The Ontario Finance Minister has announced that Ontario property tax and energy cost rebates will be made available to eligible businesses required to close their doors or significantly reduce their services due to provincial public health restrictions.

Eligible businesses will be able to apply for temporary property tax and energy cost rebates directly to the province through a single, online application portal.

Eligibility for Ontario property tax and energy cost rebates

Support is available for businesses that were required to close or significantly restrict services as a result of modified Stage 2 public health measures announced on October 9, 2020. Going forward, areas categorized as control or lockdown will qualify.

Currently, this applies to businesses in:

• Ottawa
• Peel
• Toronto
• York Region

Types of businesses that are eligible for support include:

• Restaurants and bars;
• Gyms, facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities;
• Performing arts and cinemas;
• Bingo halls, gaming establishments, casinos, conference centres and convention centres;
• Community centres, multi-purpose facilities, and museums;
• Personal care services (with exception of oxygen bars);
• Racing venues;
• Meeting or event space;
• In-person teaching and instruction.

The following businesses will not be eligible:

Business located outside modified Stage 2 regions (i.e., located outside Ottawa, Peel, Toronto and York Region), or going forward, in areas not categorized as control or lockdown.

Businesses within the areas subject to public health restrictions that are not required to close or significantly restrict services.

What you’ll get

Eligible businesses could get rebates for:

• Municipal and education property taxes;
• Energy costs, including electricity and natural gas (or where natural gas is not available propane and heating oil).

Funding will cover the entire length of time that regionally targeted public health restrictions are in place.

Property tax rebates will be combined with federal support provided through the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). This means you will get back 100% of your reported property tax and energy costs. Details on applying for the CERS are expected to be forthcoming from the Government of Canada.

Provincial rebates will also cover costs not covered by CERS.

Most businesses can expect to receive their rebate payments within a few weeks of submitting a complete application.

What you’ll need to apply

To apply, you will have to submit proof of costs and information related to your business’ revenue decline that is consistent with what you will need to submit as part of your Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy application.

For property tax rebates, this includes your property tax bills (or proof of costs associated with property taxes).

For energy cost rebates, this includes a digital copy of the first energy bill (including electricity, natural gas, propane or other) you received on or after the day Stage 2 restrictions were put in place in your region. You can also submit other energy bills if your business is heated by propane or heating oil.

How to apply

Application forms will be available starting on November 16, 2020.

You will be able to complete a single form to apply for both property tax and energy rebates.

For more information see the Government of Ontario website.

For additional information on the Ontario property tax and energy cost rebates, contact your McCay Duff advisor.