Industry Advocacy

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this morning announced a significant increase to the wage subsidy for small- and medium-sized businesses — 75%, compared to the 10% previously promotions.

With an eye on ensuring retailers, such as c-stores, have the products their customers want and need, all retail businesses are exempt from the City of Toronto Noise Bylaw to facilitate after-hour deliveries.Effective immediately and until further notice, the move is part of the City of Toronto’s response to COVID-19 and is meant to support of businesses and the community: The City’s Noise Bylaw includes the ability to provide an exemption in response to extraordinary circumstances affecting the immediate health, safety or welfare of the community.“We are taking this action to help Toronto businesses get deliveries and continue to stock their shelves with essential goods for our residents," said Mayor John Tory.  "By exempting retail businesses from the City’s noise bylaw right now, we will ensure that retailers can receive deliveries 24 hours of a day, seven days a week.”City staff – in consultation with Mayor John Tory’s office – moved quickly to make this immediate change after it was raised by the Retail Council of Canada as a way to allow additional deliveries for retailers the wake of panic-buying and stockpiling.“To assist in getting goods to market in a more expeditious manner, we applaud the City of Toronto for temporarily lifting time-of-day restrictions on roadways and deliveries for our retailers," said Diane J.