Economic Recovery & Growth

Get Ready™ has a proven cloud-based screening tool that businesses have been using since May 2020, to easily track employees, essential visitors and contractors who are entering a workplace.

The Get Ready Daily Screening Tool™ is a simple and easily accessible app that allows employees, essential visitors and contractors to complete the required assessment on their desktop or mobile device, to determine if they are COVID-19 safe to enter a workplace.

Learn more here or contact Mike Minnick, Sales Manager

The federal government announced a proposed extension of the Wage Subsidy, Rent Subsidy, and Lockdown Support until September 25, 2021, and the Business Credit Availability Program and Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program until December 31, 2021. For more info:

Helping Hard-hit Businesses Hire More Workers with the Canada Recovery Hiring Program - Canada.ca

The Ottawa Board of Trade (OBoT), the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Ontario and Canadian governments, have launched the COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative.

Through this initiative, OBoT, in partnership with Invest Ottawa, is rolling out FREE rapid antigen tests for small and medium-sized businesses in Ottawa with 150 employees or less. The goal of the program is to identify asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in the workplace that might otherwise be missed, helping to curb the spread in the workplace, at home and in our community.

In Ottawa, distribution is partially sponsored by Commissionaires Ottawa, whose security professionals have been on the front lines during the pandemic with duties that include: COVID-19 screenings, temperature checks, safety patrols, and enforcement of COVID-19 protocols.

Register and schedule a pick-up from OBoT (fewer than 150 employees)

Order kits directly from the Ontario government (150+ employees)

The Ottawa Board of Trade is committed to advancing women as a key economic driver for our region. COVID-19 has highlighted and intensified the systemic issues keeping us from achieving gender equality. Now is the time to triple down on our efforts to grow our ability to attract women as business and community leaders for the sake of our economy, our families and creating sustainable prosperity in our communities and our country.

Ontario Chamber Release - Tackling the She-Cession Critical to Canada’s Economic Recovery

Ontario Chamber: The She-Covery Report

As our economy recovers, immigrants, international students and individuals on temporary visas will be a vital source of talent. Who can you hire and for how long?

Learn 6 hiring MYTHS and 6 myth-busting FACTS about hiring immigrants, international students and foreign workers.

It's easier than you think.

You're a click away from finding funding and tax relief assistance: 

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

BDC – Support for Entrepreneurs Impacted by COVID-19

Export Development Canada (EDC) Programs

EDC – Supports Canadian Exporters Through COVID-19

EDC Solutions – ENG

Export Guarantee Program

Credit Insurance

Canadian Direct Investment Abroad (CDIA)

Account Performance Security Guarantee (ASPG)

APSG List

Canada’s Economic Response Package: Support for Canadians and Businesses

Supporting Canadian Businesses Through the Canada Account

Helping Businesses Keep Their Workers

Flexibility for Businesses Filing Taxes

Ensuring Businesses have Access to Credit

Supporting Financial Market Liquidity

The Ottawa Board of Trade is pleased to be an official partner of the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), a program designed to connect business to talent and financially support work experience. Meet the next rising star on your team! Register today and use this tool to grow your business.

Job Board with Magnet

Looking for new talent?

Ottawa Board of Trade - Magnet Job Board

Invest Ottawa - Investir Ottawa

Funding & Programs

Local small businesses are the heart of our community. They provide jobs and access to essential services. They are at high risk on the frontline of this war against COVID. Now it is our turn to support them at every possible opportunity.

Make a difference with the City of Ottawa Buy Local Campaign

The tourism industry is one of the top cultural and economic driver in our community. Tourism businesses and organizations have been the first and hardest hit during the pandemic and will be the last to recover as mass gatherings and travel remain highly restricted. Have some fun while supporting our local economy.

Ottawa has so much to offer and now is the time to rediscover the beauty, culture and entertainment in our own backyard by becoming a hometown tourist.

Plan your next weekend getaway or staycation with the help of Ottawa Tourism.

Follow the Ottawa Insider and find out what’s happening here.

The Recovery Activation Program (RAP) is an online workshop program that connects businesses with industry experts for training, mentoring and support. Learn about how your business can access digital modernization, technological hardware, structural and regulatory alignment, digital restructure financing, as well as marketing and sales support.

This program is completely free for businesses of any size across Ontario. Sign up for the Recovery Activation Program (RAP)

The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is a dynamic, hands-on workshop geared to provide companies with access to Canada’s top exporting advisors, resources and contacts, giving them the training and support they need to become successful international traders in their specific business sector. 

Registration is currently open for the cohort of Fall 2020. Click here for more information.

People Outside Safely Together (POST)

Aide pour un retour en société (Après)

The POST Promise is a commitment by thousands of businesses across Canada to implement and practise five key steps to workplace safety and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Businesses that make the POST Promise will be able to use and prominently display the POST Promise logo, now a nationally recognized symbol. Make the POST Promise today.

Download POST Promise tip sheets for:

• Preventing Stigma
• Reopening Business
• Screening Tool
• Agriculture
• Airline and Groundcrew
• Construction
• Correction Facilities
• Daycare
• Delivery Couriers
• Emergency and Patient Intake
• First Responder
• Food Processing
• Long Term Care
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Retail
• Restaurants
• Transportation
• Work Camp

Be COVID Wise | Ottawa Public Health