April 22, 2022 update:

91视频 extends masking requirements in select indoor settings

Provincial masking requirements which were set to expire on April 27, 2022 are being extended in current settings until 12:00 a.m. on June 11, 2022. These settings include:

• Long-term care homes
• Retirement homes
• Health care settings
• Shelters and other congregate care settings that provide care and services to medically and socially vulnerable individuals.

A complete list of settings where masking requirements continue to apply is available .

March 8, 2022 update:

On March 8, the provincial government their that aims to lift all remaining public health and workplace safety measures by April 27. The goal of the province is to move away from reliance on emergency measures. The new plan includes guidance on previously issued vaccine and mask directives, case contact management and isolation, and COVID-19 data reporting.
Here is what nonprofits need to know:
Directives and letters coming to an end
As of March 14:

• Mandatory vaccination policies end with the following revocations:
  • for public hospitals and home and community care services is revoked
  • Letter of instructions to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility, and Ministry of Education are revoked
  • Minister of Long-Term Care directive on immunization policy is revoked

As of March 21:

• Masking requirements end everywhere except in public transit, long-term care, retirement homes and other health-care settings, congregate settings, shelters, jail, congregate care and living settings including homes for individuals with developmental disabilities
• All other regulatory requirements for businesses removed, including passive screening and safety plans

As of March 28:

• (ROA) expires and will be extended one last time for 30 days.

As of April 27:

• All remaining measures, directives, and orders end

Throughout these phases and beyond, individual organizations will continue to have the authority to keep requirements in place and the province will continue to provide PPE and rapid tests to health care settings, child care, and businesses.
Case and contact management and isolation guidelines are being minimized
It鈥檚 important for nonprofits to know new isolation guidelines that apply to their workers, volunteers, and clients who may be close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case. Nonprofit employers can use this information to make informed HR policies and decisions that center safety as people return to in-person work activities.
For non-household close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case

• No isolation requirements for any groups
• For 10 days after exposure close contacts should:
  • Self-monitor for symptoms
  • Wear a mask and avoid activities where mask has to be removed
  • Not visit anyone at higher risk of illness
  • Not visit or attend work in highest risk settings

For household close contacts of a positive COVID case

• Household members that meet the criteria below do not need to self-isolate but should follow precautions for 10 days
  • Household members that tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days
  • 18+ household members that have received their booster dose
  • Under 18 years old household members that are fully vaccinated
• If you do not meet the criteria above, then you must self-isolate as per current requirements

For highest risk settings

• Highest risk settings are: hospitals, congregate living settings such as Long-Term Care, retirements homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, and correctional institutions
• Cases and contacts who live in highest risk settings must complete 10 days isolation and quarantine. Sector specific guidance will be shared at a later date.
• Immune-compromised individuals who are symptomatic are recommended to self isolate for 10-20 days

Newly added to PCR eligibility list

• Home and community care

February 14, 2022 update:

The 91视频 government has announced that it is fast-forwarding its for the province. The following easing of measures are relevant for nonprofits:
As of Feb 17, 2022:

• Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
• Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
• Removing capacity limits in non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms and meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
• Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
• Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
• Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.

As of March 1, 2022

• Lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings
• Lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings. Nonprofits can choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.

February 11, 2022 update:

91视频 Small Business Grant Relief
The provides eligible nonprofits and charities that were required to close indoor operations as a result of the province鈥檚 modified Step 2 restrictions that came into effect on January 5, 2022 a one time grant of $10,000.
To be eligible, nonprofits must have closed indoor operations between January 5 and January 26, have less than 100 employees, experienced a revenue decline of at 20% during shutdown, and must have not received the 91视频 Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant or the 91视频 small Business Support Grant.
Applications are due by March 11, 2022 and should take about 20 business days to be processed. Guidelines on application requirements can be found in the and applications are open .
Eligible nonprofits and charities are:

• Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities
• Indoor meeting and event spaces
• Performing arts and cinemas
• Indoor museums, galleries, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions
• Before- and after- school programs

January 18, 2022 update:

91视频 Business Costs Rebate Program
provides eligible nonprofits and charities between 50% to 100% rebate payments for their commercial property tax and energy costs, depending on the degree to which provincially mandated public health measures impact the organization. For example, those that have had to reduce capacity to 50% will receive a 50% rebate and those that have had to completely close indoor activities will receive a rebate of 100%.
Eligible nonprofits and charities must pay commercial property tax and energy costs either directly or through the property owner, as detailed in their lease. Organizations that receive a municipal government rebate for all, or a portion, of their property taxes are not permitted to submit those same property taxes for a rebate through this program. Multi-use nonprofits and charities can apply for a rebate portion equivalent to the part of their properties that have reduced capacity or shut down.
The program is retroactive to December 19, 2021 and open till current public health measures remain. Guidelines on application requirements can be found in the and applications are open . Applications will be reviewed and paid in approximately 10 days.
:

• Gyms and other indoor sports and recreational facilities
• Faith spaces
• Indoor meeting and event spaces
• Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas
• Indoor museums, galleries, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions
• Indoor teaching and instruction centres
• Day camps and overnight camps for children

We recognize that only some nonprofits will be eligible for the program. We continue to advocate to the 91视频 government for 6 immediate actions that will support nonprofits across the sector.

January 6, 2022 update:

Free emergency child care is available for nonprofit workers that are:

• Health care workers, including but not limited to doctors, nurses, health care providers and those who work in long-term care and retirement homes, as well as individuals who manufacture or distribute medical/pharmaceutical supplies
• Individuals performing work in relation to the administration, distribution or manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines
• Child care workers, including those staffing the emergency child care programs
• Frontline staff in Children’s Aid Societies and residential services
• Individuals working in a homeless shelter or providing services to homeless persons
• Individuals working in developmental services, violence against women services, victims’ services, anti-human trafficking and those engaged in interpreting or intervenor services for persons who are deaf or deaf-blind
• Any individual whose child was registered in an emergency child care program delivered by a Consolidated Municipal Service Manager or District Social Service Administration Board during the time period beginning on April 6, 2021 and ending on April 16, 2021.

To confirm whether or not your family is eligible for access to emergency child care, please contact your . See a full list of .

January 3, 2022 update:

COVID-19: 91视频 returns to Modified Step 2 (January 2022)
On January 3, 2022, the 91视频 government a return to a 鈥渕odified鈥� Step Two under the Reopening 91视频 (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020. Effective Jan. 5, 2022, for at least 21 days (until Jan. 26), the following measures relevant to the nonprofit sector are in place:

• Private gatherings are limited to five persons indoors (single persons may meet one other household; caregivers do not count toward the limit), or 10 outdoors. Public gatherings are limited to five persons indoors (no limit for outdoors except the requirement to allow 2 metres of physical distance).
• Employers must enable working from home whenever possible.
• Schooling (public and private) will be virtual from Jan. 5 until at least Jan. 17.
  • Emergency child care will be available for school-aged children of 鈥渉ealth care and other eligible frontline workers.鈥� (Note: This list is expected to be the same as Schedule 4 in 91视频 Regulation ).
  • School buildings may open for child care, including emergency child care, as well as in-person special education.
• The following must close:
  • Museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions, amusement parks and waterparks, tour and guide services and fairs, rural exhibitions, and festivals. Outdoor establishments may operate, with 50 percent capacity for any spectators.
  • Indoor concert venues, theatres, and cinemas. Rehearsals and recorded performances are permitted with restrictions.
  • Indoor sport and recreational fitness facilities including gyms, except for use by elite athletes (under an approved Return-to-play Framework) as well as child care, social services, mental health & addiction services (maximum ten people), and persons with a disability under certain conditions. Outdoor facilities may operate, with 50 percent capacity for spectators and other restrictions.
  • Indoor meeting and event spaces, with limited exceptions (e.g., for health care, child care and social service provision, collective bargaining).
  • Indoor dining.
  • Day camps and overnight camps for children.
• Capacity for indoor weddings, funerals and religious services is limited to 50 percent of the room. Outdoor services are limited to the number that can maintain 2 metres of distance. Receptions are subject to the private gathering limits noted above.
• Retail, public libraries, and community centres/multi-purpose facilities are limited to 50 percent capacity (subject to the rules for indoor recreation spaces, if applicable).
• Short-term rentals (e.g., cottages) are once again restricted to individuals in need of housing.
• Existing rules on vaccination certificates, face masks, distancing, screening of workers and clients/community members, contact tracking, and having a safety plan continue to apply.
• All sectors should plan for absenteeism rates of 20 to 30 percent (according to Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore).

In light of the return to a modified Step Two, the 91视频 government is expanding the 91视频 Business Costs Rebate Program, announced on December 23, 2021:

• Eligible organizations required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. Those required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs.

A full list of eligible business types will be made available when applications for the program open later this month. ONN has made inquiries to the Ministry of Finance concerning nonprofits鈥� eligibility and will keep the sector updated.
The 91视频 government is 鈥渆xploring options鈥� for further supports for organizations and workers affected by the return to modified Step Two.
91视频 government Jan. 3, 2022.
Details can be found in – Rules for Areas in Step 2 under the Reopening 91视频 Act.

December 23, 2021 update:

On December 22, the 91视频 government a set of supports for businesses facing reimposed capacity limits related to the rise of a new COVID-19 variant. The supports include:

• A new 91视频 Business Costs Rebate Program that provides a 50 per cent rebate on property taxes and energy costs paid while subject to the current capacity limits. Details (including a list of eligible business types) will be available through a program guide in mid-January 2022. Payments will be provided retroactive to December 19, 2021.
• A six-month interest- and penalty-free period (January 1, 2022 to July 1, 2022) to make payments for provincially administered taxes, including the Employer Health Tax.

ONN has contacted the Minister of Finance鈥檚 office to advocate for the inclusion of nonprofits in the program and will report back with more details as they become available.
The 91视频 government also the creation of a where registered, unregistered, internationally trained, and retired health professionals can volunteer to help with the vaccination effort. This appears to be the first use of the Provincial Emergency Volunteer Initiative , and is being run out of the newly (re)created Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
Finally, the December 22 announcements included a to help with the vaccination effort. Employer-led clinics must be operated and funded by to vaccinate employees aged 18 and over, their families, and retirees, as well as members of the local and neighbouring communities as capacity allows. Community groups and places of worship interested in arranging a GO-VAXX mobile visit can contact GOVAXX@ontario.ca.

December 17, 2021 update:

In response to the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant, the 91视频 government has additional public health and workplace safety measures, including capacity and social gathering limits, effective 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Changes directly relevant to nonprofits include:

• A 50 per cent capacity limit in indoor recreational amenities, facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, concert venues, theatres and cinemas, meeting and event spaces, museums, galleries, rural exhibitions and festivals. These limits do not apply to any portion of a place that is being used for a wedding, a funeral or a religious service, rite, or ceremony.
• The personal protective equipment requirements outlined in Directive 5 are being updated to provide interim guidance to require N95 masks for health care workers providing direct care to or interacting with a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID.
• Requiring the use of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify 91视频 app in settings where proof of vaccination is required (starting Jan. 4, 2022).
  • This means that nonprofits in sectors required to check certificates MUST use the app rather than visually checking certificates.

The 91视频 government has also expanded vaccine booster eligibility. Starting , individuals aged 18 and over can schedule their booster dose appointment through , by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, and primary care settings.
Free rapid antigen tests are also being offered to individuals at pop-up sites across 91视频. Visit to find out when and where you can access free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests during the holiday season.

December 13, 2021 update:

In response to rising COVID case numbers and the spread of the Omicron variant, the 91视频 government has introduced new pandemic control measures. Changes directly relevant to nonprofits include:

• (see details above under January 18 update).
• Requiring the use of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify 91视频 app in settings where proof of vaccination is required (starting January 4, 2022).
  • This means that nonprofits in sectors required to check certificates MUST use the app rather than visually checking certificates.
  • Nonprofits in these sectors will be advised to no longer accept physician notes beginning January 10, 2022 as a QR-enabled certificate will be available by that point.
• Confirming that vaccine certificates will continue to be required past the initial expiry date of January 17, 2022.
• Begin requiring proof of vaccination for youth aged 12 to 17 years of age participating in organized sports at recreational facilities (starting December 20, 2021).
• Additional measures for health care settings (see backgrounder).

The 91视频 government is increasing rapid antigen testing for high-risk congregate settings. The Province on lifting capacity limits in higher-risk settings, including wedding receptions in meeting/event spaces where there is dancing. The full suite of measures can be found in . Emergency orders have again been extended and can be viewed .

December 7, 2021 update:

The 91视频 government is extending the provincial (provides paid sick days), until July 31, 2022. Employers will have 120 days after their employees are paid to submit their application to the program for reimbursement.

In the spring of 2020, we jolted as millions of volunteers were dismissed from their roles due to public health restrictions and program closures. Shortly after the voluntary sector absorbed another blow; 1 in 2 employed volunteer managers were dismissed or reassigned.
Volunteerism has changed, and in my role as Executive Director of , Canada鈥檚 largest volunteer centre, it鈥檚 not hard to find evidence that an evolution is upon us.

A Volunteer with VHA Home Healthcare in Toronto loads PPE before delivering it to staff at other locations.

In Toronto, our team began to track grassroots groups, because we knew volunteers were active despite the disruption in the non-profit sector. We reported that 50% of all pandemic response activities were happening at that level. And over time, we also correlated each new wave of restrictions with a spike in interest from the public to fill COVID-19 related roles, demonstrating people were offering support when things seemed at their worst. The mass interest in volunteerism, and its relevancy, was incredible to watch and humbling at the same time.

We have also fielded feedback from frontline program staff telling us of volunteer shortages鈥擵olunteer Drivers being the most extreme case, which has continued through into 2022. And now, witnessing the trends over time, I perceive shortages will continue as pandemic urgency becomes saturated and volunteer motivation mismatches certain types of roles available. To me, an increase in interest won鈥檛 ever meet the recruitment needs for some frontline roles in our society, like Drivers.

A Volunteer Driver from TransCare Community Support Services in Toronto packs up meal deliveries on route to deliver to clients in need of meals during the pandemic.

Absorbing, analyzing, and monitoring supply and demand trends in volunteerism is the role of a volunteer centre, but these issues have a broad impact across our sector. And in reflecting on this moment in time鈥攁nd all the changes and disruptions we鈥檝e observed 鈥� I find that conversations about the role of volunteers have also changed. We鈥檙e digesting changes in how volunteerism is enabled, the interests and needs of today鈥檚 volunteers, and the ethics of volunteer labour. These are the discussions we are having, and we all need to be having, as we all look to achieve our missions with the support of the community coming out of pandemic response.

In working with staff at non-profits, leaders of grassroots groups, and in fielding interest from the public, I鈥檝e realized the volunteer engagement sector in 91视频 is a wellspring of expertise that rarely gets the platform or recognition it deserves.聽 As a result of COVID-19, many frontline non-profit staff members were forced to innovate to meet pressing needs, and many more new volunteer engagers have begun a career in grassroots leadership. At Volunteer Toronto, we鈥檝e tried to tap into this wellspring to better inform the future we鈥檙e all facing.

Launching soon: Volunteer Lab

With the support of an 91视频 Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities grant, Volunteer Toronto has spent the last year curating experts and peers from the volunteer engagement community, so we can all learn from their approaches, lived experience, and COVID-19 responses鈥攖heir video-based courses will be hosted on a new website, called the Volunteer Lab.

Dedicating a year to producing high-quality, video-based content is a rarity in the non-profit sector. Scripts were written, locations booked 鈥� it was lights, camera, action and editing for many months. In doing so, we know we鈥檝e got something special to share with the community, a digital space that will continue to live for years as an opportunity for peer-to-peer sharing in volunteer engagement. We鈥檒l release courses annually, and bring many voices together to speak on topics that will help build resiliency in community engagement.

In launching the Volunteer Lab, this May 2022, we’re focusing on the strength of our community, of volunteer engagement, that shone bright through an incredibly difficult period of disruption and change in volunteerism. We hope you鈥檒l check out the Volunteer Lab鈥檚 inaugural courses and learn from your peers in community building and volunteer engagement by visiting聽.

Meet the Volunteer Lab鈥檚 Inaugural Instructors

Related Resources:

• COVID-19: State of the 91视频 nonprofit sector – Report
• Volunteers and Decent Work – What’s the connection?
• National Volunteer Week themed blogs: and

Our key message then: 鈥淲e have your back.鈥�

So much has happened in these last two years. They have felt like a lifetime, and at the same time, like they happened in the blink of an eye. Initially we thought our offices would be closed for a three-week lockdown, but that turned into two years of restrictions, stay-at-home orders, new waves, and more. In my email to the ONN team, I said that our office would reopen April 4, 2020 – how naive! During the pandemic, nonprofits we cared about closed, shifted, pivoted, and excelled. We individually faced illness, fear, grief, and a constant up and down of our moods and capacity based on the daily case counts. The pandemic also helped shed a light on existing racial inequities because they were being exacerbated during this time. Part of our grief and anger also came from continued police violence, anti-Black racism, and the gendered impact of COVID-19.

It鈥檚 been emotionally exhausting, but there were still times when we celebrated, experienced successes, forged new relationships and partnerships, and supported one another.

There is so much to learn and unpack from the last two years – and here at ONN we are still looking to find the time to really reflect and capture all that we have experienced since 2020. But there are some key takeaways that we want to capture now – and advocate to keep them on the front burner as we recover, recreate, and transform our sector.

1. Government can act quickly.

We learned during these last two years that governments can move fast and efficiently when they have to. Programs were created within weeks, not months or years; dollars were distributed quickly; online transactions (including e-signatures!) were accepted; flexibility was provided to accommodate emerging issues in communities. Were these programs and policies perfect? Of course not, but most were useful and lessons were learned. Have our expectations changed with respect to government decision-making? Absolutely!

2. Trust-based funding and general operating support are critical to our sector鈥檚 future.

We learned there is ample evidence that funders (foundations, donors, and governments) can provide support and that community organizations will use the money efficiently, effectively, and responsibly. We learned to question 鈥� why does a funding application need to be 20+ pages, with the entire project/program thought out before we鈥檝e even tried it? Why does it take nine months to get a response to a funding proposal? Why can鈥檛 we use funding to invest in technology so our people have the best tools at their disposal? Why aren鈥檛 reserves appropriate when it鈥檚 not just raining, but pouring? Why can鈥檛 we make the decisions about where money is most needed and best meets our mission instead of letting funders and donors do that for us?

Now, we expect our funders to have less red tape and paperwork, to focus more on outcomes, to recognize the importance of general operating support and the investment in technology, to allow for reserve funds, to trust our expertise on the communities we serve, and to be true partners.

3. Our people are our biggest strength.

We learned (or relearned) something we already knew. Our people, paid staff, and volunteers, are what makes our sector function and they are not distinct from the communities we serve and often share similar lived experiences. They lead, deliver, teach, create, educate, coach, counsel, manage, and so much more. Our sector鈥檚 people have done more for our communities during the pandemic than any government ever could have. They made sure people were sheltered and fed. That mental health supports were available. That there were creative outlets and connections during lockdown. That physical activity was available. Nonprofit sector workers ensured that everyone had supports, from infants to our elders. They were on the front lines and behind the scenes, working in communities and working from home. And we learned that society takes them for granted.

Now, we expect that nonprofits will prioritize decent work for their staff and fight for equitable compensation, benefits, and professional development. We expect that volunteers will be supported, well managed, and recognized. We expect that funders and governments will acknowledge and invest in the valuable work our sector鈥檚 people undertake on behalf of our communities.

4. Equity and racial justice must be centred in rebuilding.

The 鈥渄ouble pandemic鈥� of systemic racism has been abundantly clear throughout the pandemic. From COVID infection rates to the vaccine rollout, to who could comfortably work from home and who were on the front lines of essential services, Black, Indigenous and racialized communities have been disproportionately impacted. To address racism and colonialism, there is no simple checklist or training to complete. We need an absolute rethinking and recreation of our social and economic systems that are entrenched in systemic racism and white supremacy. This has been an eye-opening lesson for me personally to learn as a white, middle-aged, nonprofit leader. I have had (and continue) to face my discomfort talking about race, privilege and power, and naming white supremacy.

Now, we expect that not only should we name systemic racism, but recognize that we all have a role to play 鈥� government, funders, nonprofit organizations, and all community members 鈥� in addressing it. And that all nonprofits, regardless of size, scope, breadth, mission, can be part of the solution and must prioritize an equitable recovery above all else.

5. Collective, networked advocacy works.

We knew the benefits of collective advocacy before but the pandemic has made it crystal clear that a network model that focuses on building relationships, not delivering transactions, is the best advocacy approach for our sector. Relationships have been built, silos torn down, successes and challenges shared. It鈥檚 hard work and doesn鈥檛 replace the mission-focused work of individual organizations, but working together, sharing the work and the results has helped us all serve our communities better.

Now, we expect that networks will be supported, accessed, and replicated. That lessons we have all learned can be shared. We expect our networks to be based on reciprocity, authenticity, shared commitments, and a shared value that we are stronger when we work together.

In March 2020, we said, 鈥淥ur sector 鈥� and our partners and supporters 鈥� can model the way and enable the most important work in our communities to continue 鈥� even AND especially during challenging times. Keep us posted. We鈥檝e got your back.鈥�

I fervently wish we had not experienced a worldwide pandemic that devastated so many communities and resulted in trauma, and many lives lost. I believe there is a transformational opportunity ahead of us – and that the future of the nonprofit sector is up to us. The pendulum doesn’t have to swing back – we can change its direction and we can model the way. We have new expectations to hold ourselves and others accountable to.

Two years later, we still want you to know – we鈥檝e got your back.