Applications Open for Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program

On January 18, 2022, the provincial government announced that businesses that were required to close or reduce capacity to 50 per cent due to current public health measures, may be eligible to apply for the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program. The program will provide businesses with rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs backdated to December 2021 when restrictions first came into effect.

Businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, may be eligible to receive rebate payments equivalent to 50 per cent of their property tax and energy costs.

Eligibility criteria includes businesses that:

• Are subject to a provincially mandated capacity limit of 50 per cent or lower (including temporary closures),
• Are retail businesses less than 50,000 square feet (indoors),
• Pay commercial property taxes and/or non-residential energy costs – either directly or through property owners; and
• Are expected to be most impacted by the provincial mandate.

For more information, or to get started on your application, click here. Please note, businesses must apply to be considered for the rebate program, including those that previously received COVID-19 support payments.

Additionally, as of January 18, small businesses will be billed at the off-peak rate for all electricity charges, which will last for 21 days.

The government recognizes that the necessary public health measures are impacting businesses and want to provide the financial relief they need.

For any other questions or concerns, please contact ServiceOntario’s contact centre:

Toll-free: 1-855-216-3090
TTY: 416-325-3408
Toll-free TTY: 1-800-268-7095
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding government and statutory holidays).