Durham Region Health Unit Information
Information compiled by Durham Region Health intended to provide guidance to businesses, including special instructions issued by the Durham Region Medical Officer of Health.
COVID-19 is significantly impacting your business.
The Durham Economic Task Force is here to help you navigate this crisis.
Government Funding Programs
There are numerous funding and financial support programs from the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments, as well as non-government organizations.
Digital Services
There are numerous free programs and services that can assist your business with digital transformation, including websites, e-commerce, social media, and process improvements.
Contact Us
The Durham Economic Task Force is here to support your business. If you have questions about programs, need assistance navigating the COVID-19 crisis, or require support, please contact us for help.
Local PPE
As Durham Region businesses work to maintain safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a need for personal protective equipment as required by Provincial guidelines for various sectors.
Local E-Commerce
As Durham Region businesses work to expand business access, there is a growing need for e-commerce and marketing services. Explore our directory of businesses in Durham Region that offer these services.
Local Food
An information resource to residents of Durham Region about where local food can be accessed, and to support our local agri-business community through promotion of their goods.
Downtowns of Durham
Support main street businesses now to help preserve our vibrant communities. Explore the fourteen downtown areas of Durham Region.
Business Recovery Webinars
Featured Upcoming Webinars:
Apr 22: The Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative - Grow Your Brand on Instagram: Online Webinar
Apr 23: Clarington Board of Trade and Office of Economic Development - Breakfast with Mayor Adrian Foster
Apr 26: BACD - How to Map Out One Month of Social Media Content in 1 hour
Apr 27, Jun 8, Jul 27: Digital Main Street - Web Presence 101 - Ensuring Your Foundation Is Set
Apr 28: BACD - How to Get Started With Online Courses
Apr 28: The Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative - Maximizing Your Online Advertising & Digital Marketing Budget
Apr 28: Clarington Board of Trade and Office of Economic Development - Workplace Culture and Communications
Apr 28: Durham Region - Supplier Information Event
Apr 28: BACD - How To Create Alternative Forms Of Revenue For Brick and Mortars Part 1
Apr 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27: Digital Main Street -How An Online Store Can Boost Your Business: Free Ontario Program
May 4, Jun 15, Jul 27: Digital Main Street - Social Media for Your Business
May 4: The Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative - Working with a Digital Services Professional: Tips for Small Businesses
May 6: BACD - SEO, Reviews & Conversion Optimization for Online Marketing Impact
May 6: The Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative - Facebook and Instagram Advertising on a Small Budget: Online Webinar
May 10: BACD - The Sales Boost Clinic
May 12: BACD - How To Create Alternative Forms Of Revenue For Brick and Mortars Part 2
May 12: BACD - A Leader Worth Following: Learning to Lead Yourself and Others Well
May 12: Spark Centre - TechEx
May 13: Whitby Chamber - In Conversation with Mayor Mitchell
May 18, Jun 29, Aug 10: Digital Main Street - eCommerce 101: What, why, and how
May 18: The Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative - Google Analytics for Small Business: Online Webinar
May 20: BACD - Home Office Expenses – CRA Webinar
May 20: The Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative - Writing Killer Web Content: Online Webinar
May 26: BACD - Digital Durham – THRIVE Online
May 26: The Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative - Social Media Content: Strategy and Planning (Online Webinar)
For all scheduled webinars, visit the Invest Durham Calendar
For a list of webinars on-demand, visit Business Support
Recent Updates
Durham Region
April 7: Ontario declares state of emergency, issues stay-at-home order
April 1: Ontario, including Durham Region, move back to Provincewide Shutdown
Mar 25: Durham Region Health Class Order for Workplaces Fact Sheet
Jan 29: Shop Durham Region online marketplace now live
Dec 14: Durham Region declares Dec 14-20 Shop in Durham Week
Nov 11: Durham Region announces Shop Durham Region Online Marketplace
Oct 1: Durham Region introduces free online ordering service
Aug 26: Free digital services are now available for Durham businesses through Digital Main Street
> See all Durham Region updates
Provincial
April 16: Ontario Strengthens Enforcement of Stay-at-Home Order
April 7: Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order
April 1: Ontario Implements Provincewide Emergency Brake
Mar 29: Ontario Supports the Tourism and Hospitality Sectors during COVID-19
Mar 25: Ontario's Action Plan Doubles Ontario Small Business Support Grant
Mar: 18: Ontario Expands Financial Assistance to Include Micro-credentials
Mar 5: Ontario Setting Up Apprentices and Employers for Success
Mar 12: Ontario Continues to Support Business Owners, Workers and Families during COVID-19
Jan 15: Applications Now Open for Ontario's Small Business Support Grant
Jan 12: Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 Crisis and Save Lives
Jan 4: Ontario Supporting Home-Based Food Businesses During COVID-19
Dec 21: Ontario Announces new Small Business Support Grant - to Provide up to $20,000 for Eligible Businesses
Oct 13: Ontario Continues to Support Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic
> See all Provincial updates
Federal
March 23: Government announces extension of Canada Emergency Business Account to help small businesses
March 3: Government Announces Wage and Rent Subsidy Amounts to Remain Unchanged Through to June
Nov 13: Prime Minister announces funding to help Canadians develop skills and find jobs
Nov 5: Details on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Extension
Nov 3: Minister Ng announces new measures to help Canadian small businesses access global markets amid COVID-19
Sept 9: Prime Minister announces support for Black entrepreneurs and business owners
>See all Federal updates
The Durham Region Economic Task Force
Durham Region economic organizations are working together to help businesses.
The Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) is made up of Durham Region’s Economic Development and Tourism team; all 8 Durham Region-area municipal economic development teams, Business Advisory Centre of Durham (BACD); and all of Durham’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade.
The members have also been engaging with other key stakeholders, such as local Business Improvement Associations.
The Durham Economic Task Force’s immediate priorities are to:
- Advocate for the urgent needs of our business community to the Provincial and Federal Governments.
- Provide resources and information about business supports available from various levels of government.
- Work with other levels of government and stakeholders to develop and implement support programming for business owners, affected employees, and their families, who are experiencing financial impacts as a result of COVID-19.
- Provide direct support to help guide businesses through the process of accessing emergency financial assistance and programming from all levels of government.
- Promote Durham Region's small and local businesses.
