THE eBULLETIN
MAY 2020
Members Asked to Respond to Important Survey on Recovery Efforts
The Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) is once again reaching out to local business owners—via a three-minute online survey—to learn more about the economic impacts of COVID-19 and help to shape local recovery efforts.

The COVID-19 Economic Recovery survey will be open until May 19, 2020.

Survey results will be used to develop a made-in-Durham local business recovery plan; outlining considerations for recovery efforts and required supports. They will also provide input into future discussions with other levels of government.
Our Advocacy
Since mid-March, the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade has been collecting feedback from members through surveys and phone conversations. This information about how you and your business are coping has informed our daily and weekly discussions with elected officials and high-level bureaucrats. Earlier this week, we sent letters to our local elected officials reflecting the needs of the membership. You can read these letters now:
Ontario Further Eases Restrictions on Retail Stores and Essential Construction During COVID-19

The Ontario government is allowing all retail stores with a street entrance to provide curbside pickup and delivery, as well as in-store payment and purchases at garden centres, nurseries, hardware stores and safety supply stores. The business owners should review the health and safety guidelines developed by the province and its health and safety association partners.
Emergency Orders Extended to May 19

On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is extending all emergency orders that have been put in place to-date under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until May 19, 2020. The emergency orders include the closure of non-essential establishments.

Workplace Guidance Documents Available

The Government of Ontario has released a series of more than 50 technical sector guidance documents to further support employers and employees in remaining safe in the workplace during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Support for Mental Health
Both the federal and provincial governments announced supports for mental health this week.

Click here to read the announcement from the PMO.

Click here to read the announcement from the Government of Ontario.
COVID-19 & Your Benefits Plan: Top 10 Questions
Benefits are an important part of your compensation, perhaps now more than ever! But keeping them shouldn’t mean your costs should stay “business as usual”. Many providers are rising to the occasion and implementing temporary rate reductions for their clients. Notably, the Chambers Plan recently provided their clients with up to a 50% reduction in health and dental premiums. This reduction is applied retroactively and will be reflect on the clients’ May billing statement so there is no action needed on their part.
Upcoming Events
Partner events
May 7: The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Explained | Canadian Chamber of Commerce



May 7: Business & Dept | City of Pickering
Member Announcements
Town launches Seniors Centre Without Walls initiative to support and engage seniors during COVID-19  – Together with the Ajax Public Library, the Town is excited to introduce the Seniors Centre Without Walls initiative - a free, telephone-based program that runs Monday-Friday for seniors in the Ajax community. This new initiative features 18 days of phone-based programming that will stimulate both the mind and body, right from the comfort of resident’s homes.  Learn more.
Convoys in support of long term care - The Alzheimer Society is arranging convoys to drive by Chartwell Parkway, Chartwell City, Orchard Villa, and V!VA in Pickering, and Chartwell Harwood, and Chartwell Ballycliffe in Ajax on May 30th from 10-11 am. We encourage the cars that will participate to indicate their businesses by adding logos and banners to identify who they are.  For more information email nloughead@alzheimerdurham.com
Trent Talks - Trent University has launched a weekly interactive video series offering timely, reliable and thought-provoking information about COVID-19, as well as other topics related to our rapidly changing world. The next episode available for viewing will feature Trent University Durham GTA Social Work Faculty Dr. Marina Morgenshtern and Dr. Dalon Taylor where they will discuss Family Dynamics – Cozying Up while Cooped Up. Learn more.
Hitting Reset On The Mindset - Five weeks in, working from home. I didn't think it was a new thing for me, but I'm surprised and a little pleased to discover how much I'm learning about this new reality, now that it's the only game in town. Yes, I often worked from home, or worked off-site in the past, but it's really not the same thing at all. In the past, the mindset was very much "complete the following list of tasks off-site" but take care of business "when I'm back in the office." ...  [ Click here to continue]
Submit your own member announcement! Send a 100-word, single paragraph, text write up with the highlights to bulletin@apboardoftrade.com . You can also include a link to a webpage or attach a flyer in .pdf format that our readers can link to for additional information.
Wondering what your fellow members are doing at this time? Watch our social media channels and the hashtag #SupportBusiness for updates!
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
Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
905-686-0883
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