As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it's important for business owners to be aware of the various stages of opening so that they can operate within the provincial government's instruction, in order to keep everyone safe.
View current COVID-19 public health updates, follow our news and notices, as well as our Whitby Economic Development Twitter account for continuing information.
The Ontario government has ordered a province-wide shutdown beginning Saturday, December 26. The shutdown includes the full closure of non-essential businesses.
In Whitby, the new restrictions are in place until Saturday, January 23, 2021.
Effective December 26, 2020:
The Province is encouraging any business with questions about the province-wide shutdown to call 1.855.216.3090 or visit ontario.ca/covidsupport for more information.
More information about the time-limited restrictions and public health and workplace safety measures during the province-wide shutdown is available on the Province of Ontario’s website.
Small businesses required to close or restrict services under the province-wide shutdown can apply for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The grant provides a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to eligible small business owners.
The Province of Ontario's COVID-19 Response Framework outlines how the provincial government is keeping residents safe through safe opening and control measures, including those specific to regional health, public health and workplaces. Learn more about provincial supports.
We encourage all Whitby businesses to review the Durham Region Community Reopening Toolkit, which includes critical information, such as:
The Province of Ontario also offers resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace, such as:
You can contact us to request your own reopening safety kit for your business, which includes:
The Canadian Business Resilience Network also offers its own reopening toolkit, which offers guidance to help you:
We are committed to supporting local business through COVID-19. Our goal is to ensure that businesses have the information and support they need to return to operation as quickly as possible, when it is safe to do so.
Financial assistance |
We are providing financial assistance by:
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Operational assistance |
We are providing operational assistance by:
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Patios |
If you are interested in extending or establishing an outdoor patio on private or public property, review our Internal Approval Process documents below. They will provide you with information on gathering submission details and requirements to gain Town approval: |
We monitor and share important government updates that impact local businesses.
To encourage local shopping during COVID-19, we have partnered with other community economic development organizations to promote opportunities to eat, shop and support local businesses that are open.
Quickly search for local businesses that are open, from restaurants to retail shops, gardening centres and more, using our What's Open Whitby map. The map showcases businesses offering in-store service, contactless delivery and curbside pick-up.
You can add your own local business to the map and get involved in the action!
You can check out more restaurants offering dining, takeout, curbside pick-up and delivery options with the BIA.
Our Economic Recovery Plan identifies five priority areas that guides the Town's local economic recovery efforts:
View our Economic Recovery Plan
There are a wealth of additional resources available from our partners and other levels of government in Canada.
Durham Economic Task Force |
We play an important role on the Durham Economic Task Force, created immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic was announced by the World Health Organization (WHO). This task force includes the Town of Whitby, Durham Region Economic Development, economic development representatives from other Durham Region municipalities, chambers of commerce, local trade boards, Business Advisory Centre Durham and BIAs. We have been developing several initiatives and plans to support business recovery, including:
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Federal government |
The federal government provides Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, allowing you to find information on the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), Canadian Economic Response Benefit (CERB), and Employment Insurance (EI) programs, and more. It outlines how the government can help when businesses have pressing concerns with financial need. |
Provincial government |
View provincial financial relief programs and grant opportunities, including tax and bill rebates, tax credits and main street grants. |
Export Development Canada |
Export Development Canada (EDC) helps companies dealing in global trade navigate the pandemic with support and resources. |
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