Economic Development eNews | January 11, 2022 |
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Music Sergery creates audio and amazing original scores |
GANANOQUE - Award-winning composer and audio engineer Serge Côté loves what he does.
The owner of Music Sergery is well known for his accomplished body of work and as a talent who can create unforgettable soundtracks for film, broadcast, video and multi-media.
"Being able to put my own music and sound to picture makes me pretty happy, " says Serge, who has operated his home-based business in Gananoque since 2010. He has been a leader in his field since launching his music studio 27 years ago in Ottawa.
"I love what I do," he says, adding one of his favourite characters is "Loumy" in the French Radio Canada (SRC) teen adventure series Makinium. Serge strives to make characters even more vibrant and alive via great sound.
"I deal with everything that has to do with sound and soundscapes," he says, noting on a regular day he does audio post production work "sculpting things together so that they are seamless."
Serge is a classically-trained pianist. In the early days of his career as a musician, songwriter and arranger he worked with Canadian performers such as Alanis Morissette, One to One, Dan Hill and many others.
Soon he transitioned into "scoring to picture" and composing for TV and animated series as well as national television commercials. Serge has created music for over a thousand TV series episodes in many genres and styles. A bilingual Francophone, he has created themes and scores for programs on TVO, the Comedy Network, CTV, CBC and the Discovery Channel. He has worked on productions seen throughout the world.
Serge earned a Gemini Award for best score in a documentary in 2010 for the children's travel series "A World of Wonders." He has won countless awards and nominations, including the Canadian Screen Awards for "Jaxon & Song's Maple Mystery" (2018) and "Rob the Robot" (2014).
"I've been pretty fortunate and I like that I can do my work from anywhere," he says. He and his family moved to Gananoque after discovering it one day passing through the area.
A majority of his work today is sound mixing, including major projects for Franco-Ontario television programming. He also has many corporate clients.
"I get to build something and be creative every day. It is stimulating to add a flavour to something with the right music or sound to enhance and make the project even better."
To learn more about Music Sergery visit Serge's website, send him an email or call at 613-724-7455. |
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Top feature photo and below: Audio engineer, composer and classically-trained musician Serge Côté in his Gananoque studio. |
Beginning second from top: Makinium poster, Serge at the Gemini Awards and above, working in his studio. |
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The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office has several investors looking for manufacturing and warehousing space in the region. If you have any space that is available for purchase or lease please contact Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager, via email or call 613-342-3840 ext. 5365.
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As we entered 2022, the Ontario government moved back to Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen due to the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Additional information can be found in the Modified Step 2 technical briefing. This will be in effect until Wednesday, January 26, subject to trends in public health and health system indicators.
Local information and numbers can be found on the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit webpage. The Chief Ontario Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, has provided new direction on what to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19: see webpage. Workplaces do not need to report workers who are absent with COVID-19 symptoms or who have had a positive test result to Public Health. It is asked that you monitor the website frequently to ensure you have the most current information. To understand what is considered a close contact, the Health Unit has a provided a poster that can used by employers to identify Who is a Close Contact at Work .
When our high-risk indoor public settings reopen, Ontarians are now required to use their enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code to access certain business and organizations where proof of vaccination is required. To download the QR code certificate, no app or smartphone is required, just visit the provincial portal You can save the electronic version or print a paper copy. Businesses must accept both versions. A piece of identification with your name and date of birth is also required with the certificate. Those with medical exemptions also need verified certificates with QR codes as doctor’s notes will no longer be accepted. Additional information on proof of vaccination can be found on the provincial webpage.
It is anticipated many announcements will be occurring over the next several weeks, please subscribe to the Economic Development COVID webpage to get the most recent updates.
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New Year's Resolution: Get Your Business in Digital Shape
Businesses in Leeds Grenville are eligible for FREE consultation sessions with a digital services expert.
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To discuss Digital Services:
Shelbi McFarlane, Business Development Officer
Leeds Grenville Economic Development
Ph: 613-342-3840 ext. 5361 | Toll free: 1-800-770-2170 ext. 5361 | email
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New - Small Business Grant Relief
The Ontario government is introducing a $10,000 grant for eligible small businesses impacted by the province’s move to Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. The government is recognizing that small businesses required to close indoor operations will need additional help. Small business owners can use this grant however makes the most sense for them: fixed costs, employee wages, maintaining inventory.
Stream One Eligibility:
Businesses that previously qualified under the Ontario Small Business Support Grant won’t need to apply, you’ll receive an email in late January asking you to confirm your continued eligibility:
- Required to close due to public health orders that took effect 12:01 a.m. on January 5, 2022
- Still operational as of January 14, 2022
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Have fewer than 100 employees
It is anticipated qualified recipients to receive funds in early February.
Stream Two Eligibility:
A newly formed business that did not previously apply for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant or were previously ineligible need to apply in early February. Items you will need:
- A Master Business Licence
- Information about the business, including sector, affiliations, number of employees
- Banking information
- Supporting documentation to demonstrate a 20% or greater revenue decline through revenue for December 2021 and revenue for January 2022.
It is anticipated qualified recipients to receive funds in late February.
Eligible small businesses include:
- Restaurants and bars;
- Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms);
- Racing venues, casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
- Performing arts and cinemas;
- Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions;
- Meeting or event spaces;
- Tour and guide services;
- Conference centres and convention centres;
- Driving instruction for individuals; and
- Before- and after-school programs.
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Reconnect Ontario 2022
Applications are now open for festival and event organizers to continue to adopt innovative approaches in delivering programs that have a tourism economic impact and motivates visitors to rediscover Ontario. The program is open to festivals and events taking place between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
Deadline for Applications: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 5 p.m.(EST)
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Electricity and Tax Rate Reductions
For 21 days starting at 12:01 am on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, electricity prices will be set 24 hours a day at the current off-peak rate of 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is less than half the cost of the current on-peak rate. The off-peak rate will apply automatically to residential, small businesses and farms who pay regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board and get a bill from a utility and will benefit customers on both Time-of-Use and Tiered rate plans.
The government is also improving cash flows for Ontario businesses by providing up to $7.5 billion through a six-month interest- and penalty-free period starting January 1, 2022 for Ontario businesses to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.
Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program
On December 22, 2021, the provincial government announced eligible businesses will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to capacity limits. Rebates will be 50% up to 100% depending on the degree to which the business is subject to public health restrictions.
Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50% will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50% of their property tax and energy costs – ie. small retails stores. Eligible businesses required to close will receive a rebate payment of 100% of their property tax and energy costs – restaurants, gyms. Eligible payments will be retroactive to December 19, 2021. A full list of eligible business type will provided prior to launch.
Online applications open Tuesday, January 18, 2022
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Tourism Staycation Tax Rebate |
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Local Accommodations Encouraged to have Your Receipts Meet Provincial Requirements for Tax Credit
The new temporary Ontario Staycation Tax Credit will be in full swing for 2022, and accommodation businesses are encouraged to understand the program and how the receipts will need to appear so visitors can claim the credit.
This Personal Income Tax (PIT) credit will provide Ontario residents with support of 20 per cent of eligible 2022 accommodation expenses of up to $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a family, for a maximum credit of $200 or $400, respectively.
Ontario residents could apply for this refundable credit when they file their 2022 PIT returns and benefit even if they do not owe any PIT. An eligible accommodation expense would have to be:
- A stay of less than a month at an eligible accommodation such as a hotel, motel, resort, lodge, bed-and-breakfast establishment, cottage or campground in Ontario;
- For a stay between January 1 and December 31 of 2022;
- Incurred for leisure (a non-business purpose);
- Paid by the Ontario tax filer, their spouse or common-law partner, or their eligible child, as set out on a detailed receipt;
- Not reimbursed to the tax filer, their spouse or common-law partner, or their eligible child, by any person, including by a friend or an employer; and
- Subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) / Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), as set out on a detailed receipt.
Other questions answered:
- To claim the credit, individuals need to keep detailed receipts of their Ontario leisure accommodations. Those receipts should include information such as the location of the accommodation, the GST/HST paid, the amount paid for the accommodation portion of a stay, the date of the stay, and the name of the payor.
- The funding for this credit would not run out. There is no cut-off point. All eligible individuals would be able to claim the credit on their Personal Income Tax returns for 2022 if all conditions are met.
- An accommodation booked through an online platform operator or directly with the accommodation provider may be an eligible expense if it is subject to GST/HST and all other conditions for eligibility are met.
- Transient mooring fees may not be an eligible expense and short-term accommodation would generally not include a timeshare agreement, a stay on a boat, houseboat, train or other vehicle that can be self-propelled.
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
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Smartphone Photography Basics for Business
This is an introductory course to smartphone photography for business owners. Whether you are a bricks and mortar, online or outdoor activity business, understanding the equipment you are using and the guidelines of photography will help produce images that create a more professional appearance for your website and social media. The session is hosted by RTO9 (Regional Tourism Organization).
WHEN: Tuesday, January 25, 10-11 a.m.
COST: Free
For more information contact Lori McIsaac at 905-751-4401.
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Moving Online - How to Stand Out in a Virtual World
Exploring new ways and methods may seem daunting but when done right, 'connecting' with your audience can elevate your brand and expand opportunities, both online and off. In this webinar, we'll explore how to get found, maintain the conversation and invest in your customer experience to maximize your online success. This session is presented by the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board.
WHEN: Thursday, February 10, 10-11 a.m.
COST: Free
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Leeds Grenville eNews Deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please email it to us in advance.
- Submissions for the January 25th edition should be received by Monday, January 17th.
- Submissions for the February 8th edition should be received by Monday, January 31st.
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Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
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Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
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Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
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Shelbi McFarlane
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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