Ontario Business Program Guide – Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Ontario Business Program Guide?
- What programs and services are included in the guide?
- How often is the guide updated?
- How can I give feedback on the guide?
- Can I link to the guide from my website?
- Can I get the contents of this directory in hard copy?
- How do I talk to someone by telephone or in-person?
- Does the Ontario government provide grants for business?
- What sectors of the economy does the government target its support programs, any grants and other financing for business?
- I would like more information about some of the programs in this Guide.
- Is advice or help available for applying for the support programs and incentives listed in this Guide?
- Who maintains the Ontario Business Program Guide?
1. What is the Ontario Business Program Guide?
The Ontario Business Program Guide is the Ontario government’s free, authoritative, online directory of Ontario government support programs, tax incentives and tax credits for business.
2. What programs and services are included in the guide?
The guide provides information about Ontario government support programs, tax incentives and credits, such as free advice and consultation services, financing and tax credit programs, green energy incentives, and more. You may also wish to visit the Canada Business website for federal programs and services for businesses.
3. How often is the guide updated?
Programs and services are added and/or updated regularly throughout the year. Check back for updates or subscribe to one of the RSS feeds listed on the Home Page.
4. How can I give feedback on the guide?
If you have feedback on the Ontario Business Program Guide, please contact us. You can also fill out the Ontario Business Program Guide survey. It only takes minutes, and no personal information is collected.
5. Can I link to the guide from my website?
Yes, and we encourage you to do so. Follow these instructions to link to the guide.
6. Can I get the contents of this directory in hard copy?
The contents of the guide can be printed by clicking the printer icon located near the top right of each page in the guide. Pressing the icon generates a version of the guide formatted for printers.
You can print programs category by category, or simply go to “All Programs” in the “Browse by Category” section and print the entire program listing in alphabetical order.
Before you print, click on “View All” to see what you are printing.
To print detailed information on programs, follow the links provided to the program web pages and print any information you require.
Because the content of the guide is updated on an ongoing basis, hard copies of the guide are not available.
7. How do I talk to someone by telephone or in-person?
By telephone:
The Business Info Line provides general information on federal and Ontario government services to business. The numbers are: Toll-free: 1-888-745-8888 TTY toll-free: 1-800-268-7095 Toronto: 416-212-8888 TTY Toronto: 416-325-3408
In-person:
For in-person service, visit any one of the over 50 Small Business Enterprise Centres located throughout Ontario. Addresses are listed in the guide in the “Advice and Consultation” category.
8. Does the Ontario government provide grants for business?
Some of the programs listed in the guide do offer grants for businesses. These grants have strict terms and eligibility criteria, and often target certain economic sectors.
9. What sectors of the economy does the government target its support programs, any grants and other financing for business?
A review of the programs in the guide will give you an overview of where the government is working to help Ontario businesses innovate and grow. For more information on current Ontario government initiatives designed to help fuel economic growth visit www.ontario.ca/economy.
10. I would like more information about some of the programs in this Guide.
Click on the link provided for each program to obtain detailed information. You must contact the organization or ministry directly for detailed information such as eligibility criteria, deadlines for application, etc.
11. Is advice or help available for applying for the support programs and incentives listed in this Guide?
Please contact the ministry or organization responsible for delivering a program for advice and help with the program’s application process. It’s a good idea to review the requirements and criteria of the program before you do this.
12. Who maintains the Ontario Business Program Guide?
The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation maintains for the guide. Ontario government ministries and organizations are responsible for the information and links to the programs in the guide.
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