Business Support and Resources
In response to the rapidly-spreading and highly transmissible Omicron variant, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is applying additional public health and workplace safety measures, including capacity and social gathering limits. These measures will help curb transmission and continue to safeguard Ontario’s hospital and ICU capacity as the province continues to rapidly accelerate its booster dose rollout. Click here to learn more.
Below are resources to ensure your business is up to date on the latest information and supports to assist your business during COVID-19 and beyond.
Business Benefits Finder
Canada Small Business Financing Program
Business Support Phone Lines and Contact Centres
Burlington Economic Development Phone Line
Burlington Economic Development has set-up a business support phone line to provide businesses with a direct line to staff to answer questions and help make sense of new information coming out from higher levels of government. Businesses can leave a message at (289) 337-5505 ext. 102.
Stop the Spread Phone Line
The province has launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province’s recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. If you have any questions about essential versus non-essential businesses, assistance is available from Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline
For the duration of the pandemic, if a member of the public wishes to report an incident of non-compliance with the emergency orders, they may contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Enforcement Hotline at 905-825-4722.
It is critical that residents use 911 for emergencies only.
Provincial Business Contact Centres
If you have a COVID-19 question related to your business operations, please consult the links below to get answers for small business health and safety questions.
- Provincial Employment Standards Call Centre (webes@ontario.ca)
- Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre (webohs@ontario.ca)
For more information on these tools, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-help-businesses-ontario.
Business Resources
Creating and Developing a Safety Plan
Learn how you can create a plan to help protect your workers and others from COVID-19. Please click here to download the template to assist in developing your workplace’s safety plan. Visit the provincial page for further assistance here.
Safety Checklist for Businesses
Employers can use this checklist to make sure their covid 19 workplace safety plan contains key elements to help protect workers, customers and the general public.
Updated Information on In-Person Shopping
In-Person Shopping at Retail Stores Permitted with Public Health and Safety Requirements in Place
Further changes to measures in the COVID-19 Response Framework (e.g. opening of additional businesses, loosening of public health and workplace measures) will be restricted for at least 28 days following the last public health unit returning to the Framework.
COVID-19 Screening for Employers and Customers
COVID-19 Worker and Employee Screening
Customers and patrons may be asked to screen before entering a business or a public place. Some businesses or organizations in specific zones, as defined in the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open, must screen patrons before they are allowed to enter.
Educational Webinars and Videos
Free Webinars on how to Operate a Business Safely, and Comply with Health and Safety Requirements
The ministry, in partnership with organizations across Ontario, provides general overview information sessions on the Employment Standards Act (ESA).
These information sessions are delivered by subject matter experts from the ministry and cover topics such as hours of work, public holidays, leaves of absence and more…
Please click here to check the calendar and contact the host organization directly to sign up for a session near you.
Free 30 Minute Course provided by the Public Services Health and Safety Association
Infection Prevention and Control at Work: Basic Awareness Training
For more information on these tools, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-help-businesses-ontario.
Sector Specific Guidelines
Information from the Government of Ontario on sector specific guidelines.
Burlington’s Mandatory Mask and Face Coverings By-law
Burlington City Council has approved amendments to the temporary Mask By-law and Physical Distancing By-law to extend both to expire June 30, 2022, as they were set to expire on December 31, 2021.
Council has removed Community Centre from the physical distancing requirement in the Physical Distancing By-law as those requirements are regulated under other provincial legislation.
As the pandemic evolves, Council has the ability to pass a motion at any time to revoke these by-laws. The expiry date of June 30 can be repealed in March should COVID-19 conditions be favourable and the Province lifts their mask mandate. Please see some Halton Region resources below, for more information please visit Halton Region’s COVID-19 Mandatory Mask By-Law webpage here.
Burlington Economic Development in partnership with the City of Burlington have developed a comprehensive guide to support you in ensuring you and your business comply with this by-law. Please click here to download the guide for business.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
This by-law requires all owners/operators of establishments open to the public to
do the following:
1. Develop a policy to ensure members of the public wear a mask or face covering
upon entry, and while remaining within all enclosed spaces of your establishment;
2. Upon request, provide a copy of your policy for inspection by any person
authorized to enforce this bylaw;
3. Post signage, visible at all entrances of the Establishment, reminding people to
wear a mask or face covering. You may use the poster we have provided;
4. Train all persons working at the Establishment on the requirements of the
policy and this bylaw; and
5. Encourage kindness and compassion in your establishment’s approach to
fellow community members who may not be wearing a mask.
WHAT IF I DON’T COMPLY?
Every person, business or facility who contravenes any provision of this bylaw is
guilty of an offence, and upon conviction is liable to a fine as provided for in the
Provincial Offences Act. See the City of Burlington By-Law 62-2020 for more
information. Fines associated with this by-law range from $300 – $100,000.
QUICK DOWNLOADS
POSTER – General use poster for businesss
POSTER – Poster for common areas
POSTER – Mask by-law exemptions
POSTER – How to wear a face-covering
FAQs FOR BUSINESSES – Frequently asked questions for business owners and operators regarding mask requirements
SAMPLE POLICY – Example policy that can be used by business owners and operators to explain the mask by-law
PURCHASING BURLINGTON MADE FACE MASKS
The Burlington Chamber of Commerce has curated a list of all Burlington businesses providing all types of PPE including sanitizer, face shields, and disposable face masks here. Many Burlington businesses have pivoted to include reusable face masks in their product offerings. Support Burlington businesses and shop local!
Digital Main Street: Programs for Ontario Business
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.
shopHERE
A program that provides independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away. More information here.
Ontario Grants
Providing main street businesses with $2,500 Digital Transformation Grants, and municipalities / local communities with grants to implement a Digital Service Squad. More information here.
Future Proof
A program delivered in partnership with Communitech and Invest Ottawa helps businesses identify new markets, pivot their business model, and develop and implement a deep digital transformation plan. More information here.
Make the POST Promise
The POST Promise is a national, bilingual private sector-led initiative designed to help Canadians confidently and safely shop and work in local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It signifies a business’s commitment to implementing and practicing the five key steps to workplace safety, helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and is the key to building consumer confidence.
Please visit postpromise.com to learn more and make the POST Promise.
Halton Business Resources for COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses of every size. Halton’s website includes information on supports, services and relief programs that can assist business owners as the situation evolves and as the economy re-opens and recovers.
Visit halton.ca for more information.
Small Business Portal
DeGroote School of Business is partnering with Team Burlington to provide advisement to businesses navigating uncharted situations. DeGroote faculty members have a depth of research and industry knowledge that they are making available to support the livelihood of our business community.
Team Burlington Business Support Forum Series
Team Burlington has launched the Business Support Forum Series, a virtual business conference series, that provides businesses of all sizes with an opportunity to ask questions and hear from subject matter experts, as well as key leaders and decision-makers from all levels of government. Watch the playlist below.
Business Toolkits
Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) COVID-19 Resources
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has a number of supports available to help businesses manage challenges as a result of COVID-19.
Access the CCC COVID-19 resources and toolkits.
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) COVID-19 Resources
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has developed a number of resources for businesses in Ontario to help businesses manage through COVID-19.
