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Ontario Financial Relief Programs

The Government of Ontario is implementing economic relief programs dedicated to helping businesses and citizens reduce the burden of expenses during COVID-19. These measures include a five-month relief period for businesses unable to remit or file provincial taxes, deferred WSIB payments for a period of six months, and more. The following provides a brief summary of these government programs, including details relating to eligibility, how to apply and general terms and conditions, as applicable. We will endeavour to update this page on a daily basis. However, for a complete and up to date description, please see the link to the applicable program webpage contained herein. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to a Goodmans lawyer. Programs include:


Interest and Penalty Relief

Program Overview

  • The government is providing an interest and penalty-free period for missed filing or remittance deadlines between April 1, 2020 and October 1, 2020. 
  • The government also temporarily suspended audit interactions however it is gradually resuming these activities.

Eligibility

  • Must be an Ontario business.

How to Apply

  • Penalties and interest will be waived automatically for all late returns or remittances by Ontario businesses during the relief period.

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Workplace Safety and Insurance Board ("WSIB") Payment Deferrals

Program Overview

  • Employers could defer WSIB payments for up to six months (March 31, 2020 to August 31, 2020).
  • Penalties and interest accrual on all outstanding premium payments ceased for schedule 1 businesses during the deferral period. Similarly, account balances for schedule 2 businesses did not accrue debt interest during the period.
  • Repayment of the deferred WSIB premiums will not begin until at least January, 2021.

Eligibility

  • All employers covered by the WSIB’s workplace insurance were automatically eligible for the provisions of the relief package.

How to Apply

  • No action was required from businesses covered by the WSIB’s workplace insurance to receive the financial relief.
  • All schedule 1 businesses must report their deferred amounts by October 31, 2020.

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Affordable Electricity Bills

Program Overview

  • From March 24 to May 31, 2020, residential, farm and small business time-of-use customers got the lowest rate on their electricity — also known as the off-peak price (10.1 ¢/kWh )— 24 hours a day.
  • Starting on June 1, 2020, customers were billed based on a new fixed COVID-19 Recovery Rate of 12.8¢/kWh. The COVID-19 Recovery Rate will be in place until October 31, 2020.

Eligibility

  • Residential, farm and small business time-of-use customers are eligible.

 How to Apply

  • This rate will be automatically applied to customers’ bills.

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Electricity Disconnection Ban

Program Overview

  • The Ontario Energy Board (“OEB”) extended the winter ban on electricity disconnections due to non-payment for residential customers and low-volume, small business consumers until July 31, 2020. Individuals who qualified as low-volume consumers were not disconnected from their electricity supply for non-payment during that time.
  • Although this program had ended, Hydro One, Ontario’s primary electricity provider, has extended its disconnection ban until further notice.

Eligibility

  • Any “low-volume consumer”, which is a customer who uses less than 150,000 kWh per year, qualifies for this initiative.

How to Apply

  • No application is required.

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COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (“CEAP”)

Program Overview

  • $9 million is being provided by the OEB for CEAP to support consumers struggling to pay their energy bills during the pandemic. CEAP will provide one-time payments to consumers to help pay down any electricity bill debt incurred over the COVID 19 period.

Eligibility

  • Eligibility criteria can be found here.

How to Apply

  • Applications must be made through your utility or USMP by contacting them directly.

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COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Businesses (“CEAP-SB”)

Program Overview

  • $8 million is being provided by the OEB for CEAP-SB to provide support to businesses struggling with bill payments as a result of the outbreak.
  • Electricity customers can be eligible for up to $850 as a credit against their overdue charges.
  • Natural gas customers can be eligible for up to $425 as a credit against their overdue charges.

Eligibility

  • Eligibility criteria can be found here.

How to Apply

  • Applications must be made through your utility or unit sub-meter providers by contacting them directly.

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Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Resilient Communities Fund

Program Overview

  • The fund offers grants of up to $150,000 over a 1-year term to aid non-profit organizations recover in the wake of COVID-19.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be community-based or provincial non-profits that offer community programs and services that benefit the people of Ontario.
  • They must also have had their operations, programs and services disrupted by COVID-19.
  • More information on eligibility requirements can be found here.

How to Apply

  • Applicants must apply through the OTF’s granting portal.
  • The portal is currently closed. The next grant application deadline is December 2, 2020.

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Pausing Commercial Evictions

Program Overview

  • The Ontario government temporarily protected commercial tenants from being locked out or having their assets seized by blocking or reversing their evictions.

Eligibility

  • This applied to businesses that were eligible for government rent assistance for evictions from May 1 to August 31, 2020. However, it did not apply to those participating in CECRA for small businesses.

How to Apply

  • No applications were necessary.

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