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Durham Remains in Phase 1 as Ontario Permits More Businesses and Services to Reopen
Today, the Ontario government announced that it is getting more people back to work and more recreational activities open by moving forward with a regional approach to Stage 2 of reopening the province. 

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and local health officials, the government is easing restrictions in communities where it is safe to do so, based on trends of key public health indicators such as lower rates of transmission, increased capacity in hospitals, and progress made in testing. At this time, Durham Region has not been deemed ready to enter Stage 2.

Effective Friday, June 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people across the province, regardless of whether a region has moved to Stage 2.

Ontario Proposing Temporary Ban on Commercial Evictions
The Ontario government announced today that it intends to take action to protect commercial tenants from being locked out or having their assets seized by their landlords due to the negative impacts of COVID-19. 

The proposed changes to the Commercial Tenancies Act would, if passed, temporarily halt evictions of businesses that are eligible for federal/provincial rent assistance. If passed, the legislation would reverse evictions that occurred on or after June 3, 2020. The government intends to bring this legislation forward as soon as possible.

Business Recovery Round Table
Today, Pickering-Uxbridge MPP and Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy participated in the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Business Recovery Round Table.

APBOT members from a wide array of business and organization backgrounds shared their experiences as well as their ideas for the recovery with MPP Bethlenfalvy. These ideas will now inform the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee, of which MPP Bethlenfalvy is a member.

Moderated by Joan Wideman, APBOT Government Relations Committee chair and V-P of Corporate Services at Lenbrook Group of Companies, speakers included Christine Ashton, Wilson Vukelich LLP, Tracy Paterson, Ajax-Pickering Hospital Foundation, Chris Argiro, Chuuk Restaurant, John McLellan, John McLellan Contracting Inc., Erik Tamm, Pickering Markets, Jennifer Shannon, The Shandex Group, Gus Mantia, Plumbers Supply, Scott Paterson, Royal Ashburn Golf Club, and Olya Boyko, Safran Landing Systems.

We thank our members for their candor and MPP Bethlenfalvy for his partnership and support of the local business community.
BRS to Give Government Relief Program Guidance
The Business Resilience Service (BRS) allows you to connect with experienced business advisors from across Canada for guidance on which government relief programs will be most appropriate to support your small- to medium-sized business, not-for-profit or charity on how to respond and reshape amid uncertainty.

The program, delivered to your organization free of charge , provides:

  • Guidance on COVID-19 financial support program options and eligibility
  • Direction on accessing the most appropriate support organizations
  • Help to make decisions to support recovery plans
  • Real time insights and feedback to policymakers

To access the BRS call 1-866-989-1080 to connect with a business advisor from the accounting profession. The service is available 7 days/week from 8am – 8pm ET.
Re-Opening in Durham? Local Tools and PPE Available!
As Durham Region businesses prepare to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, Durham Region Health Department is launching a new online resource to provide businesses and the community with information on the various stages of reopening of services as announced by the provincial government.

The Community Reopening Toolkit is an online resource available at durham.ca/reopeningtoolkit . The toolkit is designed to help users navigate through resources from numerous organizations that are providing information to help with the requirements of reopening businesses and services.

Meanwhile, Invest Durham has compiled a list of local area manufacturers who sell or have pivoted to produce these supplies. Learn more.
Upcoming Events
Visit our website for a full list of upcoming events
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

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Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade| Website