We are glad to extend complimentary membership to the entire tourism industry in Ontario for 2021.
To continue to access valuable information, and for other membership benefits, please visit our Membership page by clicking the link below
Current Opportunities
Please click on a title in the list below to be taken directly to the item of interest.
►Tourism Relief Fund
►Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
►A Three Fires Collaborative Quest
►Canada Summer Jobs
►Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
►Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
►Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
►Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
►Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
►Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
►Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)
►Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund
►Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
►Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
►Work-sharing Program
►COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program - Small Business (CEAP-SB)
►Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebate Grants
►Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund
►FCM: Green Municipal Fund
►Canadian Experiences Fund
►Canada-Ontario Job Grant
Tourism Relief Fund
The Government of Canada has launched the Tourism Relief Fund, to be delivered through FedDev and FedNor Ontario. The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. This fund has a $500 million budget (ending March 31, 2023) and will focus on product development and destination development. The fund will empower businesses to create or enhance tourism experiences and products to attract visitors and to help the sector provide the best Canadian tourism experiences.
Contributions to businesses will be either non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50% of eligible costs OR fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs.
The fund will offer a minimum of $50 million to support Indigenous tourism initiatives and $15 million will be dedicated to national initiatives that support the advancement of national tourism priorities. Eligible applicants include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors, such including businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and band councils or other Indigenous organizations and cooperatives.
To be considered eligible for this fund, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be a key supplier or operator in the visitor experience;
- Be part of a defined tourism cluster or a tourism dependent community, including supporting downtown cores; or
- Provide an anchor product or service in a tourism destination.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please consult the Tourism Relief Fund – Application guide - FedDev Ontario or Tourism Relief Fund - FedNor
Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, a component of the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions. The loan fund is now an investment of $291.3 million to support the success of Black entrepreneurs and business owners.
The first phase of the Fund includes a $33.3 million investment from the Government of Canada and $130 million from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) as the first partner financial institution.
The second phase of the Fund includes an investment of $128 million committed from financial institutions Royal Bank of Canada, BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank, CIBC, National Bank of Canada, TD, Vancity and Alterna Savings. Additional FIs and capital may also be announced in this phase.
The Fund will provide loans of up to $250,000 to support Black business owners and entrepreneurs across Canada and lay the foundation for future success and long-term change.
Fund available as of: May 31, 2021
For more information, please visit The Federation of African Canadian Economics (facecoalition.com)
A Three Fires Collaborative Quest
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), in collaboration with Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO), and the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC), are now accepting applications for A Three Fires Collaborative Quest Program - a program designed to support recovery and growth of the province’s Indigenous tourism workforce by building the labour pool and filling critical gaps within the industry.
The program, aptly named A Three Fires Collaborative Quest, will be executed in three phases - each managed by one of the three aforementioned partners respectively.
Indigenous tourism businesses will receive one-on-one coaching and support from ITO’s Indigenous Business Advisory (IBA) Program to assist in getting them market ready for the reopening. The structured content delivered to participants of the IBA Program will address all areas of a tourism operation required for business sustainability and success and will follow market-ready standards established specifically for the Indigenous tourism industry.
The second fire will be managed by OTEC who will design and execute workshops to provide customized frontline training for 100+ Indigenous tourism employees as well as the IBA group.
The third fire, executed by TIAO, is an employee-to-employer matching event designed to bridge the gap between the other two fires by helping Indigenous tourism employees find employers, and conversely, tourism businesses (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) find employees.
To apply for the program as a potential employee, you must self-identify as Indigenous. You will have the opportunity to participate in training workshops facilitated by OTEC and you will be matched with tourism employers to complete a paid job placement.
To apply for the program as an employer, you must be a tourism business in Ontario, and you must be willing to support your new employee’s training and development in collaboration with the program. After completing the program you will be eligible to receive a wage subsidy of 30%, to a maximum of $3,000 per employee hired.
To apply, click here.
Canada Summer Jobs
CSJ is a program under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to provide flexible and holistic services to help all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market.
The program responds to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market who face unique barriers. Wage subsidies are also available to employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years.
The Government of Canada aims to ensure that all CSJ funded job opportunities take place in a safe, inclusive, and healthy work environment free from harassment and discrimination.
The Government has committed to create 100,000 CSJ jobs for youth in 2022 to help ensure that the program remains responsive to the employment needs of youth and employers. For 2022, CSJ is returning to its regular parameters and will offer quality jobs over the summer months. The jobs will need to end by September 3, 2022. Jobs will need to be full time with a minimum of 30 hours a week and a duration of at least 6 weeks.
For information for employers and potential employees, please visit here.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) is a wage subsidy program offered until June 2021 (September 2021, pending passing of the budget) to qualifying employers who have seen a drop in revenue due to COVID-19. CEWS is meant to prevent more job losses by helping you keep your employees on payroll, enabling you to re-hire workers, and facilitating a return to normal operations. If you qualify for CEWS, you will receive a percentage of your employees’ pay subsidized based on your revenue loss. Extended until March 13, 2022.
How to apply: Through CRA’s My Business Account, Represent a Client, or the web application form.
Application deadline: 180 days after the end of the claim period.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides rent and mortgage support to small businesses affected by COVID-19. The subsidy is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provides support directly to tenants.
Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020, until December 2021.
This subsidy will provide payments directly to qualifying renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of landlords.
If you are eligible for the base subsidy, you may also be eligible for lockdown support if your business location is significantly affected by a public health order for a week or more.
For more information and how to apply, please click on the link below:
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. The CRB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
If you are eligible for the CRB, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period.
If your situation continues past 2 weeks, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 19 eligibility periods (38 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and December 22, 2021.
How to apply: Applications are made from CRA MyAccount or by phone (1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041). Applicants need to reapply every two weeks.
Application deadline: 60 days after the end of each CRB period.
Visit the link below for more information:
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
The CRSB is a federal program providing income support to individuals who do not have access to paid sick leave and can’t work because they are sick with COVID-19 or need to self-isolate.
Program duration: September 27, 2020, to May 7, 2022
How to apply: Online, through CRA My Account OR by phone (1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041)
Application deadline: 60 days after the end of the claim period
If you are eligible for the CRSB, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a 1-week period.
If your situation continues past 1 week, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 4 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. You cannot apply for periods that are closed.
For more information and how to apply, please click on the link below:
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19. The CRCB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
If you are eligible for the CRCB, your household can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period.
If your situation continues past 1 week, you will need to apply again. Each household may apply up to a total of 38 weeks between September 27, 2020 and May 7, 2022.
For more information and how to apply, please click the link below:
Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
The Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) is a hiring subsidy which (pending passing of the Bill C-30) will support employers with a subsidy of up to 50% on incremental remuneration paid to eligible working employees. It will be offered from June 6, 2021, to November 20, 2021, to qualifying employers who have seen a drop in revenue due to COVID-19. During the periods where applicants are eligible for the CEWS, they will have the choice of benefiting from either the CRHP or the CEWS with a declining rate.
Program duration: June 6, 2021, to May 7, 2022
How to apply: Through CRA’s My Business Account, Represent a Client, or the web application form.
Application deadline: 180 days after the end of the claim period.
Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)
The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown. The CWLB is only available when a COVID-19 lockdown order is designated for your region.
If you are eligible for the CWLB, you can receive $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period. You may apply for any weeks your region is eligible between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.
The CWLB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
(CRHP)
Program duration: October 24, 2021, to May 7, 2022
How to apply: Through CRA’s My Business Account, Represent a Client, or the web application form.
Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund
About: The Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund (TEDRF) is an application-based, cost-sharing program designed to provide non-capital funding to projects that either:
- encourage the development of innovative new tourism products
- support tourism investment
- build the capacity of Ontario’s tourism industry
The program also supports innovative tourism recovery projects aimed at increasing tourism within Ontario to address the reduction in global travel as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Deadline for Submission: Accepting applications on an ongoing basis
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include:
- municipalities and destination marketing organizations (regional tourism organizations are not eligible)
- Indigenous organizations
- Ontario tourism industry associations
- not-for-profit organizations (with a clearly defined tourism focus)
- for-profit tourism organizations
In addition, to be eligible for the TEDRF program, your project must meet all the following eligibility requirements:
- project must take place in the Province of Ontario
- applicant organization must be a legal entity, incorporated in Canada and in existence for a minimum of one year, as of the date of submission
- applicant must not be in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario (for example, Ontario Trillium Foundation)
- information provided in the application must be true, correct and complete (as verified by an authorized official)
Learn More
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
About: The Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) provides businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19, access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. The program is available at some participating financial institutions. Other participating financial institutions will deploy the program progressively over the days that follow.
Deadline for Submission: December 31, 2021
Eligibility: Your primary financial institution will determine whether you qualify for this program, based on the eligibility criteria established by the Government of Canada. Eligibility requirements include:
- Your business is Canadian based.
- Your business must have been financially stable and viable prior to the current economic situation.
- You must have received payments either from the Canada Emergency Subsidy (CEWS) or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) by having demonstrated a minimum 50% revenue decline for at least three months (not necessarily consecutive) within the eight-month period prior to the date of the HASCAP Guarantee application.
- If your business does not qualify for CEWS and CERS, but otherwise meets all HASCAP eligibility criteria, you must provide financial statements that reflect at least three months (not necessarily consecutive) in which monthly year-over-year revenue decreased by at least 50% within the eight-month period prior to the date of the HASCAP Guarantee application.
Learn More
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) consists of multiple loan programs aimed at helping a range of businesses impacted by COVID-19. The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) work together with eligible financial institutions to offer you solutions through your regular financial institution (banks and credit unions). This program includes administration of the CEBA, Mid-Market Financial loan guarantees and co-lending programs for small and medium-sized enterprises.
For Canadian small and medium-sized businesses to cover payroll and operating costs caused by the current economic situation. Repay over 5 years and benefit from 6 months principal payment postponement. EDC will guarantee 80% of your new operating line of credit or new term loan.
For more information on the program, please click the link below:
For more information on program deadlines, please click the link below:
Work-sharing Program
Work-Sharing helps prevent layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The program requires a three-way agreement to be negotiated between the employer, employees, and Service Canada, and provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while the business recovers.
Amount businesses can receive: The business does not receive any money. A work-sharing agreement allows the business to retain workers at a reduced cost by having employees receive EI to compensate for a part of the wages lost due to a reduction in available work hours.
Program duration: On-going. This program is not COVID-specific.
How to apply: Via e-mail to Service Canada. See FAQ for details.
When to apply: Applications must be made at minimum 10 days before you wish the work-sharing agreement to start
For more information and how to apply, please click the link below:
COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program - Small Business (CEAP-SB)
About: In the summer of 2020, the Government of Ontario made $8 million available to support small business and registered charity customers who have overdue amounts on their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. In March 2021, the government made an additional $23 million available to support both residential and small business customers.
The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides an on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. Small business and registered charity customers may be eligible for up to $1,500 in support towards their electricity and natural gas bills, and can apply for on-bill credits for both electricity and natural gas separately. Customers who previously received CEAP-SB support that was less than the maximum amount of $1,500 and have additional arrears may apply again, but their total on-bill credits cannot exceed that amount.
Deadline for Submission: Currently no deadline, however, funding for the program is limited.
How to Apply: You must apply through your utility or USMP. Contact them directly about ways to apply – in addition to email and mail, other options like an online form may be available.
Eligibility: Small business and registered charity electricity or natural gas customers are now eligible for CEAP-SB if they meet all of the following criteria:
- The customer has an active account with an electricity distributor, a USMP or a natural gas distributor.
- The customer’s account falls within the following class:
- For customers of an electricity distributor, the General Service less than 50 kW rate class
- For customers of a USMP, the relevant commercial class that uses less than 150,000 kWh of electricity annually
- For customers of a natural gas distributor, is a non-residential customer that uses less than 50,000 cubic meters of gas annually
- Customers can find information about their class on their bill, or they can contact their utility or USMP.
- The customer has a registered business number or charitable registration number for the small business or registered charity operating out of the premises.
- The customer has overdue amounts owing on the day they apply from one or more electricity or gas bills since March 17, 2020.
Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebate Grants
About: Businesses that were required to shut down or significantly restrict services due to provincial public health measures (in areas with modified Stage 2 restrictions or categorized as control/red or lockdown/grey) can apply for rebates, provided in the form of grants, to cover municipal/education property taxes and energy costs (electricity/natural gas/propane/home heating oil).
Deadline for Submission: Currently no deadline.
Eligibility: Varies with type of business. Please click the "Learn More" button below for details.
Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund
About: Providing up front working capital directed towards the applicant’s marketing and promotional costs, with the investment taking the form of a partially repayable loan. It has three aims: (1) to increase cultural tourism by providing investments to assist Ontario organizations to develop, promote and present one- off or first time events, or a significant expansion of existing activity, which are designed to attract new tourists and visitors to cultural events; (2) increase the earned revenue capability of the applicant organization; and (3) support events that foster economic growth and contribute to job creation.
Deadline for Submission: No deadlines for Stage one of the application process.
Eligibility:
- The project must be distinct from ongoing programming or activity (this can be either a new event or a significant expansion or enhancement to existing programming)
- The project must represent the single largest new programming initiative in the applicant’s business plan for that year
- The project must run for a fixed or limited time period
- The project must have a marketing plan targeting new tourists to the community
- The project must anticipate that at least 10% of the project total revenues are secured from the private sector AND at least 40% of total revenues are achieved through the project’s earned revenue
- The project must demonstrate clearly the capability of repayment to OCAF and with an aim to generate a surplus for the applicant
- The Board typically considers projects with total attendance figures of at least 1,000 in rural areas and 10,000 in large urban centers. Special consideration will be given to projects with attendance between 7,500 and 10,000 in large urban centers or between 750 and 1,000 in rural and northern areas if there is a strong case for tourism potential.
FCM: Green Municipal Fund
About: Helps Canadian cities and communities of all sizes pilot environmental projects that reduce GHG emissions and protect the air, water or land. This funding is designed to accommodate transformative, best-in-class municipal projects, meaning they’re highly innovative and impactful.
- Grant: Up to $500,000 to cover up to 50% of eligible costs.
- Municipalities and municipal partners with a population of 20,000 or under may qualify for a grant of up to 80 per cent of eligible project costs under certain conditions. Contact us to find out if your municipality is eligible.
Eligibility: Funding is available to Canadian municipalities and their partners for highly innovative and impactful environmental projects that improve municipal service delivery while reducing GHG emissions and protecting the air, water or land.
Canadian Experiences Fund
About: As part of the $58.5 million Canadian Experiences Fund national initiative, FedDev Ontario will be administering $11 million to support Southern Ontario’s tourism sector.
Deadline for Submission: Continuous.
Eligibility:
- Non-profits
- For-profit businesses
- Local governments
- Local development agencies
- Or any other organizations, provided they are in line with the relevant RDA's contribution programs and related terms and conditions.
Canada-Ontario Job Grant
About: The Canada-Ontario Job Grant provides direct financial support to individual employers or employer consortia who wish to purchase training for their employees.
Deadline for Submission: Continuous.
Eligibility:
- You are licensed to operate your business in Ontario;
- You are applying to train an Ontario resident you employ or will employ;
- You are applying for training that will be delivered in Ontario and is related to a job that is also located in Ontario;
- You are in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Employment Standards Act;
- You are in compliance with all applicable federal and provincial human rights legislation, regulations, and any other relevant standards;
- You have adequate third-party liability insurance as advised by your insurance broker;
- You have Workplace Safety Insurance coverage;
- You are not a federal, provincial, or municipal government or agency;
- You are not a designated broader public sector organization, as defined by the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act;
- You are not a district social services administration board established under the District Social Services Administration Boards Act, notwithstanding their exclusion under the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act;
- You are not an Employment Service or a Canada-Ontario Job Grant service provider;
- You are not in receipt of other government funds related to the same skills training for the same individual(s); and
- You must not use training participants to displace existing staff or replace staff currently on lay-off.
