We Need Your Voice at our Upcoming General Meeting!
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Join us for this brief, but incredibly important meeting on September 15, from 3:00-3:20 p.m. General Meetings are held in compliance with section 17 (1) of the Board of Trade Act, and attendees will hear an update on the current state of affairs and finances of the Board of Trade, as well as have the opportunity to vote on new bylaws (please watch for an email next week with more information).
This is a virtual event and immediately precedes our online Business Networking. We invite you to stay on after the General Meeting and strengthen your relationships with fellow Board of Trade members, and forge new ones!
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Recovery Activation Program launches Digital Needs Assessment
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The Recovery Activation Program (RAP) has launched the Digital Needs Assessment, an online tool designed to give you a better understanding of the digital readiness of your business, benchmarked to your industry. It will provide you with a critical starting point for your digital transformation, and your gaps and opportunities.
Once complete, you will receive your ‘DNA’ results and a follow-up email with a custom recommendation of the Recovery Activation Program service offering(s) that best meet the needs of your business.
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Applications Open for Small Business Relief Fund
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The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be managed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national Chamber network in support of other chambers and partners to help small Canadian businesses with their recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19.
If awarded, a relief grant can be used for any of the following activities:
- Purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, face shields, and latex gloves.
- Renovating physical space to adhere to local, Provincial or Federal reopening guidelines.
- Developing or improving e-commerce capabilities for your business.
Successful applicants will receive a relief grant of up to $5,000.
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Presentation And Q&A With Tiff Macklem, Governor Of The Bank Of Canada
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The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Governor of the Bank of Canada, Tiff Macklem, for the Bank of Canada’s Economic Progress Report. The event will take place on September 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the Bank of Canada’s website.
Our members have the exclusive opportunity to participate in the event by videoconference and submit questions to the Governor.
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Government Announces Greater Flexibility and Extension of Canada Emergency Business Account
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The application deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) has been extended from August 31 to October 31, 2020.
The government is working closely with financial institutions to make the CEBA program available to those with qualifying payroll or non-deferrable expenses that have so far been unable to apply due to not operating from a business banking account.
Further details on these changes will be released in coming days, including a new business account opening process through which qualifying businesses will be able to apply.
It has also been announced that the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) is extended to June 2021. Through BCAP, the government is supporting the flow of additional credit that businesses need to maintain operations and keep employees on the payroll.
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Ontario Protecting Transit Riders and Workers as Province Reopens
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The Ontario government is partnering with public transit operators across the province to implement measures that will ensure transit workers and passengers can safely and confidently take public transit. The government has distributed comprehensive health and safety guidance documents and is providing significant funding to cover lost revenue, enhanced cleaning and other costs incurred because of COVID-19.
Metrolinx has implemented more than 40 measures to help keep transit workers and passengers safe, including: installing seat dividers on GO trains and buses, making face coverings mandatory for staff and passengers, providing hand sanitizer dispensers on every GO bus and at every GO Transit and UP Express station, and installing health kiosks at dozens of stations to provide safety information. Metrolinx is also increasing GO train and bus services beginning September 5, 2020, as more people return to school and work.
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OTF Announces the Resilient Communities Fund to Help the Non-Profit Sector
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The Ontario Trillium Foundation has introduced the one-time Resilient Communities Fund to invest in the recovery and rebuilding efforts of the non-profit sector impacted by COVID-19.
Non-profit organizations are struggling to operate and deliver their programs and services and meet community needs. The Resilient Communities Fund will respond to the recovery needs non-profits and communities are challenged with as a result of the impacts of COVID -19 and will support them as they return to building healthy and vibrant communities.
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New Program Provides Support for Small Business Owners Impacted by COVID-19
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Small business and registered charity customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB). Launched by the Government of Ontario and delivered by Elexicon Energy, the program provides a one time, on-bill credit to customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments.
“Small business owners and charities across the province have been struggling to pay their electricity bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this program will help our eligible customers bring their accounts back into good standing,” said Rob Scarffe, Elexicon Energy’s Vice President of Customer Experience.
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Free Digital Services Available Through Digital Main Street
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The Regional Municipality of Durham is pleased to announce additional support for businesses in Durham Region to expand their digital presence, adopt innovative tools and explore new training opportunities through Digital Service Squads, as part of the Digital Main Street (DMS) program.
Established in 2018, DMS Ontario was recently extended in order to help small businesses across Ontario to pivot their operations to include online business models, regain lost revenue and become more resilient and competitive as the economy recovers. The Ontario BIA Association administers the DMS grant program to Ontario’s main street small businesses.
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TOA Announces Facility Re-opening Plans
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Starting in September, many Town of Ajax recreational facilities will be coming back online through our Recreation Phase 1 Reopening Plan, with a focus on opening spaces where demand supports the cost, and taking every precaution to ensure the safety and protection of our community and staff. For the full news release click here.
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Save the Date: Realtor and Developer Symposium
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New for Businesses and Not-Profit Organizations - The Mall Wall Crawl program puts your brand in front of customers, and uses the power of social media to drive revenue and build loyalty. A unique opportunity for fundraising or building sales. Booking now for Fall and Holiday. Click here to learn more, or contact Lorna Murphy, Marketing Director, Pickering Town Centre, 905.831.6066
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Lakeridge Health is seeking new members for its Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) - Please note that the deadline for applying has been extended to September 10, 2020 to enable as many people as possible to submit their interest. More information about this opportunity follows. The volunteer Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) of Lakeridge Health play a critical role in highlighting community needs and defining the services that matter most to the diverse communities within Durham Region. Learn more.
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With the summer winding down and the Durham Region moving into phase 3 of re-opening, we know that a lot of employers and employees may have questions about their businesses and jobs. While Ertl Law already provides free phone consultations to employees, for a limited time Ertl Law is now offering free 15 minute phone consultations to employers. If you have questions about your employment as a business owner or a worker, contact Ertl Law at 416-572-9900 for your free consultation over the phone. Inquiries do not have to be specific to COVID-19 related issues. Offer is valid until 09/18/2020.
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Are Health and Wellness Spending Accounts Taking Off? I think the question I'm getting most often from clients in the last few months is basically, "What effect will this sudden upsurge in working from home have on the sorts of benefits that people will want and need in the future?" [Click here to continue]
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META Board of Directors Opportunity - META’s Board of Directors is actively seeking experienced and diverse individuals who are passionate about the employment sector and want to make a difference in their communities. Learn more.
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Final chance to join the SME Energy Management Consortium and receive $15,000 for energy monitoring - Partners in Project Green would like to inform you of their program supporting energy management practices that can help you (as a SME manufacturer) reduce operating costs and increase the resilience of your business in this trying context. Through funding from the IESO, the program can support you in installing energy monitoring equipment and managing energy data with a cash contribution of up to $15,000. The deadline to join the program is September 11 2020. Learn more.
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Caring for Someone with COVID-19 - We are seeing more clients discharged from hospital after being treated for COVID-19. These individuals will need to be cared for at home. As a provider of in-home healthcare, our caregivers are trained on the proper procedures and safety measures for caring for clients during this pandemic. Click here to read more about some some important steps to follow when caring for someone with COVID-19.
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New Long-Term Care Home in Ajax/Pickering - The Ontario Government announced a collaborative partnership with Lakeridge Health and Infrastructure Ontario to build a new, modern long-term care (LTC) home on the site of the Ajax Pickering Hospital using an accelerated build process. Learn more.
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Town of Ajax announces facility reopening plans - Starting in September, many recreational facilities will be coming back online through our Recreation Phase 1 Reopening Plan, with a focus on opening spaces where demand supports the cost, and taking every precaution to ensure the safety and protection of our community and staff. Learn more.
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Pickering Moves Forward with Anti-Black Racism Initiatives - At the August 24, 2020 Council Meeting, the City of Pickering unanimously endorsed the Terms of Reference for the establishment of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce (PABRT), which will report directly to Pickering Council. Learn more.
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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.
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Contact information for APBOT Staff:
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