Financial Relief

As announced in a Media Release on March 24, 2020, the following is waived until June 30, 2020:

• Penalty or interest charges related to current 2020-year taxes, water charges and accounts receivable;
• Non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee charged by the Town for any returned items;
• Penalty or interest charges related to parking tickets from March 15 to June 30;
• Expired permit parking passes; and,
• No penalty for opting out or taking a pause from the pre-authorized payment program.
• Fees for the use of metered parking spaces are suspended until further notice.

Additionally, Town Council and Staff are working to identify immediate and long-term actions to support local businesses, workers, and residents. Initiatives include:

• Coordinating recommendations and measures to support business and resident relief efforts
• Identifying and assessing required support, stimulus and recovery measures
• Collaborating with the Regional Economic Rapid Response Team (ERRT) across Niagara to provide assistance to those businesses impacted by COVID-19

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS: See below for a list of important resources for financial relief:

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit - $2,000 per month pay if you are closed and not working
• Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance - The criteria has been amended to allow for easier access
• Eviction Ban - Government to introduce changes to the Commercial Tenancies Act to protect small businesses
• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy - 75% of employee wages
• Canada Emergency Business Account - Interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits impacted by COVID-19
• FedDev Ontario supports tourism and recovery efforts across Southern Ontario. From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario News release. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound economic impact on businesses and organizations across the country.