The Ontario government is launching a “Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!” campaign to encourage Ontario residents to support their local small businesses and to shop safely while doing so.
The province is launching the campaign in connection with International Small Business Week.
“The countless stories of success from our diverse small business community is living proof that Ontario is a place to grow and achieve big dreams,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business. “All of our small businesses supported the fight against COVID-19, many by closing their doors for several months—now it’s our turn to help support their recovery. When Ontarians Shop Local, Shop Safe and Shop with Confidence, we’re doing our part to ensure the future vitality of our main streets, our communities and our province.”
There is no additional funding announced with the campaign.
The province’s campaign asks for mayors, local leaders and groups to support our small businesses by committing on social media to “Shop Local, Shop Safe, Shop with Confidence,” while highlighting the best practices put in place by businesses to help keep shoppers safe while ensuring that the reopening of Ontario continues to be a success.
The government is pointing to the principles of the People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise to encourage small businesses to strictly follow health guidelines and reopen with appropriate measures in place, so consumers can shop safely and with confidence, including: washing and sanitizing hands; maintaining physical distancing; staying home if unwell; practicing respiratory etiquette and cleaning and disinfecting regularly.
“The Retail Council of Canada is strengthened by the contributions of our diverse membership, and we’re delighted join the Government of Ontario in supporting our main street retail businesses and indeed all retailers across the province,” said Diane J. Brisebois, President of the Retail Council of Canada. “‘Shop Local, Shop Safe, Shop with Confidence‘ helps retailers, the province’s largest private-sector employers, promote safety for consumers and workplaces, while continuing to help to build strong and vibrant communities all across Ontario.”
Additionally, the province has previously announced “significant support to small businesses”, including an investment of $150 million in rural broadband as well as an expansion of the Digital Main Street platform to help small businesses create and enhance their online presence, helping them to adapt and meet the challenges of today. The province has also implemented a ban on commercial evictions to help small businesses that have been significantly impacted by restrictions due to COVID-19.
The Ontario Government reduced the small business Corporate Income Tax rate by 8.7 percent starting January 1, 2020. They say this will deliver up to $1,500 in annual savings to more than 275,000 businesses.
