Businesses impacted by the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions are getting some support from the province.

Under the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program, eligible businesses will receive rebate payments up to 50 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to the current capacity limits.

Examples of businesses that will be eligible for the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program include restaurants, smaller retail stores and gyms. A full list of eligible business types will be made available through a program guide in mid-January 2022 when the online application opens..

The province is also providing additional support to help improve cash flows for Ontario businesses by providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes – everything from the Employer Health Tax to taxes on Beer and Tobacco and gas taxes.

Ontario is also calling on the federal government to strengthen federal support programs including adjusting the eligibility requirements for the Government of Canada’s Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program to ensure more impacted businesses can apply.

Ontario also wants the federal government to look at delaying the payment of the HST.