City of Toronto Resources
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Toronto launched the BusinessTO Support Centre to provide information on COVID-19 Business Resources. The centre provides businesses with one-on-one virtual assistance in completing applications for government programs, as well as general business advice. The City has also expanded its Digital Main Street program to help small businesses develop their websites, launch e-commerce platforms, and more.
- Business & Sector Resources
- Bills & Tax Relief
- Credit, Mortgage & Banking Support
- Employee Wage Support
- Reopening Guidelines
- COVID-19: Income Support
Funding Resources
Visit Fundingportal, which uses innovation to help businesses and organizations get funding.
Other places to start
- Contact your local financial institution. Since we know most small businesses have a relationship with their local financial institution already, we’ve worked with the financial sector to increase their lending capability to support you in this challenging time. They are a good first place to start for help.
- BusinessTO News is focused on resources to help Toronto businesses mitigate the impact of COVID-19. For a full list of COVID-19 business resources, visit toronto.ca/covid19.
Business Resources
- Useful resources and readings for startups (MaRS)
- Resources for Canadian businesses (Government of Canada)
- Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
- Support for Canadians and Businesses (Government of Canada)
- Business Resources (Canadian Chamber of Commerce)
- Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 (BDC)
- Export Development Canada (EDC) response to COVID-19
- Managing cash flow during a period of crisis (Deloitte)
- Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs(BDC)
- Canada outlines measures to support the economy and the financial sector
- Work-Sharing (Employment and Social Development Canada)
- Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 (BDC)
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
- Tools and tactics to prepare, plan and respond to COVID-19 (MaRS)
- Measures to support the economy and the financial sector (Government of Canada)
- Additional measures to support lending to consumers/businesses (Government of Canada)
- Tools and tactics to prepare, plan and respond to COVID-19 (MaRS)
- Measures to support the economy and the financial sector (Government of Canada)
- Additional measures to support lending to consumers/businesses (Government of Canada)
CaféTO
The CaféTO program aims to provide space for expanded outdoor dining areas to help some restaurants and bars that are impacted by COVID-19. Restaurants and bars operating in Toronto must follow current public health guidelines as developed by Toronto Public Health and the Province of Ontario. Please visit the Province of Ontario’s website to stay informed.
CaféTO Accessibility
It is the responsibility of CaféTO participants to follow the rules and ensure your café is accessible for your patrons and that your café does not impede the ability of people to use the sidewalk.
The CaféTO guidebook contains important rules that CaféTO operators must follow, such as maintaining the pedestrian clearway, cane-detectability and colour contrasting of café materials.
The guidebook also has some suggestions to improve the accessibility of their outdoor dining space, including furniture choice and layout of the café. Please carefully review this section starting on page 12 of the CaféTO guidebook.
CaféTO is a part of the City’s ShowLoveTO initiative, launched in association with Founding Sponsor American Express and in partnership with Destination Toronto, to help Toronto businesses, neighbourhoods and residents safely recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic.
To receive updates and information on CaféTO, sign-up for the BusinessTOnewsletter
