Announcements
Let’s keep getting vaccinated! More than four million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Toronto! Everyone age 12 years or older is encouraged to book their first or second vaccination dose appointment as soon as possible. Book an appointment for you or a loved one through the provincial booking system online or by calling 1-833-943-3900. Four City-run clinics are currently offering walk-in appointments for adults over 18 at Toronto Congress Centre, Cloverdale Mall, The Hangar and Metro Toronto Convention Centre clinics.
Digital Main Street Program gets funding boost from Ontario governmentThe Ontario government announced it is helping small businesses establish a digital presence and market their services online by investing $10 million towards the Digital Main Street program for 2021-22. As businesses enter Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen, the renewed program will provide small businesses with $2,500 grants, technical training, and digital resources to help them reach more customers. Learn more and get started at digitalmainstreet.ca.
Introducing the New Innovators Program from Canadian Business and the Brookfield InstituteThe Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship is proud to partner with Canadian Business on its inaugural New Innovators program, recognizing trailblazing companies that are challenging the status quo and redefining what it means to be truly innovative in 2022. The program celebrates Canadian companies, both new and well-established, that are driving innovation in their sectors while prioritizing values like sustainability, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
 
For more information, and to nominate your company for the New Innovators 2022, please visit canadianbusiness.com/innovators. Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2021.
Ontario expanding access to high-speed internet across the provinceOntario is investing up to $14.7 million in 13 projects to expand high-speed internet to more areas in Ontario through the Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program. These projects will bring reliable, high-speed internet to 42 communities across the province.
Free COVID-19 rapid screening kits available for businessesThe City of Toronto has partnered with the Toronto Region Board of Trade to provide free COVID-19 rapid screening kits to help small- and medium-sized businesses of 150 or fewer employees safely reopen. Eligible Toronto businesses can place an order online to receive an initial four-week supply of testing kits. They can also book a time slot for pickup at one of the following four locations:Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West MallNorth York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St.Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr.Fort York Visitor Centre, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Business Community News 
Stronger than Ever: Join global business leaders in marking Toronto’s Economic Rebound eventOn Thursday, September 9, 2021 Toronto Global and the International Economic Forum of the Americas will co-host a media and global business event to celebrate the re-opening of the Canadian and global economies.  Titled Stronger than Ever, the event will showcase how the City of Toronto, the province of Ontario and Canada are safely re-opening the economy, safely re-opening business, re-igniting business investment and creating new, diverse and inclusive jobs. Register at strongerthanever.ca.
Culinary Tourism Alliance Launches Recovery Program Promoting Hyperlocal TravelThe Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) launched a dynamic recovery program to support local businesses along the food tourism value chain and encouraging hyperlocal travel within the province of Ontario. The program is complemented by the “The Great Taste of Ontario,” campaign, centered around a collection of hyperlocal destination passports created by destination partners, that will inspire Ontario residents to discover—or rediscover—their province and explore local businesses in the region. For more information, or to download your passport, visit The Great Taste of Ontario.
Toronto Clean Energy Partnership looking for industry experts to join initiativeDoes your company have solutions to reduce carbon pollution in the energy and building sectors? Can you bring your solutions to scale at a city level? Interested in growing your sales internationally? Join the Toronto Clean Energy Partnership. Applications from Toronto and GTA companies are now open. Learn more and apply by August 13.
Webinars and Online EventsA full list of webinars and learning opportunities is available online.T2 Corporation Income Tax Return Seminar
August 9, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Register (Free)

eCommerce 101: What, Why, How
August 10, 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Register (Free)

CaféTO & Expanded Outdoor Dining Program 2021
Watch on Demand (Free)

Business Learning Hub Courses
Register (Pay what you can)

Small Business Centres Ontario
On-going Online Events and e-Learning – Register (Free to $35)
City of Toronto Programs and ResourcesBusiness licensing and permit application portalBusinessTO Support Centre: Provides one-on-one virtual support to help businessesDigital Main Street: Provides support for businesses interested in adopting technologies COVID-19: Guidelines for Businesses & Community OrganizationsMandatory mask-wearing guidelinesPrintable posters Reopen Safely with Rapid Testing Kits: The City of Toronto has partnered with the Toronto Region Board of Trade to provide free COVID-19 rapid screening kitsPreventing COVID-19 in the Workplace: Requirements of employers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplaceRapid Screening Kits for Businesses ShopHERE powered by Google: Get help to set up and launch an online store quickly, easily and at no cost Free Webinars
Financial Support and ResourcesFederal and provincial government financial supports: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) programCanada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) programCanada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)Support for Indigenous BusinessesBusiness Credit Availability Program Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) Ontario Small Business Support GrantFor one-on-one help with applications for any of these programs contact the BusinessTO Support Centre.