Brockton Business Newsletter
March 20, 2020

We want to hear from you!

During these uncertain times, we recognize that Brockton businesses are doing all they can to maintain services, keep staff employed, and remain buoyant, while practicing social distancing to protect their workers and the public.

Tell us how you're coping. Are you offering home delivery? New online services? Skyping or reaching clients in new ways? We want to hear from you and let our community know that Brockton businesses are still working for them. Drop us a line to keep us informed. Now, more than ever, we are urging residents to SHOP LOCAL, where possible.

We have also launched an online survey for all businesses, to more fully gauge the impact of COVID-19 on our economy and how we, and other levels of government, can assist.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey; all information will remain confidential.

Brockton staff are here to support you in any way we can, and will be issuing regular bulletins to keep you apprised of developments and economic supports.
Government Support for Brockton Businesses
The federal government is offering support for workers and businesses through its   COVID-19 Economic Response Plan , which will provide up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses, plus $55 billion to meet liquidity needs of Canadian businesses and households through tax deferrals to help stabilize the economy. 
The plan calls for the following:
For Businesses
  • A 10 per cent wage subsidy for the next 90 days, up to a maximum of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer, for eligible small businesses.
  • Increased available credit for farmers through Farm Credit Canada
  • Deferred tax payments until Aug. 31, 2020 to assist businesses with cash flow
  • Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks for self-employed people who are not eligible for EI sickness benefits
For Workers
  • Emergency Support Benefit of up to $5 billion for workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment.
  • Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks for workers who must stay home and do not have access to paid sick leave. It will cover workers who have been directed to self-isolate, are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, or are caring for children at home due to school closures or illness.
These measures are in addition to others announced earlier this week, including:
  • Waiving the waiting period for EI sickness benefits for workers in imposed quarantine or who have been directed to self-isolate.
  • Waiving the requirement for a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits.
  • Cutting interest rates to 0.75% and major banks increasing their lending capacity by $300-billion
  • Establishing a Business Credit Availability Program through the Business Development Bank worth $10-billion to provide short-term loans, working capital and export insurance credit
  • Enhancing the work-sharing program to help businesses avoid layoffs
Non-essential travel to the U.S. will be temporarily halted as of Friday, March 20, but supply chains will be maintained and trucking will not be impacted.
Tourism Industry Launches COVID-19 Survey
If your business is affected by the decline in travelers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please fill out the weekly Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism Survey from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. The survey asks about cancellations, lay-offs and temporary or permanent closures caused by COVID-19. A larger sample size means TIAO will paint a much more reflective picture of the economic impacts COVID-19 is having on the front-line and, in turn, a recovery plan that meets those challenges.
The deadline is 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23.
Local Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic
 Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody is delivering regular video updates on COVID-19. Click on the image to view the Mayor's Message from March 19, 2020.

The Brockton Municipal Office is closed to the public but assistance is available at 519-881-2223.
For business or economic development inquiries contact Paulette Peirol at 519-881-2223 ext 131 or email ppeirol@brockton.ca .

The Walkerton BIA is closed to the public, but staff are working remotely to respond to emails and social media messages. The BIA can be contacted at manager@walkertonbia.ca or info@walkertonbia.ca or through Facebook or Instagram.  
Online Resources for Brockton Businesses

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has published a Pandemic Resource Guide , available for download.

The Government of Canada is offering some excellent coronavirus awareness infographics that you can share with human resources staff and employees.

RTO7, the regional tourism organization for Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties, is publishing regular updates to assist businesses. You can sign up for the RTO7 newsletter here.

The Ministry of Health offers up to date information about the coronavirus, including links to the Grey-Bruce Health Unit and Telehealth Ontario.
Municipality of Brockton | Brockton.ca