Dear Business and Community Leaders,
Effective Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. and lasting four weeks, the government is issuing a province-wide stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes. See the government news release here.
We have shared this statement in partnership with the Ontario Chamber in response to the government’s newly announced province-wide stay-at-home order.
In addition we submitted this letter to the Premier, in partnership with the Ottawa Coalition of BIAs and BOMA Ottawa.
In part, we are calling for:
- An expedited vaccine roll-out prioritizing essential workers who cannot work from home is critical to preventing these stops and starts that are so damaging for business.
- With the Ontario Business Support Grant coming to a close, we are calling for continued supports that will see businesses through the third wave of the crisis.
Stay-at-Home Order – Key Details from the Ontario Government Release:
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The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, just declared a third provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA).
- The Stay-At-Home Order is in response to rising ICU rates and the rapid increase of COVID-19 variants.
In a nutshell:
- The majority of non-essential retailers must only operate for curbside pick-up and delivery between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., with delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm, and other restrictions. Restricting discount and big box stores in-person retail sales to essential items.
- Schools and child care will remain open for in-person care and learning in public health regions where it is permitted.
- People living in regions with the highest rates of transmission will be prioritized to receive a vaccine, starting with the most at-risk in the Peel and Toronto public health regions.
Retail:
- Effective April 8, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., the majority of non-essential retailers must only operate for curbside pick-up and delivery between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., with delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm, and other restrictions.
- Restricting access to shopping malls to limited specified purposes, including access for curbside pick-up and delivery, via appointment, with one single designated location inside the shopping mall, and any number of designated locations outside the shopping mall, along with other restrictions.
- Restricting discount and big box stores in-person retail sales to grocery items, pet care supplies, household cleaning supplies, pharmaceutical items, health care items, and personal care items only;
- Permitting select retail stores to open by appointment only and subject to a 25 per cent capacity limit and restricting allowable hours of operation to 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. with the delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., with additional public health and workplace safety measures.
Education:
- Schools and child care will remain open for in-person care and learning in public health regions where it is permitted, with strict safety measures in place.
- Beginning next week, education workers who provide direct support to students with special education needs across the province, and all education workers in select hot spot areas, will be eligible to register for vaccination. Vaccinations will commence during the April break starting with priority neighborhoods in Toronto and Peel, then rolling out to priority neighborhoods in other hot spot regions, including York, Ottawa, Hamilton, Halton and Durham. This will be followed by a rollout across the province as supply allows.
Vaccinations:
- As part of Phase Two of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, people living in regions with the highest rates of transmission will be prioritized to receive a vaccine, starting with the most at-risk in the Peel and Toronto public health regions.
- This initiative will be expanded to additional “hot spot” regions based on established patterns of transmission, severe illness, and mortality.
- To support this expanded vaccination effort, mobile teams are being organized to administer vaccines in high-risk congregate settings, residential buildings, faith-based locations, and locations occupied by large employers in hot spot neighbourhoods to individuals aged 18 or over.
- Pop-up clinics will also be set-up in highly impacted neighborhoods, including at faith-based locations and community centres in those hot spots, in collaboration with public health units and community organizations within those communities.
- On Friday, April 9, 2021, individuals aged 50 or older in public health units with highly impacted neighbourhood, as identified by postal code, will be eligible to book their vaccine through the provincial booking system.
Workplace Inspections:
- Health and safety inspectors and provincial offenses officers will increase inspections and enforcement at essential businesses in regional hot zones to continue protecting essential workers while on the job.
Rapid Testing:
- Rapid testing continues to be deployed in workplaces for asymptomatic staff in key sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain, mining, construction and food processing, and additional outreach will occur to employers in regions with the highest rates of transmission to increase access to testing.
- Enrolling in the Provincial Antigen Screening Program will be streamlined to allow for quick access to these supports.
Stay strong. Be kind. Support local.
Yours truly, Sueling
Sueling Ching | President & CEO | Ottawa Board of Trade
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Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety and the Importance of sleep for Wellbeing
Financial Health During COVID Times and Strategies for Creating Financial Wellness
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PUBLICATION LAUNCH
APRIL 12, 2021 | 5:00 pm
The Ottawa Board of Trade is proud to launch the spring edition of Capital Magazine!
Special Guest: Hon. Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women's Issues
Join us as we celebrate women in
leadership, businesses, and organizations breaking through glass ceilings while confronting the barriers of COVID-19.
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EXPERT PRESENTATIONS & PANELS
APRIL 20, 2021 | 8:00 am to 9:30 pm
Join us for a prognosis on the state of Canada’s economic health with the announcement of the first official budget the federal government has issued in two years. Live broadcast includes:
You cannot miss this lively and engaging discussion economic health of our country
and what it could mean to you, the National Capital Region and Canada.
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CITY-BUILDING SUMMIT: OTTAWA NEXT
APRIL 30, 2021 | 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Tickets are $50+ HST for OBoT Members and $75+ HST for Future Members
Business and community leaders have a profound opportunity and responsibility to rally around a vision for the future of Ottawa that will impact our city, our region and our country. Join the conversation at a half day conference exploring the concept of city building, place branding, planning and economic development. Agenda includes valuable networking, inspiring keynotes, expert panels.
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NOW OPEN: Summer Student Wage Subsidy Applications
The Ottawa Board of Trade has partnered with Magnet to bring the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) to employers. Businesses can take advantage of
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Reimbursements for Winter 2021 placements. Did you hire a post-secondary student for paid work experience between Jan-April 2021? You could be eligible for a wage subsidy of up to $7,500 - deadline is April 15 2021.
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Summer 2021 applications are now open! Are you looking to hire a student for Summer 2021? Eligible employers could receive up to $7,000 for new placements! Businesses can apply online to receive wage subsidies for eligible student placements between the months of May-August, 2021.
FUNDING IS LIMITED - If you are considering hiring a student for the Summer semester, we encourage you to start your application as soon as possible!
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THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERS!
Your Ottawa Board of Trade is a non-profit, non partisan, independent association that exists for the sole purpose of advocating for our businesses and growing community prosperity. Although we are driven by the needs of the entire business community, it is the members who make it possible for Ottawa to have a strong voice of business. And it may never be more important than now. So please join us in saying
THANK YOU to our members.
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Promote Your Business| Build Your Brand | Support Your Community |
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Special Thanks to our Community Partners! |
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