[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Learn how to request a temporary rule or regulation change to help your business respond to COVID-19 (coronavirus).[/vc_column_text][gtc_button new_tab=”_blank” size=”gtc_button–mini” icon_enabled=”” uppercase=”true” custom_font_family=”false” custom_margins=”false” custom_paddings=”false” customize_colors=”” show_desctope=”true” show_small_desctope=”true” show_tablet=”true” show_mobile=”true” title=”Submit a Request” url=”https://www.ontario.ca/form/help-us-help-your-business-respond-to-covid-19″][vc_column_text]Ontario is moving quickly to support the frontlines and businesses during the COVID-19. To help remove obstacles and streamline Ontario’s ability to respond to the outbreak and navigate through it, several temporary rules and regulations have been put in place. To support your ongoing work during COVID-19, you can request a temporary regulation or policy to change to help:
- assist the health care system meet the needs of needs of the emergency
- assist businesses in retooling or producing essential or health-related products and supplies
- make it easier for businesses trying to operate remotely or in a non-traditional fashion and are facing unexpected challenges
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What we have done so far
Learn how Ontario is responding to COVID-19 in the following categories:
Business and economy
- Extended existing security guard registrations in Ontario by 90 days
- Extended licences and certificates under Nutrition Act by one year
- Permitted truck deliveries to grocery stores, pharmacies and other retail stores outside of daylight hours to ensure shelves are properly stocked
- Permitted after hours construction for critical infrastructure
- Allowed businesses to automatically defer WSIB payments and reporting until August 2020
- Permitted restaurants that hold a Liquor Sales Licence to include alcohol as part of a takeout or delivery order
- Allowed cannabis delivery and curbside pick-up of authorized retail stores
- Created flexibility for annual general meetings and participation by electronic means
- Temporarily exempted public consultation requirements on the Environmental Registry for urgent actions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, ensuring operations can continue and goods and services can be delivered to the people of Ontario.
- Extended timelines for aggregate approvals to provide clients and the public adequate time to complete the application process
- Provided electricity relief to families, small businesses and farms
Home and community
Address change, birth and more.
- Ensured that staffing and resources are available to help care for and protect people with developmental disabilities and the frontline workers who support them
- Protected seniors in retirement homes by allowing for more flexibility to address staffing staffing needs
Law and safety
Legal system, consumer rights, courts, police, emergency and victim services.
- Allowed electronic witnessing of signatures for wills and powers of attorney
- Protected consumers from price gouging
Driving and roads
Road conditions, licences, registrations and more.
Granted relief to businesses and residents by granting extensions on expiry dates for driver’s licences, vehicle and carrier products and services due to COVID-19.
- Created exemptions for weight load restrictions on roads to support COVID-19 efforts
- Enabled auto insurance companies to provide driver rebates during COVID-19
- Extended driver’s licences expiration dates, temporary driver’s licences, driving instructor licence and driving schools, Ontario Photo Card
- Extended the Enhanced Driver’s Licence expiration date for driving purposes only. The expired EDL will not be valid as a travel document
- Extended rules governing Conduct Review Program timelines
- Extended driver training programs time limitations
- Extended over 1-year and under 3-year provisions for driver’s licences
- Extended licence plate sticker validation including International Registration Plan (IRP)
- Extended 10-day special permits and temporary validation
- Extended the requirement to register a vehicle (including snow vehicles) within six days.
- Extended the requirement to change address or vehicle modification within six days
- Extended the Safety Standards Certificate and Structural Inspection Certificate
- Extended International Registration Plan (IRP) Cab Cards
- Extended the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR), annual oversize/overweight permits and semi-annual and annual vehicle inspections
- Amended effective date for mandatory electronic emission test for heavy diesel commercial vehicles from July 1, 2020 to Oct 1, 2020
- Extended expiration dates for receipts from online renewals beyond 14 days
- Extended due dates to submit medical or vision reports to the Ministry of Transportation by 60 days or more
Health and wellness
Health card, wellness and disease prevention.
- Provided public health units authority and flexibility to make staffing decisions
- Streamlined long-term care home requirements
- Expedited the licensing process for genetic testing laboratories
- Limited access of COVID-19 status information to specified persons
Pharmacists
- Permitted pharmacists to renew and adapt prescriptions for controlled drugs and substances (CDS)
- Permitted pharmacists to transfer CDS prescriptions to other pharmacists
- Permitted prescribers (such as physicians and nurse practitioners) to issue verbal orders to renew or refill a prescription over the phone
- Permitted employees of the pharmacy to deliver CDS prescriptions to patients under self-isolation
Rural and north
Local food, agriculture, communities and development.
- Gave taxpayers in unincorporated areas more time to pay each of the four 2020 Provincial Land Tax installments without incurring interest or penalties
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
- Deferred any repayments of principal and interest on a loan coming due during between April 1 and June 30, 2020
- Waived all interest that accrues on NOHFC loans between March 20 and June 30, 2020
- Extended the maturity date of NOHFC loans to July 1, 2020
- Extended the deadline for current NOHFC programs until June 30, 2020
Taxes and benefits
Financial supports, personal income tax, HST and business taxes.
- Deferred the June 30 property tax payments municipalities make to school boards by 90 days
- Applied 2020 tax year valuations to property assessments for 2021
- Granted relief to businesses filing returns and remitting taxes under Ontario’s business-focused tax program from April 1 to August 31, 2020, including:
- Employer Health Tax
- Tobacco Tax
- Fuel Tax
- Gasoline Tax
- Beer, Wine & Spirits Tax
- Mining Tax
- Insurance Premium Tax
- International Fuel Tax Agreement
- Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts and Benefit Plans
- Race Tracks Tax
- Temporarily increased the Employer Health Tax payroll exemption amount from $490,000 to $1 million for the 2020 tax year
Updated: April 28, 2020
Published: April 28, 2020
Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/frontline-business-help-us-support-you-during-covid-19[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
