Small Business Support Resources

Ensure your business is prepared to handle a potential case of business disruption to mitigate potential financial impacts to your employees and your business.

Digital Main Street

During this pandemic, developing your online sales is key. The Digital Main Street program provides your business with FREE digital consulting, mentorship, and skills training. For more information, contact digitalmainstreet@hamiltonchamber.ca.

DMS is hosting several online webinars to help boost your digital skills. To register, check out the full list here.

Electricity and Utilities Support

On March 24th, the provincial government announced immediate electricity rate relief 

  • For a 45-day period, the government is holding electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 ¢/kWh no matter what time of day the electricity is consumed.
  • Time-of-use customers will see rate reductions of over 50 per cent compared to on-peak rates.
  • The pricing applies automatically – no customer action is required.
  • Some customers may receive a bill before their utility or unit sub-meter provider is able to implement the price change, in which case they will receive a credit on the following bill.

In addition to the TOU rate relief, Alectra has been working on other solutions that will make a real difference to our business customers. 

  • Extended the period for which we will not disconnect customers to July 31st.
  • Alectra will be releasing security deposits on eligible accounts provided by all business customers.
  • Working closely with customers who require flexible payment plans during this difficult time

See the full announcement from Alectra here.

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

The Business Development Bank of Canada website is a great resource hub for Canadian entrepreneurs. It includes information on working capital, payment postponements and rate reductions.

Effective immediately, new relief measures for qualified businesses below. For more details visit: bdc.ca/coronavirus.

  • Working capital loans of up to $2 million with flexible terms and principal postponements for up to 6 months for qualifying businesses;
  • Postponement of payments for up to six months, free of charge, for existing BDC clients with total BDC loan commitment of $1 million or less
  • Temporary rate reductions for eligible BDC clients and on new client loans
  • Additional details regarding Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) measures, including industry specific support

Google’s Support for Small Businesses

Google announced they will provide $340 million in Google Ads credits available to all small- and medium-sized businesses with active accounts over the past year. Credit notifications will appear in their Google Ads accounts and can be used at any point until the end of 2020 across our advertising platforms. Learn more about Google’s initiatives here.

Workplace Health and Safety / Federal Labour Standards:

Digital Communication Tools