Ontario to Expand Small Business PPE Grant

By: Laura Steiner

The Ontario government is expanding its Main Street Relief Grant for Small businesses.  The announcement was made today by Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli.

“This funding will help even more main street businesses stay safe, keep people employed, and continue contributing to our communities,” Fedeli said.  The program allows businesses with 2-19 employees to apply for up to $1000 in financial aid. It’s a one time grant specifically for costs associated with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The number of businesses have expanded to include the following:

• retail trade;
• accommodation and food services;
• repair and maintenance;
• personal and laundry services;
• gyms and yoga studios; and
• arts, entertainment, and recreation.

“Expanding eligible sectors for the PPE grant that have been significantly affected by COVID-19 is another way we can support our small business community,” said Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Prabmeet Sarkaria,

“We thank the Ontario government for acting on our recommendations to increase access to the PPE grant by adding sectors and increasing the employee threshold, said Spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business Julie Kwiecinski. Eligible businesses can visit the province’s website to apply