Collective Bargaining Information Services
Highlights
This program is designed for businesses like yours. It offers up to $1,000,000 in financing to help you make significant purchases and investments. Additionally, you can receive an extra $150,000 for software or daily operating costs.
What You Get
- Up to $1,000,000 in financing
- $150,000 for software or operating expenses
The funds can be used for:
- Operating expenses
- Restorations
- New equipment
- Software
- And much more
The key advantage of this program is that it is backed by the government, providing you with flexible repayment options, including up to 15 years to repay. This makes it a more secure and manageable option compared to other loans.
Financing Details
Type of Financing:
- Grant: This program offers a grant, which means you do not need to repay the funds.
Eligible Expenses:
- Training Costs: Expenses related to training your employees.
- Wages: Salaries for employees directly involved in the project.
- Equipment: Purchase or lease of equipment necessary for the project.
- Materials and Supplies: Costs for materials and supplies needed for the project.
Ineligible Expenses:
- Operational Costs: Day-to-day operational expenses such as rent, utilities, and regular payroll.
- Debt Repayment: Funds cannot be used to repay existing loans or debts.
- Personal Expenses: Any personal expenses or unrelated business costs.
Fees:
- Application Fee: There is no application fee for this program.
- Administrative Fees: No additional administrative fees are associated with this grant.
Qualifications
- Must be a business operating in Ontario.
- Must be involved in collective bargaining with a union.
- Must be negotiating a first collective agreement or the renewal of an existing collective agreement.
- Must have provided notice to bargain to the other party.
- Must meet with a conciliation officer appointed by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Must file a copy of the collective agreement with the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
Disqualifications:
- Businesses not operating in Ontario.
- Businesses not involved in collective bargaining.
- Businesses that have not provided notice to bargain.
- Businesses that have not met with a conciliation officer.
Description
This program offers your business a valuable opportunity to improve and grow. You can receive up to $1,000,000 to support various business needs. Here's how you can use the funds:
Up to $500,000 can be used for purchasing equipment or enhancing your rented space. This includes:
- Commercial kitchen appliances
- Manufacturing machinery
- Computers and IT infrastructure
- Renovating a retail space
Up to $150,000 can cover costs like software or other operational expenses to keep your business running smoothly.
The federal government guarantees 85% of the loan, providing a significant safety net for your business. This program is also flexible. If you've made significant purchases in the last 365 days that fit the program guidelines, you can include them in this loan.
You have various repayment options. You can choose a variable interest rate, a fixed rate, or a combination of both. You have up to 15 years to repay the loan, regardless of how you use the funds. This flexibility ensures you can manage your finances effectively while growing your business.
Program Steps
Notify the Other Party to Begin Negotiations: Write to the other party (union or employer) to express your desire to start negotiating a collective agreement.
Schedule a Meeting: Arrange a meeting within 15 days of giving notice, unless both parties agree to a different timeframe.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents for the negotiation process:
- A copy of the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) certification or voluntary recognition agreement (if negotiating the first agreement).
- A copy of the most recent collective agreement in Microsoft Word or PDF format (if renewing an existing agreement).
- A signed copy of the signature page from the most recent collective agreement.
- A copy of the written notice to bargain.
Request a Conciliation Officer: If needed, request the appointment of a conciliation officer from the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. This can be done by filling out the request form and submitting it online or via email.
Engage in Bargaining: Meet with the other party to negotiate in good faith and make every reasonable effort to conclude a collective agreement.
File the Agreement: Once a new collective agreement is reached, file a copy with the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in Microsoft Word or PDF format. This is required by the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA).
Ratification Vote: Conduct a ratification vote among bargaining unit employees to approve the new agreement. Ensure the majority of votes are in favor for the agreement to take effect.
Submit the Agreement Online: Use the collective agreement submission page to submit the new agreement. The ministry is not currently accepting submissions by mail or fax.
Continue Bargaining if No Agreement is Reached: If no agreement is reached, continue bargaining or explore other options such as voluntary interest arbitration or mediation.
Request Further Assistance: If needed, request further assistance from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to help reach an agreement and avoid a work stoppage.