Bloor West Village BIA
Bloor West Village
Toronto, Ontario M6S 3R1
647-729-6963 | phone
Hours of Operation
Please make an appointment.
|
UPDATED INFORMATION: RAPID ANTIGEN SCREENING PROGRAM FOR SMALL & MEDIUM SIZED ORGANIZATIONS, COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANTS AND MORE...
 
In collaboration with the Government of Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart will be offering increased and timely access to free rapid antigen tests for Canadian organizations to use for workplace screening of their employees.
To confirm your eligibility, please contact the Health Solutions by Shoppers Drug Mart team by emailing saleshealthsolutions@shoppersdrugmart.ca or completing a request on the program portal.
Currently, tests are being offered free-of-charge; however, a $14 handling fee will be charged for every box of 25 tests.
Learn more
Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant announced
The Ontario government announced the new COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant, which provides $10,000 to eligible small businesses required to close under modified Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen. Eligible businesses include restaurants and bars, fitness centres and gyms, meeting or event spaces and more. Businesses that previously qualified for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will be pre-screened for eligibility and do not need to apply for the new program. Newly established and newly eligible businesses will need to apply. The application portal will open in the coming weeks.
|
|
Commercial and Industrial Property Improvement Program opens for applications
The City of Toronto's new Commercial and Industrial Property Improvement Program is available to owners and tenants of commercial and industrial properties in Toronto to improve the appearance and/or function of the property's exterior spaces. Grants cover half the costs of eligible property or site improvements up to a maximum amount of $5,000. Additional grant funding of up to $2,500 is available for exterior accessibility improvements which meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) design standards. Applications will be accepted until June 30 or when funds are expended, whichever comes first. Download application form [PDF] and submit.
|
|
Federal government supports available for businesses facing hardship
The Government of Canada continues to offer targeted supports for businesses and self-employed individuals facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include rent and property expenses support; wage and hiring support; Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility; Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit and more. See the supports available for businesses, self-employed individuals and sectors.
|
|
Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program to help operators and owners of vacant storefronts
The City of Toronto's new Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program is offering matching funding of 50 per cent to commercial business operators and owners of vacant storefronts (or, in certain limited circumstances, at risk of becoming vacant) to undertake interior improvements. The program is a key part of the Toronto Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative. Applications will be accepted until February 28, 2022 or when funds are expended, whichever comes first, and are considered on a first received, first reviewed basis. Download application form [PDF] and submit.
|
|
Ontario government requesting eligible businesses to host employer-led vaccine clinics
The Government of Ontario has extended its request for businesses to host employer-led clinics that meet established criteria to vaccinate their employees aged 18 and over, their families and retirees, as well as members of the local and neighbouring communities as capacity allows. If your business meets the criteria, call the Ontario Together Contact Centre at 1-888-777-0554 to learn more.
|
|
Toronto area employment increased in December
Statistics Canada reported that employment in the Toronto census metropolitan area (CMA) increased by 18,900 in December on top of a cumulative 310,700 gain over the prior six months. The unemployment rate dipped to 6.8 per cent, the lowest since February 2020. Employment has now recovered past its pre-pandemic level, though the unemployment rate remains above its 2019 average of 6.1 per cent. Estimates for the city of Toronto, seasonally adjusted, indicate a moderate 8,900 employment decline in December accompanied by a decline in the unemployment rate to 7.9 per cent.
|
|
Entrepreneur Mentoring Program looking for experienced volunteer mentors
January is National Mentoring Month and the City of Toronto's Small Business Enterprise Centre (Enterprise Toronto) is looking for experienced entrepreneurs who want to share their expertise. If you're an entrepreneur who can provide advice on starting and growing a small business, consider becoming a volunteer mentor. Complete an online form to get started.
|
|
Webinars and Online Events
A full list of webinars and learning opportunities is available online.
Legal Bootcamp: How to Start & Grow Your Business
January 12, 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Register (Free)
WSIB Laws & Regulations for Small Businesses
January 13, 9:30 to 11 a.m. – Register (Free)
T1 General Small Business Tax Literacy Seminar
January 14, 9:30 a.m. to noon – Register (Free)
Retail Accelerator Program Information Session
January 17, 10 to 11 a.m. – Register (Free)
Web Presence 101: Ensuring Your Foundation is Set
January 18, 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Register (Free)
Service Canada Programs and Services for Employers
January 20, 11 a.m. to noon – Register (Free)
B Corp 101 Workshop: Learning to Measure What Matters
January 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Register (Free)
Business Learning Hub Courses
Register (Pay what you can)
Small Business Centres Ontario
On-going Online Events and e-Learning – Register (Free to $35)
|
|
|
|
|
|
View All Newsletters & Press Releases »
|
|
|
