Businesses across our city are tackling the challenges involved in adapting to the “new normal” of operating during a pandemic.
Whether your business is open, or you’re pivoting operations to service the new COVID economy, you don’t need to face these challenges alone. The Brampton Entrepreneur Centre is here to help. We’ve got the tools and resources you need to weather these unprecedented times, and maybe even identify some potential areas for growth.
This page will be updated regularly with resources to support you in re-opening and recovering.
How to safely run your business
The health and safety of staff and customers must remain the top priority for businesses during the pandemic. Find resources and guidance to help develop your own COVID-19 safety plan.
The province, in partnership with various health and safety organizations,
has also released
sector-specific
guidelines in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These documents help
workplaces better understand their responsibilities and includes best practices
they can use to help them comply with their legal obligation to protect the
health and safety of workers.
Businesses that are able to open must have measures in place that can enable physical distancing, such as limiting the number of customers, offering online and curbside pickups where possible and booking appointments in advance. Businesses must also implement frequent cleaning and disinfection measures, particularly on high-touch surfaces.
These guidelines are designed to provide you with a summary of recommended practices that can be implemented in your operation. Together with recommendations from the Region of Peel Health Department, you can ensure a safe and secure reopening:
Recovery Readiness: A How-to Guide for Reopening your Workplace
Restart planning and strategies
For many business owners, COVID-19 has forced a quick pivot to service a rapidly changing business landscape. Find resources and best practices to develop a successful business strategy for the months ahead.
Retail Council of Canada - COVID Resources for Retailers
CFIB: COVID-19 Small Business Help Centre
Gain the skills and knowledge needed to survive the new realities of our COVID economy. We’re here to help you get back to business.
On-Demand: Watch at your own pace
Other programs & support
- COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Requirements & Support: The Province now requires employers to provide up to three days of paid leave to employees for reasons related to COVID-19. Employers will be reimbursed up to $200 per employee day paid. For longer-term absences due to COVID-19, employees are encouraged to take advantage of the Government of Canada, Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB).
- Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB): The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19.
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA): CEBA provides interest-free loans to small businesses and not-for-profits to support business expenses
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): CERS provides a subsidy of up to 65% for property-related expenses such as rent, mortgage interest, property tax and insurance payments (plus an additional 25% for businesses impacted by lockdown restrictions)
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): CEWS provides a subsidy of up to 75% for eligible wages. As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue during COVID, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15, 2020
- COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB): provides an on-bill credit to eligible residential, small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. Small business/registered charity customers can receive up to $1,500—for electricity and natural gas bills, respectively.
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF): RRRF provides liquidity support to businesses and not-for-profit organizations affected by COVID-19 that are unable to access other federal relief measures or require additional support.
- Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee: Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. HASCAP is available to businesses across the country, in all sectors, that have been hit hard by the pandemic.
In light of COVID19, we wanted to lift the mood by sharing positive stories of how Brampton businesses are #CopingwithCOVID.
City of Brampton Programs & Resources
Digital Main Street: Support for businesses with their adoption of technology with easy to use tools and resources. ShopHERE powered by Google: Provides independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away Support Local Brampton: Brampton's “Support Local” campaign to encourage residents to Shop, Eat, Gift and Support Local.
Guidance notes and tip sheets