Ontario Small Business Support Grant – The new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which will help small businesses that are required to close or significantly restrict services under the new Provincewide Shutdown
The Ontario Small Business Support Grant is intended to help small businesses (including
sole proprietorships) in Ontario that are required to close or significantly restrict services under
Ontario’s province-wide shutdown effective December 26, 2020.
Eligible businesses can receive between $10,000 and $20,000. Starting at $10,000 for all
eligible businesses, the grant will provide businesses with dollar for dollar funding up to a
maximum of $20,000 to help with revenue losses resulting from government-mandated
lockdowns.
Businesses will be able to use the support however they see fit. For example, some businesses
will use the support to pay employee wages, while others will need support maintaining their
inventory.
Eligible businesses may include those with less than 100 employees that were required to close
or significantly restrict services due to the province-wide shutdown that came into effect at 12:01
a.m. on December 26, 2020 and have experienced a minimum of a 20 percent revenue decline
when comparing April 2020 to April 2019 monthly revenues. Note, the application portal will
provide alternative revenue decline comparator months for small businesses, not in operation in
April 2019 or April 2020.
Only the following businesses are eligible to apply for funding under this program:
• Before- and after- school programs
• Campgrounds
• Cannabis retail stores
• Cell phone and computer providers & repairs
• Community centres and multi-purpose facilities
• Conference centres and convention centres
• Day camps for children
• Domestic services
• Drive-in cinemas
• Driving instruction
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• Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres
and gyms)
• Garden centres
• Hardware stores (including Big Box stores) required to close for in-person shopping
• In person teaching and instruction
• Media industries including film and television production (excluding radio/television
broadcasting)
• Meeting or event space
• Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites,
botanical gardens and similar attraction
• Outdoor markets (excluding grocery)
• Outdoor sports and recreation facilities
• Performing arts and cinemas
• Personal care services relating to the hair or body (excluding oxygen bars)
• Personal services
• Pet/animal food and services
• Photography services
• Racing venues, casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
• Rental and leasing services (including automobile, commercial and light industrial
machinery and equipment rental)
• Restaurants and bars
• Retail required to close for in-person shopping
• Safety, medical and assistive devices retail (excluding pharmacies)
• Shopping malls
• Ski hills
• Tour and guide services
• Vehicle and equipment repair services
• Veterinary services