Latest Government Program Announcements, Upcoming Events, and more

Health Experts Say the COVID-19 Outbreak Has Likely Peaked in Ontario

The Ontario government today released updated COVID-19 modelling, which shows that the enhanced public health measures, including staying home and physically distancing from each other, are working to contain the spread of the virus and flatten the curve. However, the Chief Medical Officer of Health says emergency measures must remain in place to continue reducing the number of cases and deaths .

Read the full release from the Government of Ontario.

Ontario Enables Auto Insurance Companies to Provide Driver Rebates During COVID-19

The Ontario government is enabling auto insurance companies to provide temporary insurance premium rebates to drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The province has amended a regulation under the Insurance Act to help ease the financial pressure on working people and families during this public health crisis.

By amending this regulation insurance companies would be able to provide auto insurance premium rebates to consumers for up to 12 months after the declared emergency has ended.

Read the Government of Ontario news release .

Details Still to Come on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program

The Government of Canada intends to introduce the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program for small businesses that, will seek to provide loans and/or 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 the program will require a partnership with provincial and territorial governments who are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships.

More details will be available soon.

Meanwhile, on April 17, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the Federal Government's additional support for small business:

• $962 million investment to regional development agencies & the Community Futures Network

• $270 million investment to Futurpreneur & the Industrial Research Assistance Program

• $500 million investment to Heritage Canada (for the arts, culture and sports sectors)

Learn more.

Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Statistics Canada for a survey to examine:

• The impact that COVID-19 has had on businesses

• Changes that businesses have made to adapt to the ongoing situation

• Challenges they continue to face and challenges they expect to face as the recovery begins

The results from this survey will help inform solutions to foster business survival and continuity.

Take the survey now.

Upcoming Events

Partner Events

April 21 | 10:00-11:30 AM

COVID-19-Understanding it's Impact on Durham's Non-Profit Organizations

April 21 | 12:00-12:30 PM

Join Canadian Club Toronto to hear the latest about the federal government’s supports for small businesses and other initiatives for the economy, and how they are helping to keep Canadians safe in these unprecedented times. The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, will be joined in conversation with Bruce Sellery, Personal Finance and Business Journalist.

April 23 | 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Cross-Border Transportation Webinar

April 24 | 2:00-3:00 PM

Learn about online shipping and eCommerce with Freightcom

Help the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade #supportbusiness

Do you offer gift cards, online services, take-out or delivery options, or are you doing something special to take care of your employees and clients? Would you like to promote your efforts relating to COVID-19? Simply respond to this email with a brief description of your services, offerings, and ways the community can support you and your business in the coming days and weeks. Remember to attach your business logo or a photo of you at work!

Contact information for APBOT Staff:

Nicole Gibson, Executive Director: ngibson@apboardoftrade.com

Iris Nicolaison, Business Development Manager: inicolaison@apboardoftrade.com

Andra Thurton, Event Planner: athurton@apboardoftrade.com

Sam Paterson, Communications & Policy Specialist: spaterson@apboardoftrade.com

Meina Lutfi, Executive & Office Administrator: mlutfi@apboardoftrade.com

Thank you to our Premier Sponsors

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