Ontario

Regional Business Resources

From the business coaching professionals at Mentor Works Ltd.

The following is a list of provincial resources for businesses in Ontario (see also Canadian Federal Business Resources and General Business Resources):

Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy Program Interest free loans to transform manufacturing processes and adopt leading edge technologies. $10M interest free loans for up to five years.
Apprenticeship Employer Signing Bonus The $2,000 Employer Signing Bonus initiative is designed to encourage employers in the trades to register new apprentices in sectors where there is a high demand for skilled workers.
Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit   A refundable tax credit for corporations and unincorporated businesses employing apprentices in certain skilled trades during the first 36 months of an apprenticeship program.
Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre Information on federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations, as well as hundreds of categorized links to both government and non-government sites. There are also a number of helpful Internet-based tools for business.
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) SMART Program   The SMART Program supports productivity improving projects such as lean design and lean manufacturing, quality improvement, energy efficiency, IT best practices, and environmental impact reduction.Projects of any size can be proposed for funding, but SMART Funding is only available up to 50% of project costs or $50,000, whichever is less.
Community Futures Development Corporations in Ontario  A comprehensive list of links to CFDC offices throughout Ontario. The CFDC operates as a source of financing (loans of up to $150,000 to a single business) when conventional business financing is not available.
Eastern Ontario Development Fund – Business Stream  For existing businesses that meet certain criteria this fund can provide up to 15% of project expenses for new technologies, new equipment, or skills training for employees that will drive your competitiveness and help your company grow.
Energy Incentives for Ontario Businesses A list of a variety of incentive programs for energy conservation and other “green” initiatives.
Export Access Program Assists small to medium size organizations to access and expand their growth in new foreign markets that are beyond the United States.
Growing Forward – Food Safety and Traceability Initiative  Helps producers and processors respond to market demands, and improve product tracking, by supporting facility-level traceability systems with up to $30k support for computer software and systems support.
MaRS – Market Research  Free mentorship and business training for business owners with a new service innovative concept. MaRS helps a range of social entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses – to generate specific social or environmental benefits as well as revenue.
Metis Wage Subsidy Program Assist clients who are having difficulties accessing employment due to factors such as lack of recent work experience or shortage of work. A subsidy is provided to the employer in order to provide valuable on the job work experience. The program duration is 24 weeks.
Ministry of Research and Innovation – Investment Accelerator Fund  Helps Ontario based, start up and early stage technology companies bring their products and services to market through investments of up to $500K.
MITACS Accelerate  A unique cost-shared R&D internship program which connects companies with Canadian universities’ research expertise, in all disciplines. During 4, 8, or 12-month research projects, interns (graduate students or post-doctoral fellows) bring a new perspective and the latest knowledge to a research challenge faced by the partner, in a wide range of areas including manufacturing, technical innovation, business processes, IT, social sciences, design and many more.
Ontario Business Program Guide  Listing of all government programs with links to program description, eligibility requirements, funding and application details.
Ontario Ministry of Small Business & Consumer Services  Resources to help Ontario’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for success both domestically and abroad.
Ontario Self-Employment Benefit Program Provides unemployed people who are or have recently been eligible for Employment Insurance with income and entrepreneurial support while they develop and start their business.
Sources of Financing Tool Find government assistance specific to your business needs by using this tool to search a comprehensive database of government financing programs for business by region.
Summer Jobs Service This program provides a $2/hour hiring incentive for employers who hire a student during the summer. Jobs can last up to 16 weeks beginning in April and ending by September 30.
Youth Employment Opportunities in Ontario A list of a variety of youth employment programs in Ontario.
Yves Landry Foundation In partnership with the Ontario Government, the Yves Landry Foundation is making available up to $50,000 per project in the form of a grant to foster training that will lead to advancements in innovation within the manufacturing sector in Ontario.

Contact Mentor Works today to learn more about other ways our professional business coaches can help your small business in Ontario.