Business Support
Resources, programs, tool kits and sector-specific information to assist your business to recover.
Durham Region Community Reopening Toolkit
Business Continuity Planning & Pandemic Responses - Durham.ca
Pandemic Preparedness for Business - Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit for Ontario Businesses - Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Start-up Business Tools and Resources, eg: Cash Flow, Supply Chain - MaRS
BDO Guide to Adapting to COVID-19
BDC has a guides for Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs as well as 8 steps for planning your emergency and disaster plan
Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) Business Advisory and Support Services are currently free of charge
Special support for entrepreneurs from BDC
Export Development Canada supports and capital access
Canadian Federation of Independent Business - COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
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.
April 24: Durham Economic Task Force letter to ask for support for small business
April 20: News Release Durham’s business community unites during COVID-19
Details on employment insurance, the temporary foreign worker program, and other Federal employment programs: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada
Durham College/Employment Ontario Community Employment Services - open virtually
Travel Advisory - Government of Canada
Prime Minister announces support for farmers and agri-food businesses under Canada’s response to COVID-19
Employee Support - Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council
Government Support/Financial Assistance - Farm Credit Canada
Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council resources - Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Business Support - Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Health Information - World Organization on Animal Health
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) - A Guide for Direct Sales to Consumers during COVID-19 and Beyond
Ministry of Health - COVID-19 Guidance for Food Premises
Agriculture and Food Jobs in Ontario
Durham Farm Fresh Press Release: Essential Food Items Available at Many Local Shops, Farms and Markets
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) - Summary of government financial assistance for Ontario farm businesses
Durham Region recognizes the importance of the agriculture sector - Statement issued on behalf of Regional Chair and CEO John Henry.
Governments Invest $2.5 Million to Grow Agri-food e-Business During COVID-19
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) - Crisis Management Tools by Farm Life
Due to the COVID-19 crisis Durham Region and its local municipalities will not be issuing film permits at this time. Film Office staff are continuing to offer as much support as possible during this time including location scouting and updates on health and safety regulations specific to this industry.
The Durham Region Film Commission is supporting the efforts of the new Ministers’ Film and Television Advisory Panel to enable a rapid recovery of the Film and Television Industry. When production activity resumes, in accordance with applicable Health and Safety guidance, there will be a high demand for:
- Skilled Labour: to support the current workforce and provide learning for newcomers to the industry, a wide selection of online Professional Development & Learning Resources are offered by a number of industry organizations and government agencies.
- Locations: there is a growing interest in the region's unique sites, and we are expanding our list of film-friendly locations. To market your location for filming on the Durham Region and Ontario Creates digital libraries please contact the film office.
- Products and Services: in addition to the current production guide to filming in Durham, there will be a need for services to accommodate new Health and Safety guidelines. If interested in promoting your company to the film industry, please contact the film office.
On May 19, Stage 1 as part of "A Framework to Reopen Our Province" allows for film and television post-production and animation studios to re-open.
DRIFF
The Durham Region International Film Festival will be held October 1-3, 2020 in a modified format to provide a unique and exciting viewing and interactive experience.
Canadian business leaders and tech workers Slack channel: Enabling the sharing of best practices for business continuity amidst disruptions.
Start-up Business Tools and Resources, eg: Cash Flow, Supply Chain - MaRS
Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster launches funding program to help scale - announcement, and funding details
Ontario and Canada are looking for help from businesses to make or supply healthcare products and innovative solutions. Learn how your organization can help.
Planning Checklist for Retailers: Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Retail Council of Canada
Restaurants are encouraged to join the #TakeOutDay movement - https://canadatakeout.com/
Information and avocacy for those in the Health and Wellness industry (representing coaches, personal trainers, group instructors, yoga instructors, pilates instructors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists and sports and recreation centers and staff.) https://www.healthandwellnessrelief.ca/
Province of Ontario: sector-specific guidelines and posters
Retail Council of Canada: Retail Recovery Playbook
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario - COVID-19 Updates Page
Regional Development Agencies COVID-19 Info sheet
Tourism Industry of Canada - Current situation review and sign up for email updates related to COVID-19 Supports
Destination Canada - COVID-19 Updates
- Destination Canada: Visitor Economy Webinar
Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) - details on Force Majeure Insurance claims
Festivals and Events Ontario - Call for virtual content
Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) - Information for CSTA members during COVID-19
Department of Canadian Heritage - Information for Canadian Heritage grants & contributions recipients related to COVID-19
Central Counties Tourism (CCT) – Information for the CTT (Durham, York, Headwaters) business community
Restaurants are encouraged to join the #TakeOutDay movement - https://canadatakeout.com/
Durham Tourism Monthly Stakeholder Enews: April Edition
Mental Health Resources from the Province of Ontario
You can find information about programs that may be right for you based on your mental health and addictions needs, and the type of support that you prefer. You can:
- find public mental health or addiction programs
- connect with peers for support
- access self-led telephone or online therapy for stress, anxiety and depression
- find services for children and youth
- talk to or text a professional counsellor if you are a post-secondary student
- find culturally appropriate support for Indigenous people
- get support if you are a health care worker
Webinars Available-On-Demand
- Mental Health Commission of Canada: Stress, the Brain and Mental Health Hygiene
- Conference Board of Canada: COVID-10 Job Loss
- Conference Board of Canada: Fear and COVID-19
- Conference Board of Canada: Dealing with Isolation and COVID-19
- Conference Board of Canada: COVID-19 - Self-compassion, empathy, love and fun
- Conference Board of Canada: Mental Health and COVID-19
- Conference Board of Canada: Coping in the age of social distancing
Blog Articles
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Ontario Shores: COVID-19: Supporting Mental Health of Employees is Good Business
- Ontario Shores: COVID-19: Frustration, Guilt and Working from Home in a Pandemic
- Ontario Shores: COVID-19: Tips to Prevent Burnout of Essential Workers
For upcoming scheduled webinars, visit the Invest Durham calendar
The below are available to watch on-demand.
- EDC Webinar: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Managing the impact on global supply chains
- Free BDC Webinar: How to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 on your business
- Free BDC Webinar Collection: Marketing and digitizing your content
- Conference Board of Canada: Effective Crisis Communication: Moving Crisis to Opportunity
- Conference Board of Canada: You’re It: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When It Matters Most
- Conference Board of Canada: Creating a Respectful Virtual Workplace
- Conference Board of Canada: Increasing Resilience Through Times of Change
- Destination Canada: Visitor Economy
- Events Industry Council: COVID-19: Moving online: How to transition your live event to an engaging virtual experience
- Events Industry Council: COVID-19: Discussion of critical insurance and legal considerations for event professionals
- Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade - Cash is King – Creating a Cash Forecast
- Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade - Social Distance Marketing – Building Awareness When Your Customers are in Crisis
- Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade - Employers Options and Obligation in Responding to COVID-19 and accompanying slide deck from Christine Ashton, a lawyer and partner with Wilson Vukelich LLP
Webinar Series:
- Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation: Webinar Series on Cybersecurity