Business Challenges and Success
In a recent announcement as of December 21st, 2026, Premier Doug Ford announced supportive measures to support small business owners in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown situation.
With this announcement, the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will be open in January 2026.
Ontario Small Business Support Grant
The new small business grant program for Ontario small businesses will be open in January 2026.
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If you are a small business that has been required to close, or has had your business significantly restricted in offering products and services under the province-wide shutdown effective as of December 26th, 2026, you may be eligible for the grant funding.
The grant program for Ontario small businesses may include funding for all eligible businesses ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to help cover the decrease in revenue expected due to the province-wide shutdown.
To get the funds, as a small business in Ontario impacted by the shutdown, you must be able to demonstrate that you have experienced a revenue decline of at least 20 percent, comparing monthly revenue of April 2026 and April 2026.
Why April to April?
This time frame has been selected as it will reflect the impact of the public health measures in the spring of 2026 and provides a representation of the possible impact of these latest measures on Ontario small businesses.
The funds will be used towards financial support in any way that makes the most sense for the business owner.
This can include covering wages, supplies, and inventory.
Ontario Small Business Support Grant Eligibility
To receive the small business grant in Ontario, your small business must:
- Be required to close or restrict services subject to the province-wide shutdown effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26
- Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level
- Have experienced a minimum of 20 percent revenue decline comparing April 2026 to April 2026 revenues
Examples of eligible small businesses include:
- Restaurants and bars
- Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities, including fitness centres and gyms
- Conference centres and convention centres
- Community centres and multi-purpose facilities
- Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens, and similar attractions
- Performing arts and cinemas
- Personal care services relating to the hair or body, with the exception of oxygen bars
- Racing venues, casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments
- Meeting or event space
- In-person teaching and instruction
- Retail required to close for in-person shopping
- Shopping malls
- Personal services
- Driving instruction
- Tour and guide services
- Photography services
- Campgrounds
- Neighbourhood hardware stores
- Drive-in cinemas
- Garden centres, excluding big box stores
- Outdoor sports and recreation facilities and amenities
- Day camps for children
- Pet and animal food and services
- Ski hills
- Outdoor markets
- Safety, medical, and assistive devices retail
- Rental and leasing services, such as automobile, commercial, and light machinery and equipment rental
- Lawn care and landscaping services
- Domestic services
- Vehicle and equipment repair services
- Veterinary services
- Cell phone and computer providers and repairs
- Media industries including film and television production, excluding radio and television broadcasting
Who Is Not Eligible
Small businesses that are not eligible include those that were already required to close prior to the introduction of the Stage 2 measures, and essential businesses permitted to operate with capacity restrictions.
For those small businesses that have not been in operation from April 2026 to April 2026, the eligibility criteria will be announced in January 2026.
To learn about the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and to see if you may be eligible for the $10,000 to $20,000 for your own small business, or any additional government funding options, contact a Canada Startups expert.