May 21st 2020

Dear Members, Partners and NOTL Community,
 
The Chamber and Tourism NOTL Team continues to monitor and provide updates on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. You may ask why a newsletter on Thursday instead of Friday? Well the reason is because there are some fresh news that are worth sharing.
 
Besides publishing again our “ Reopening and Recovery Guide ” we are also sharing the CBRN’s (Canadian Business Resilience Network) just launched National Guide For Business Reopening and the fantastic GNCC Shop Local Page put together by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.
 
The collective challenges COVID-19 has presented our businesses are enormous and complex. But now we are hitting the time of recovery and our Destination will prevail, but a “New Normal” is awaiting us and we all need to collaborate and work together.
 
Have a look at the Decals available from Vistaprint, it’s worth considering this kind of graphic signage to help your costumers achieve the social distancing required.
 
Be well and stay healthy
 
Eduardo R. Lafforgue and The Team at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce and Tourism NOTL
A letter for the Queen St Merchants from the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and The Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Reopening and Recovery Plan Guide
GNCC Shop Local Page
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce has put together a fantastic page to help "Shop Local" in the Niagara Region. Please check it out and help support our local businesses. Also if you would like to list your business please click the link below.
Rent relief - applications for CERA to open May 25th, 2020

Today the government announced the  Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)  application will open on May 25th, 2020 on the  Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)  website. This program offers forgivable loans to landlords so that they can reduce rent by 75% for small business tenants that have lost the majority of their revenue. The government will cover 50%, landlords will be required to cover 25% and retailers will be required to cover the remaining 25%. 
 
RCC has continually pushed to have  rent relief measures in place for all retailers who’ve been impacted by the pandemic . Today the government confirmed further rent relief measures will be announced soon for larger retailers. RCC will continue working with officials and will update members as soon as these details are finalized.
Emergency/Urgent Care patients, outpatients and visitors to wear masks inside all Niagara Health sites
Face Coverings Recommended

The Ontario Ministry of Health has specific recommendations on how to choose, wear and care for appropriate face coverings used in public where physical distancing is not possible, along with additional safety measures for provincial transit agencies. The Ministry released the following face covering recommendations:
  • Wear your face covering safely and snugly to cover your nose and mouth, without any gaps. Ensure your face covering is made of at least two layers of tightly woven material and can be cleaned multiple times without losing its shape.
  • Medical masks, such as surgical and N95 masks, should be reserved for use by health care workers, those providing direct care, first responders and individuals who are ill and must leave their home for essential reasons such as seeking medical care, picking up medication or groceries.
  • Face coverings should not be placed on or used by children under the age of two; anyone who has trouble breathing; and anyone who is unable to remove it without assistance.
  • More information on face coverings is available https://files.ontario.ca/moh-coronavirus-face-coverings-en-2020-05-20.pdf 
Find  PPE  suppliers

Before your business reopens, review  sector-specific guidelines  to identify personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies to keep your employees and customers safe. Supplies are in high demand and the needs of frontline health care workers and first responders will continue to be prioritized.
Mask trees raise $12,000 for food and shelter

Volunteer Lorna Penman, Tonie Mori of Mori Gardens and Mandy Cavasin of the United Way celebrate the mask tree at the Virgil garden centre. The mask project has already raised $12,000, which was presented to Cavasin, to provide food and shelter...

Read more
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Safe Distance Decals
Vistaprint has come up with some great products for staying connected during Covid-19.They also have non-medical washable masks on their site.
Orders can be made by email to:  info@ctgmedical.ca  or on the website  www.ctgmedical.ca  
CBRN Launches National Guide For Business Reopening


As businesses prepare to reopen or revamp their operations amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are numerous issues and challenges to consider. This toolkit prepared by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Canadian Business Resilience Network is designed to provide guidance, or access to guidance, for business owners and senior managers responsible for re-establishing their operations while ensuring the health and safety of their staff, customers, suppliers and the general public is at the forefront.

The toolkit provides key information on government regulations, childcare availability, sourcing PPE, government financial supports and communicating to staff, customers and suppliers. The guide also includes links to a wide range of additional toolkits and resources prepared by members of the CBRN. Key sections of the guide will be regularly updated online to provide the most recent information available.

Please feel encouraged to share the link to the guide with your own networks. We are all in this together.
Retail Council of Canada and Boston Consulting Group release critical resource for retailers as industry adapts to COVID-19’s “new reality”

The Road to Retail Recovery Playbook - Helping Retailers in Canada Navigate the COVID-19 Crisis leverages global best practices so that retailers in Canada, of all sizes and retail formats, can plan their businesses strategies in a COVID-19 world. Today’s release completes the series of 6 separate content sections:
  • Customer Health & Safety
  • Employee Wellbeing
  • Retail Operations
  • Merchandising & Marketing
  • Store Network & Channel
  • Finances
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Business Community Chat
Next week please join us at 10 am Tuesday for a conference call style chat with fellow members of our Niagara-on-the-lake business community.
This will give you an opportunity to speak with others and share your stories and experiences during this challenging time.

Click below to register for the chat.
Please do so by 9 am on Tuesday morning .

We look forward to chatting with you!
Webinar | Strategies For How Businesses Can Persevere And Recover From COVID-19
Join us on May 26 at 1:00 p.m. ET for a webinar with Canadian Western Bank (CWB) on tips and tricks for how to take care of your employees and gain insight into how CWB is able to offer its support to businesses and clients as they navigate the crisis and beyond.
The TD Niagara Jazz Festival presents the 
'LIVEStream.LOVE.JAZZ.Series'
 
FREE concerts to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.
 
'LIVEStream.LOVE.JAZZ.Series' #18
Cuban piano recital featuring  Miguel de Armas and Migues Jr.  on piano
Friday, May 22 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
 
This event will be LIVE-STREAMED from St. Catharines and Montreal.

'LIVEStream.LOVE.JAZZ.Series'#19
featuring  Adrean Farrugia  on piano
Saturday, May 23 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
This event will be LIVE-STREAMED from St. Catharines and Hamilton.


Concerts can be viewed online here:



Niagara's Summer MARDI GRAS Sessions
 
This year we will celebrate our 2nd annual  Niagara’s Summer MARDI GRAS  – on July 18th, 2020 – No matter what! It is  VIRTUALLY  possible! Just watch and see!

To get ready for this exciting event we are offering FREE interactive workshops featuring mask making, Creole and Cajun cooking demos, NOLA cocktail demos, 2nd line dance steps and more! 
 
With sessions coming to you LIVE from New Orleans with our NOLA correspondent Christopher Butcher from the Heavyweights Brass Band.

If you missed the first session: 'Intro to New Orleans and Mardi Gras' you can view it here:


Stay tuned for the upcoming weekly workshops...

On-line Watercolour Workshops

The Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre is offering a series of on-line watercolour workshops led by instructor, Niki Kingsmill. Using a simple palette, students will learn to create a watercolour painting. The course will be delivered via videoconferencing. Register to one or all of the classes:
  • Dramatic Landscape - May 28, 2020, 9:30 - 10:10 AM
  • Simple Floral - Jun 4, 2020, 9:30 - 10:10 AM
  • Reflective Glass - Still Life - Jun 11, 2020, 9:30 - 10:10 AM
Photo by Tony Chisholm