For: Canadian companies involved in large-scale, transformative, and collaborative projects concerning decarbonization
Strategic Innovation Fund – Net Zero Accelerator
On December 17, 2020, the Government of Canada announced a new initiative to support rapid decarbonization in Canada via a $3B investment over five years in the Strategic Innovation Fund – Net Zero Accelerator. The program will be delivered using the same program parameters as the current Strategic Innovation Fund but will have an added emissions reduction and sustainability lens. The program will focus on projects that feature the development and adoption of clean technology in industrial sectors, aerospace and automobile manufacturing, as well as the development of a Canadian battery innovation and industrial ecosystem. Project contributions can be repayable, non-repayable or a combination of the two up to a maximum of 50% of total project costs for projects requesting at least $10M.
For: High-growth Southwestern and Eastern Ontario-based companies looking to grow, improve productivity, invest in innovation and skills development and expand into new markets
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) & Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF)
New intake periods for SWODF and EODF open on January 20, 2021, and will close on March 4, 2021. Loans of up to 15% to a maximum of $5M are available for projects that aim to improve a company’s competitiveness and productivity, while allowing them to pursue new markets or expand the business through the introduction of new products or services. This program is aimed towards high-growth companies with at least three years of substantial operating experience.
For: SMEs in Southern Ontario’s Food and Agri-Technology Sectors looking to expand and scale-up
SmartGrowth Program (Bioenterprise)
The SmartGrowth program funds innovative southern Ontario-based companies in agriculture, agri-food and agri-tech sectors. Funding is available to support scale-up and expansion projects featuring innovative technologies that will help accelerate the company’s growth and profitability, and further strengthen the agri-technology sector in Southern Ontario. The program will fund up to 40% of total project costs ranging from $100-250K. Intake to submit a Letter of Intent opened on January 4, 2021, and closes on January 22, 2021 at 12pm.
For: Canadian companies looking to hire youth aged 15-30 years old
Canada Summer Jobs – Quality Job Placements (Employment and Social Development Canada)
The Canada Summer Jobs program offers a wage subsidy for employers hiring youth in Quality Job Placements. A Quality Job Placement should demonstrate youth investment by paying above the minimum wage in your region, committing to retain the youth as an employee beyond the period of the wage subsidy, as well as offering meaningful supervision, mentoring, and skills development. The deadline to apply for 2021 job placements is January 29, 2021, and will support full-time or part-time work between April 26, 2021 and February 26, 2022 for a minimum of six weeks.
For: Companies looking to hire post-secondary students for the winter term
Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) (Employment and Social Development Canada)
SWPP provides wage subsidies to employers offering work placements for post-secondary students in their field of study. The subsidy typically covers up to 50% of wages (up to $5,000) per new placement, and 70% of wages (up to $7,000) for students in select underrepresented groups. As part of the Government of Canada’s response to COVID-19, a temporary increase has been put in place whereby employers can receive 75% of the cost of wages (up to $7,500) per placement. These measures will be in effect until April 30, 2021. Application intakes are currently open for the winter term (January – April 2021). SWPP is offered through a number of Employer Delivery Partners, each focused on a specific sector or industry.
For: Ontario-based Film/TV and Digital Media Producers
Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit, Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit, Ontario Production Services Tax Credit
The November 5, 2020 Budget for Ontario proposed some extended deadlines and adapted requirements for Film/TV and Digital Media Tax Credits due to the disruption in production activity caused by COVID-19. Certain filing deadlines, labour expenditure windows, and deadlines for airing have been extended by 24 months. Changes for the OIDMTC have since been passed into law. OFTTC and OPSTC changes are pending.