Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand said today that global pharmaceutical giant Pfizer will temporarily reduce shipments of its vaccine to Canada, further complicating the slow rollout of doses. The Ontario government has opened applications for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. Toronto Public Health (TPH), in partnership with the Province of Ontario, is announcing the expansion of the case and contact management component of the City’s COVID-19 response.
On January 6, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, issued an Interim Order formalizing new COVID-19 testing requirements for all air travellers coming to Canada, and provided additional guidance to airline operators and the travelling public regarding the new pre-departure testing requirement that was announced on December 31. The Ontario government is also launching a new innovative, voluntary and free border testing pilot program at Toronto Pearson International Airport for eligible international travellers returning to Ontario to help quickly identify and stop the spread of COVID-19 in the province.
WHAT TO KNOW Global COVID-19 cases have reached 71,502,915 up from 69,281,963 at 3:30 p.m. on December 11, 2020. Canada now reports 488,638 cases, up from 442,069 cases of COVID-19 on December 11. Ontario reports […]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government will be covering the cost of COVID-19 vaccines for Canadians., and the Ontario government has developed a three-phase implementation plan to receive, store and administer COVID-19 vaccines to Ontarians as soon as they are received.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, announced the expansion of the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA). The Ontario government is investing $20 million to help small businesses jointly sponsor and train apprentices through the new Group Sponsorship Grant program, increasing the number of people training and working in the skilled trades. Toronto Public Health updated their COVID-19 school screening tool to further prevent opportunities for virus spread. The updated screening tool includes a new requirement that if a student has even one COVID-19 symptom, they must stay home, self-isolate and get tested; and if they live with siblings in the same household, they must all self-isolate.
The federal government announced $6.5 million funding over 16 months for Peel Public Health to establish a safe, voluntary isolation site. The Ontario government is providing $13.6 million to enable school boards to hire more teachers and staff in regions recently moved to the Red-Control level and providing stabilization funding for school boards, if needed. The City of Toronto will re-open registration for CurbTO temporary parking pick-up zones to help support main street businesses.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that Canada’s future hangs in the balance if people don’t reduce their contacts to rein in the spread of COVID-19. The province of Ontario is moving certain public health unit regions to new levels in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, which includes moving Toronto and Peel into Lockdown.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announced the details of an investment of $1.5 billion in the Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs) with provinces and territories. The Ontario government is taking immediate action to respond to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and is updating the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, by lowering the thresholds for each level in the framework. Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health announced a number of public health measures to be introduced when the City of Toronto is moved by the Province of Ontario into the provincial COVID-19 response framework on November 14.
The Government of Canada announced that it is providing over $155 million to extend the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program’s Innovation Assistance Program (IRAP IAP). Earlier this week the province announced its plans to move Ontario’s public health unit regions to the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. Mayor John Tory announced that, this year, Remembrance Day commemorations will be held virtually in keeping with public health advice against in-person gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal government announced a $2.5 million investment in a study that will help us better understand the rate of COVID-19 infection among international travelers. The Ontario government is providing municipalities with $500 million through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), and following this week’s announcement from Ottawa that Toronto will receive $203.3 million through the Rapid Housing Initiative, City Council directed staff to take the next steps to plan and implement the work needed to move forward.
The federal government announced an investment of up to $173 million through the Strategic Innovation Fund to support Canada’s response to COVID-19 and future preparedness. The Ontario government announce it is introducing a package of legislative and policy measures that would, if passed, accelerate the building of key infrastructure projects to create jobs and lay the foundation for a strong economic recovery.
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the launch of two challenges through the Innovative Solutions Canada program to make PPE more compostable and recyclable. The Ontario government is introducing additional health measures for York Region, and Toronto is extending its partnership with Ritual to help local businesses across Toronto increase their commission-free online sales.
The federal government announced targeted aid for businesses hit by closures as a second wave of COVID-19 hits parts of the country. The province announced that Ontario is imposing stricter measures in three major areas including Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa. Effective Tuesday, October 13, the City of Toronto will be temporarily closing certain recreation programs and services.
Today, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced that the Government will refresh the Canada Brand platform to ensure industry and partners have access to new graphics and tools optimized for today’s digital platforms. Ontario is introducing a number of stricter public health measures, as the province reports record-high numbers of new COVID-19 cases, and Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, recommended stronger measures to reduce the further spread of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an agreement with AstraZeneca to procure up to 20 million doses of its COVID‑19 vaccine candidate. The Ontario government announced it will invest $1.9 million to help more than 2,000 students, underemployed adults, Indigenous community members and other Northern Ontario workers learn the skills they need to find new, better jobs.
The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, participated virtually in the G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting. The Ontario government announced that pharmacies will begin offering COVID-19 tests to people who aren’t experiencing symptoms of the virus as part of its fall preparedness plan. To slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Toronto extended the cancellation of City-led and City-permitted outdoor major events to December 31.
Today, the Government of Canada announced an investment in funding through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s (SSHRC) Partnership Engage Grants, and Premier Doug Ford pressed the federal government to lay out a plan to fund provincial priorities.
The federal government confirmed that Canada and the U.S. have agreed to extend the temporary restriction of all non-essential travel across the Canada-U.S. border, and Premier Doug Ford joined his fellow Premiers to press the federal government on critical priorities for their respective provinces.
Today, the Government of Canada, announced an investment in nine small businesses across Canada that are using innovative solutions to tackle climate change, support well-paying jobs and create a more sustainable future. The Ontario government announced it will lower the limits on social gatherings, and the City of Toronto issued its COVID-19 Housing and Homelessness Recovery Response Plan.
On September 11, the Government of Canada and Mayor John Tory announced $13.9 million in funding over 12 months for Toronto Public Health to establish a voluntary self-isolation centre. The centre, located in Toronto, will have approximately 140 rooms to provide a safe venue for voluntary self-isolation.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, announced an investment of $11.5 million in mental health funding for organizations across the country to promote mental health and wellbeing in our communities, and to tackle systemic challenges and barriers, including those faced by Black Canadians.
Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, and the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, the Honourable Mary Ng, announced that Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses will be extended by one month to help eligible small businesses pay rent for September.
Today, the Canadian government announced several initial projects funded under the $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund. The Emergency Processing Fund is focused on projects to help companies respond to the urgent health and safety needs of workers in agri-food sectors impacted by COVID-19, with an emphasis on supporting meat processing facilities.
On August 31, Mayor John Tory, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, City Manager Chris Murray and City Councillor and Chair of Toronto Board of Health Joe Cressy, presented the City’s COVID-19 Resurgence Plan, which outlines priorities and associated actions that the City will implement in the event of a resurgence of COVID-19.
The Ontario Government is investing $43 million in expanded youth training programs to give young people exposure to more employment options. The programs will help increase awareness and encourage youth to acquire the skills that will start them down the path to lifelong success while supporting Ontario’s economic recovery and future prosperity.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced up to $2 billion in support for provinces and territories through the Safe Return to Class Fund. This will provide the complementary funding they need, as they work alongside local school boards to ensure the safety of students and staff members throughout the school year.
To help support workers and provide certainty for employers, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, announced that the government proposes to extend the current treatment of furloughed employees under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program by 4 weeks – from August 30 to September 26.
WHAT TO KNOW Global COVID-19 cases have reached 22,704,949, up from 21,896,155 at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Canada now reports 123,873 cases, up from 123,154 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. Ontario reports 41,179 cases, up […]
Today, Mayor John Tory announced another expansion of the Digital Main Street program, as two new funding partners have joined the program and additional initiatives have been launched that will focus on helping businesses in Toronto and across Ontario embrace technology in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, announced that the Canada Revenue Agency has opened applications for Period 5 – the first period of the enhanced CEWS program.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, announced Canada’s Flight Plan for Navigating COVID-19 (Canada’s Flight Plan), which is the foundation for Canada’s current and future efforts to reduce the public health risks of COVID-19 while travelling by aircraft.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced an additional $305 million to support Indigenous Peoples during the COVID-19 pandemic, through the Indigenous Community Support Fund.
Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, announced that effective August 9, 2020, a minimum unemployment rate of 13.1% will be applied temporarily for all EI economic regions across Canada.
On August 5, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced new steps to help provinces and territories deal with the pressures brought on by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.
On July 31, the Ontario Government, in partnership with the federal government, extended the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses by one month to help eligible small businesses pay rent for August.
Today, the Government of Canada announced that the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) will be extended by one month to help eligible small businesses pay rent for August.
On July 27, Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures, received Royal Assent, ensuring that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will continue to protect jobs by helping businesses keep employees on the payroll and encouraging employers to re-hire workers previously laid off.
Today, the Government of Canada provided more details on additional funding to support health priorities and address Canadians’ immediate needs. The Government of Canada will provide $4.28 billion to further expand testing and contact tracing capacity, and the associated data management and information sharing systems.
On July 23, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced that up to $2 billion in federal funding will be made available to cities and towns across Canada. The funding will support front line workers and critical municipal services as we keep people safe during the economic restart.
To provide support for Canadian workers, businesses and persons with disabilities, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures, on July 20.
Today, The Government of Canada pledged to invest over $361,000 in eight new projects in Ontario communities through the Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP).
Today, the Government of Canada announced proposed changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) that would broaden the reach of the program and provide better-targeted support so that more workers can return to their jobs quickly as the economy restarts.
Following a conversation between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Donald Trump on Monday, the Government of Canada announced another 30-day extension of the Canada-U.S. border closure taking it into August.
This morning Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will be extended until December.
On July 9, the Government of Canada announced a $4.5-million Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) investment in three not-for-profit organizations to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and organizations across southern Ontario.
Today, the Government of Canada presented an economic and fiscal snapshot following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is temporarily reducing service hours at additional land, air, and marine ports of entry (POE) in addition to deferring seasonal opening hours at select POEs.
On June 30, the Government of Canada announced that the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) will be extended by one month to cover eligible small business rents for July.
Today, the GST/HST and customs duty payment deferral program has officially ended. The program was announced in March by the government of Canada to defer all Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) payments, as well as customs duty payments owed for imports to support Canadians and businesses facing challenges as a result of the COVID-19.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the launch of the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG), which will support post-secondary students and recent graduates as they volunteer to serve in their communities’ COVID-19 response and gain valuable experience at the same time.
Yesterday, Minister of Labour Filomena Tassi announced changes to extend time periods for temporary layoffs to allow employers more time to recall laid-off employees.
Responding to a letter by CEOs in the travel, tourism and related industries calling for Canada to begin in a “measured” way to reopen the country to tourism, Prime Minister Trudeau said Canadian’s health and safety will continue to be the priority.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the upcoming launch of a new nation-wide mobile app to provide notifications of exposure to COVID-19 across Canada, with beta testing to begin in Ontario.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that the government is extending the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) by eight weeks, to ensure Canadians have the help they need as they transition back to work.
Minister of Finance Bill Morneau 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).
Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced temperature screenings for all passengers travelling to Canada, or travellers departing Canadian airports for either international or domestic destinations will be required.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced that the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA), the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), Communitech, Invest Ottawa and the Toronto Region Board of Trade will receive a combined $50 million Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) investment through FedDev Ontario.
Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Mary Ng, announced that the Government of Canada has partnered with the People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise program, an initiative launched by Canadian private sector organizations to help businesses across the country reopen safely.
Today, the Government of Canada launched a new web hub to bring together available resources for organizations buying and selling personal protective equipment (PPE).
Canada Border Services Agency announced that as of June 8, 2020 23:59 EDT, foreign nationals who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, will be exempt from the prohibition on entry to Canada if entering to be with an immediate family member.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland held their twelfth weekly call with Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers to discuss their shared response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ontario government has appointed Dr. Jane Philpott as the special advisor to support the design and implementation of the new Ontario Health Data Platform (formerly known as PANTHR).
The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, announced he is expanding the requirements for the use of face coverings by workers and others involved in the transportation system, to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains announced the names of nine business leaders who will join Monique Leroux on the new and recently announced Industry Strategy Council.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced that funding delivered through the federal Gas Tax Fund will be accelerated this year to help communities as quickly as possible while respecting public health guidelines.
To provide temporary relief to sponsors of federally regulated, defined benefit pension plans, on April 15, 2020 the government announced a moratorium on solvency special payments.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, and the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, will convene world leaders and international organizations today in a joint initiative to sharpen and accelerate the global response to COVID-19.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, has authorized changes for a more flexible process for clinical trials related to COVID-19, without compromising the safety of participants or the reliability of trials’ findings.
The Department of National Defence announced the first of a series of calls for innovations aimed at addressing some of the key challenges Canada is facing.
Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Mary Ng announced that the Government of Canada will support the launch of a four-week hotline service called the Business Resilience Service.
Minister of Digital Government Joyce Murray announced a web-based benefits finder tool, “Find financial help during COVID-19” to help residents determine which government benefits programs best meet their needs.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced $75 million in new funding for Indigenous organizations providing services to Indigenous peoples in urban centres and off reserve.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced that application documents and updated criteria for Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses are now available, and that the program will be opened for applications beginning on May 25.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced an expansion to the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to include many owner-operated small businesses.
The Federal Government will extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) to August 29th and Ontario continues to see decline in new COVID-19 cases.
Prime Minister Trudeau encourages Canadians to “Buy Canadian” to support local businesses, while the Ontario government allows more businesses to reopen starting May 19th.
The federal government is helping businesses recover from COVID-19 and Ontario is under an emergency order to better manage a long-term care home struggling with the pandemic.
The federal government announces a temporary policy that will reduce the time it takes for foreign workers to start a new job, while the Ontario government extends the Declaration of Emergency to June 2.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced new business support measures for large and medium-sized businesses, while more people return to work across the province of Ontario.
The federal government announced that the emergency wage-subsidy program will extend past June, while the province of Ontario continues to prepare for reopening.
Canada’s provinces & territories are planning to cost share wage top-ups for essential workers and Ontario is preparing to help hospitals resume regular schedules.
All Canadian businesses have been warned against releasing misleading COVID-19 information about their products and services, and the Ontario government has relaxed restrictions for retail stores.
In Canada, new programs were announced to support agriculture businesses, while the Ontario government has committed to expanding virtual mental health services to help Ontarians.
Today, Canada joined other countries to launch the Coronavirus Global Response and Ontario has significantly increased testing and contact tracing capacity.
The Prime Minister and premiers are in discussions about restating the economy and the Ontario government is officially allowing certain businesses to reopen that comply with new safety guidelines.
The House of Commons passed the government’s $9-billion student supports package and the Ontario government released new safety guidelines to help fight COVID-19.
Yesterday, all three levels of government released common principals for restarting the Canadian economy. Today, the Ontario government announced it will be provide more essential workers with access to free emergency childcare.
The federal government released information on anticipated new COVID-19 cases and deaths, while the Ontario government launched a new website to help businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy officially began accepting applicants and the Ontario government released a framework outlining the criteria health experts will use to advise the government moving forward.
The federal government has reduced commercial rent by 75 per cent for small businesses and Premier Ford shared more information on how the program will work in Ontario.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced $1.1 billion of additional funding for a national COVID-19 research strategy and the Provincial government extended all orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until May 6.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced $9 billion in financial aid for post-secondary students and Premier Doug Ford confirmed Ontario will not reopen before May 24, 2020.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford announce new funding programs to support Canadian community groups and charities, and Ontario’s most vulnerable citizens.
The provincial government released updated COVID-19 modelling today, which shows the measures businesses and residents have taken to slow the spread of the disease are working.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced new measures to help specific regions and economic sectors, while the Ontario government is enabling auto insurance companies to offer temporary insurance premium rebates.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced new measures for Canadian business this morning and Ontario has added more than 2,500 acute and critical care beds to hospitals.
Prime Minister Trudeau announced changes to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Ontario government has developed a plan to protect long-term care residents from COVID-19.
Ontario redeploys health care workers to support long-term care homes while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Toronto Mayor John Tory reassess timelines to reopen businesses.
The federal government passes $73-billion wage subsidy program, Ontario plans to extend the state of emergency and Toronto makes moves to open two additional child care centres for kids of essential workers.
The Prime Minister details the Canada Emergency Business Account, Ontario extends its emergency orders and the City of Toronto discusses enforcement.
Federal health officials release COVID-19 modelling, Ontario ups its testing capacity and Canada Post announces changes to postal service.
Air Canada brings 16,000 workers back on payroll, Ontario extends construction hours and changes are made to the federal Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
The Prime Minister and Ontario Premier both describe how Canadian companies are supporting the manufacturing and shipment of crucial supplies.
The Prime Minister announced the government is looking to ensure individuals not covered by the federal COVID-19 benefit will receive assistance and the Ontario government announced an emergency order that will allow police, firefighters and paramedics to obtain COVID-19 positive status information about individuals with whom they are coming into contact, and more.
What to Know With further acceleration in the number of cases of COVID-19 in the United States and Spain, there are now 1,076,017 cases globally. Canada’s cases have grown to 12,360. Ontario now reports 3,255 […]
Prime Minister Trudeau announces that the federal government will release COVID-19 projections in the coming days and weeks, while Premier Ford announces the provincial government will release its projections tomorrow along with additional emergency funding for online and virtual mental health supports, and more.
Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau and cabinet colleagues announce further details about the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Ontario launches a new $50-million fund to help businesses retool their operations to manufacture essential supplies in the fight against COVID-19, and more.
The federal government announces $2-billion to procure more ventilators, tests and protective equipment for front-line workers, Finance Minister Bill Morneau schedules a press conference for tomorrow to announce further details about the federal wage subsidy program, Ontario government extends school and childcare closures, and more.
Prime Minister Trudeau provides more details about the federal wage subsidy program, the provincial government extends the state of emergency, and more.
A statement on the Government of Canada’s announcement of additional relief for businesses from Jan De Silva, President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
Prime Minister Trudeau announces the federal wage subsidy program for businesses, the Bank of Canada cuts its benchmark interest rate to a record low, and more.
The federal government’s Emergency Response Benefit program passes the House and Senate, delivering $52-billion of financial aid and $55-billion in tax deferrals to Canadians and businesses. Applications to open in April.
A statement on the Government of Ontario’s fiscal update from Jan De Silva, President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
The federal government invokes the Quarantine Act to mandate that all travellers returning to Canada must self-isolate for 14 days, the provincial government provides its Fiscal Update, and more.
The Toronto Region Board of Trade makes policy recommendations to respond to the crisis based on our outreach to the business community, the provincial emergency order to close all non-essential businesses goes into effect, and more.
The federal government announces a major investment to fund treatments and a vaccine for COVID-19 more quickly, Premier Doug Ford announces the mandatory closure of non-essential businesses in Ontario, and more.
The federal government announces a plan to mobilize industry and massively scale up production of needed medical equipment, amendments to mortgage insurance eligibility criteria, and more.
The Prime Minister says Canada and the United States are finalizing details of an impending border closure, Queen’s Park holds an emergency session to pass emergency legislation, and more.
