Ontario Small Business Support Grant

JANUARY 21, 2021

The Ontario government is providing a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 to eligible small businesses who have had to restrict their operations due to the Province wide shutdown.

What are the eligibility criteria for a business?

  • Were required to close or significantly restrict services due to the Province wide shutdown imposed effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26, 2020.
  • Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level.
  • Have experienced a minimum of 20% revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019. New businesses established since April 2019 will also be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria.
  • See below for the list of eligible businesses.

Are there any ineligible businesses?

Businesses that are not eligible include those that were already required to close prior to the introduction of modified Stage 2 provincial public health measures on October 10, 2020, and essential business permitted to operate with capacity restrictions (e.g., discount and big box stores selling groceries, supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and beer, wine and liquor stores).

How to apply?

What information do you need for the application?

  • Legal business name
  • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number
  • Business type
  • Revenue figures
  • Number of employees
  • Business’ bank account number (Name of financial institution, address of financial institution, financial institution number, branch/transit number and account type)

Application deadline?

The application closing date is March 31, 2021.

How long will it take to process and how will payment be made?

It is expected that applications will be processed within 10 business days following the submission of a complete application. Payments to be made via Electronic Fund Transfer directly into the business bank account.

Other pertinent information

What is considered revenue?

All revenues attributable to Ontario operations. An entity’s revenue for the purposes of this grant is revenue from its ordinary activities in Ontario earned from arm’s-length sources, determined using its normal accounting practices. Revenues from extraordinary items and amounts on account of capital are excluded.

How is the revenue reduction percentage calculated?

Using the following formula: (B – A) / B x 100 = % revenue reduction

A = April 2020 revenue.

B = April 2019 revenue.

All applicants must use monthly revenue. Winter seasonal businesses, such as ski hills, will have their revenue decline calculated by comparing the month of higher revenue, selected from December 2019 or January 2020, compared to December 2020.

The application portal will calculate revenue loss using revenue reported by applicants.

How is the employee count calculated?

Employee count is based on the total number of employees across all affiliated enterprises. Employee count includes full-time, part-time and seasonal workers (i.e. using various payroll data and T4s).

An enterprise is a corporation, unincorporated business, partnership, charity, non-profit organization or any other type of entity operating a business in Ontario. An enterprise is affiliated with another enterprise if:

  • One of the enterprises controls the other enterprise directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever.
  • Each enterprise is controlled directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever by the same enterprise, individual, or group of individuals or enterprises. 

Are there additional programs from the Government of Ontario that a business can apply?

Businesses impacted by the province wide shutdown are also eligible for additional support, including the government’s program to provide rebates to offset fixed costs such as property tax and energy bills. The Government of Ontario has three additional programs that an eligible business can apply for using the same portal link provided above:

  • Main Street Relief Grant for Personal Protective Equipment
  • Property Tax Rebate Grant
  • Energy Cost Rebate Grant

List of Eligible Businesses:

  • Before- and after-school programs
  • Campgrounds
  • Cannabis retail stores
  • Cell phone and computer providers and repair services
  • Community centres and multi-purpose facilities
  • Conference centres and convention centres
  • Day camps for children
  • Domestic services
  • Drive-in cinemas
  • Driving instruction
  • 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 providers
  • 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 venues 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