In this issue...
From the CEO's Desk | Upcoming Chamber Events
Support for Local Charities | Updates from the Chamber Network
From the CEO's Desk
We are deep into summer, resting, reading, and catching up on a lot of behind-the-scenes work and planning. On Advocacy matters, we are preparing for several municipal election opportunities, monitoring WSIB and sick days changes, meeting with new businesses in the region, meeting with municipal staff, and supporting work within the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce. We are also pleased to announce that the Rapid Testing Kits program will continue through the fall, so please continue to take advantage of this program as your needs dictate.

Please enjoy a wonderful long weekend!

Dave
Upcoming Chamber Events
Support for Local Charities
The Grand Parade is a perfect opportunity to support a great cause, either in person or virtually! Register as Team Captain and start recruiting walkers to raise funds to support the GRCOA. Walk with your team on a route of your choice or join them at Kiwanis Field to show your support.

Click here to register.
News from the Chamber Network
Virtual Learning Series for Ontario Employers
Seeking Global Talent
Learn about Canada’s economic immigration programs!

The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) is hosting a series of free, 30-minute information sessions for employers in Ontario. You’ll learn more about Canada’s economic immigration programs and resources to help you attract, hire and retain global talent. 
Tackling Labour Shortages in Ontario
Labour shortages are being felt across Canada, be it in aviation, construction, hospitality, trucking, and health care. Repercussions are rippling throughout the economy in different ways, from service delivery to product availability, strained supply chains, and the cost of goods, to name a few.

But the provinces cannot solve this on their own.

They need decisive support from the federal government to move forward, particularly in Ontario as the province is set to negotiate a new federal-Ontario immigration agreement this fall. As the voice of businesses in Ontario, we support the province’s call to the federal government to increase Ontario’s economic immigrant allocation and to provide more autonomy in immigration to ensure newcomers meet the economic needs of the province.

Read the full report here.
Brantford - Brant Resource Enterprise Centre Launches Digital Main Street Program 4.0
The Brantford-Brant Business Resource Enterprise Centre (BRC), a division of the City’s Economic Development and Tourism Department, is excited to announce the launch of Digital Main Street 4.0 in the City of Brantford, an initiative to support small businesses in growing their operations through digital tools and technologies.

On May 4, 2022, the BRC received notification that they were approved for a $72,500 grant to continue the Digital Service Squad in the City of Brantford, through the Province’s Digital Main Street Initiative.

Digital Main Street is a program and service aimed at assisting main street businesses with the adoption of digital technologies in their day-to-day business operations. The Digital Service Squad grant is available to qualifying organizations to develop and implement local squads of digital experts to directly assist small businesses within the City of Brantford to improve their online technologies.

Read the full report here.
Canadian Business Trends and Insights from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
For many of us, life is finally starting to feel more “normal.” But sadly, the latest CSBC reveals that the recovery remains incomplete for one-third of businesses, representing over 361,000 companies.

  • Small and minority-owned businesses as well as high contact services are lagging behind.
  • Debt that piled up during the pandemic is becoming a bigger constraint. The top operating concern is unrelenting cost pressures, which are being exacerbated by the recent energy price spike.

But it’s not all bad news this quarter. In this challenging environment, Canadian companies are cautiously optimistic about the near-term outlook, with sales expected to pick up in Q3.

Read the full report here.
Rapid Test Kits Are Available!
Our Rapid Test Kit program is continuing to roll out smoothly. We can provide businesses with up to 150 employees in Brantford and Brant County with COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Testing Kits for their employees. 

If you need kits for your business, please email alex@brcc.ca or call the office at (519) 753-2617 ext. 25 to set up a pick-up appointment.

Please note that the pick-up slots are only available Monday - Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Supports for Local Businesses
Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant
brantfordbrantchamber.com
519-753-2617