OSA knows that at this time of great uncertainty you need as much up-to-date information as possible as it pertains to your business. We have been in constant contact with municipal and provincial agencies to ensure that your concerns are made known to representatives and to share with you the information gathered. Your association is here for you and will be updating this page as new information becomes available as we continue to advocate on your behalf.

For those businesses struggling financially at this time, we have compiled information on Work Sharing, a government program providing financial assistance to companies and their employees. Program eligibility has been opened more broadly to provide support to companies feeling the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.

Ontario has implemented the Ontario Together Fund: "$50 million to support submissions that we can action quickly. The Ontario Together Fund will help companies retool, build capacity or adopt the technological changes needed to produce supplies and equipment for hospitals, long-term care homes and other critical public services." Can your business help? Check the Ontario Together: help fight Coronavirus page to see if your company can help. Ventilators, masks and other Personal Protective Equipment are in great need.

Reopening Ontario Businesses:

Ontario Unveils Guiding Principles to Reopen the Province
Premier and Ministers Commit to New Phased Approach for a Safe Restart and Recovery. No specific dates are provided as yet, but Ontario has released information on Reopening Ontario after COVID-19 and A Framework for Reopening our Province. Each phase will be rolled out in a staged approach.

The following businesses will be able to begin reopening under strict public health measures: 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. The province has provided Health and Safety Association Guidance Documents for Workplaces During the COVID-19 Outbreak. (May 4, 2020)

Ontario Further Eases Restrictions on Retail Stores and Essential Construction During COVID-19 Retailers to follow health and safety guidelines (May 11,2020)

Ontario Announces Additional Workplaces that Can Reopen (May 14, 2020)

Business Resources:

Sign Association Canada - COVID-19 Resources

International Sign Association - Business Continuity Resource Center

Ontario Government - List of Essential Workplaces

The Ontario Government has established a Workplace PPE Supplier Directory (May 14, 2020)

Frontline & Business: help us support you during COVID-19: Learn how to request a temporary rule or regulation change to help your business respond to COVID-19 (coronavirus). (Ontario Government)

Global Public Affairs: Canadian Relief/Stimulus Measures - COVID-19

Ontario Chamber of Commerce - COVID-19 Tools and Resources for Business

Prime Minister announces support for small businesses facing impacts of COVID‑19 

Financial Support for Businesses:

COVID–19: CECRA for small businesses - Apply for CECRA for small businesses and help commercial tenants with rent relief (EFFECTIVE MAY 26, 2020 in Ontario)

Minister Ng announces hotline to provide small businesses in need with financial planning advice amid COVID-19
EFFECTIVE May 25, 2020: 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).

Government of Canada - Support for your business (May 22, 2020)

Prime Minister announces opening of program to protect jobs and help businesses (May 20, 2020)

Prime Minister announces expansion of support for workers and small businesses (May 19, 2020)

Prime Minister announces additional support for businesses to help save Canadian jobs (May 11, 2020)

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Prime Minister announces partnerships with provinces and territories to deliver the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses

Prime Minister announces support for small businesses facing impacts of COVID‑19 

Government introduces Canada Emergency Response Benefit to help workers and businesses

Canadian Business Resilience Network 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.

BDC - Support for Entrepreneurs Impacted by the Coronavirus COVID-19

Canada Revenue Agency - Free Liaison Officer Service for small business owners and self-employed individuals

Financial Support for Individuals:

Expanding access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and proposing a new wage boost for essential workers - Government Canada 

COVID-19: Changes to Canadian taxes and benefits 

Canada's Emergency Response Benefit to help workers and businesses 

Ontario Protecting the Most Vulnerable During COVID-19 Crisis

Government of Canada - Changes to Employment Insurance

Prime Minister announces support for vulnerable Canadians affected by COVID‑19

Canadian Bankers Association - Mortgage Deferral to Help Canadians Experiencing Financial Hardship Due to COVID-19

Canada Child Benefits - Increased by $300 per child

Staying Healthy:

Ontario's COVID-19 Testing - Premier Ford announced that test results will be available online 

Public Health Ontario - COVID-19 Public Resources

Government of Canada - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update

Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic

World Health Organization - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public