CANADAMASQ is one of the suppliers selected by the Ontario government to produce masks. The company has a five-year contract to supply the government with adult masks.
COVID-19
York Region Companies Reinvent Themselves During COVID
While COVID-19 caused major losses for many businesses, leading some to close, others were able to reinvent themselves. For some, the pandemic actually saw increased demand for their products or led to a new opportunity.
2021 Year In Review // York Region Economic Development
On behalf of York Region Economic Strategy, I am pleased to present the 2021 Economic
Development Year in Review. This is an overview of economic development activities undertaken this past year, highlights of business news from across the Region, and important economic indicators showing the strength and resilience of our business community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Development Year in Review. This is an overview of economic development activities undertaken this past year, highlights of business news from across the Region, and important economic indicators showing the strength and resilience of our business community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newmarket Headquartered Dentec Safety Specialists Contracted by the U.S. Government to Manufacture PPE for Distribution to Healthcare Workers in the U.S.
Contracted by the US Government, Dentec Safety received a multimillion-dollar PPE grant as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, a $2 trillion Coronavirus stimulus bill provided by the US Federal Government), and a contract for 125,000 respirators with 500,000 replacement filters for distribution to US healthcare workers.
Vaughan Headquartered Kontrol Technologies Expands BioCloud Technology into Japan
Kontrol is partnering with a well-established trading company in Japan that has a 60-year history of large-scale deployment of HVAC and air quality systems.
Government Extends Loan Forgiveness Repayment Deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account
The repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness is being extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023.
Vaughan Tech Company Corum Saw Surge in Demand for Safe Digital Signage in Time of COVID-19
The Vaughan-based tech company Corum Digital Corporation has earned its way onto Insight Business magazine’s global list of Top 10 Most Innovative Companies Revolutionizing Digital Signage 2021.
Federal Government Announces New Targeted COVID-19 Business Support
The Government of Canada has confirmed that certain existing income and business support programs will end on October 23, 2021, as previously announced. This includes the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.
Vaughan Headquartered Martinrea International Donates 1 Million Face Masks to the Province of Ontario
Martinrea’s Alfield Industries purchased a mask making machine in 2020 and have carefully calibrated every component to produce face masks that offer a highly breathable, medical grade material and three layers of protection.
Markham Headquartered Allstate Canada Partners with Habitat for Humanity Canada to Support Homeowners Facing Pandemic Challenges
From September 20-27, for every insurance quote completed the Allstate Foundation of Canada will donate $5 toward building homes in five Habitat for Humanity communities across Canada, up to a maximum donation amount of $50,000. These communities are in Southern Alberta, the Greater Toronto Area, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Markham Headquartered IBM Joins Switch Health to Help Launch AuraPass, a Privacy-first Vaccine and Testing Verification System
“AuraPass is a patient-focused, easy-to-use industry solution to help Canada reopen safely,” said Dilian Stoyanov, CEO at Switch Health. “Using IBM Digital Health Pass, we are bringing data, technology, and expertise together to empower individuals to share their COVID-19 health credentials without the worry that their personal information is at risk.”
Markham Headquartered AI Technology Company EAIGLE Launches a New Proof of Vaccination Platform to Provide Organizations with Enhanced Health and Safety Protection
EAIGLE’s Digital Vaccine Pass is a proof of vaccination platform that enables governments and organizations to verify vaccination status at scale. It empowers users to upload their proof of vaccination online or scan it on-site at EAIGLE’s wellness stations through a touchless and automated process.
Vaughan Headquartered Kontrol Technologies Selected by German Professional Soccer Team to Provide Real-Time Air Quality and Viral Monitoring
BioCloud Technology to be Implemented in Club Facilities; Partnership to include Joint Marketing Campaign with BioCloud and VfL Wolfsburg. Kontrol and Wolfsburg will work together to advocate for the safe space technology and jointly market the BioCloud application globally and BioCloud will join VfL as an official partner for the 2021-2022 soccer season of their men’s and women’s team.
Richmond Hill Headquartered Facedrive Becomes a Distributor of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests for Workplace Screening in Small and Medium Sized Organizations
In the first month of Facedrive’s collaborative efforts with the Government of Canada, Facedrive will distribute rapid tests through its extensive partner network. The tests are being provided free of charge by the Government of Canada on a nonexclusive basis.
Richmond Hill Headquartered Canada Masq Awarded Major PPE Production Contract
“Ontario manufacturers have a central role to play in our self-sufficiency as a province, not only as we continue to fight COVID-19, but over the years that follow,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
How New Technology From York Region Protected Canada’s Rowing Team From COVID-19
“Adding the Biocloud technology into our training centre will add another critical layer of safety and confidence to our existing Covid protocols,” said Tricia McBride, Rowing Canada Aviron Lead Physiotherapist. “This technology will help our medical staff ensure our athletes are training in the safest environment possible and allow our athletes to focus on their training without worrying about the air they are breathing.”
Richmond Hill Headquartered Facedrive Partners with Barbados School to Provide its Contact Tracing Solution TraceSCAN
TraceSCAN is especially suited for environments where individuals may not be able to carry or have access to mobile devices. The TraceSCAN technology is powered through Microsoft Azure
TO Live Selects Richmond Hill Headquartered Facedrive’s TraceSCAN as a Contact Tracing Solution for Staff Members
TraceSCAN will provide TO Live with a complete record of all interactions among traced interactions and identify those at high risk.
York University’s YSpace Releases 2020-2021 Annual Report
It was a year unlike any other for Innovation York, the innovation office for York University with a mandate to facilitate and maximize the commercial, economic, and social impacts of research and innovation. Their 2020-2021 Annual Report has just been released and it outlines impressive successes, including supporting new ventures, launching new programs and more.
York Region Public Health COVID-19 Workplace Webinar Series
Join Dr. Leon Genesove, York Region Public Health Physician, for a series of four, short webinars discussing COVID-19 tips to make workplaces safer. These webinars are for local business owners and operators. After each session, there will be a 15-minute question and answer period.
Vaughan Headquartered Kontrol BioCloud to Provide Real-time Viral Detection Tech for the Canadian Olympic Committee at Tokyo 2020
“Protecting the health and safety of Team Canada, which has always been a top priority, needs innovative solutions in our current global context,” says Dr. Mike Wilkinson, Team Canada’s Chief Medical Officer. “The addition of Kontrol BioCloud really complements the stringent protocols put in place by the COC, International Olympic Committee and Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee to protect the health and safety of our team.
Transit-oriented Suburbs are a Sweet Spot for the Post-Pandemic Office
Experts pointed out that within suburbs, certain nodes have an especially strong value proposition: transit-oriented communities. They offer urban amenities plus great access to the suburbs and downtown, allowing investors and tenants to get the best of both worlds.
Minister Ng announces the launch of the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is now accepting loan applications. The Black Entrepreneur Loan Fun will provide loans of up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.
Province Launches New Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant
The Ontario government is providing one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible small tourism and travel businesses
Ontario Continues to Expand Access to Rapid Testing for Workplaces
The launch of a new online portal will better connect businesses to free testing supplies and help stem the tide of the third wave and prevent workplace outbreaks.
Government of Canada Increases Access to COVID-19 Rapid Testing for Workers
Today’s announcement provides an additional support to communities, building on their current public health efforts. The Government of Canada will continue to secure supply and provide rapid tests to provinces and territories for use in long-term care facilities, schools, close-contact workplaces and businesses.
Ontario Expands COVID-19 Rapid Testing Across Province
This initiative is providing Ontario’s hardworking business owners with more tools to prevent outbreaks and will ensure their employees can stay on the job with the best protection possible.
Governments Must Act Now to Strengthen Canada’s Food Supply Chain: Chamber Report
Pandemic underscores the need to address pre-existing agri-food industry issues and put a spotlight on new ones.
Vaughan Headquartered Kontrol Technologies Adds Danby Appliances to BioCloud Manufacturing Team
Kontrol Technologies forms partnership with Danby Appliances with plans to mass produce BioCloud in Ontario.
Q&A: Are York Region Companies Pivoting to a Digital World?
Having to pivot into the digital world has become a reality for many businesses during COVID-19. We asked two experts about this phenomenon.