Business Support
Resources, programs, tool kits and sector-specific information to assist your business to recover.
Durham Region Community Reopening Toolkit
Durham Region Reopening Checklist for Businesses and Workplaces
Business Continuity Planning & Pandemic Responses - Durham.ca
Tools for Small 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
Canada and Ontario Supporting Farmers through Enhanced Insurance Protection
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
Province of Ontario: sector-specific guidelines and posters
Durham Farm Fresh Webinar: E-commerce, bringing your business online
Durham Farm Fresh Webinar: Health and Safety for farms open during COVID-19
Durham Region and its local municipalities welcome the film industry back again as production activity resumes in accordance with applicable Health and Safety guidance.
Before you apply for a Film Location Permit, please review the guidelines issued by the Section 21 Film & Television Health and Safety Advisory Committee of the Ontario Ministry of Labour and Skills Development. Issued June 25th, 2020, this guideline is a one stop shop for keeping your industry and all who work with you, safe and healthy as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. More resources are available from our local health authority, the Durham Region Health Department.
Recovery of the film and television industry requires the following:
- 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.
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.
Council of Canadian Innovators - Dedicated COVID-19 Slack Channel for Canadian Tech Workers
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.
As part of a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, Digital Main Street has announced three new programs to support businesses across Ontario. These programs are available to Durham Region businesses that meet program requirements. Learn more.
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
Durham Region Reopening Checklist: COVID-19 Checklist for
Reopening Your Food Premises
Durham Region Guidelines for Restaurants and Bars
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: COVID-19 Research
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/
Central Counties Tourism launches PPE Reimbursement program for private and not-for-profit businesses in the hospitality and recreation sector. The program will provide matched funding of 50% up to a maximum of $1,000 per applicant ($2,000 total expense). Eligible expenses include plexiglass, sanitizing stations, masks, stickers, etc., that you needed to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 by keeping your staff and guests safe. Learn more about eligibility or submit an application here.
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
- 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 - Employers Options and Obligation in Responding to COVID-19 and accompanying slide deck from Christine Ashton, a lawyer and partner with Wilson Vukelich LLP
- Durham Farm Fresh Webinar: E-commerce, bringing your business online
- Durham Farm Fresh Webinar: Health and Safety for farms open during COVID-19
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City of Pickering Business Recovery Podcast Series
Our first podcast session discusses the Total Wellness approach and strategies businesses should be looking at when recruiting, retaining and rewarding employees now and into the post-COVID 19 economic environment. Our guest speaker, Chris Lennox, from Lennox Financial Group Inc. delves into challenges businesses may face in terms of financial operation and human capital management and possible solutions to address it.