UPDATED February 10th, 2022.
The new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program provides support for property tax and energy costs to businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant.
- Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures.
- Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 percent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 percent of their property tax and energy costs.
- Eligible businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equal to 100 percent of their costs.
- As of February 7, 2022, some eligible business types will be able to submit two billing cycles for rebates based on their specific restriction duration and capacity restriction level.
The Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program Guide includes a full list of eligible businesses and is available at ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs .
Payments to eligible businesses are retroactive to December 19, 2021.
Eligibility Criteria for Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program
- Business must be subject to a provincially-mandated capacity limit of 50 percent or lower (including a requirement to temporarily close)
- Business must pay commercial (non-residential) property taxes and/or non-residential energy costs – either directly or through the property owner (as detailed in their lease)
- Not-for-profits and charities may be eligible if their operations/service is impacted by the capacity limits and meets the eligibility criteria.
Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program Application Process
- To apply, visit Businesses: Get help with COVID-19 costs and follow the link to complete the online application.
- Businesses applying to the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program for the first time should select ‘Apply for Funding.’ Businesses that have applied for one energy billing cycle and are now eligible to submit a second cycle of bills should select ‘Resume Application.’
Businesses are required to submit proof of costs associated with property tax and/or energy bills as part of the application process.
Payment
- Approved applicants will receive funds via Electronic Fund Transfer directly into their business bank account. Business bank accounts must be located in Ontario.
- Funds will not be deposited into a personal account used for business purposes.
Oshawa Power (OPUC) Customers
OPUC’s team has created an online form for customers to request their bills outside of their self-serve portal and accessible anytime. They’ve designed this with the hopes that it would give interested businesses the simplest possible way to request copies without having to call.
The form can be found at: https://www.opuc.on.ca/ontario-business-rebate-program-bill-request/
