- SkipTheDishes COVID-19 Support. October 2020
- Ontario implementing Additional Public Health and Testing Measures to Keep People Safe
- Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
- Government Funded Program to Support Southern Ontario Women-Led SMEs
- Lower Limits for Unmonitored and Private Social Gatherings in Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto Regions
- COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business- CEAP-SB
- COVID-19 Business Reopening 101: Webinar
- Brampton Mandatory mask by-law information for businesses
- Brampton Farmers’ Market Map
- WSPS- Heat stress article: July, 2020
- WSPS Reorienting workers article- July, 2020
- Downtown Brampton BIA Business Preparedness Planning Overview
- Ontario Moving Toronto and Peel Region into Stage 2
- Ontario Announces Additional Workplaces that can Reopen- May 14, 2020
- COVID-19 Guidance: Essential Workers – May 2, 2020
- Health Experts Say the COVID-19 Outbreak Has Likely Peaked in Ontario
- Ontario Unveils Guiding Principles to Reopen the Province
COVID-19 Information for DBBIA Businesses
Advocacy Letters for the Downtown Brampton Business Community
- DBBIA Letter to the City of Brampton
- Mayor supports small business and rent relief letter
- A Message from the Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
- IDA Canada Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau
- Letter from Mayor Brown to Minister Clark On Commercial Rent
- BBOT letter to Hon Steve Clark Min of Municipal Affairs re Commercial Rent
Your COVID-19 Employment Questions Answered:
With the spread of COVID-19 and the partial, temporary and full closures of many businesses, we know that small business owners have questions about how to deal with their employees. Join Stephen Wolpert and Marc Kitay, partners at award-winning employment law boutique Whitten & Lublin for a session to answer questions like:
-Am I allowed to lay my staff off during this emergency?
-What are the consequences of doing so?
-What if I can’t afford to rehire them when the emergency ends?
-Are my employees eligible for employment insurance or wage subsidies?
-If I am the owner but I am on payroll, am I eligible?
-What steps can I take to protect myself from claims by my employees?
Click Here to watch the full video

Downtown Brampton BIA COVID-19 e-News
2021
January
- Member e-News January 15, 2021: Ontario Small Business Support Grant
- Member e-News January 13, 2021: Digital Transformation Webinars, Marketing content, Farmers’ Market location, Deliveries, & Marketing Opportunities
- Member e-News January 12, 2021: Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 Crisis and Save Lives
- Member e-News January 6, 2021: Farmers’ Market Location, FREE Delivery, E-Gift Card, Scan Here to Shop, and Dt Brampton Postcard Program
2020
December
- Member e-News December 23, 2020: Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
- Member e-News December 21, 2020: Ontario Announces Provincewide Shutdown to Stop Spread of COVID-19 and Save Lives
- Member e-News December 16, 2020: Coffee Talk, Curbside Pick up, BIA e-Gift Card, Boxing Day, Free Delivery, Bags, and Chocolate
- Member e-News December 11: Digital Main Street Apply Now, BIA e-Gift card, and FREE Delivery program for businesses
- Member e-News December 9, 2020: e-Gift Card, Coffee Talk, Digital Main Street, Window Decorating Contest winners, & Rebates
- Member e-News December 2, 2020: e-Gift Card, Digital Main St, Coffee Talk, Business Recovery, Marketing Opportunities, Holiday Cheer, & Rebates
November
- Member e-News November 25, 2020: DMS, Coffee Talk, Business Recovery Resources, Marketing Opportunities, Downtown Dollars, Carriage Rides Cancelled
- Member e-News November 21: COVID-19 Restrictions Update, Main Street Relief Grant
- Member e-News November 19:Coffee Talk, Survey, Marketing, Holiday Business mixer, Downtown Winter City Virtual Walkshop, & Postcard delivery
- Member e-News November 16: Digital Main Street Service Squad for Downtown Brampton BIA Businesses
- Member e-News November 11: Coffee Talk, Survey, Free Delivery Program, Window Decorating, Business Relief, Postcard Promotion, & Workshops
- Member e-News November 4, 2020: Coffee Talk, Survey, Free Delivery Program, Window Decorating, Business Relief & Send Us Your Photos!
October
- Thank you for Attending the AGM
- Member e-News October 28, 2020: Coffee Talk, filming, Delivery, Sherian, DeGroote survey, Workshops
- Member e-News October 21,2020: AGM, Coffee Talk, filming in dt Brampton, Delivery Survey, send us your photos, workshops
- 2020 AGM Package
- Member e-News October 14, 2020: AGM, Coffee Talk, Delivery Survey, advertise in Discover holiday magazine, DeGroote survey, video participants, Sign up for Winterpass savings, winterlights vendors, Print Three promotion, workshops
- Member e-News October 7, 2020: AGM, Filming in Dt Brampton, Advertise in DDB holiday magazine, DeGroote Survey, Scavenger Hunt, Winterlights Market Vendor
September
- Member e-News September 30, 2020: AGM invite, Coffee Talk, Starting Small, SAFEcheck, DMS Future proof, Women’s Business Accelerator, Safe Centre Virtual Open House, & Rebates
- Member e-News September 23, 2020: Coffee Talk, Budget Survey, Starting Small workshop, SAFECheck, DMS Future Proof, Workshops, CEAB-SB, & Rebates
- Celebrating 50 Years of BIAs Connecting People & Place
- Member e-News September 15, 2020: Coffee Talk, Budget survey, Small business stories, Food tourism, CEAP-SB
- Member e-News September 10, 2020: Coffee Talk, Budget Survey, Small Business Stories, CEAP-SB & rebates
- Member e-News September 2, 2020: Ryerson Venture Zone, Budget Survey, Canada Summer Student employees, CEAP-SB
August
- Member e-News August 26, 2020: Coffee Talk, Canada United, Peel Public Health Toolkit, and Rebates
- Member e-News August 18, 2020: Farmers’ Market survey, Coffee Talk, Endless Summer Sale, Budget, Rebates
- Member e-News August 12, 2020: Merchant and Farmers’ Market survey’s, Art Installation, Endless Summer sale, Budget Workshops, and Rebates
- Member e-News August 5, 2020: Merchant and Farmers’ Market survey, Art installation, Budget workshops, and Construction on George St. S
July
- Member e-News July 29, 2020: Peel Region moving into Phase 3
- Member e-News July 28, 2020: Merchant Survey, Farmers’ market survey, Patio on Main St, and Webinars
- Member e-News July 21,2020: Coffee Talk, Customer Service Training, LRT Extension, Marketing Opportunities
- Member e-News July 14, 2020: Mandatory Masks, Reopening 101 Webinar, Farmers’ Market booth, Grants
- Member e-News July 9, 2020: Brampton Council approves Mandatory Face Coverings by-Law
- Member e-News July 8, 2020: Farmers’ Market Rotational Booth, Coffee Talk, Rebates
- Member e-News July 3, 2020: Mandatory Masks, Brampton Farmers’ Market Update, Canada Day Contest Winners, & DMS Grants
June
- Member e-News June 30, 2020: Canada Day Celebration, Brampton Farmers’ Market, Pride
- Member e-News June 25, 2020: COVID-19 Update: Coffee Talk, Parking Garages Reopening, Virtual PITL
- Member e-News June 22, 2020: COVID- 19 Update: Ontario Phase 2
- Member e-News June 18, 2020: COVID-19 Update: Coffee Talk, Farmers’ Market, Virtual PITL
- Member e-News June 16, 2020: COVID-19 Update LRT Extension
- Member e-News June 11, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member e-News June 9, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member e-News June 4, 2020: COVID-19 Business Survey, Virtual Summer Sidewalk Sale
- Member e-News June 2, 2020: COVID-19 Update
May
- Member e-News May 28, 2020: DBBIA COVID-19 Business Survey
- Member e-News May 26, 2020: DBBIA COVID-19 Business Survey
- Member e-News May 20, 2020: Preparedness Planning
- Member e-News May 15, 2020: DBBIA Preparedness and Recovery Plan
- Member e-News May 14, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member e-News May 12, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member e-News May 7, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member e-News May 5, 2020: COVID-19 Update
April
- Member eNews April 29, 2020: Virtual Sidewalk Sale, & Hospitality Webinar Series, Coffee Talk,
- Member eNews April 24, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews April 22, 2020: Support Your Favourite Restaurant, Celebrate Earth Day & Coffee Talk this Friday
- Member eNews April 20,2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews April 14, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews April 9, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews April 6, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews April 2, 2020: COVID-19 Update
March
- Member eNews March 31, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 27, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 26, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 25, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 24, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 23, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 20, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 19, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 18, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 17, 2020: COVID-19 Update
- Member eNews March 16, 2020: COVID-19 Update

City of Brampton
- Brampton Council approves Mandatory Face Coverings By-Law press release
- COVID-19 Relief fund for Artists & Arts Organizations- applications open until July 30, 2020
- City of Brampton asks all City employees to be tested for COVID-19 as Ontario Government increases testing capacity at local assessment centres
- City of Brampton – Emergency Management page
- Brampton Means Business: Support for Your Business | COVID-19
- City of Brampton announces Mayor’s COVID-19 Economic Support and Recovery and Social Support Task Forces
- Brampton Entrepreneur Centre- Free Online Training

Business Resources
- The POST Promise training & education platform is a voluntary declaration from a business to its customers and employees. Show your business is taking steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19: postpromise.com
- Restaurants Canada – COVID-19 Best Practices for Reopening
- Frequently asked questions about essential businesses
- How to build a “buy online, pick up curbside” store – Shopify
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses
- Coronavirus and small business: keeping you and your employees safe
- BDC Funding Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19
- Pandemic Preparedness Guide for Business
- Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs
- Planning Checklist for Retailers – COVID-19
- How to find out if your business qualifies for the COVID-19 wage subsidy
Additional Resources
- Tax Filing Deadline has been extended by at least 1 month
- Uber has waived all its delivery fees and will allow same day payouts to for Local Restaurants everywhere
- Skip the Dishes
- Facebook is offering cash grants and ad credits
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
Downtown Brampton Coffee Talks
- November 6, 2020: Arts & Culture Brampton
- October 30, 2020: Free Local Delivery Program
- October 23, 2020: Ryerson School of Urban Planning and a Wintertime Strategy for Downtown Brampton
- October 16, 2020: Main Street Action Week
- October 2, 2020: Holiday update
- September 25, 2020: BIA update
- September 18, 2020: RIC Centre & SAFECheck
- September 11, 2o20: Ryerson Venture Zone
- August 28, 2020: BIA budget for 2021
- August 21, 2020: City of Brampton Tourism Strategy
- August 7, 2020: Phase Three in Region of Peel
- July 24, 2020: Advancing Downtown Brampton Spaces & Places
- July 17, 2020: Discussion on Mandatory masks in the workforce
- July 10, 2020: Discussion on DBBIA Rebate programs
- June 26, 2020: Discussion on Recovery with Councillor Medeiros
- June 19, 2020: Discussion on DBBIA recovery plans, and Brampton Farmers’ Market
- June 12, 2020: Discussion on race, justice, equity, and inclusion
- June 5, 2020: Discussion with BEC on business Grants and Programs
- May 29, 2020: Discussion on Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
- May 22, 2020: Reopening your business
- May 15, 2020: Getting a head of the curve with Brampton Proud
- May 8, 2020: Health and Wellness with Brampton Denture Clinic
- May 1, 2020: Marketing Tips during COVID-19 with Razor Creative & Winged Whale Media’
- April 17, 2020: Employment issues with CCP LLP Mike MacLellan

OBIAA Business Resources
OBIAA Letters

Safety Checklist for Businesses
For businesses whose operations are closed during this time, Ottawa Police have created a safety checklist to ensure your shop or restaurant remains secure. Police recommend the following guidelines:
- Keep the lights on
- Remove ALL cash and receipts
- Do not leave any valuables clearly visible or accessible
- All safes and tills should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage
- Keep all cash drawers open to show that nothing is in the drawers
- All ATM’s should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage
- All alcohol products removed from bar and put in secured storage areas (no alcohol left visible from outside)
- Consider posting “NO CASH or Valuables on Premises” signage
- Deactivate all scheduled FOB door openings (ie. Cleaners, deliveries, etc)
- Disconnect all kitchen gas lines from their gas source
Make regular site visits to monitor your shop/business and to manage inventory and storage conditions (consider scattering the times this is done to not establish a pattern)

Government of Ontario
HOW TO APPLY FOR EI DURING COVID-19
Apply as soon as possible after you stop working. If you wait
more than 4 weeks after your last day of work to apply, you may
lose benefits.
Scenario 1 – You are under isolation or quarantine: Apply to EI NOW as SICK BENEFITS.
Scenario 2 – You are laid off from work due to shortage of work due to Covid– 19 – Apply for EI NOW under Regular EI benefits – Shortage of Work
Scenario 3 – You are laid off from work due to your place of business closing due to Covid -19 – Apply for EI NOW under Regular EI Benefits – Involuntary Leave
Scenario 4 – You are NOT ELIGIBLE for EI benefits but want to apply for the new Package announced for those not eligible for EI – you must wait until this passes the House of Commons – which should be by April and applications and money will flow by May. You will be given application instructions once the applications are approved for production.
Click Here for the Employment Insurance benefits and leave website