Brantford City Council implements changes to licensing fees to support local businesses

BRANTFORD, ON – Given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on local businesses is expected to continue into the 2021 licensing year (April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022), Brantford City Council has approved a plan to provide additional flexibility and relief to businesses that are part of the City's Business Licensing program.

In May, 2020, City Council supported a relief initiative to permit businesses who had ceased operating due to the pandemic the flexibility to defer renewal of their business license to when they were able to safely resume operations.

At their meeting held Tuesday, December 15, 2020, Council approved supporting this approach once again, effectively providing businesses with an extended renewal status and waiving late fees if renewal is not completed by the traditional licensing deadline of March 31, 2021.

The implementation of various provincial regulations to mitigate the spread of the virus has clearly shifted capacity requirements within eat-in restaurants, whereby in many cases they have become exclusive take-out style establishments for the time being. Typically, operators with take-out service only, realize a lower fee than an eat-in restaurant for their Food Shop Business Licenses.  In recognition of the limitations for in-person dining and the change in status of eat-in restaurants at this time, Council has permitted the License fee for approximately 400 restaurants be reduced by $50-$150.

“This initiative is a prime example of the type of innovation solutions we need to support local businesses during this difficult and extraordinary time,” said Mayor Kevin Davis. “Exploring every possible way that we could provide support to local operators is a priority of the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force so I am very encouraged by Council’s support of this approach.”

“Many of our local businesses continue to struggle as more and more restrictions on their operations need to be implemented to slow the spread of the virus during this secondary surge,” said Kevin Finney, the City’s Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “This could not come at a better time to help mitigate the economic hardships affecting small businesses who have been adversely affected.” 

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Media Contact: 

Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

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