on:
- Business Registration
- Business Planning
- Taxation/Record Keeping
- Marketing
- Sources of Financing
- Import/Export
- Franchise
Related government programs and services are also available
Seminars/Workshops
- Legal and Financial Considerations
- Strategic Business Planning
- Small Business Taxation
- Effective Marketing Tools
- E-Business Strategies
- Managing Your Cash Flow
· Workshops and seminars are also excellent for networking with other small business owners
Reference Library/Internet Access
(Note: access to this in-person service is temporarily closed until further notice)
You may use our Reference Library. We have trade directories and guide books. We also have business magazines and other publications. Internet Access is also available.
shopHERE provides independent small businesses and artists in Markham with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away.
The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of having an online presence to sell goods and services.
To address this need, Digital Main Street is collaborating with Google, Shopify, Mastercard and Microsoft to build and optimize stores for small independent businesses and artists in just a matter of days.
Program powered by the Centre for Social Innovation
Are you looking to grow your entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial competencies to create positive impact and prepare for a fast-changing business environment? As the world looks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the time for the entrepreneurially-minded to step up to address pressing social and environmental challenges, and to develop the 21st century skills needed to succeed.
Join us for Social Enterprise 101: an 8-week, part-time online program that covers the foundations of social entrepreneurship, from making sure you’ve identified the right problem, to developing a solution, to turning your idea into a sustainable business model. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, invest in your personal and professional growth, and turn your idea into impact, this is the right course for you.
We are offering a limited number of local innovators the opportunity to participate in this program through the Markham Small Business Centre. This program is offered in partnership with York Region, the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre and the Vaughan Business and Entreprise Centre. All applicants based in Markham are eligible to apply through our office.
Spots are limited and although not mandatory for acceptance, applications will be prioritized based on:
- Applicants with clear business ideas, and ideas that (at face value) are appropriate solutions to the problem they’ve identified
- Applicants with some entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship or volunteer experience
- Applicants who will be able to commit to attending all 8 classes
Applications close Sunday, January 31st , 2021
Apply Here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/se101markham
The details:
- All classes will be held on online using Zoom and SLACK workspace:
- Mondays, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
- Monday, February 22nd, 2021 to Monday, April 19th, 2021
- Note: There is no class on March 22
What you’ll learn
Social Enterprise 101 is an 8-week program delivered in two phases:
Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4): Explore your purpose as a social entrepreneur. Discover your problem space. Map opportunities for impact.
Together, we’ll begin with some of the big questions you may be asking yourself, such as:
- I see so many urgent problems to solve. Which should I focus on specifically, and why?
- There are so many things to do to get started. How do I prioritize?
- What skills, knowledge, connections, and experience can I leverage to make an impact?
- How do I move from idea to action?
Phase 2 (Weeks 4-8): Discover stakeholders. Build your business and financial models. Identify funding options and enterprise impact.
Questions answered during this phase include:
- I have developed a clear idea of the impact that I want my enterprise to generate. How do I design my business to reach this impact?
- How can I generate sustainable revenue (and profit) from my social enterprise?
- What resources am I going to need to start my enterprise?
- What funding models and options should I explore?
By the end of the 8-weeks, you’ll gain experience, confidence, and practice with core competencies in social entrepreneurship such as critical thinking, systems thinking, active listening, storytelling, decision-making, and business modelling.
Who you’ll meet
You will connect with a cohort of changemakers from across York Region who are similarly driven and committed to making an impact. SE 101 is open to everyone interested in making the world better through entrepreneurial thinking and approaches.
Social Enterprise 101 was developed in partnership with experienced social entrepreneurs, coaches, facilitators, and educators, and based on the learnings from over 10 years of training social enterprises.
Participants who start a for-profit social enterprise upon completing the program will also be invited to apply for a $5,000 Starter Company Plus grant through our office.
FAQs about various
government-announced programs:
PDF one-page overview from York Region about the primary Federal and Provincial COVID-19 Business Funding Supports for Businesses
Canadian Federation of Independent Business Help Centre (up-to-date FAQs about new and existing programs announced by government, including timelines, amounts, factors to consider and other details)
Markham Property Tax and Stormwater Fee Payment Deferral Program
For 2021, Markham Council has approved a new Property Tax and Stormwater Fee Payment Deferral Program to assist property owners who have been financially affected by COVID-19. This assistance is by application only and is meant to aid residential and business property owners who may require payment flexibility throughout the 2021 taxation year.
Financial supports:
(Note: please carefully consider taking advantage of business loan/credit solutions to ensure it makes sense for your business; for some, the cash flow is critical, for others, taking on additional debt may be challenging – let us know if you’d like to discuss msbc@markham.ca)
Government of Canada’s web portal for business financial support, loans and access to credit including CEBA, CERS, CEWS, BCAP, RRRF and more.
Government of Ontario's portal for businesses to get help with COVID-19 costs — Find out if your business is eligible for grants to help with the cost of personal protective equipment, property taxes, energy bills and extra support if you have to close or significantly restrict services because of provincial public health measures. Including information about Ontario's Small Business Support Grant providing up to $20,000 for Eligible Businesses Impacted by Provincewide Shutdown.
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) — This $55 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 33 percent (up to $20,000).
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) — Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020, until June 2021.
This subsidy will provide payments directly to qualifying renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of landlords.
If you are eligible for the base subsidy, you may also be eligible for lockdown support if your business location is significantly affected by a public health order for a week or more.
Sections:
-
- Who can apply: Find out if you are eligible to apply for the subsidy
- Periods you can apply for: Claim period dates and which periods you can apply for today
- Expenses you can claim: The portion of eligible expenses that your business can claim
- Calculate your subsidy amount: Use our calculator to find out how much your rent subsidy may be
- How to apply: How to submit an application for the rent subsidy
- After you apply: Getting your payment, reapplying for other periods, changing a claim, and our review of claims
- Contact us about CERS: How to contact the CRA about the rent subsidy
The application process for CECRA for small businesses is closed
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses provided relief for small businesses who experienced financial hardship due to COVID‑19..
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) provides liquidity support to businesses and organizations affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, that are unable to access other federal relief measures, or require additional support.
Updates on changes to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) services, due dates and programs affected by the pandemic including CRB, CRCB, CRSB, CERS, CEWS, CERB (now ended) and more.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) — as a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations.
The 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers (TWS) is a 3-month measure that allows eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions they need to remit to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This only applies to the federal, provincial, or territorial income tax portion of the remittance.
The subsidy is equal to 10% of the remuneration you pay from March 18 to June 19, 2020, up to $1,375 for each eligible employee. The maximum total is $25,000 for each eligible employer.
CEWS is another subsidy available to employers. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) is a separate program that provides a 75% wage subsidy to eligible employers. If eligible, you may be able to take advantage of both the TWS and the CEWS. For more information see How the TWS and CEWS work together.
Canadian small or medium sized enterprises pursuing technology driven innovation who are not eligible for funding under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) are eligible and can apply for financial assistance under IRAP IAP which provides a wage subsidy for up to 12 weeks to employers. Salaries are the only eligible cost. No other costs will be covered under the IAP.
The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be managed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national Chamber network in support of other chambers and partners to help small Canadian businesses with their recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19.
Successful applicants will receive a relief grant of up to $5,000. We intend to support local businesses of all kinds from across the country (from retailers to barbershops to farmers).
WSIB Financial Relief: To help reduce the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ontario businesses, we provided the opportunity to defer premiums due between March to August 2020. All businesses that chose to participate in the financial relief package will have until June 30, 2021 to repay deferred amounts, interest-free. Deferred amount payments can be made in one or multiple installments between January and June 30, 2021..
From January 1, 2021 through January 28, 2021, the government of Ontario is implementing a discounted RPP rate for residential and small business customers of 8.5 cents / kWh. This rate will be in place all day, every day, regardless of whether your rate plan is Tiered or Time-of-Use.
This rate will be applied automatically, and it will not affect your rate option (Tiered or TOU) once the discounted rate expires; you are not required to do anything.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) — Information for businesses directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19 about working capital financing, small business loans, BCAP and more.
For Exporters – access additional credit/financing resources
Business Supports:
Reopening during COVID-19
- Markham Economic Development and Markham Small Business Centre resources
- York Region business support resources
- Ontario’s resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace
- Re-opening and Resuming Business during COVID-19
- Physical distancing poster
- Carpooling and ride sharing poster
- Public Health: Guidance for Businesses Re-opening in York Region [PDF]
Ontario Information about Essential Workplaces:
Ontario Government resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace — Find sector-specific guidelines and posters to help protect workers, customers and the general public from coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ontario..
Businesses who have questions about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. Help is available from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m.―5:00 p.m.
Government Procurement Opportunities for COVID-19 related supplies and services:
If you are a business that can supply products and services in support of Canada’s response to COVID-19, Canada wants to hear from you (visit the website for a detailed list of products and services being procured).
The Government of Ontario is looking for help from businesses and organizations who can supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support the response to COVID-19.
Impact survey of COVID-19 on businesses in Canada:
The purpose of this survey is to measure the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in Canada. As the pandemic continues to disrupt our economy, it is essential to have data to fully understand the extent of this impact. By participating in this survey, you offer an invaluable perspective to governments, chambers of commerce and business associations by providing current information to help them devise strategies for the survival and continuity of businesses across Canada. Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.
Helpful resources/tips:
In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to help Canadian businesses navigate the COVID-19 reality and prepare for recovery. This site and a supporting campaign will continue to grow in the weeks and months ahead as we work together to support and protect our businesses, our communities and our economy.
MaRS Discovery District collection of tools and tactics startups can use to prepare, plan and respond to COVID-19 (business implications to consider, general resources, global supply chain management, managing cash flow, people practices, remote work planning
Canadian Chamber of Commerce tools for small businesses including Business Continuity Planning.
Mental health resources from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (talking to your children and supporting loved ones; strategies for coping with stress and anxiety, questionnaires to assess your stress levels; dealing with self-isolation; reducing stigma and prejudice for those affected)
Events calendar with links to select program ‘how to’ expert webinars.
- Applications Now Open for Ontario's Small Business Support Grant
- Apply here: Application Website
- Refer to the user application guide here: PDF Guide [PDF]
News: January 15, 2021 - The Ontario government has opened applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The grant, first announced in December, provides a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due to the Provincewide Shutdown. The tightened restrictions were put in place to help stop the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in Ontario.
Small businesses required to close or significantly restrict services under the Provincewide Shutdown will be able to apply for a one-time grant and use this funding in whatever way makes the most sense for their individual business needs. For example, some businesses could need support paying employee wages, while others could need support with their rent.
Eligible small businesses include those that:
-
- Were required to close or significantly restrict services due to the Provincewide Shutdown being imposed across the province effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26.
- Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level.
- Have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019. New businesses established since April 2019 will also be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria.
More information about the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and other rebates is available on Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport
News: January 14, 2021 - Beginning this Saturday and Sunday, approximately 50 ministry inspectors, as well as local bylaw and police officers, will be visiting big-box stores in Toronto, Hamilton, Peel, York and Durham. The blitz will focus on ensuring workers and patrons are wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and following every health and safety measure. Workplace health and safety inspectors will have the authority to ticket supervisors, employees and patrons who do not comply with COVID-19 safety requirements, temporarily close a premise and disperse groups of more than five people.
The campaign targets workplaces with heightened risks that have been identified by using data from local public health units and information reported directly to the province. Inspectors will focus on workplaces in the following sectors:
-
- Workplaces with reported COVID-19 outbreaks
- Manufacturing
- Warehousing
- Distribution centres
- Food processing
- Publicly accessible workplaces deemed essential, such as grocery stores
News: January 12, 2021 - Effective Thursday, January 14, 2021at 12:01 a.m., the government is issuing a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work. This order and other new and existing public health restrictions are aimed at limiting people's mobility and reducing the number of daily contacts with those outside an immediate household. In addition to limiting outings to essential trips, all businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.
The government will enact the following additional public health measures:
-
- Outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are further restricted to a limit of five people with limited exceptions. This is consistent with the rules during the lockdown during the first wave of COVID-19 in spring 2020 and will allow individuals and families to enjoy time outdoors safely.
- Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance more than two metres.
- All non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m. The restricted hours of operation do not apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants for takeout or delivery.
- Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.
As part of the "Stay Safe All Day" campaign, inspectors will use a data-driven approach to focus on workplaces with reported COVID-19 outbreaks, manufacturing businesses, warehouses, distribution centres, food processing operations, construction projects and publicly accessible workplaces deemed essential, such as grocery stores. The Ministry is also using a new data-sharing program, in conjunction with the Ministry of Long-Term Care and the Retirement Regulatory Authority, to focus onsite inspections of long-term-care homes and retirement homes.
If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
- Ontario Supporting Home-Based Food Businesses During COVID-19
- See Ontario’s guide on how to start a home-based food business [PDF]
News: January 4, 2021 — The Ontario government is supporting home-based food businesses by providing a guide on how to start a home-based food business, which includes an overview of public health requirements that need to be followed as a food operator. To further support these entrepreneurs, the government has also made regulatory changes to allow more flexibility to sell low-risk, home-prepared foods.
Low-risk foods are considered non-hazardous and do not require refrigeration. They include items such as baked goods, pickles, jams and preserves, chocolates, hard candies and brittles, fudge and toffees, granola, trail mix, nuts and seeds, and coffee beans and tea leaves.
Home-based food businesses that prepare only low-risk foods are exempt from certain regulatory requirements, such as specified handwashing stations in food premises, compliance with commercial dishwashing requirements and food handling training certification.
- Ontario Announces Provincewide Shutdown to Stop Spread of COVID-19 and Government Providing Grants of up to $20,000 to Small Businesses Impacted by New Public Health Measures
- More information about the Ontario Small Business Support Grant is available here
News: December 21, 2020 - The Provincewide Shutdown will go into effect as of Saturday, December 26, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. Measures include, but are not limited to:
-
- Restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household.
- Prohibiting in-person shopping in most retail settings - curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping.
- Restricting indoor access to shopping malls - patrons may only go to a designated indoor pickup area (by appointment only), essential retail stores that are permitted to be open (e.g. pharmacy, grocery store), or, subject to physical distancing and face covering requirements, to the food court for takeout purchases. Shopping malls may also establish outdoor designated pickup areas.
- Prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments will be permitted to operate by take out, drive-through, and delivery only.
The government is announcing the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to eligible small business owners to help navigate this challenging period. Eligible small businesses include those that:
- Are required to close or significantly restrict services subject to the Provincewide Shutdown effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26, 2020;
- Have less than 100 employees at the enterprise level; and
- Have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019.
Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant will provide businesses with dollar for dollar funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Provincewide Shutdown. The business must demonstrate they experienced a revenue decline of at least 20 per cent when comparing monthly revenue in April 2019 and April 2020. This time period was selected because it reflects the impact of the public health measures in spring 2020, and as such provides a representation of the possible impact of these latest measures on small businesses.
News: December 18, 2020 - The Supporting Local Restaurants Act, 2020 will come into effect tomorrow, December 19, at 12:01 a.m. Food delivery companies will be required to limit the rates they charge to 20% for each transaction — with no more than 15% for commission for food delivery services. The cap applies in areas where indoor dining is prohibited, to help restaurants stay in business and continue contributing to their communities. If indoor dining is prohibited in new regions, the cap will also apply in those locations.
To support this change, the government will:
-
- Provide food delivery company employees or contractors who perform delivery services with protection that their compensation will not be reduced in response to these changes.
- Enable restaurants and food delivery company employees or contractors to file online complaints if they are charged fees that exceed the cap or if their compensation or payments are reduced.
- Impose fines of up to $10 million to food delivery service companies that do not comply with the law.
- Ontario Moving Markham and York Region to Grey-Lockdown
- https://covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-restrictions
- Statement from Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti (December 11, 2020)
News: December 11, 2020 - The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, local medical officers of health, and other health experts, is moving York Region Public Health into Grey-Lockdown effective Monday, December 14, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.
This means that only essential businesses can offer in-person services, such as grocery stores and pharmacies at 50% reduced capacity. Retailers will be allowed to offer curbside pickup and restaurants will only be allowed to offer take-out and delivery.
As a result of the lockdown, Markham community centres, including arenas and pools, as well as Markham Museum and the Varley Art Gallery will be closed until further notice. In-person fitness activities will also be suspended. Markham Public Libraries will see a reduction to three stand-alone locations and will offer contactless drop-off and pick-up. For further details about facilities, programs and services, visit www.markham.ca. We are offering virtual and outdoor programs, as well as fitness classes to stay active, social and engaged. Markham Civic Centre will continue to operate by appointment only. All essential municipal services will continue as usual and normal business activities will continue virtually.
News: December 10, 2020 - The zero per cent property tax rate increase will help Markham property owners to better weather these uncertain and challenging times that the community continues to deal with during COVID-19. The budget preserves, and in some cases exceeds, current service levels, and continues investments in Council-approved priorities in a responsible manner as we remain prudent with our assets while we push forward towards pandemic recovery.
News: December 4, 2020 - Starting on Friday, December 4, 2020, eligible businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are able to access a second CEBA loan of up to $20,000 – on top of the initial $40,000 that was available to small businesses.
Half of this additional financing, up to $10,000, will be forgivable if the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022.
This means the additional loan effectively increases CEBA loans from the existing $40,000 to $60,000 for eligible businesses, of which a total of $20,000 will be forgiven if the balance of the loan is repaid on time.
As announced in the Fall Economic Statement, the application deadline for CEBA has also been extended to March 31, 2021.
To apply, eligible businesses and not-for-profits need to contact the financial institution that provided their initial CEBA loan and provide the appropriate information and documentation.
News: December 3, 2020 - The Ontario government announced today that the Club canadien de Toronto has been selected to develop the Francophone Business Network. This new province-wide innovative online platform will help entrepreneurs share their expertise and best practices and form new strategic partnerships. The province is investing $250,000 to support the development of the Network.
News: November 26, 2020 - The Ontario government is introducing the Supporting Local Restaurants Act, 2020 which, if passed, would cap fees charged by food delivery companies in areas where indoor dining is prohibited, providing additional support for small and independent restaurants.
Currently, fees placed on restaurants by food delivery companies can reach as high as 30% in Ontario. The legislation, to be introduced today by Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, in addition to further regulation, would:
- Limit the rates charged by food delivery service apps in areas where indoor dining is prohibited. Restaurants should expect a cap of 15% for delivery fees, with an overall cap of 20% inclusive of all fees;
- Permit fines of up to $10 million to food delivery service companies that do not comply with the law;
- Provide food delivery service company employees or contractors who perform delivery services with protection that their compensation will not be affected by these changes.
News: November 25, 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented and challenging time for Ontario’s workers and businesses. The majority of businesses are operating in safe and responsible ways to protect their workers and customers. However, there are still some businesses that need further assistance or clarification to understand the requirements to keep everyone safe.
That’s why we are doing community safety campaigns to educate businesses and workers on public health measures required under the Reopening Ontario Act. These campaigns are being developed in consultation with local public health units, police and by-law departments, and support Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open.
On November 27, 28, and 29, officers will be visiting malls, power centres, and big box–retail stores.
Using resources provided by the Ontario government, businesses should:
- Learn about their obligations under the Reopening Ontario Act and
- Develop their own COVID-19 workplace safety plan
News: November 23, 2020 - The National Ecosystem Fund will provide funding to Black-led not-for-profit business organizations to strengthen their capacity to provide support, financial planning services and business training for Black entrepreneurs and business owners. Black-led not-for-profit business organizations that serve Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses are encouraged to apply through the National Ecosystem Fund National Ecosystem Fund web page by December 21, 2020.
The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub will gather data on Black entrepreneurship in Canada and help identify critical gaps, barriers to success, and opportunities for growth. It will be jointly run by Black-led business organizations, in partnership with educational institutions. Black-led not-for-profit business organizations and educational institutions are encouraged to come together, develop an application, and apply through the Knowledge Hub web page by January 18, 2021.
- Canada Revenue Agency opens applications for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy
- Applicants can visit CRA login services to create a My Business Account or Represent a Client account and apply for the CERS.
News: November 23, 2020 - the CERS opened today to receive applications from qualifying organizations. These organizations can now apply directly for the subsidy for the period from September 27 to October 24, 2020 through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Business Account, or Represent a Client portals.
Applications for the second CERS period (October 25 to November 21, 2020) will open on November 30.
The new rent subsidy supports businesses, charities, and non-profits that have suffered a revenue drop by providing support up to a maximum of 65% of eligible expenses.
Qualifying organizations that were required to shut down or significantly limit their activities under a public health order will have access to Lockdown Support, a top-up subsidy of 25%, meaning that they could receive rent or property expenses support of up to 90%.
News: November 22, 2020 - Meeting and event spaces, and other businesses, places, facilities or establishments, including special event venues, banquet halls, hotel conference rooms and convention centres which rent or otherwise make available any meeting and/or event space to:
- Ensure all indoor and outdoor gatherings for religious services, ceremonies or rites in weddings, funerals and celebrations of life do not exceed the number of persons that can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from each other
- Ensure that, in no event, shall the gathering exceed a maximum of 50 persons
- Comply with any applicable gathering limits under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROE)
- Follow all further instructions from York Region Public Health pertaining to COVID-19 that apply to your business, place, facility or establishment
Shopping malls to:
- Immediately set a maximum capacity for patrons in the shopping mall and monitor the capacity limit to ensure physical distancing of 2 metres is maintained by patrons and mall staff in common areas, stores, washrooms, hallways and entrances at all times
- Immediately ensure all stores within the shopping mall set a maximum capacity limit, and actively monitor that capacity limit to ensure physical distancing of 2 metres is maintained by patrons and mall staff at all times
- Actively manage all line-ups or patrons congregating and ensure all patrons waiting in line-ups inside or outside shopping malls maintain physical distancing of least 2 metres
- Follow all further instructions from York Region Public Health pertaining to COVID-19 that apply to shopping malls
Retail stores to:
- Immediately set a maximum capacity for patrons and actively monitor the capacity limit to ensure physical distancing of 2 metres is maintained by patrons and mall staff in common areas, stores, washrooms, hallways and entrances at all times
- Follow all further instructions from York Region Public Health pertaining to COVID-19 that apply to retail stores
- Ontario Launches Workplace Education and Enforcement Campaigns
- Learn how you can create a plan to help protect your workers and others from novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
News: November 19, 2020 - The Ontario government is launching a series of education and enforcement campaigns to ensure businesses across the province are taking the necessary steps to keep employees, consumers and the public safe. These campaigns will support the current efforts of police, municipal by-law officers, and public health inspectors to educate businesses and enforce the COVID-19 health and safety requirements. Officers will be asking employers to produce their workplace safety plans.
If a person or business is not found compliant with orders under the Reopening Ontario Act, they could be ticketed with a fine of $750 under the Reopening Ontario Act. Where prosecuted without issuing a ticket and on conviction, individuals could be fined up to $100,000, and directors and officers of a corporation could be fined up to $500,000. Any individual convicted of an offence under the Reopening Ontario Act could also receive a term of imprisonment of up to one year. The maximum fine for a corporation convicted of an offence under the Reopening Ontario Act is $10,000,000.
Businesses requiring a workplace safety plan include:
- Restaurants, bars, and food or drink establishments;
- Sports and recreational facilities;
- Meeting and event spaces;
- Malls;
- Personal care services;
- Casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming establishments;
- Cinemas; and
- Performing arts facilities.
News: November 19, 2020 - The Ontario government is investing over $2.2 million through the Ontario Together Fund to provide small businesses with free, tailored financial advice and online training to help them make informed financial decisions and navigate the unprecedented economic circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontario is providing $2,040,000 to support Ontario's 47 Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBEC) led by the Business Advisory Centre Durham to create a new Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network. This network will enhance the capacity of all SBECs across the province to expand their services, supporting businesses across the province.
News: November 16, 2020 - Businesses in modified Stage 2 regions or, going forward, in areas categorized as control or lockdown, can apply for rebates to help with fixed costs, such as property tax and energy bills. Find out if your business is eligible.
Rebates will cover the period of time that businesses are required to temporarily close or significantly restrict services as a result of being located in areas subject to the targeted modified Stage 2 public health restrictions or, going forward, in areas categorized as Control or Lockdown. The property tax rebates will be net of any federal support in respect of property taxes provided through the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS), so that the rebate will cover costs beyond those covered by CERS.
News: November 13, 2020 - The framework changes are in response to the current data and trends, and will lower the threshold for each of the five levels for: weekly incidence rates, positivity rate, effective reproductive number (Rt), outbreak trends and the level of community transmission. Based on these new thresholds, York Region Public Health would be moved to the Red-Control level in the framework. Please visit Ontario.ca/COVID19 for the full list of public health region classifications that will come into effect as of Monday, November 16, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.
Assignments to the current levels would last for a minimum of 28 days or two-incubation periods, at which time the status of these public health unit regions will be reassessed on a weekly basis. However, movement to a more restrictive zone will be considered sooner if there are rapidly worsening trends.
News: November 10, 2020 - The Ontario government is proposing to give municipalities the flexibility to target property tax relief to small businesses. The province is also considering matching these reductions, which would provide small businesses with as much as $385 million in municipal and provincial property tax relief. This initiative is part of the 2020 Budget, Ontario's Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover.
- Extension of NRC IRAP Innovation Assistance Program (IAP)
- NRC IRAP Innovation Assistance Program (IAP)
News: November 6, 2020 - The Government of Canada is providing over $155 million to extend the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program's (NRC IRAP) Innovation Assistance Program (IRAP IAP). IRAP IAP is an emergency wage subsidy provided to eligible firms on a priority basis. Funding will help support existing IAP recipients that are high-potential, small and pre-revenue firms that do not qualify for the government's wage subsidy measure.
News: November 3, 2020 - With international travel restricted due to COVID-19, the CanExport SMEs program is pivoting to now help small businesses:
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- develop and expand their e-commerce presence by covering partial costs associated with online sales platforms and digital strategy consulting, as well as advertising and search engine optimization
- attend virtual trade shows and other business-to-business events
- navigate new COVID-19-related trade barriers by helping pay for new international market certifications and requirements
Small business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for CanExport SMEs program funding.
- Ontario Releases COVID-19 Response Framework to Help Keep the Province Safe and Open
- COVID-19 levels by region (definitions of green-prevent, yellow-protect, orange-restrict, red-control, lockdown)
News: November 3, 2020 - In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, the Ontario government has developed the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. It ensures that public health measures are targeted, incremental and responsive to help limit the spread of COVID-19, while keeping schools and businesses open, maintaining health system capacity and protecting vulnerable people, including those in long-term care.
The framework takes a gradual approach that includes introducing preventative measures earlier to help avoid broader closures and allow for additional public health and workplace safety measures to be introduced or removed incrementally. It categorizes public health unit regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Lockdown being a measure of last and urgent resort. Each level outlines the types of public health and workplace safety measures for businesses and organizations. These include targeted measures for specific sectors, institutions and other settings.
- Province Proudly Promoting Ontario-Made Products to Spur Economic Recovery
- Businesses and consumers are encouraged to visit SupportOntarioMade.ca
News: October 29, 2020 - The Ontario Made program is helping the province's manufacturing base regain and recover revenues lost due to COVID-19. Manufacturers and producers are encouraged to register and promote their products on the SupportOntarioMade.ca website and use the Ontario Made logo. Regional webinars where manufacturers can learn more about the program will be hosted by CME to increase the volume and variety of registered Ontario Made products for consumers.
Consumers can easily find these made-in-Ontario goods in the new online, searchable directory at SupportOntarioMade.ca. This includes products that are made in local communities, participating retailers and company profiles.
News: October 26, 2020 - As early as October 26, 2020, the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) will be available to businesses that have been operating out of a non-business banking account.
To be eligible, businesses must have been operating as a business as of March 1, 2020, must successfully open a business account at a Canadian financial institution that is participating in CEBA, and meet the other existing CEBA eligibility criteria. The deadline to apply for CEBA is December 31, 2020.
To assess their eligibility for CEBA, applicants can use the pre-screening tool on the CEBA website. To apply for CEBA, businesses should contact their financial institution and provide the appropriate information and documentation. Applicants may contact the CEBA Call Centre at 1-888-324-4201 to receive a status update on a completed application between Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST
News: October 20, 2020 - Starting on October 26, small businesses can apply online through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for the next wave of Canada United Small Business Relief Fund grants. The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, which is managed by the OCC, is supporting Canadian businesses across different sectors and industries with grants of up to $5,000.
Applications are open to small businesses across sectors and industries in every part of the country that have between $150,000 and $3 million in annual sales; have up to 75 employees; are registered in Canada; and would use the grant to cover the costs of personal protective equipment, make physical modifications to their businesses to meet local health and safety requirements, and enhance their digital or e-commerce capabilities.
Canada United is a national fundraising campaign created by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) in collaboration with private sector partners and provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, including the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). The campaign has been rallying support from Canadians for local small businesses in every corner of the country.
News: October 16, 2020 - Effective Monday, October 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., York Region will join Ottawa, Peel and Toronto public health regions in a modified Stage 2. Measures under this modified Stage 2 include:
- Reducing limits for all social gatherings and organized public events to a maximum of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained. The two limits may not be combined for an indoor-outdoor event;
- Prohibiting indoor food and drink service in restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, including nightclubs and food court areas in malls;
- Closing of:
- Indoor gyms and fitness centres (i.e., exercise classes and weight and exercise rooms);
- Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments;
- Indoor cinemas, performing arts centres and venues, (except for rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted performance subject to conditions, including no spectators)
- Spectator areas in racing venues;
- Interactive exhibits or exhibits with high risk of personal contact in museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, etc.;
- Prohibiting personal care services where face coverings must be removed for the service (e.g. makeup application, beard trimming);
- Prohibiting real estate open houses (permitting in-person showing by appointments only)
- Reducing the capacity limits for:
- Tour and guide services to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
- In-person teaching and instruction (e.g. cooking class) to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, with certain exemptions, including for schools, universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, private career colleges, the Ontario Police College, etc.
- Meeting and event spaces to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors with limited exemptions, including for government operations and the delivery of government services; and
- Limiting team sports to training sessions (no games or scrimmages).
Schools, child care centres, and places of worship will remain open in these communities and must continue to follow the public health measures in place. Before-school and after-school programs will also continue to be exempt from these new restrictions and will remain open..
News: October 13, 2020 - To provide relief for local restaurants and other businesses impacted by the new public health measures, Ontario announced $300 million to help offset fixed costs, including property taxes, hydro and natural gas bills. The government is also supporting small business through its Main Street Recovery Plan by:
- Committing to permanently allow licensed restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order before the existing regulation expires;
- Permanently allowing 24/7 deliveries to restaurants;
- Supporting the distribution of local food and food products by increasing the range of products sold at the Ontario Food Terminal;
- Ending outdated and duplicative rules so businesses can focus on their work;
- Modernizing regulations to allow businesses to innovate and meet the challenges of today;
- Providing mental health supports to business owners and employees who are struggling;
- Providing $57 million with federal partners through the Digital Main Street program and creating new Digital Main Street squads to help small businesses grow online; and
- Launching a new portal to assist small businesses to quickly find the supports and information they need.
News: October 9, 2020 - The Government of Canada plans to introduce legislation to provide support that would help these businesses safely get through the second wave of the virus and the winter, cover costs so they can continue to serve their communities, and be positioned for a strong recovery, including:
- The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, which would provide simple and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19. The rent subsidy would be provided directly to tenants, while also providing support to property owners. The new rent subsidy would support businesses, charities, and non-profits that have suffered a revenue drop, by subsidizing a percentage of their expenses, on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 65 per cent of eligible expenses until December 19, 2020. Organizations would be able to make claims retroactively for the period that began September 27 and ends October 24, 2020.
- A top-up Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy of 25 per cent for organizations temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority, in addition to the 65 per cent subsidy. This follows a commitment in the Speech from the Throne to provide direct financial support to businesses temporarily shut down as a result of a local public health decision.
- The new rent subsidy would pick up where the previous program left off, delivering direct, targeted, and accessible rent support to qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19 without the need to work through their landlords. It would provide a subsidy for eligible fixed property expenses, including rent and interest on commercial mortgages. Program parameters announced today apply until December 19, 2020 with future parameters in 2021 to be adapted and targeted as needed.
- The extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until June 2021, which would continue to protect jobs by helping businesses keep employees on the payroll and encouraging employers to re-hire their workers. The subsidy would remain at the current subsidy rate of up to a maximum of 65 per cent of eligible wages until December 19, 2020. This measure is part of the government’s commitment to create over 1 million jobs and restore employment to the level it was before the pandemic.
- An expanded Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), which would enable businesses, and not-for-profits eligible for CEBA loans—and that continue to be seriously impacted by the pandemic—to access an interest-free loan of up to $20,000, in addition to the original CEBA loan of $40,000. Half of this additional financing would be forgivable if repaid by December 31, 2022. Additionally, the application deadline for CEBA is being extended to December 31, 2020. Further details, including the launch date and application process will be announced in the coming days. An attestation of the impact of COVID-19 on the business will be required to access the additional financing.
News: October 7, 2020 - Announcement of Ontario's Main Street Recovery Plan and to introduce the Main Street Recovery Act, 2020, proposed legislation that would support small businesses and modernize rules to allow them to innovate and meet the challenges of today. The plan includes:
- A one-time grant of up to $1,000 for eligible main street small businesses — in retail, food and accommodations, and other service sectors — with two to nine employees to help offset the unexpected costs of personal protective equipment (PPE);
- Ontario's Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network, which links 47 Small Business Enterprise Centres across the province as places where small businesses can access tailored advice and information on local, provincial and federal programs;
- Digital Main Street Squads to help small businesses grow online;
- Mental health supports for families, frontline workers, young people, children, and Indigenous communities;
- Ontario's Small Business Recovery Webpage to provide single window access to small business supports.
News: October 2, 2020 - The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, which helps support those who may not be eligible for other programs. Since the Fund was launched in May, over 12,000 businesses have been assisted through the RRRF, helping them keep their employees, cover costs, and protect almost 95,000 jobs across Canada. The RRRF has been a vital tool, supplementing the existing suite of federal relief measures to address the immediate needs of Canadians during the pandemic. Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) will deliver the RRRF in their regions.
News: October 1, 2020 - Minimum wage rates in Ontario increased on October 1, 2020. Under the Making Ontario Open for Business Act this increase is tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index for 2020. The increase to the general minimum wage is 25 cents, which brings the new rate to $14.25 an hour.
News: July 20, 2020 - The Ontario government is allowing seven more regions, including Markham, York Region, to enter Stage 3 on Friday, increasing the number of businesses and public spaces that will reopen across the province. York Region will be allowed to move into Stage 3 on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.
Mayor Frank Scarpitti reminds us (July 20) that Stage 3 means we can support more local businesses but we should not let our guard down.
News: July 13, 2020 - Nearly All Businesses and Public Spaces to Reopen in Stage 3. As part of the Stage 3 reopening, Ontario will be increasing gathering limits for those regions entering the next stage to the following:
- Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people;
- Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people;
- Gathering limits are subject to physical distancing requirements.
Important: York Region will remain in Stage 2, until further notice.
- Mayor's Statement: York Region mandates the use of masks in public indoor spaces
- York Region Mandatory Use of Face Masks and Coverings
News: July 9, 2020 — Effective Friday, July 17, 2020 as of 12:01 a.m., business owners and operators in York Region must have a policy in place to prohibit people from entering if they are not wearing a face mask or covering. Customers, employees and visitors who enter enclosed public spaces must wear a face mask or covering.
News: June 30, 2020 — The province's campaign asks for mayors, local leaders and groups to support our small businesses by committing on social media to "Shop Local, Shop Safe, Shop with Confidence," while highlighting the best practices put in place by businesses to help keep shoppers safe while ensuring that the reopening of Ontario continues to be a success. For example, the principles of the People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise encourage small businesses to strictly follow health guidelines and reopen with appropriate measures in place, so consumers can shop safely and with confidence, including:
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- Washing and sanitizing hands
- Maintaining physical distancing
- Staying home if unwell
- Practicing respiratory etiquette
- Cleaning and disinfecting regularly
News reminder: June 29, 2020 — Markham Patio Extension Program officially launches July 2. Bars, restaurants and retail businesses who have successfully applied to the Temporary Use Zoning Bylaw to Permit Extended Outdoor Patios and Outdoor Display and Sales Areas are expected to begin offering outdoor services to provide safe spaces for residents to dine and to #ShopLocal. Read the Announcement
- www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/06/more-small-businesses-can-soon-access-the-canada-emergency-business-account.html
- ceba-cuec.ca/
News: June 15, 2020 — The Government of Canada announced that as of Friday, June 19, 2020, applications will be accepted so that more small businesses can access the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). This means that owner-operated small businesses that had been ineligible for the program due to their lack of payroll, sole proprietors receiving business income directly, as well as family-owned corporations remunerating in the form of dividends rather than payroll will become eligible this week.
To qualify under the expanded eligibility rules, CEBA applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 will need:
- A business operating account at a participating financial institution;
- A Canada Revenue Agency business number;
- A 2018 or 2019 tax return; and
- Eligible non-deferrable expenses of between $40,000 and $1.5 million.
Eligible businesses will qualify for financing of up to $40,000, with 25 per cent of this being forgivable based on the current terms of CEBA loans. Businesses can contact their primary financial institution for more information or to apply directly for CEBA. More information on the expanded CEBA can be found on the program’s website.
- news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/06/more-people-can-get-back-to-work-as-additional-businesses-and-services-to-reopen-this-week.html
- news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/06/ontario-permits-more-businesses-and-services-to-reopen-in-the-coming-days.html
News: June 8 & 15, 2020 — More people will be able to get back to work as additional businesses and services in certain regions across Ontario (including York Region/Markham) can begin reopening and are allowed to move into Stage 2 on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.
Businesses and services permitted to reopen with proper health and safety measures in place in regions entering Stage 2 include:
- Outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties;
- Select personal and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons;
- Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for take-out and outdoor dining only;
- Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries;
- Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools;
- Beach access and additional camping at Ontario Parks;
- Camping at private campgrounds;
- Outdoor-only recreational facilities and training for outdoor team sports, with limits to enable physical distancing;
- Drive-in and drive-through venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations;
- Film and television production activities, with limits to enable physical distancing; and
- Weddings and funerals, with limits on social gatherings to 10 people.
- news.ontario.ca/medg/en/2020/06/ontario-and-canada-helping-small-businesses-go-digital.html
- digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario/
News: June 11, 2020 — The Ontario government, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is helping small businesses reach more customers through the Digital Main Street platform. It is a $57-million program which will help up to 22,900 Ontario businesses create and enhance their online presence and generate jobs for more than 1,400 students.
Through the $57-million contribution to the Digital Main Street platform, businesses will be able to take advantage of three new programs to support their digital transformation:
- shopHERE powered by Google will leverage Ontario's strengths by hiring highly skilled and trained students to build and support the launch of online stores for businesses that previously did not have the capacity to do so themselves. The core goal will be to help small businesses compete and grow, in a world that is increasingly online, and help them recover as quickly as possible following COVID-19.
- Digital Main Street Grant will help main street small businesses be digitally more effective. Through a $2,500 grant administered by the Ontario BIA Association, small businesses will be able to adopt new technologies and embrace digital marketing. Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) can apply for a Digital Service Squad grant, which will allow them to establish teams to provide personalized, one-on-one support.
- Future-Proofing Main Street will provide specialized and in-depth digital transformation services and support that helps existing main-street firms adapt to changes in their sector and thrive in the new economy. By leveraging teams of digital marketing professionals and talented students, these firms will be able to create new online business models, develop and implement digital and e-commerce marketing strategies, and maximize digital tools, platforms and content.
- www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2020/06/minister-ng-announces-government-partnership-with-private-sector-campaign-to-help-businesses-reopen-safely-amid-covid-19.html
- postpromise.com/en/
News: June 10, 2020 — The Government of Canada has partnered with the People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise program, an initiative launched by Canadian private sector organizations. The “POST Promise” is a voluntary commitment that business owners and managers can make by following five key public health actions that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Maintaining physical distance
- Washing and sanitizing hands
- Cleaning and disinfecting regularly
- Staying home if unwell and self-monitoring for symptoms
- Practising respiratory etiquette (including wearing a mask when physical distancing is difficult)
By displaying the “POST Promise” logo, participating businesses can reassure customers that they are doing their part to help protect Canadians’ health and safety.
- www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home/about/city-hall/mayor/news/markham-covid-19-mayor-statement
- digitalmainstreet.ca/shophere/
News: May 28, 2020 — Markham jumps into ShopHERE program in support of small businesses
Statement from Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti: The City of Markham is the first municipality to join a Canada-wide initiative. The ShopHERE Program, initiated by Digital Main Street (a program of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas) and the City of Toronto, is being expanded across the country.
ShopHERE will provide independent businesses and artists the opportunity to develop an online store, which will be built and launched with no fees charged to the business, with support from marketing and business students. The program will provide independent businesses and artists with:
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- Their choice of a template online store customized with their information, branding, logo, etc.
- Hands-on assistance setting up and launching their online store.
- Training and support for digital marketing, shipping and operating an online store.
- Access to free tools and online advertising credits to support the launch of their online store.
Digital Main Street and Google are extending the program to Canadian municipalities with a goal of building 50,000 online stores by the end of 2020.
News: May 25, 2020 — Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Consultation Opened on May 25, 2020 and will close to input on June 5, 2020. The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to support Canadians and protect jobs during the global COVID-19 outbreak. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), which was announced on April 1, 2020, helps employers protect jobs, rehire employees, and provide workers with a decent income. The subsidy covers 75 per cent of an employee’s wages (up to $847 per week) for employers who have been hard-hit by COVID-19.
This consultation will help inform potential changes to the CEWS to help maximize employment and best meet the needs of businesses and workers during these challenging times. The consultation seeks input on the eight questions intended to inform advice to the government on potential changes to the program (e.g., challenges, accessibility, seasonal businesses, interaction with CERB, etc.).
News: May 25, 2020 — Minister Ng announces hotline to provide small businesses in need with financial planning advice amid COVID-19. The Government of Canada will support the launch of a four-week hotline service called the Business Resilience Service. This service will help entrepreneurs and small business owners in need of financial planning advice, particularly those who may not have access to an accountant. The service will also be open to not-for-profit organizations and charities.
The hotline is a national, bilingual service operated by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. As of today, small business owners with pressing financial needs can call 1-866-989-1080 (toll-free) seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).
Business advisors—125 members of Chartered Professional Accountants Canada (CPA Canada)—will be available to provide customized financial guidance to the smallest business owners in the most urgent need and help them make the best decisions for their business as they navigate this crisis. Advisors can answer questions about tax regulations and the implications of COVID-19, inform business owners about government support programs that best fit their unique circumstances, and provide strategic financial planning for their road to recovery.
News: May 19 and 20, 2020 — CMHC announces that the CECRA application portal opens on May 25, 2020 for eligible property owners. To help you prepare, sample versions of the application documents are now available on their website. You can review them in order to have the required information on-hand when the application portal opens.
News: May 19, 2020 — Government of Canada announced an expansion to the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to include many owner-operated small businesses. To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 would need:
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- A business operating account at a participating financial institution
- A Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.
- Eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.
News: May 16, 2020 — the Government of Canada will provide $15 million in additional funding to support women entrepreneurs through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). This money will go directly to select organizations that are currently WES Ecosystem Fund recipients and will help women entrepreneurs through the COVID-19 pandemic.
News: May 15, 2020 — Finance Minister Bill Morneau today announced that the Government of Canada will extend the CEWS by an additional 12 weeks to August 29, 2020. Extending the program will give workers greater confidence that they will continue to get the support they need during these difficult times. These regulations extend eligibility for the CEWS to the following groups:
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- Partnerships that are up to 50-per-cent owned by non-eligible members;
- Indigenous government-owned corporations that are carrying on a business, as well as partnerships where the partners are Indigenous governments and eligible employers;
- Registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Associations;
- Registered Journalism Organizations; and
- Non-public colleges and schools, including institutions that offer specialized services, such as arts schools, driving schools, language schools or flight schools.
News: May 14, 2020 — CMHC has updated the CECRA for small businesses web page to include new details on the program. Added answers to questions that have been received concerning eligibility, role of property owner/landlord, mortgage requirements, and process. Visit the updated program page to get the latest details. It is anticipated that the application process will open in the second half of May.
News: May 14, 2020 — In order to help businesses open safely, the Government of Ontario has developed an online resource called the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory to help Ontario businesses identify suppliers for personal protective equipment (PPE) that will support employees’ safe return to work.
News: May 14, 2020 — Ontario Announces Additional Workplaces that Can Reopen
- www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2020/05/covid-19-962-million-additional-support-fund-now-available-to-businesses-and-communities-affected-by-the-pandemic.html
- www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_02581.html
News: May 13, 2020 — Government of Canada - The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) provides $213 million in support to southern Ontario SMEs that do not qualify for, or have been declined for, current Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures. The RRRF provides financial contributions (interest-free loans) to help support fixed operating costs of SMEs, where business revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/05/ontario-retail-stores-open-for-curbside-pickup-and-delivery.html
- news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/05/ontario-further-eases-restrictions-on-retail-stores-and-essential-construction-during-covid-19.html
News: May 6 & 11, 2020 — Ontario Further Eases Restrictions on Retail Stores and Essential Construction During COVID-19. The Ontario government is allowing all retail stores with a street entrance to provide curbside pickup and delivery, as well as in-store payment and purchases at garden centres, nurseries, hardware stores and safety supply stores.
News: May 1, 2020 — Certain Businesses Allowed to Reopen Under Strict Safety Guidelines — Steady Decrease in COVID-19 Cases Required Before Beginning Next Stage of Reopening. By following the proper health and safety guidelines these businesses will be permitted to begin operations on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m.:
- Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only;
- Lawn care and landscaping;
- Additional essential construction projects that include:
- shipping and logistics;
- broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure;
- any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services;
- municipal projects;
- colleges and universities;
- child care centres;
- schools; and
- site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development;
- Automatic and self-serve car washes;
- Auto dealerships, open by appointment only;
- Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public; and
- Marinas may also begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. Boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.
- news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/ontario-providing-employers-with-workplace-safety-guidelines.html
- news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/health-and-safety-association-guidance-documents-for-workplaces-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.html
News: April 30, 2020 — The Ontario government is ensuring employers have the safety guidelines they need to protect workers, customers, and the general public from COVID-19 as it prepares for a gradual reopening of the provincial economy. The 61 sector-specific guidelines are available from Ontario’s health and safety associations.
News: April 29, 2020 – In a Canadian first, IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the City of Markham – Canada’s high-tech capital – are using the artificial intelligence-driven virtual agent “IBM Watson Assistant for Citizens” to offer 24-hour customer service for residents looking for COVID-19 information. The solution will use AI and machine learning to enable the City of Markham to deliver reliable, consistent and accurate information conveniently to residents via online text chat and voice calls – anywhere, anytime.
- news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/ontario-helping-businesses-overcome-the-unique-challenges-created-by-covid-19.html
- www.ontario.ca/page/frontline-business-help-us-support-you-during-covid-19
News: April 28, 2020 — The Ontario government is launching the COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers website to help businesses overcome the unique challenges created by the global pandemic. Businesses working to retool their operations to produce health-related products, or those that want to continue their operations in this new environment of physical distancing, can submit any potential roadblocks to the website. The province is prepared to allow temporary changes to provincial rules and regulations in order to remove any barriers that are hindering business and negatively impacting Ontario's supply chain.
- pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/04/24/prime-minister-announces-partnerships-provinces-and-territories
- news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/ontario-provides-urgent-relief-for-small-businesses-and-landlords.html
News: April 24, 2020 - Prime Minister announces partnerships with provinces and territories to deliver the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA / OCECRA) for small businesses
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- This program will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.
- The program will provide forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50 per cent of three monthly rent payments that are payable by eligible small business tenants who are experiencing financial hardship during April, May, and June.
- The loans will be forgiven if the mortgaged property owner agrees to reduce the eligible small business tenants’ rent by at least 75 per cent for the three corresponding months under a rent forgiveness agreement, which will include a term not to evict the tenant while the agreement is in place. The small business tenant would cover the remainder, up to 25 per cent of the rent.
- Impacted small business tenants are businesses paying less than $50,000 per month in rent and who have temporarily ceased operations or have experienced at least a 70 per cent drop in pre-COVID-19 revenues. This support will also be available to non-profit and charitable organizations.
OCECRA program details about how the program works, timelines, eligibility requirements, exclusions.
News: April, 24, 2020 - The Agri-Food Open for E-Business initiative will help food producers, farmers markets, retailers, garden centres, greenhouses, nurseries, and agricultural associations develop online business, providing consumers with greater access to a wide variety of food and agriculture products.
This targeted application intake features two funding streams:
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- Bring Your Business Online. Eligible organizations and businesses can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to establish an online e-business and marketing presence. Funding under this stream will be quick and responsive for those needing immediate solutions.
- Develop Online Business Opportunities. Eligible organizations, businesses and collaborations can apply for cost-share funding of up to $75,000 to implement high-impact projects.
- More information about this targeted intake and the program guidelines can be found online at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/index.htm or by calling: 1-877-424-1300.
News: Apr 16, 2020 — The Government of Canada is:
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- Expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to businesses that paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. This new range will replace the previous one of between $50,000 and $1 million, and will help address the challenges faced by small businesses to cover non-deferrable operating costs.
- Announcing its intent to introduce the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. The program will seek to provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who in turn will lower or forgo the rent of small businesses for the months of April (retroactive), May, and June.
News: Apr 14, 2020 — Ontario Extends Declaration of Emergency to Continue the Fight Against COVID-19 — the Declaration of Emergency has been extended until May 12 (including the closure of all non-essential workplaces).
10 Ways to Market Your Business
10 great ways to market your business, including: networking, maintaining a database, newsletters, brochures, flyers, presentations, etc.
Business insurance is a key part of business planning, you need to know how much you need; coverage for life events, property, workers, and liability; where to buy; choosing an advisor; and considering group insurance.
A business plan is not just for obtaining financing, there are other benefits to planning. Be prepared to discuss the industry, your services/products, management, marketing, equipment, operations, financial projections and risks.
Entrepreneurship Myths Mask the Truth
To help you decide whether or not entrepreneurship is your next career move, it’s important to challenge some common myths.
Sanning Cheng of BDO Dunwoody LLP, Chartered Accountants and Advisors
Learn when to hire employees; how to find and pick the best candidate; how much to pay employees; and other tips for employers.
What is good debt vs. bad debt. How to effectively borrow money and leverage debt. Using debt as an effective financial tool.
It is never too early to think about retirement and succession plans. Think about passing the business on to the next generation, or selling the business as exit strategies.
Plan for retirement as a business owner or self-employed individual. Learn about RRSPs, reducing tax rate, individual pension plans, insured retirement plan, and savings.
Support Markham Business
This Holiday Season, the team at Destination Markham would like to feature your restaurant or retail store on their brand new website, and throughout the Local Love holiday campaign. Please fill out the form to have your business included on the Visit Markham website, launched on December 10, 2020.
The Markham Board of Trade has set up this website to make it easy for you to find what's open and where you can buy locally. If you are a business and are open, promote your business hours, promos & more on their new website! Search for restaurants, retail and other service providers that are open.
Markham Public Library's SHOP LOCAL virtual market/shop directory page was setup to help encourage residents to shop local this holiday.
The City of Markham is proud to announce an exciting partnership with SkipTheDishes to help local restaurants weather the second wave of COVID-19 during the holiday season. From December 2, 2020 to January 2, 2021, restaurants that join SkipTheDishes will pay 0% commission for the first 30 days.
In addition, as a way to stimulate consumer demand and generate more orders for local Markham restaurants, SkipTheDishes is offering Markham diners free delivery on every order over $20 that is placed through the app during this one-month promotional period.
New restaurant partners should visit restaurants.skipthedishes.com/application to apply to join the network, and SkipTheDishes will reach out to contact every restaurant partner that applies.
Existing restaurant partners will benefit from this holiday promotion. For existing restaurant partners, pre-holiday promotion delivery fees will come back into effect for Markham customers on January 3, 2021.
The City of Markham is collaborating with Ritual and DoorDash to provide locally owned and operated small businesses with an easy way to conduct online sales through their own websites and social media, and to enable contactless ordering at brick-and-mortar stores.
With COVID-19 remaining a threat to both the economy and public health, the Open for Business program will help the community support local, while keeping everyone safe as the holiday season approaches.
Markham businesses can sign up for the Open for Business program and use Ritual ONE – the commission-free digital ordering platform – to receive:
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- Waived set-up fees (normally $99/location)
- Waived processing fees for 2020 (normally 2.8% + $0.15/transaction)
- Waived subscription fees for 2020 (normally $49/month/location)
- Use of DoorDash Drive for flat fee delivery of Ritual ONE orders
Businesses that use DoorDash Drive to make at least one Ritual ONE delivery by December 31, 2020 will have their Ritual ONE subscription fees waived through 2021.
How we can all rally to help Markham's small businesses
Don't have time to attend all the great business webinars being hosted right now? Here are some of the top quick tips we've been hearing about, and what they mean for us and our local Markham small businesses:
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What can we do? |
What it means for small businesses |
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Buy a gift card / gift certificate from a local Markham business for yourself or a loved one |
The immediate cash flow can be extremely helpful so make sure you have a way to issue and track redemptions |
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Order by phone or online for delivery / take-out /curb side pick-up |
Consider offering curb side pick-up and online pre-payment to limit physical contact; in fact, Public Health restrictions may only allow sales by an alternative method such as curb side pick-up or delivery |
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Leave positive reviews. Comment and share your support for local Markham businesses on their social media channels |
Thank your clients and work on building / strengthening a loyal customer base. Actively engage in genuine conversations on social media. Let clients know what to expect during this disruption and that you are actively taking pre-bookings, or offering virtual solutions. |
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Attend a virtual/online session |
Research virtual meeting tools and adapt your service delivery to an online / virtual platform |
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Don't cancel - ask to reschedule |
Make sure to communicate alternatives to refunds, like offering credit / gift certificates for future redemption. For non-profit, charitable organizations: offer another alternative option of getting a donation receipt for the value of their reservation / ticket instead of a refund |
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Book / reserve now for future service - this is a great way to show your support, even if you don't have the spending money right now |
Even though you don't get immediate cash flow from this, keep track of these commitments and communicate these to your landlord and bank as supporting info of future demand for your services |
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Landlords - talk to your business tenants and give them the option to have you opt-in to mortgage deferral and tax deferral programs so you can pass on the savings to reduce their regular monthly rent payments for a temporary period. |
Talk to your landlord about your financial situation and try to work out an arrangement that works for both parties. Available deferral programs could reduce your regular monthly rent payments significantly for a temporary period: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) |
Every year, the Markham Small Business Centre is proud to help develop, and celebrate, the entrepreneurial achievements of Markham's Youth. A number of funding programs are available for Markham's High School, College and University students.
Expressions of interest are now being accepted and the deadline for submitting a completed Business Plan/Growth Plan/Pivot Plan and Budget is Monday March 1, 2021.
- A for-profit business located in the municipal boundaries of Markham
- Not employed full time elsewhere
- Not in a full-time education program and/or not planning to return to school full-time in the next 3 years
- Not currently receiving funding from another Provincial entrepreneurship or business program
- Not a previous recipient of the Starter Company (Plus) grant nor Small Business Recovery and Digital Resilience Program grant
- Not a commission-based business nor franchise business
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Ontario.
- Create and follow a business plan/growth plan/pivot plan and a 2-year financial forecast/budget
- Agree to participate in training and monthly mentoring meetings over a 3-month period
- Agree to provide business reports to the Markham Small Business Centre for verification over a 3-month period.
- Your business may be a fit with the Starter Company Plus program.
1. Open to all applicants: Training, Education and assistance with preparation of an updated Business Plan/growth plan/pivot plan and Budget
2. For selected applicants chosen to proceed to Phase 2: Receive grant funding and begin 3-month mentoring period
Take an Expression of Interest Survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StarterCompanyPlus
Note: This expression of interest is not a complete application. In order to complete an application you must submit a substantially completed business plan/growth plan/pivot plan including a budget to msbc@markham.ca. Our program coordinator will help you get started by recommending training sessions and working with you to complete these documents.
You can find the Business Plan/Growth Plan/Pivot Plan and Financial Forecast/Budget Templates here:
https://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home/business/msbc/business-plan-templates/business-plan-templates
Important:Although training, education and assistance with a business plan/growth plan/pivot plan and cash flow projections/budget are provided to all applicants; selection for grant funding is competitive and there are limited spaces available. Preference to be selected for grant funding assistance will be given to those applicants whose proposals demonstrate realistic plans for:
- Employment for individuals other than the business owner; and/or,
- Operating or opening a brick-and-mortar physical location outside of a home office; and/or,
- Expansion towards new lines of product/service revenue (particularly online/virtual); and/or,
- Operating in a priority sector (e.g., food, beverage, main street retail, accommodation, arts, entertainment & recreation, sports, cultural, travel and attractions, professional, scientific, technical, medical, life sciences services or technologies that are market ready with demonstrated traction)
The deadline for submitting a completed business plan/growth plan/pivot plan and cash flow projections/budget is Monday March 1, 2021. Interviews will then be conducted and those who are selected to receive a grant will then begin three months of mentoring, starting in April as they work towards executing their business plan/growth plan/pivot plan. This is the first of a number of cohorts, so if your application is not selected for this cohort, there is the possibility that your application could be deferred for consideration in a subsequent cohort (pending funding availability).
Intake for the Markham Small Business Recovery and Digital Resilience Program closed on December 7, 2020.
The Markham Small Business Recovery and Digital Resilience Program was a training, education and business advisory program designed to help Markham-based, brick-and-mortar, small businesses shift their business practices and build resilience towards sustainable recovery. With emphasis on digital strategies and enhanced virtual/online presence. In addition, for selected participants, there was an opportunity to be selected for a grant of up to $5,000.00 to assist with implementation related expenses.
The Starter Company Plus Program (which was temporarily put on hold to make the Small Business Recovery and Digital Resilience Program possible) has re-opened for intake. Guidelines and eligibility information are posted in the separate section labelled “Starter Company Plus Program”.
- Markham Public Library's Business Page Markham Public Library offers a number of helpful resources for businesses, particularly for those that are in the early stages of ideation, or looking for resources to enable them to grow faster, and build resilience. This page highlights numerous upcoming events, helpful blogs for business owners, along with resources that Markham Public Library subscribes to.
- Statistics and Demographics
Markham is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Ontario. It’s home to over 310,000 people and covers 212 square kilometres of land. More than 400 companies are headquartered in Markham. - Markham Online Business Directory
This is Markham's official online directory service. With over 12,000 listings, this is the region's largest directory of organizations, businesses, schools, tourist attractions, churches, agencies, and government offices. - BizPaL - Business Permits & Licences
BizPaL is a free online service. It helps you get the permits and licences you need to open or expand your business. - Ontario Business Program Guide
Your resource for Ontario government programs for small and medium-sized businesses. - Government Grants, Loans and Financing
Find government grants, loans, and other ways to finance your business. Be sure to select the purpose of financing (to start up, hire employees, develop a new product, etc.), and select "Ontario" as your location. - Your Guide to Small Business
This guide was made by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. It will help you find the tools you need to start a small business. - Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Business
This guide was made by Canada Business Ontario (CBO). It has information on federal and provincial government programs, services, and regulations. - Canada Business Ontario
A one-stop-shop for information on federal and provincial government programs, services, and regulations. - Business Planning Resources
Find business plan writing guides, templates, and samples. - Perfect Your Business Plan
This Royal Bank guide helps you develop and improve your business plan. - Business Planning, Business Development Bank of Canada
Your business plan is the most important document you will prepare. Learn how to make it strong! - Business Plan Guide, Canadian Youth Business Foundation
A business plan is a business development map. It shows your destination and maps out your travel path. Learn how to create it! - Service Ontario
Visit this website to register your business. - Small Business Tax Guide
Learn about taxes for small businesses. - Tax and Reporting Information for New Businesses
Learn about taxes and how to report them from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). - Canada Revenue Agency
Find tax information and file income tax returns electronically. You can also register your business here. - Small Business Financing
Learn about the different types of financing that are available to you. - Conducting Business on The Internet
If you have an export permit to sell your goods overseas, you also need one to sell over the Internet. - Strategies
Get business information, tools, and support for your small business. - Markham Home Occupations By-Law
Learn how to run a home business in Markham. - Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Learn about intellectual property in Canada from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). - E-Laws
Access the consolidated laws of Ontario. - Government Of Canada Online
Access all federal government departments and agencies.
Our sponsors make it possible for us to help small businesses in Markham. Learn more about these important organizations below.
Founding Partners:
Gold Sponsors:
Founding Sponsors:
Community Partners:
