The Listowel BIA
e-Newsletter
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The month of March is quickly passing! We hope you are all enjoying everything spring and less restrictions. This newsletter has information about our AGM, government updates, BIA updates and community updates. Our coordinator is primarily working from her home office but is available via email at lschaefer@northperth.ca, by phone at 519-444-8233 and by appointment. Please reach out to us at anytime. |
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Listowel BIA Annual General Meeting - April 6, 2022 |
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The Listowel BIA will be hosting our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, April 6th, 2022 at 7:30am. This meeting will be held virtually. To register, email us HERE or call us at 519-444-8233 by March 30th.
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Covid-19 Announcements
Ontario Covid Restrictions Lifting!
After almost two years of COVID-19 restrictions and public health mandates, the provincial government has announced a timeline for removing all public health restrictions, including mask mandates. Effective March 21, 2022, Ontario will be removing the mandatory masking requirement for most settings; masks will still be required in settings such as public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes, and congregate care settings. In addition, all other regulatory requirements for businesses will be removed effective March 21st, which include passive screening and COVID safety plans.
Effective March 14:
- Mandatory vaccination policy for employees in long-term care homes are lifted
- Unvaccinated workers in hospitals and other high-risk healthcare settings will no longer have to partake in regular rapid testing
Effective March 21:
- Masking requirements will be removed in most settings including: schools, restaurants and bars, gyms, movie theatres, shopping centres, etc.
- Remaining measures in schools including cohorts and on-site symptom screening are removed
- Remaining regulatory requirements for businesses are removed, including passive screening and having a COVID-19 safety plan
Effective April 27:
- Mask requirements are removed in all remaining settings
- All remaining orders under the Reopening Ontario Act expire
- Remaining health-care directives are lifted, however, the government will still direct health-care workers to wear personal protective equipment
- After this date, masks will not be mandatory but will be encouraged and highly recommended for those who are immunocompromised, at high risk, or who choose to still use them.
As businesses navigate the next few months, they can chart their own course in terms of safety precautions, based on what they, their customers, and their employees are most comfortable with. Some businesses may choose to keep masking requirements and/or proof of vaccination. Customers may choose to continue wearing masks beyond when it’s required. It is important that everyone is respectful of the choices that business owners and customers make.
For more information, please visit HERE.
Covid Travel Requirement Changes
Canada is lifting pre-arrival Covid-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers as of April 1, 2022. Passengers may still be subjected to random PCR testing at the airport, and travellers will still have to use the ArriveCAN app to enter their proof of vaccination and other required information.
Ontario Extending COVID-19 Paid Sick Days until July 31, 2022
To date, the program has helped over 235,000 people stay safe without worrying about losing pay. The average number of days being claimed per employee is two. To support employers, Ontario will continue reimbursing them for providing this support to their workers.
Huron Perth Public Health Mobile COVID-19 Mobile Clinics
As Huron Perth Public Health scales back community COVID-19 vaccination clinics, they would like to offer mobile clinics to businesses/organizations. If a business or organization has eligible employees who still need a first, second or third dose of vaccine and would like to hold an on-site clinic, please contact them at covidvaccine@hpph.ca.
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BIA Support and Community Updates
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The Listowel BIA was excited to work with our newest downtown business, Crafted Co., for their grand opening on March 15, 2022! We welcome them to our Listowel business community!
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The Listowel BIA is proud to sponsor the 2022 Coupon Book of Savings. This is a great way to support local businesses and save some money at the same time! All proceeds will be divided evenly to businesses that were affected by the January 2022 Lockdown. Thank you to Alan from Listowel Squashcourts for working so hard to provide this to our community.
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The Listowel BIA was proud to sponsor this community event with proceeds supporting all our local fitness facilities. Thank you to New U for organizing this throwdown.
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The Listowel BIA was proud to sponsor this community event. Winners won various prizes, including swim passes, gift cards and shop local dollars. Thanks to everyone who worked to put this together for our community. |
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The Listowel BIA is thrilled that Paddyfest returned this year. Although not as large as past years, it has been wonderful to see various events back in our community. Thanks to the Kinsmen for all of their hard work and to all of the sponsors. We can't wait for 2023! |
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We just wrapped up two contests for our community. Our Winter Bench Selfie contest ran until the end of February and we awarded 20 Listowel business gift cards. A variety of local businesses were selected by the winners. We also ran a contest to support our local eateries when dine-in opened again. One lucky winner won a $50 gift card to a local restaurant of her choice. She chose Diana Sweets Restaurant. Look for more programming this summer!
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Discover More Adventures – Applications Now Open!
Grow your business revenue and enhance your offerings with Perth County's Discover More Adventures program! Participating businesses will receive a product enhancement and marketing package valued at $10,000, including training sessions, expert guidance, professional photography/videography, paid advertising, marketing materials, and more. To see examples of Signature Experiences this program has supported to date and to APPLY, visit www.perthcounty.ca/discovermoreadventures.
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Join The Discover More Flavour Farm Gate Map Program
Register your farm gate business by MARCH 25, 2022 to be included in this year's new hard-copy Farm Gate Map!
How do you participate?
Visit www.perthcounty.ca/farmgate and complete the simple online form. Once they receive your form, a member of their team will reach out to you with next steps.
What are the benefits of participating?
All participating Farm Gate Businesses receive a branded signage kit to help raise program awareness and presence at the road-side. Your business will be featured on their online and hard-copy Farm Gate Maps, and promoted throughout the year on their website and social media platforms with photography, videography, blog posts, and more.
What is the cost?
Participation in this program is completely FREE.
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Transit Appreciation Day: March 18, 2022
This year, Transit Appreciation Day is on Friday, March 18, 2022. Transit Day is an annual event that celebrates public transit and the public service of public transit vehicle operators. To celebrate, Perth County is offering FREE service for the day on all PC Connect routes. Riders are encouraged to try PC Connect free of cost, and show their appreciation to transit employees;
Don’t forget to call 1-888-465-0783 to secure your seat, and please wear a face-covering.
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North Perth Chamber of Commerce Updates
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North Perth Welcome Sign
The Chamber wants to make sure we are inclusive and welcoming to all! Finding the proper way to welcome our visitors and new members into our community is important. As a result, they have worked with our community to develop this Welcome Decal. They are offering two sizes: 28"x30” for $30 and 24”x24” for $15. This is a great way to recognize the diversity of our community and express our interest in making them all feel welcome. For more information, visit HERE.
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The Listowel Lifestyle Show
On May 27 and 28, 2022, the Chamber is bringing back the Listowel Lifestyle Show! The North Perth Chamber of Commerce is inviting businesses to show off their new products and services. The event will take place at Steve Kerr Memorial Arena. Admission is free.
For more information and/or to register go HERE.
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Course of Interest
United Way Non-Profit Training
Join United Way on March 22nd at 10am to learn more about what’s happening in the labour force and discuss impactful resiliency strategies for a community base response.
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Government Announcements
Ontario Establishing General Minimum Wage for Digital Platform Workers
The Ontario government is introducing the Working for Workers Act, 2022 (Working for Workers Act 2). Included in the legislation are changes that would make Ontario the first province in Canada to establish a minimum wage and other foundational rights for digital platform workers who offer rides or deliver food and other items for companies such as Uber, Door Dash and Instacart.
The government’s proposals would enshrine the following rights and protections for digital platform workers:
- Earning at least the general minimum wage for time worked;
- The right to keep their tips along with regular pay periods;
- The right to information and clarity around algorithms including:
- how pay is calculated; and
- how and why a worker might be penalized in the allocation of work;
- Written notice if they are being removed from the platform and why;
- The right to resolve their work-related disputes in Ontario; and
- Protection from reprisal should they seek to assert their rights.
Other Information:
For more information, read HERE.
Health and Safety Guidance for Your Business from the WSPS
Having the skills to de-escalate a potentially violent situation has never been more important. These five de-escalation tips when responding to agitated customers tips can help you achieve the best possible outcome. To read about these tips, go HERE.
The Canadian Digital Adoption Program
What is CDAP?
How Canadians do business has changed. To stay competitive and grow, small and medium-sized businesses need to adopt new digital tools. In the Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced the $4 billion Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) to help get your business online, give your e-commerce presence a boost or help digitalize your business's operations. CDAP provides funding and support to businesses, as well as training and work opportunities for young Canadians.
CDAP Funding Option #1
The Boost Your Business Technology
The Boost Your Business Technology grant offers support to Canadian-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to adopt new digital technologies. Eligible businesses will have access to a marketplace of digital adoption experts to help them develop a digital adoption plan tailored to their needs. Eligible businesses can leverage the grant to pay for the services of a digital advisor. These advisors will work with companies to recommend digital pathways and strategies that will help them achieve their business goals and increase their competitiveness in the digital economy. The grant covers up to 90% of the eligible cost of retaining the services of a digital advisor, up to a maximum grant value of $15,000 per SME, to develop a digital adoption plan. Businesses also have the opportunity to secure a 0% interest loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to facilitate the acquisition of new technology. In addition, applicants can leverage the help of talented post-secondary students and recent graduates through subsidized work placements.
Before applying, your business must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
- Be incorporated federally or provincially, or be a Canadian resident sole proprietor
- Be a for-profit, privately owned business
- Have between 1 – 499 full time equivalent employees
- Have at least $500,000 of annual revenues in one of the previous three tax years
CDAP Funding Option #2
Grow Your Business Online
In the digital age, it's crucial for consumer-facing businesses to develop and implement e-commerce capabilities to remain competitive. The adoption of digital technologies enables businesses to serve existing customers more effectively and to attract new customers in the digital marketplace.
The Grow Your Business Online grant will help up to 90,000 small businesses take advantage of e-commerce opportunities. Eligible businesses will receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies. Grants will be available through local and regional service providers across Canada. The service providers will also support a network of e-commerce advisors who will advise and help small businesses adopt e-commerce.
To read more about this program, go HERE.
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Upcoming Board Meeting!
Our next Board Meeting will be held on May 4, 2022. All are welcome. If you are interested in joining the Board or attending the meeting, email us HERE.
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Please reach out to us if you have any questions, comments, or require assistance. We will continue to promote supporting local during this time through various channels including social media, radio and print.
You can reach Lisa Schaefer, Coordinator, by email at lschaefer@northperth.ca or by phone at 519-444-8233.
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©Municipality of North Perth, 330 Wallace Ave. N., Listowel ON N4W 1L3
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