COVID-19 UPDATES

The safety and well-being of our members and community are of the utmost importance to us. We will communicate all updates to our members, and the community through email, social media posts, and updates on our website. There has been so much support from so many individuals and business in our community. We have a  very supportive community and we will get through this!!!

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is appreciative of all of the front-line staff, first responders and health care professionals who continue to show dedication in our community. We will continue to update these pages as information becomes available.

Government of Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to providing you with the information and support you need to make informed decisions as your business navigates through these challenges; including supporting your employees.

• Support to Businesses
• Risk-informed decision-making guidelines for workplaces and businesses during COVID-19
• Frequently Asked Questions - Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers
• Employment and Social Development - Benefits and Services for Individuals and In Your Workplace

• Economic Response Plan:

  https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit:

• https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html

  https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html

• Resources for Canadian Businesses

Calling All Suppliers - Help Canada Combat COVID-19
The Government of Canada is asking suppliers about their ability to provide products and services.  See the list of items needed, and notify them if you can help out.

Update - Nov 2020

Resources from the Federal Government

CEWS Extension Details: 

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/11/details-on-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy-extension.html

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): 

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/11/canada-emergency-rent-subsidy.html

Lockdown Support for Businesses Facing Significant Public Health Restrictions (under CERS): 

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/11/lockdown-support-for-businesses-facing-significant-public-health-restrictions.html

Brief Summary of Total Support under new CEWS and CERS: 

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/11/rate-structures-applicable-in-periods-8-9-and-10-september-27-to-december-19-2020.html

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)

Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020, until June 2021.

This subsidy will provide payments directly to qualifying renters and property owners, without requiring the participation of landlords.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-rent-subsidy.html 

Government of Ontario 

• Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade Update - March 26, 2020
• WSIB Financial Relief Package
• Alcohol and Gaming Commission - Liquor Licenses sell liquor for takeout or delivery along with food - March 26, 2020
• Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 - March 25, 2020
• Newsroom
• List of Essential Services - March 23, 2020

  • Updated ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES LIST REDUCED FROM 74 to 44 CATEGORIES - April 3, 2020

    Following advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, on April 3, 2020, Ontario updated the list of essential businesses that can remain open. The restrictions are aimed at further reducing contact between people and stopping the spread of COVID-19. See the revised list here.  

  • Cannabis stores and most construction projects, including non-critical industrial construction have been removed from this list. 
  • The new essential services list will go into effective at 11:59pm on Saturday, April 4.
    • Businesses and service providers with question about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can learn more at Stop the Spread Business Information Line or call -888-444-3659.
      Help is available Monday - Sunday, from 8:30 a.m - 5 p.m.

FedDev Ontario

The Government of Canada is taking action to support tourism and other businesses and workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can take advantage of new investments and initiatives.  Learn more about the support available.

• 1000 Islands CDC
• Grenville CFDC
• Valley Heartland CFDC - loans
•  

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Update: April 6 , 2020       The Canadian Chamber of Commerce established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to bring together its vast network of over 450 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and over 100 of Canada’s leading business and industry associations, including the Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, to help the business community prepare, persevere and, ultimately, prosper as we collectively face the COVID-19 pandemic.

• COVID-19 | Pandemic Preparedness for Business

Ontario Chamber of Commerce

• Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit for Ontario Business

Leeds Grenville Economic Development - COVID - 19  Business Resources and Update

Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre Training & Resouce's

City of Brockville - Information and Resources 

United Way of Leeds & Grenville COVID 19 Resources 

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)

• Second Phase COVID-19 Industry Survey (deadline for completion by Monday, March 23 at 8am)
• TIAO Survey 3.0 - We Need Your Input (deadline for completion by Monday, April 6)   TAKE THE SURVEY 
•  

Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO9)

RTO9 strives to support the tourism and travel industry in the region by closely monitoring events that could cause significant challenges to the industry, including the Covid-19 virus.  Visit the Tourism Talk website for more support.

News

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan / Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19 English

French

What Canada's Regional Development Agencies are doing to help business during the COVID-19 pandemic 

Business Development Bank of Canada - Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus 

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian Businesses 

Health Resources & Updates

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

• healthunit.org/coronavirus

Ontario Government

• www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus

• Update March 16 – Enhanced Measure to Protect Ontarians from COVID-19

Government of Canada

• www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

COVID-19 subscription for Public Health Updates 

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

The Government of Ontario recommends taking the following actions to avoid the continuous spread of germs and viruses:

• wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• sneeze and cough into your sleeve
• avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• avoid contact with people who are sick
• stay home if you are sick

Coronaviruses are spread mainly from person to person through close contact, for example, in a household, workplace or health care centre.

There is no vaccine available to protect against the 2019 novel coronavirus.

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is inviting proposals in order to select a proponent to provide services for the development of a strategic plan.  

Click on link for full details

On October 15, 2020 the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 61st Award of Excellence Gala - Drive In Theater Style. Keeley Patterson the President of the Chamber of Commerce. Dedicated the President's Award to our COVID Hero's

Ontario Releases COVID-19 Response Framework to Help Keep the Province Safe and Open

Government Provides Additional Details on $300 Million to Support Eligible Businesses

November 3, 2020

Office of the Premier

TORONTO — In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, the Ontario government has developed the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. It ensures that public health measures are targeted, incremental and responsive to help limit the spread of COVID-19, while keeping schools and businesses open, maintaining health system capacity and protecting vulnerable people, including those in long-term care.

Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board, and Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health.

"It's clear COVID-19 will be with us for a while, which is why we are putting in place a framework that will protect the health and safety of individuals and families, while avoiding broader closures across the province," said Premier Ford. "This framework, developed in consultation with our health experts, will serve as an early warning system allowing us to scale up and scale back public health restrictions on a regional or community basis in response to surges and waves of COVID-19. By introducing public health measures sooner, we can keep this deadly virus at bay, bend the curve and reclaim a little more of our normal lives."

The framework takes a gradual approach that includes introducing preventative measures earlier to help avoid broader closures and allow for additional public health and workplace safety measures to be introduced or removed incrementally. It categorizes public health unit regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Lockdown being a measure of last and urgent resort. Each level outlines the types of public health and workplace safety measures for businesses and organizations. These include targeted measures for specific sectors, institutions and other settings.

"The health and wellbeing of Ontarians is our number one priority. This framework, informed by public health experts, data and the experiences of other jurisdictions, is focused on introducing less invasive measures earlier to stop the spread of COVID-19," said Minister Elliott. "We are committed to being transparent with Ontarians, businesses and local communities as we work together to keep Ontarians safe, while keeping our economy open."

"This framework is critical to ensuring that public health measures are able to help slow the spread of the virus, while also supporting mental health and other social determinants of health," said Dr. Williams. "The framework operates like a dimmer switch, enabling measures and restrictions to be increased and give individuals and families the information they need to adjust their activities and interactions based on local epidemiological data."

As the province continues to expand access to real-time data, enhancements are also being made to Ontario.ca/coronavirus, Ontario's one-stop shop for information on COVID-19. Information about the spread of the virus, and public health and health system capacity will now be available on the website. This includes local cases by public health unit regions, the total number of cases, resolved cases, deaths, and tests completed and how many are positive. The province will continue to add data sets as they become available, such as sources of outbreaks as a subset of overall cases. This information will better help businesses, organizations and local communities access key information to prepare in advance for any changes in their region.

"You deserve to have access to the same information that we have, and that's why our government is enhancing online data and data visualization," said Minister Bethlenfalvy. "Greater transparency means that the people of Ontario have reliable access to the information they need to protect their health, and for businesses to reopen and operate safely. This is another way we're using technology and pursuing innovation to put the people at the centre of government and move Ontario onwards."

To provide the utmost transparency, each public health unit will be classified according to current framework indicators. Proposed classifications based on data for the week of October 26, 2020 can be found below. These will be confirmed by the province on Friday, November 6, 2020 and become effective on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. Final decisions on moving public health unit regions into the framework will be made by the government based on updated data and in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, local medical officers of health and other health experts, and will be reviewed weekly.

Going forward, the government will continually assess the impact of public health measures applied to public health unit regions for 28 days, or two COVID-19 incubation periods.

Supporting Businesses Affected by COVID-19 Public Health Measures

The Ontario government is making $300 million available to businesses required to close or significantly restrict services in areas subject to modified Stage 2 public health restrictions (Ottawa, Peel, Toronto, and York Region) or, going forward, in areas categorized as Control or Lockdown.

Rebates will cover the period of time that businesses are required to temporarily close or significantly restrict services as a result of being located in areas subject to the targeted modified Stage 2 public health restrictions or, going forward, in areas categorized as Control or Lockdown. The property tax rebates will be net of any federal support in respect of property taxes provided through the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS), so that the rebate will cover costs beyond those covered by CERS.

Beginning November 16, 2020, eligible businesses will be able to apply for temporary property tax and energy cost rebates directly to the province through a single, online application portal. Many businesses should expect to receive their rebate payments within a few weeks of finalizing and submitting their completed application. Eligible businesses include restaurants, bars, gyms and cinemas.

"On Thursday, I'll introduce Ontario's 2020 Budget, the next phase of Ontario's Action Plan," said Minister Phillips. "It is a plan that will have three pillars. As we announced yesterday, the first is protect. The second pillar is support, because we know COVID-19 has brought severe challenges and economic difficulties to families and employers. Supporting businesses affected by necessary public health restrictions in regions experiencing a greater risk from COVID-19 is one way we are helping employers manage during these difficult times."

Through Ontario's Property Tax and Energy Cost Rebates program, the government is building on its collaboration with federal partners to ensure eligible businesses receive the financial help they need as a result of targeted provincial public health restrictions.

Ontario Business Should Play a Key Role in Budget 2020

November 2, 2020

(TORONTO – November 2, 2020) – Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released its 2020 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission focused on four pillars to create a more competitive business environment in the province: fiscal policy; regulation; the future of employment; and innovation and entrepreneurship.

“In Ontario’s 2020 Budget, we want to see public policies that lay the groundwork for long-term economic growth by advancing critical infrastructure, efficient regulation, workforce training, public-private partnerships, and support for entrepreneurship,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the OCC. “Pro-growth policies will help Ontario’s communities emerge stronger than before, ensure public resources are used productively, help bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio, and allow the private sector to generate jobs, economic activity, and tax revenues.”

The Government of Ontario has duly responded to the COVID-19 crisis with a series of unforeseen expenditures aimed at sustaining the livelihoods and confidence of Ontarians. Meanwhile, businesses across the province stepped up to the plate by leveraging their resources to respond to the pandemic. RBC’s Canada United Campaign and Bruce Power’s Strength in Numbers initiative are two examples of how businesses have leveraged their brand and supply chains in response to COVID-19.

Entering the next stages of this crisis, additional spending will be necessary to avoid a prolonged economic downturn. In addition to greater government debt, personal and private sector debt will also rise as households struggle to make payments and firms borrow to preserve their operations. In this context, government will need to walk a tightrope between ensuring their fiscal house is in order while maintaining a competitive economy that encourages business investment and economic growth. The smartest way to do this is by teaming up with the private sector.

“Collaboration with businesses will be key to the success of our economic recovery. The Government of Ontario cannot do it on its own,” added Rossi. “Now is the time to explore innovative partnerships – such as commissioning, alternative financing, and social impact bonds – to share risk and make the most of every dollar spent.”

The OCC’s pre-budget recommendations were developed together with businesses, chambers of commerce, and boards of trade across the province, with the shared interest of making Ontario a more attractive place to live, work, and invest. Read the full pre-budget submission here.

Effective today, October 1, 2020, the minimum wage rates in Ontario have increased.

To view the new rates, visit Ontario.ca/minimumwage.

To all workplaces in the area, please take a moment to read the following message from the The Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

As we navigate the second wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is critical for workplaces to have plans in place to protect their employees and customers from COVID-19. New direction from the province requires employers to screen all workers or essential visitors prior to entering the work environment. A screening tool for workplaces can be accessed at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/.../workplace_screening_tool...

The following actions will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout your workplace:

• Screen workers before entry into the workplace.

• Support people with symptoms to self-isolate. Sick employees should not be in the workplace.

• Ensure people maintain a physical distance of 2 metres, even while wearing a face covering/mask.

• Disinfect surfaces and objects regularly.

• Support hand hygiene, particularly hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Remind workers about good cough and sneeze etiquette and to avoid touching their face.

• Work with the local Public Health Unit if any workers have COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Workplaces should perform their own risk assessment and follow site specific recommendations. Here are resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace.

Should a positive case be identified in your workplace it is important to have a system in place so you can provide information about which people had close interactions with an individual who has tested positive. This information will help speed up contact tracing completed by Public Health. Please note your workplace is not expected to reach out to possible contacts; this is the role of Public Health. We will assess an individuals risk and provide advice on next steps, including self-isolation, who should get tested and the appropriate timeline for testing and information about self-isolation. The following information will be required:

• Date and approximate length and frequency of interaction.

• Full names.

• Contact telephone numbers.

• Addresses (for workers) or the name of the visitor’s business.

Together we can reduce the impact of COVID-19 on your workplace and the community.

• The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is being expanded to include businesses that paid between $20,000 and $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019. This new payroll range will replace the previous range of between $50,000 and $1 million in payroll. Businesses can apply for a CEBA loan through their financial institutions.

•  Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. This program will seek to provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who in turn will lower or forgo the rent of small businesses for the months of April (retroactive), May, and June. Implementation of this program will require a partnership between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments, which are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships. We will share more details about this program as soon as they are available.

Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce joins Canada United to support local businesses and accelerate small business recovery

Created by RBC in collaboration with the national network of Chambers of Commerce and over 50 corporate partners Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce to support local businesses as part of the nationwide movement

July 29, 2020 Brockville, Ontario  – Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce announced today it is joining Canada United, a national movement to support local businesses in communities across the country. As part of the movement, RBC has brought together more than 50 of Canada’s leading brands, Business Associations and the national Chamber network to rally Canadians to “show local some love” by buying, dining and shopping local.

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support the Canada United movement and help bolster businesses in and around our community. Small businesses are the backbones of our local economies and key to thriving communities,” says Pamela Robertson, Executive Director. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for businesses in the Brockville and Area and across the province. We need to continue to support SMEs who create jobs, drive innovation, and generate wealth for communities across Ontario – they will play an integral role in helping the province bounce back.

Canadians are invited to join the Canada United movement by buying and dining local, including celebrating and supporting local businesses during the Canada United Weekend from August 28 to 30, 2020.

Canadians are also encouraged to watch the Canada United videos online at GoCanadaUnited.ca, like posts from @GoCanadaUnited on social media and use #CanadaUnited to demonstrate their support. For each of these actions until August 31, 2020, RBC will contribute 5 cents up to a maximum contribution amount of $2 million to the new Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, while working with government and corporate partners to source additional contributions to the fund during the course of the campaign.

The Fund will provide small businesses with grants of up to $5,000 to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE) renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines and developing or improving e-commerce capabilities.

Small Canadian businesses across the country will be able to apply for up to $5,000 in grant funding. The program intends to support small Canadian businesses of all kinds from across the country. The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be administered by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national Chamber network. Small business owners who are interested in the program can visit GoCanadaUnited.ca to learn more about grant application details, including eligibility criteria, and to apply.

“We are excited to welcome the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce to Canada United to help local businesses and Canada’s economy come back strong,” said Neil McLaughlin, Group Head, Personal & Commercial Banking, Royal Bank of Canada. “Canada United was created to kick-start an economic rebound by rallying consumers to give local businesses the support they need to re-open during these uncertain times. By bringing together government, business associations and corporate Canada, we are looking to start a movement to get Canadians to buy local and support businesses across the country. We are genuinely excited by the energy all of our partners are bringing to this effort.”

“If there has been one silver lining in all the tragedy and sacrifices of the current crisis, it has been the spirit of collaboration and unity of purpose that has been evident between levels of government, across provinces and across sectors,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“We are calling on that same unity of purpose with Canada United. Small, local businesses are the heart of our communities, our Main Streets and our economy. Together, it is time to show local some love.”

About Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce:

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is part of a network of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade that exist in virtually every community across Ontario and Canada. The Chamber network consists of 65,000 businesses provincially and 170,000 businesses nationally. Locally, the Chamber has over 300 members and is recognized as this area's official "Voice of Business." This voice is an effective force in influencing issues and legislation affecting your business and our community. It is a membership based and not-for-profit association that is led by an elected volunteer Board of Directors.

About RBC:

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 84,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.

About Canada United

The #CanadaUnited campaign is a nationwide small and local business campaign encouraging Canadians to buy local.

RBC, ‘Corporate Canada’, Business Associations and Major Media Partners have teamed up to start a movement, Canada United™, where everyday Canadians and large businesses come together in support of small and local businesses. The movement will start with a #CanadaUnited campaign where Canadians are asked to

complete ‘micro-actions’ (likes, views, etc.) in support of small and local businesses on social media. In short, Canada United encourages action from everyday Canadians and Corporate Canada and kickstarts the recovery of local economies and small businesses.

Learn more at GoCanadaUnited.ca.

Canada United is offering small business relief grants of up to $5,000 to help small Canadian businesses with recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19. The grant funds will grow over the next several weeks as every video watched and social post liked from Canada United will result in a 5¢ contribution from RBC. Funds can be used for PPE, renovations, or e-commerce capabilities.

• To determine if you’re eligible to apply for a relief grant or learn more about this program, visit Ontario: occ.ca/canadaunited-on 
   

Conditions apply.

LEARN ABOUT THE CANADA UNITED SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND

We’re happy to establish the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund in collaboration with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the support of other chambers and partners to help small Canadian businesses with their recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19.²

If awarded, a relief grant can be used for any of the following activities: 
 

• Purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, face shields, and latex gloves
• Renovating physical space to adhere to local, Provincial or Federal reopening guidelines
• Developing or improving e-commerce capabilities for your business

Successful applicants will receive a relief grant of up to $5,000. We intend to support local businesses of all kinds (from retailers to barbershops to farmers) from across the country.

The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will grow over the next several weeks as views, likes and shares from Canadians (including yours) result in a 5¢ contribution from RBC. You can keep track of the growing fund amount on this website, and soon you’ll be able to apply for grant funding.

Applications for the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be accepted starting on August, 31, 2020. Learn more about the eligibility criteria on the Ontario Chamber of Commerce website.

 May 11, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     

Brockville’s Island Breakfast on Refugee Island latest event casualty due to COVID-19

BROCKVILLE – The Island Breakfast on Refugee Island Committee announced today that it will cancel what would have been its seventh year of operation. The closure of Brockville’s City parks and provincial protocols restricting largely attended events due to COVID-19 has resulted in the decision.

The event was scheduled to take place June 17-20^th.

“Our committee and volunteers are disappointed however Island Breakfast is not the kind of event that is possible these days, even with some restrictions beginning to loosen,” said Cathy McHugh, spokesperson for Island Breakfast and committee member.

“The logistics of transporting people alone and implementing social distancing on the Island would be impossible.”

Letters went out to sponsors last week thanking them for their support in hopes of their return in 2021. Cheques will be returned to sponsors who had already issued them.

Island Breakfast is made possible through the sponsors and close to 150 volunteers who help set up, purchase and cook food, seek sponsorships, drive boats, sell tickets, manage traffic, tear down, address health and safety issues, provide entertainment and numerous other tasks.

McHugh added a later date this year will not be considered by the committee with so much up in the air right now about restrictions.

“This event does not come together overnight and with so many unknowns, we felt pushing it to 2021 made the most sense,” she said.

The money being raised is to build a pavilion on the island which has already begun. Plans for the next phase have also been postponed (building of posts and roof) due to construction restrictions in the province.

McHugh noted that the Committee has raised $50,000 since inception and currently has enough funds for the next phase of the project however when it will be done, is yet to be determined.

“We hope to complete the next phase by the time the event returns next year,” said McHugh.

Anyone who has received complimentary tickets for the event can use them in 2021.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Cathy McHugh – 613-341-1116 or cathymchugh@cogeco.ca