The following is an evolving list of financial resources, measures, policy, and other information put forward by various level of government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This list will be continuously updated to provide the most relevant and up-to-date information for our members.

We encourage everyone who is seeking advice on how to access resources for support to contact the City of Toronto’s Small Business Service Centre at by calling 416-392-6646, emailing [email protected], or by visiting their website.

Also a reminder to TRACK YOUR LOSSES. It is not unheard of for the Government to require a complete audit of your sales before, during, and after the outbreak in order to calculate future compensation.

Government of Canada

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: March 18, 2020 – The Prime Minister has announced a new set of economic measures to help stabilize the economy during this challenging period. A number of measures for both individuals and businesses were announced including:

Providing eligible small employers a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months. The subsidy will be equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer

The Canada Revenue Agency will allow all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020.

The Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) will allow the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) to provide more than $10 billion of additional support, largely targeted to small and medium-sized businesses.

Additional support for workers including Canada Child Benefit payments, access to EI, mortgage deferral, tax payment deferral, and more.

Learn more about these measures here.
We will continue to monitor the rollout and delivery of these programs, and provide updates as we can.

Federal Wage Subsidy: It is now in place, and businesses can access this subsidy by reducing the amount of federal income tax remitted to the CRA. Details on how it works are here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update/frequently-asked-questions-wage-subsidy-small-businesses.html#h5

Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP); March 16, 2020 – Through the Business Development Bank of Canada, the new BCAP new fund will provide more than $10 Billion in financing for small businesses. Businesses can apply online here: https://www.bdc.ca/en/financing/pages/default.aspx

There are two credit streams available to small businesses through BDC:

Work-Sharing: March 17, 2020 – Work-Sharing (WS) is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The measure provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers. The Government of Canada introduced temporary special measures that extend the maximum duration of Work-Sharing agreements from 38 weeks to 76 weeks across Canada for those businesses affected by the downturn in business due to COVID-19. Click here to learn more.

Government of Ontario

Mandatory Closure of All Non-Essential Businesses: March 23, 2020 – The Ontario government will be ordering at-risk workplaces to close-down, while encouraging businesses to explore opportunities to continue operations through work-from-home and innovative business models. At-risk workplaces will be ordered to close by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24th and where possible, take the necessary measures so staff can work from home allowing operations to continue.

Essential workplaces that may remain open are listed here.

Job Protection for Workers: March 16, 2020 – Premier Ford announced new protection for workers during the pandemic. The  government intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would immediately provide job-protected leave to employees in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, or those who need to be away from work to care for children because of school or day-care closures. Learn more about the legislation here.

City of Toronto

Economic Support & Recovery Task Force: March 17, 2020 – The City of Toronto has developed a task force to support businesses affected by this crisis. Some of the upcoming measures include:

Extend a grace period for tax and other City of Toronto payments for businesses (payment and payment penalties) first for 30 days as of March 16.

Establish a “substantial contingency fund” to support businesses and affected groups

Expand the city’s small business advisory services to help businesses as they plan to recover from impacts

Other Resources and Updates for Business

Digital Main Street: FREE one-on-one support to help get your business online 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Pandemic Preparedness for Business

Ontario Chamber of Commerce: COVID -19 Preparedness for Business

Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses: Small Business Help Centre

Retail Council of Canada: Resources for Retailers

Big Six Banks: Offering support to affected businesses and individuals

Employment Insurance (EI): New support measures

Facebook: Grants to support small businesses

Shopify: Now offering digital gift cards on all its subscription plans: https://www.shopify.com/blog/gift-cards-all-plans

Shopify: List of resources for small businesses

Public Works and Government Services Canada: Calling all Suppliers

Surveys

Various business organizations and associations have developed surveys to help measure the impact of COVID-19. Please take a moment to complete surveys that are relevant to you to help these groups advocate on your behalf.

City of Toronto Economic Support & Recovery Taskforce: Local Business Priorities: Responding to COVID-19

Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA):  Impact to BIA Communities Survey

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO):  Survey of Impact on Ontario Tourism Operations

Printable Information Cards & Posters

Protect Yourself poster

How to Protect Yourself  Information Card (Also available in: Simplified Chinese  | Traditional Chinese

Wash Your Hands poster

Cover Your Cough poster

Self-Isolate  poster

Social Distancing poster

Health Resources

Toronto Public Health
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/diseases-medications-vaccines/coronavirus/

Ontario Health and Wellness
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

World Health Organization
https://www.epi-win.com/advice-and-information/business-and-employees

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is impacting our everyday lives, and small and local businesses are facing the effects of reduced foot traffic and a decline in revenue. Here is a list of 5 things you can do right away to support your local businesses.

1. Buy a gift card

In the short term, gift cards are a quick and effective way to show support for the local businesses you care about, and to help provide short-term revenue.

Even if you’ve already purchased something for yourself, you may have someone else you could treat. You can purchase a gift card for someone you know who will use the product or service, or prepare for upcoming special occasions like birthdays or Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Remember to add a local gift card to your next shopping list, since shopping sooner will instantly help a businesses in need of support. For a list of local businesses offering gift card purchases at Yonge + St. Clair, visit our shop + dine local blog post.

2. Get delivery

Restaurants are switching over to take-out and delivery options. Consider shortening your at-home meal prep routines by ordering and paying for some of your favourite meals from home. You can check Uber Eats, Foodora, Skip the Dishes, Door Dash, Ritual, and other digital services for a full list of all local delivery or pickup options. For a local guide of restaurants who are open for delivery, see our shop + dine local blog post.

3. Schedule a service for later

Many professional services in the area including medical, athletic, therapeutic, and aesthetic services are temporarily paused til further notice. Contact your local providers to book a future appointment, and help local businesses endure this difficult time.

Services in the area you can contact directly are listed in our public business directory, including Health + Wellness, Offices + Services, and Arts + Retail (including salons, beauty and specialty stores).

4. Tip well

Remember that an extra tip with your next purchase or order could go a long way.

5. Leave a great, local review

Help others in the community stay informed about local businesses worth discovering, and improve local search results by leaving a great review for places you enjoy. Whether it’s via a Google review, Yelp review, TripAdvisor or more, these are great ways to continue showing your support locally.

6. Spread the word

Let others know that they can play a role in the success of the community. Share this article and the image below on your Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, and let others know that local businesses will be counting on your support during tough times! We’re stronger together.

As social distancing policies become a reality to help public health efforts, local businesses will see a significant drop in foot traffic and a decline in revenue. Small businesses and independent store owners will feel these impacts most heavily. Let’s come together to support local businesses.

Below are local businesses you can support directly through online purchases, gift card purchases or food delivery orders from Monday March 16, 2020 and onward.

Please contact each storefront directly for more information about their offerings, as well as any modified operating hours. Together we can show our love and support for Yonge + St. Clair and help our whole community make it through this.

GIFT CARDS

The following local merchants offer gift cards that can be ordered electronically or over the phone, and delivered to you digitally or in the mail. Contact the business directly for more information.

+ Ambiyan on Yonge – call 416.792.5656, or email [email protected]

+ Arthur’s Restaurant – purchase online here

+ David Scott Beauty – purchase online here

+ Dollarama – purchase online here

+ Eden Flower Shop – call 416.925.8188 or email [email protected]

+ Esthetics by Sally – call 416.648.2778 or email [email protected]

+ Freshii – purchase online here

+ Ginger Flower Studio – call 416.925.1135 or email [email protected]

+ Glamour Secrets Beauty Bar – gift cards and product delivery available – visit online or call(416) 923-4526

+ Harvey’s – purchase online here

+ The Health Shoppe – call 416.968.1225 or email [email protected]

+ The Hive Esports – call 647.348.6344 or email [email protected]

+ Holy Chuck Burgers – call 416.962.4825 or email i[email protected]

+ Home Hardware – purchase online here

+ I.D. Eyewear – call 416.926.9200, will offer 10% bonus on all gift card purchases

+ Kaltenbock Opticians – email [email protected]

+ Legs Beautiful – call 416.413.1515

+ Mary Be Kitchen – call 416.792.7596 or email [email protected]

+ New Balance – purchase online here

+ 9 Bars – email [email protected]

+ Olsson Optical – email [email protected]

+ Oxygen Yoga & Fitness – email [email protected]

+ Robert Dunne Salon – email [email protected] or call(416) 962-7430

+ Roots – purchase online here

+ Salon LYOL – purchase online here

+ Salon Scavo – call 416.964.1229 or email [email protected]

+ Spring Wellness – purchase online here

+ Starbucks – purchase online here

+ Subway – purchase online here

+ Swiss Chalet – purchase online here

+ Tim Hortons – purchase online here

+ Zelden’s Deli and Desserts – purchase online here

FOOD DELIVERY OR TAKE-OUT 

The following local establishments offer delivery or take-out. Please also continue to check Uber Eats, Foodora, Skip the Dishes, Door Dash, Ritual, and other digital services for a full list of all local delivery or pickup options.

+ 9 Bars Cafe | Cozy local cafe with sandwiches and dessert | Take-out only

+ Ambiyan on Yonge | Click here for flyer| Modern, casual Indian cuisine with no cliches | Delivery or take-out

+ Capocaccia Trattoria | Local neighbourhood trattoria with rustic Italian cuisine | Delivery only

+ Greenhouse Juice | Organic, plant-based beverages | Delivery or take-out

+ Holy Chuck Burgers | A local staple for burgers and milkshakes | Delivery or take-out

+ Kiva’s Bagel Bakery and Restaurant | Your local bagel stop | Delivery or take-out

+ Kwan Dim Sum | Modern dim sum fare | Delivery

+ Loblaws – order groceries online | Local grocery chain | Delivery

+ Mary Be Kitchen | Healthy, fresh, scratch-made food and bakery | Delivery and take-out

+ Midtown Gastro Hub | Pub fare and more casual classics | Delivery and take-out

+ McDonald’s | It’s McDonalds | Delivery 

+ Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken | Delivery

+ Shawarma Q | Great middle eastern food at great prices | Delivery

+ Sunny Morning Breakfast & Lunch | Traditional breakfast and lunch spot | Delivery and take-out

+ Swiss Chalet

+ Tim Horton’s

+ Zelden’s Deli and Desserts | Deli staples and classic desserts | Delivery and take-out

DONATIONS

The following local businesses are currently accepting donations.

+ Zelden’s Deli and Desserts | GoFundMe (independently organized)

BUSINESS OWNERS

If you don’t see your business here and would like to, please email [email protected]

If you don’t currently offer gift cards, e-commerce options, or delivery services, and would like assistance in doing so, please email [email protected] and we can provide resources to support you going digital.

Craft Beer Days | #BeerDaysYSC

UPDATE (March 16, 2020): After careful consideration, Craft Beer Days will be postponed until further notice. We are committed to a fun and safe public event for everyone involved, and feel this is the responsible choice at this time. We will announce a new date in the near future. In the meantime, please continue to support your local businesses!

Ever sip a free beer sample inside a book store, or a yoga studio? Want to go to an after-work pub crawl that has an arts + crafts twist? Or need to try beer + food pairings at local dining hotspots? Craft Beer Days is a 3-day celebration of local food and Toronto craft brews around Yonge + St. Clair. Enjoy unique programming between March 26 – 28 here in the neighbourhood.

Learn More Below

Thursday, March 26 – Beer and Food Pairings | All Day

On Friday March 26, discover beer and food pairings at local dining hotspots. Participating locations include:

Ambiyan on Yonge – 1560 Yonge St. 
Kingfisher Beer + Butter Chicken – $14.99

Arthur’s – 12 St. Clair E
Jutsu Pale Ale, or Bellweiser Pilsner + Bolognese Pot Pie – $35.99

Midtown Gastro Hub – 1535 Yonge St.
1lb. Wings + Molson Canadian or Coors Pint – $12.99

Playa Cabana Taquiera – 21 St. Clair E
Visit in-store for beer and menu item pairing – $14.99

Friday, March 27 | Arts + Crafts Pub Crawl | 6PM – 10PM

Grab a few pints and bring out your competitive + creative side! Join us for a guided pub crawl to three Yonge + St. Clair bars and enjoy a unique arts + crafts competition at each location! Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/yonge-st-clair-bia-29952590660

TICKETS ARE $20 AND INCLUDE:

– Meet at 6pm at 1499 Yonge Street for your wristband and a FREE beer to kick things off!
– Enjoy complimentary snacks at each location!
– Participate in an arts + crafts competition at each location including plasticine modelling, LEGO building, and more!
– Opportunity to win local prizes at each location!
Our team will be on hand to keep the party moving, offering local craft beer recommendations, to get your Friday night started off right!

LOCATIONS:

Start Location: Presentation Centre – 1499 Yonge Street
Meet the group here to sign-in, and get things started with a complimentary beer!

Midtown Gastro Hub | 1535 Yonge St.

Union Social Eatery | 21 St. Clair W

The Hive Esports | 49 St. Clair W

We encourage all guests to participate responsibly. Guests must be 19 years of age with valid government-issued photo identification. All guests will be required to sign a waiver form upon check-in at 1499 Yonge Street.

SIGN UP FOR THE ARTS + CRAFTS PUB CRAWL HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/yonge-st-clair-bia-29952590660

Saturday, March 28 | Sip + Shop | 12PM – 4PM

Whether you’re putting the final touches on your Valentine’s Day gift or planning a special event that needs a touch of natural beauty, here’s a local roundup of the florists, and floral arrangement specialists that will brighten up your upcoming celebration or special occasion.

The Chocolate Tulip
Located at 1251 Yonge St.
thechocolatetulip.com
(416) 921-5559

Creating distinctive, modern and artistic floral designs for discerning clients this eco – friendly floral studio offers custom made floral arrangements, unique hand tied bouquets, a curated collection of living botanicals, and the Michel Cluizel premier chocolate line from France.  From special occasions, to weekly subscriptions, plant installations or just a little pick me up this floral studio offers something to fit your budget, style and needs.

For Valentine’s Day, orders for delivery need to be pre-booked in advance of delivery day instead of same-day delivery. Clients are more than welcome to order for pickup and The Chocolate Tulip will have your order ready.

Florigens Design
Located at 1360 Yonge St.
florigensdesign.com
(416) 935-0130

Florigens Design is a unique and artistic floral boutique specializing in floral design and botanical urban design. They carry a stunning selection of local and imported flowers, greenery, and orchid plants, along with uncommon tropical plants.

Their showroom is open for visit.

Ginger Flower Studio
Located at 1560 Yonge St.
gingerflowerstudio.com
(416) 925-1135

Ginger Flower Studio is family owned and operated. They feature a robust online menu for all occasions and price ranges, with an extremely easy to navigate platform, making your shopping experience a piece of cake. See it here: gingerflowerstudio.com

Committed to offering the finest floral arrangements and gifts, Ginger Flower Studio prides themselves on friendly and prompt service.

Eden Flowers
Located at 1391 Yonge St.

Eden Flowers sells pre-cut flowers, plants and arrangements. Known to locals for its no nonsense approach to shopping, Eden Flowers is your option for fast and convenient floral solutions year round.

A new permanent art installation has splashed down at Yonge + St. Clair.

Introducing #WaterfallYSC, a 30-foot optical illusion installed on the side of a building at 1408 Yonge Street. Commissioned by the Yonge + St. Clair BIA and designed by Studio F Minus – the same artists who created the Tunnel of Glam – the installation creates a stunning visual effect that appears to erode the adjacent wall using polished stainless steel mirrors.

Artists Studio F Minus describe the installation this way:

WATERFALL plays with existing architecture to create an experience to discover, explore and share.  The scene created is a unique and unexpected moment in which nature is celebrated in the heart of the city.   The wall mounted mirror finish stainless steel reflect the sky eroding the brick facade and allowing colorful bands to spill out of its base. WATERFALL serves as a visual reminder that all barriers, even those that appear the most unyielding, are in fact impermanent, and that persistent forces can open new pathways resulting in some-thing unexpected and beautiful.

#WaterfallYSC was partially funded through the City of Toronto’s Outdoor Mural & Street Art Program.

Plan your trip to #WaterfallYSC today at 1408 Yonge Street, Toronto.

The Yonge + St. Clair BIA is proud to release the final Yonge + St. Clair Streetscape Master Plan. Developed over a year and a half with numerous rounds of consultation with the public, local business and property owners, stakeholders, and City Staff, the Streetscape Master Plan represents the guiding vision for public realm improvements in the area over the next 10 years.

The Streetscape Master plan was prepared by Janet Rosenberg & Studio, with support by Gensler, and funded by the Yonge + St. Clair BIA with the support of the City of Toronto.

The Streetscape Master Plan provides direction for consistent streetscape and furnishing standards across the BIA area including:

• – Enhanced granite paving material for sidewalks;
• – Upgraded street furniture;
• – Installation of in-ground trees in key areas;
• – Intersection enhancements;
• – Feature lighting;
• – Activation zones with upgraded street element;
• – Gateway features, and more.

Improvements and street standards established by the Streetscape Master Plan will be implemented through ongoing coordination with local property owners, City Staff, the Councillor’s office, and through BIA-funded improvements over the next 10 years. Investments by the BIA into capital upgrades will be phased. Funding commitments by the BIA into these projects will, in most cases, be cost shared 50/50 with the City of Toronto.

You can download a full copy of the Yonge + St. Clair Streetscape Master Plan below (PDF, 54mb)

DOWNLOAD THE
YONGE + ST.CLAIR STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN (2019)

The DesignTO Festival wrapped up its programming on January 26 bringing Canada’s leading (and largest) annual design festival, with over 100 exhibitions and events to a close for the 2020 season. Yonge + St. Clair was host to some of this year’s Festival Features and events, partnering with DesignTO to bring another successful year of design, creativity, and education through publicly accessible programming.

Here’s a summary of the installations and events that came to Yonge + St. Clair for the DesignTO Festival, from January 17– 26.

55 St. Clair W
Installation: “Inverted Valleys”
Artist: Interspatial – Natalia Bakaeva and Mark Francis
Presented by Slate Asset Management

1407 Yonge St – Olsson Optical
Installation: “Fantasy Foliage”
Artist: Apoorva Varma
Presented by Olsson Optical

1 Delisle Avenue – The Delisle Space
Installation: “A Long Story II”
Artist: Lauren Pirie
Presented by Slate Asset Management

1 Delisle Avenue – The Delisle Space
Installation: “Arborescent”
Artist: Gensler – Gillian Walczak and Yousef Thompson
Presented by Slate Asset Management

2 St. Clair W
Installation: “Front of House”
Artist: Layne Hinton and Chris Foster
Presented by Slate Asset Management

DesignTO Tours: Connection Points

January 19, 2020

DesignTO Ideas Forum: Materializing the Future

January 22, 2020

DesignTO Festival Guide 

Please see each exhibition’s opening hours to plan your visit. The DesignTO Festival runs from Jan 17 – 26, 2020.

Exhibitions

2. A Long Story II – Lauren Pirie – 1 Delisle Ave

8. Aborescent – Gensler – 1 Delisle Ave

27. Front of House – Chris Foster and Layne Hinton – 2 St. Clair W

35. Inverted Valleys – Interspatial, Natalia Bakaeva and Mark Francis – 55 St. Clair W

Window Installations

10. Fantasy Foliage – Apoorva Varma – 1407 Yonge St. – Olsson Optical

Events

14. DesignTO Walking Tours: Connection Points – Jan 19, 2020 only

22. DesignTO Ideas Forum: Materializing the Future – Jan 22, 2020 only

Yonge + St. Clair Points of Interest

Find a list of local landmarks, art, and historical points of interest that contribute to Yonge + St. Clair’s cultural legacy.

Murals and Local Art

A. Mural Art: Phlegm – 1 St. Clair W

The 8-storey mural by UK-based artist Phlegm has been a landmark since 2016. The image itself is Phlegm’s creation, but it wasn’t designed in isolation. He proposed the idea of creating a human body out of iconic Toronto landmarks—the CN Tower, old city hall, St. Lawrence Market, the ROM—to represent the city as a vibrant, living ecosystem.

B. Mural Art: birdO – 1 St. Clair E (East-facing wall)

This 10-storey mural is the largest piece that artist birdO, who has done murals all over the world, has ever created. The mural was commissioned by building owners Slate Asset Management and StreetARToronto (StART), and was completed in Fall / Winter 2019.

C. Sculpture: Toronto Man –  95 St. Clair W

The sculpture that sparked a thousand dialogues in 2019, the Toronto Man sculpture by international artist Stephan Balkhenol can be found at 95 St. Clair W.

D. Art Installation: Studio F Minus – 1406 Yonge St. (Laneway)

“Waterfall” was created by Studio F Minus in partnership with the Yonge + St. Clair BIA and is affixed to the laneway wall at 1406 Yonge St. This mirror finished stainless steel piece features flowing steel bands to create the illusion that the building which supports it is vanishing into the sky.

Historical and Architectural Points of Interest

E. Glenn Gould’s Residence – 110 St. Clair W

Celebrated pianist Glenn Gould was born in Toronto and lived here on St. Clair Avenue West for much of his adult life. His visionary approach to musical interpretation brought him international stature. He lived most of his adult life at 110 St. Clair W.

F. Amsterdam Square – 525 Avenue Rd.

Amsterdam Square is located at the corner of St. Clair W and Avenue Road and features an ornamental fountain. The terra cotta fountain in Amsterdam Square was donated to the city by philanthropist Herbert Hale Williams in 1929. It is a replica of the Van Karnebeck Fountain, located on the grounds of the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands.

G. Ravine Bench – 2 St. Clair W

The Ravine Bench represents a piece of the urban renaissance at Yonge + St. Clair, creating more local street space, and a hint of the architectural development philosophies that seek to improve the local landscape. As the designers from Gensler put it, “The design itself is reflective of the ravines that cut through St. Clair. It is a combination of solid stone, plants and the abstracted levels and cuts that break the landscape here. We went through several iterations, but the ravine just felt right and fit so well with the building while also adding some softness and nature to the corner.”

H. St. Michael’s Cemetery – 1414 Yonge St.

Although barred to public access today, St. Michael’s Cemetery was opened in 1855 at the present location at Yonge + St. Clair. Over the years some 29,000 pioneer Catholics of the Toronto Archdiocese, priests, religious and laity, have been buried in these 4 hectares.

I. Yorkminster Park Baptist Church – 1585 Yonge St.

Built in the Gothic Revival style, the church is made of Owen Sound rubble stone walls, with Indiana limestone used for the piers, arches and traceried windows in the aisles, nave, and transepts. Its immense size gives Yorkminster Park seating for 1,200 people in the main sanctuary and room for 500 more in the transept and galleries. This is made possible, in part, by having a 55-foot nave unobstructed by pillars, a feat accomplished by a technique not available to the medieval architects of the original York Minster.