Support for Local Businesses

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On February 4, 2022, the Town is launching ShopNOTL, an Economic Development initiative in support of the local business community. This new website, separate from the Town’s website, provides a comprehensive online Business Directory and acts as a one-stop-shop for residents and visitors to shop local.

ShopNOTL connects NOTL businesses and customers by showcasing the superb and diverse business community and providing a simple, direct link to local business websites and other pertinent contact information. Signing up your business is a simple process and you can include your logo or a photo in your listing. Stay tuned for more information.

Take out Tuesday! The Town is doing an initiative specifically for our local restaurants called Take out Tuesday that will be promoted on social media. You're invited to join in a community-wide Takeout Tuesday event every other Tuesday beginning January 25th. Our local restaurants have been through a lot these last few years, and ordering takeout is one small way to show them our love and support. Join the effort and plan for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner takeout every other Tuesday! #SupportNOTL #ShopNOTL #LoveNOTL

The Town remains committed to working with different agencies and levels of government, to advocate for support for businesses to help overcome these challenges and recover from this pandemic.

Ways the Town has supported businesses so far:

Proof of Vaccination Signage for Businesses

The following signs have been provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health for businesses to use to promote the proof of vaccination requirements.

Please click on the image to access a PDF of the sign.

English proof of vaccine poster for businesses - in colourEnglish proof of vaccine poster for businesses - in black and white
French proof of vaccine poster for businesses - in colourFrench proof of vaccine poster for businesses - in black and white


Business Owners and Operators: Please see the list of programs below, along with some helpful links in the column to the right for available support.

  • Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant: $10,000 for eligible businesses subject to closure under the modified Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen.
  • Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program: applications opening January 18, 2022: The new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will support businesses most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs, while businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs.
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: 75% of employee wages
  • Wage and Hiring Support: The government is temporarily expanding eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program.
  • Rent and Property Expense Report: The government is temporarily expanding eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program.
  • Job and Growth Fund: Canada's Regional Development Agencies (RDA) work closely with businesses and innovators in their regions to fuel economic growth that creates more well-paying middle-class jobs for Canadians.
  • Extending the Work-Sharing Program: The agreement provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.
  • Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs.
  • Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF): This program will provide emergency funding support for large Canadian enterprises facing financial challenges in light of the economic impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. CEEFC has been formed to administer this mandate.
  • Financial Support for Indigenous Businesses: First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities and collectives can access funding to support their community-owned businesses whose revenues have been affected by COVID-19.

Government Subsidy Programs for Self-Employed individuals include:

  • Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit: The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown.
  • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit: The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19.
  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit: The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19.

For information about masks and for mask posters for businesses, please visit https://notl.com/facecovering

On February 4, 2022, the Town is launching ShopNOTL, an Economic Development initiative in support of the local business community. This new website, separate from the Town’s website, provides a comprehensive online Business Directory and acts as a one-stop-shop for residents and visitors to shop local.

ShopNOTL connects NOTL businesses and customers by showcasing the superb and diverse business community and providing a simple, direct link to local business websites and other pertinent contact information. Signing up your business is a simple process and you can include your logo or a photo in your listing. Stay tuned for more information.

Take out Tuesday! The Town is doing an initiative specifically for our local restaurants called Take out Tuesday that will be promoted on social media. You're invited to join in a community-wide Takeout Tuesday event every other Tuesday beginning January 25th. Our local restaurants have been through a lot these last few years, and ordering takeout is one small way to show them our love and support. Join the effort and plan for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner takeout every other Tuesday! #SupportNOTL #ShopNOTL #LoveNOTL

The Town remains committed to working with different agencies and levels of government, to advocate for support for businesses to help overcome these challenges and recover from this pandemic.

Ways the Town has supported businesses so far:

Proof of Vaccination Signage for Businesses

The following signs have been provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health for businesses to use to promote the proof of vaccination requirements.

Please click on the image to access a PDF of the sign.

English proof of vaccine poster for businesses - in colourEnglish proof of vaccine poster for businesses - in black and white
French proof of vaccine poster for businesses - in colourFrench proof of vaccine poster for businesses - in black and white


Business Owners and Operators: Please see the list of programs below, along with some helpful links in the column to the right for available support.

  • Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant: $10,000 for eligible businesses subject to closure under the modified Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen.
  • Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program: applications opening January 18, 2022: The new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will support businesses most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs, while businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs.
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: 75% of employee wages
  • Wage and Hiring Support: The government is temporarily expanding eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program.
  • Rent and Property Expense Report: The government is temporarily expanding eligibility for wage and commercial rent support for businesses and other organizations under the Local Lockdown Program.
  • Job and Growth Fund: Canada's Regional Development Agencies (RDA) work closely with businesses and innovators in their regions to fuel economic growth that creates more well-paying middle-class jobs for Canadians.
  • Extending the Work-Sharing Program: The agreement provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.
  • Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs.
  • Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF): This program will provide emergency funding support for large Canadian enterprises facing financial challenges in light of the economic impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. CEEFC has been formed to administer this mandate.
  • Financial Support for Indigenous Businesses: First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities and collectives can access funding to support their community-owned businesses whose revenues have been affected by COVID-19.

Government Subsidy Programs for Self-Employed individuals include:

  • Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit: The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown.
  • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit: The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19.
  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit: The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19.

For information about masks and for mask posters for businesses, please visit https://notl.com/facecovering

  • 20 Ways to Support Local Businesses

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    1. Write a positive online review

    This is a good time to finally get around to reviewing your favourite local business on Facebook, Google, Trip Advisor, etc. Good reviews can give businesses a big credibility boost and are an easy, free way to show your favourite small businesses that you support them.

    2. Pre-pay for future appointments

    If you have the means to do so, offer to pre-pay for future appointments with your regular service providers. While social distancing prevents you from going to get your hair coloured, attending music lessons, and so on, pre-paying for your next appointment can be a big help to small businesses during this time.

    3. Skip the refund and take a rain cheque!

    If you paid in advance for an event, a class, or a service, consider taking credit for the future instead of asking for a refund. These businesses will appreciate not needing to issue so many refunds right now.

    4. Show gratitude

    Keep morale up by thanking grocery, pharmacy or healthcare workers and truck drivers (to name a few) to let them know that you appreciate their hard work. Thank a local business or a front line worker to show your gratitude.

    5. Purchase a gift card to use later

    When business in Niagara-on-the-Lake is operating normally again, you’ll be back to visit your favourite restaurants, shops, and other local businesses. Purchasing gift cards online or by phone for future use is a great way to help out now. Contact a local business and inquire about the options they have available.

    6. Subscribe to a local business' e-newsletter

    Receiving e-newsletters from local businesses is a great way to stay up-to-date on their offers, products, knowledge, and more.

    7. Shop locally online

    Local shops and vendors may have closed their (physical) doors, but many still run online shops. Look for them on social media or check the business's website for links to their online marketplace.

    8. Order local food for delivery or takeout

    Many restaurants are now offering takeout even as they close their dining rooms. Support these local eateries by getting your food or drinks to-go and enjoying it at home.

    9. Reach out to a small business owner

    Take a moment to reach out to a small business owner and check in to see what you can do to support them – let’s take care of each other.

    10. Post your favourite local product

    Take a photo of your favourite product to purchase locally and post it to your social media accounts.

    11. Participate in a virtual class

    People who work in training or professional development are finding creative ways to move their instruction online. Attend an online fitness class, paint night, or concert with a local business.

    12. Outfit your new workspace

    Working from home? Have supplies delivered to your doorstep – support a local business while making your new workspace more functional.

    13. Shop over the phone

    Many businesses are accepting orders and payment over the telephone, so pick up the phone and make an inquiry to your favourite local retailer, restaurant, and service providers! Some are even offering delivery or front door pick up.

    14. Tag a friend in a post from your favourite local business

    This will help local businesses to reach future customers and gain more exposure.

    15. Plan a future outing

    Create a list of places and businesses you'd like to visit in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Share your list online and make plans to go with friends when it is safe to do so!

    16. Don't cancel

    If you have the means to do so, keep paying your memberships and subscriptions even if they’ve been temporarily suspended. Our local businesses need us more than ever!

    17. Commit to future work

    While you may not be able to start that home renovation project right now, your contractor will appreciate you committing to future projects. Lake of Bays is home to many quality builders and experienced crews.

    18. Share a post from your favourite local business

    Help your favourite businesses reach a broader audience by liking and sharing their information on social media.

    19. Add photos to a Google business listing

    According to Google, businesses with photos receive 35% more clicks through to their websites than businesses that don't have photos. Share your experiences by adding your favourite photos of local businesses and products to help drive traffic to their websites.

    20. Donate to local non-profits

    Donate online or by telephone - they need us now more than ever.

Page last updated: 03 Feb 2022, 10:55 AM