York Link
York Region remains committed to providing residents and businesses with trusted, dependable, and timely updates about the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). For general government information related to COVID-19, please visit the Government of Canada, Ontario Government, and/or The Regional Municipality of York official update websites.
The business reopening guidance and advice provided within this section from various government levels and third-party industry organizations is provided as a courtesy to assist the business community within York Region. It is the responsibility of each business that is reopening to ensure they are following the guidelines of the Ontario Government to protect the health and safety of their employees and customers.
ONTARIO GOVERNMENT
INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS
As businesses prepare to open again with strict safety measures in place, the Regional Municipality of York has provided a number of materials that can be used to help advise employees and customers of proper social distancing, sanitization protocols, and more:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Signage
Fact Sheets
Guidance Documents
Images:
Handwashing and cleaning images
Videos:
How to properly put on, take off and dispose of masks/face coverings and gloves during COVID-19 (1 Minute, 55 seconds)
Steps to proper handwashing video (1 minute)
Steps to proper handwashing video (20 seconds)
Steps to proper handwashing (GIF)
Graphics:
Self-monitoring versus self-isolation tips
Information for Farmers
Farmers seeking information and clarification regarding temporary non-resident farm worker housing and isolation periods can contact Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 (prompt 4) to speak with a Public Health Inspector
External Resources
The Regional Municipality of York, in partnership with local municipalities, the York Region Business Coalition of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, and the Workforce Planning Board of York Region have partnered to support the local business community as the economy reopens and starts recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Key results and insights from the York Region COVID-19 Business Impact and Recovery Survey are now available.
The business community globally, in Canada, Ontario and York Region is significantly impacted by COVID-19. In response, various government levels, government enterprises, and industry organizations announced support programs for the business community during this pandemic. If you’re unsure what key programs are available to assist you with addressing specific challenges, we’ve organized some of the most pertinent resources by key need areas identified by our local business community.
Alternatively, below you’ll also find a more comprehensive list of programs organized by program owner (government-level, industry organization etc.) as well as an events calendar with links to select program ‘how to’ expert webinars. York Region’s Economic Strategy team is committed to supporting our business community during this crisis. Should you need additional information beyond the resources available below please fill out the contact form.
York Region Economic Strategy in partnership with Mentor Works have developed a thorough FAQ that covers everything from general COVID-19 business questions, transitioning to remote work, available government funding programs, and more. Click the link below to explore the entire frequently asked questions document.
OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR AGENCIES
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS REGARDING BUSINESS SUPPORT
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS REGARDING BUSINESS SUPPORT
THE #SPIRITofYR CAMPAIGN
We, as a community, are facing unprecedented COVID-19 challenges and are being asked to do our part to flatten the curve by practicing physical distancing and staying home as much as possible. But we, as a community, won’t let it break our spirit.
We are inviting residents, businesses and organizations in the York Region community to share their positive stories of a neighbour, a frontline worker, family member or anyone who has gone above and beyond during COVID-19. For full details on how to participate visit: york.ca/spiritofyr
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS REGARDING BUSINESS SUPPORT
LOCAL TO YORK REGION
GENERAL BUSINESS INFORMATION
TECH SECTOR
FINANCIAL SECTOR
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
AGRI-FOOD SECTOR
RETAIL, SERVICE, AND TOURISM SECTOR
The Government of Canada, the National Research Council of Canada, and the Ontario Government are looking for businesses that can support the COVID-19 response. This can be a range of things including adapting your business to manufacture urgently needed ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE), to providing innovative solutions and research to assist frontline responders and the government currently dealing directly with the COVID-19 crisis.
An increasing number of York Region companies have already mobilized to offer support and services to those on the frontline of the COVID-19 response. You can find a list of those companies and what they are doing to help below. If you’re company is in York Region and is supporting these efforts and is not on the list, please send an email to edo@york.ca providing us with details of what your company is doing.
4S CONSULTING | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
Occupational health and safety consulting firm, 4S Consulting, is providing complementary training modules to businesses on how to deal with COVID-19 in the workplace for when operations begin to return to normal.
AIRBOSS OF AMERICA CORP. | NEWMARKET, YORK REGION
Airboss has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the manufacture and sale of 100,000 FlexAir™ Powered Air Purifying Respirator (“PAPR”) systems, 600,000 filters, and related accessories. The contract is expected to be worth an aggregate amount of US$96.4 million.
AMICO | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
Amico has been manufacturing medical products and equipment that are being used by hospitals and industry partners in the fight against COVID-19.
APOTEX | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
Apotex provided pharmaceuticals to support six clinical trials taking place in Canada to better understand the impact of this product in fighting the coronavirus COVID-19.
BRENTWOOD CLASSICS | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
Making machine washable and reusable non-medical masks made with double-layered 100% cotton fabric and soft elastic ear-loop bands for comfort. Masks are available in adult or child sizes. Assorted packs are a random selection of colours. Ships in 1-3 business days.
BTNX INC. | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
Manufactures the Rapid Response COVID-19 IgG/IgM Test Cassette, a rapid, qualitative test for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in human whole blood, serum, or plasma samples, as an aid in the diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. Interpretation of test results are positive (two lines or three lines) and negative (one line). Available for sale to healthcare professionals in United States and Europe (CE marked). Health Canada approval pending for diagnostic use.
C17 MEDIA | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
C17 Media have prototyped and begun their goal to produce 100,000 face masks that will be given to frontline workers. A gofundme campaign has been started if you’d like to support them with this effort.
CELESTICA | NEWMARKET, YORK REGION
Celestica is manufacturing 7,500 ventilators on behalf of Starfish Medical and will be distributing them within Canada to help ensure hospitals and healthcare workers have the medical equipment needed to help save lives.
CREATIVE PATH | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
Creative Path is now producing PPE face shields to donate to local hospitals. A gofundme campaign has been developed and already surpassed its goal of $10,000 to cover the cost of producing 10,000 face shields.
CURB SIGNS | AURORA, YORK REGION
Curb Signs is manufacturing PPE face shields and also helping with providing social/physical distancing signage for workplace employees.
DESIGN PLASTICS INTERNATIONAL | NEWMARKET, YORK REGION
Design Plastics International has adjusted their operations to manufacture the COVID shield face mask and can currently produce 5,000 to 10,000 per day, but is looking at the potential of scaling up to 50,000 per day if required based on sales demand.
DRONE DELIVERY CANADA | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
Drone Delivery Canada is in discussions with the federal government to review drone regulations. Given all that’s happening with COVID-19, they can provide assistance with flying medical and other urgent supplies to remote and rural communities across Canada.
EAIGLE | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
EAIGLE has recently made modifications in their artificial intelligence technology to help with the current situation caused by COVID-19. They’ve implemented remote crowd and body temperature monitoring into their AI solution to mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 in essential service facilities and public spaces.
ENGHOUSE SYSTEMS | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
Enghouse Systems and their subsidiary, Vidyo, has developed a program to help health units dramatically scale its telemedicine capabilities to combat and mitigate risk related to the coronavirus pandemic.
ENSIL | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
Ensil is offering free repairs for all medical devices related to the diagnostics and treatment of COVID-19.
EVERLINK | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
Everlink has made a significant donation to the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation to help in efforts battling the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation will help fund the purchase of urgently needed Personal Protective Equipment for all hospital staff that is battling this pandemic.
FLATO DEVELOPMENTS | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
The team at Flato Developments, a builder and land developer of commercial and residential communities, has begun distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of KN95 and surgical masks to front line workers serving communities across southern Ontario.
HI-TECH EDM | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
HI-Tech EDM is typically a parts manufacturer for the automotive, aerospace, and power generation industries, but has pivoted to manufacturing face shields to support Mackenzie Health frontline workers dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
IBM CANADA | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
IBM is offering Watson Assistant for Citizens to governments, health care and academic institutions via the IBM public cloud, free of charge for at least 90 days, along with access to IBM experts who will help organizations set up the virtual agent. They also launched a virtual telephone agent with the City of Markham to answer COVID-19 related questions.
ICON DIGITAL | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
Icon Digital, a digital media display operation is providing sneeze guards to essential businesses to help protect front line staff and consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ISIGN MEDIA | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
iSign Media are offering free use of its Safety Alert Messaging (“SAM”) solution to all levels of medical, health and emergency responders across Canada for the next six months.
LAIPAC TECHNOLOGY | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
Laipac Technology, an industrial-focused IoT device designer and manufacturer has pivoted it’s operations to support the COVID-19 response in a variety of ways including developing a surgical face mask production machine.
LIND EQUIPMENT CANADA | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
Lind Equipment, which produces lighting products for the military and mining operations, is now working to use their UV light systems to sterilize PPE in hospitals.
THE LAST STRAW DISTILLERY | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
The Last Straw is transforming its production line to make 1,000 litres per week of much-needed hand sanitizers. Priority will be given to “special needs homes and nursing homes” as well as “a number of different first responders,” including “Canada Border Services agencies and the people who have to continue to work in high-risk positions.
LEO LAB | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
Leo Lab, traditionally a custom orthotics company using 3D printing has transitioned to printing 500 face shields per day in support of the ‘Sens Shielding Heroes Campaign‘.
MAGNA INTERNATIONAL | AURORA, YORK REGION
Magna International Inc. is ready to ramp up production of the sanitization devices if it can find a testing partner to prove they eliminate the virus that causes COVID-19.
MAKERWIZ | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
Makerwiz, a creative enterprise dedicated to promoting the Maker Movement, is using its 3D printers to make a protective face shield for staff in senior’s homes and will donate some of its product to help keep health care workers safe.
MARKET BREWING COMPANY | NEWMARKET, YORK REGION
Market Brewing Company has pivoted operations as an alcohol producer to begin manufacturing Health Canada approved hand sanitizer to support the COVID-19 response with the first batch being delivered to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket.
MARTINREA | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
Martinrea International Inc., Magna International Inc., and Linamar Corp. reached an agreement with the province after meeting earlier this week, auto parts manufacturers have been working with government officials to see how they can help build medical equipment such as ventilators, necessary to treat COVID-19 but in limited supply in countries grappling with a spike in hospitalizations.
MICROART SERVICES | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
Microart Services is ramping up its manufacturing of electronic components for medical ventilators, which are urgently needed to assist hospitals dealing with increased numbers of critically-ill patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NEWMAKEIT | NEWMARKET, YORK REGION
NewMakeIt, a makerspace in Newmarket, is working with Newmarket public library staff to utilize 3D printers to make up to 200 face shields per week to support local frontline workers.
PERLA SOAPS | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
Perla Soaps is ramping up its production and manufacturing about 100,000 units of hand sanitizers and will be supplied to organizations that need it most, including health services, front-line relief agencies as well as the Salvation Army and other shelters.
PLAS-TECH | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
Plastic fabrication company, Plas-Tech, pivoted nearly overnight and is now one of Ontario’s top PPE suppliers producing over one million face masks in the fight against COVID-19.
PLC GRAPHICS | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
PCL Graphics has converted into a PPE safety supplier in order to help fight COVID-19. They have switched over their printing facilities in order to mass produce wearable face shields, masks and large screens to protect workers/consumers and other life saving devices.
PLEXXUS | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
Plexxus is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health to identify inventory levels and gaps. They have also facilitated several capital procurement orders for Ontario Health to help in the fight against COVID-19.
PROTO3000 | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
Proto3000 is providing 3D printing support related to the production of PPE face shields and ventilator components and parts.
SMART CENTRES REIT | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
Smart Centres REIT is offering rent-free use of a total of up to 1-million square feet of space in 200 shopping centres across the country, as well as its land, parking lots and signage, to all Canadian governments and health care authorities, effective immediately, to assist in their COVID-19 support efforts.
SMP CANADA | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
SMP Canada has retooled their operations to focus on the production of face masks to support the response to COVID-19.
THE STEAM PROJECT | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
The STEAM Project is a collaborative approach to learning that allows both children and teens to enjoy Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics without the limitations of teaching or learning in a traditionally structured school setting, but during the COVID-19 pandemic has pivoted to 3D-printing full face shields for frontline emergency workers.
STERLING INDUSTRIES | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
The Vaughan-based company will be ramping up face mask production from 200,000 per week to over 1 million per week as a result of a $1-million investment from the Province of Ontario and lead to the production of 10,000,000 face masks for Ontario Health.
TAVOS INDUSTRIES | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
Tavos Industries has developed environmentally-friendly packaged single-use hand sanitizer packages that are being distributed throughout the community to support the COVID-19 response.
TÜV SÜD | NEWMARKET, YORK REGION
TÜV SÜD are a medical development test lab that are now providing fast-track testing for new ventilator products.
VEXOS | MARKHAM, YORK REGION
Vexos will be manufacturing ventilators at its Markham facility along with its US manufacturing facility. These life-saving medical devices will be used throughout Canada, the USA, and the rest of the Americas.
VISUAL DEFENSE | RICHMOND HILL, YORK REGION
Providing free access to the ROVER app to municipalities who are impacted from COVID-19, to help with maintaining roads.
WOODBRIDGE GROUP | VAUGHAN, YORK REGION
The Woodbridge Group factory in Vaughan began making respirator masks that they say have the same pathogen-blocking qualities of the much sought-after N95 masks which are not produced anywhere in Canada.
York Region’s Economic Strategy division, alongside our local economic development partners, is committed to assisting York Region companies in navigating the difficulties presented by COVID-19. If you required immediate support kindly complete the brief questionnaire below to enable us to quickly direct you to the business resource best suited to assist.
CrossWing in Aurora, Ont. will manufacture Cleanbot UV and Cleanbot MIST, two next-generation robots that overcome serious limitations of first-generation disinfecting systems.
July 7, 2020 marked the official opening of Hygia Healths mask making facility in Vaughan, Ontario. The 13,000 sq./ft facility currently produces 50,000 face masks a day with plans to increase to 1,000,000.
(BUSINESS WIRE)–Facedrive Inc. (“Facedrive”) (TSXV: FD), Canada’s “people-and-planet first” business and leading tech developer on the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, is pleased to announce Facedrive Health’s newly launched COVID-19 contact tracing solution, TraceSCAN Bluetooth wearable technology is available for market next week.