Advocacy Committee Attends Regional Business Support Webinar

February 4, 2021

On February 2 I joined a local Regional Business Support webinar hosted by Whitby MPP Lorne Coe with The Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture.

The focus of the event was to update on restrictions and supports for those in the culture, sport and tourism sectors as well as the small business sector. Minister MacLeod was joined by Whitby MPP Lorne Coe, Durham MPP Lindsey Park, Michael Tibollo the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, MPPs Logan Kanapathi, Billy Pang, and Gila Martow.

There were 220 people/organizations from Durham, York, and Headwaters on the call. While there were no opportunities to pose questions, other than emailing Minister McLeod, I did send an inquiry and if I receive a reply I will update this blog. The question I posed was related to getting businesses back open and getting access to data that impacts these decisions specific to businesses.

The first part of the webinar had staff highlight the industry restrictions that were put in place in January. The second part was to highlight grant opportunities and how to access them.

Grants for Cultural, Tourism and Sport (to be opened shortly)

$100 million community building fund – cultural tourism and sport (to be managed by The Trillium Foundation)
- local tourism, culture, and heritage to sustain in short term
- funding for municipalities for sports and recreation to meet local community needs
Emergency Supports for Core Arts Organization – $24M for core cultural institutions and $1 million to artists directly (Ontario Arts Council to manage and act as the delivery agent)

Small Businesses

One time grant of $10K up to$ 20K if experience a minimal 20 percent decline (under 100 employees – closed or significantly restricted because of the lockdown
There is a revenue decline comparator to determine eligibility and how much

Learn more.

-Chris Bovie, External Relations Officer, Communications and Public Affairs, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences