In this challenging and constantly changing business environment, the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce want to support our Members by providing relevant and up-to-date information. This includes government announcements and support programs, resources, webinars, surveys, and other important updates.

This is a collaborative email to share information that applies to our Memberships at large, sent on behalf of the Grimsby Chamber, Lincoln Chamber, and West Lincoln Chamber.
Government of Ontario
Niagara Moves to RED-CONTROL as of Monday, March 1
Niagara moves to Red-Control | Section 22 Orders in effect
The provincial government announced today that the Niagara Region is moving to the Red-Control level of the province's COVID-19 response framework. The decision was made on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Williams, and Niagara's Medical Office of Health, Dr. Hirji.

The Red-Control level includes the following changes:
  • Restaurants can open with a limit of 10 patrons
  • Gyms and recreational sports can operate with 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors
  • Retail locations can operate with 50% capacity
  • Places of worship can open at 30% capacity
  • Social gatherings are limited to 5 indoors and 25 outdoors
  • Event and meeting spaces can open with 10 indoors and 25 outdoors
  • Personal care services can return (except those that require removal of a face covering)

Section 22 orders affecting retail and restaurants are still in effect.

A reminder that trips outside the home are still recommended for essential purposes only, and social gatherings should still be avoided.
Ontario Launches Education Campaign to Help Workplaces Reopen Safely
The Ontario government is launching new health and safety education campaigns focusing on helping small businesses across the province reopen safely. The on-the-ground assistance includes a comprehensive suite of resources business owners can access at no cost to ensure they are helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

The full suite of government educational supports available includes:

For more information on these tools, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-help-businesses-ontario.

Ontario Small Business Support Grants
Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant provides them with funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the Provincewide Shutdown.

Eligible businesses include the following:
  • Businesses that are required to close or significantly restrict services, subject to the province-side shutdown effective at 12:01 AM on December 26, 2020.
  • Businesses that have less than 100 employees at the enterprise level
  • Businesses that have experienced a minimum of 20% revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019

And to help keep businesses informed with the most up to date information, there’s now a new way for them to check the status of their application online.

The applicants would need to scroll down to the section marked “Check Ontario Small Business Support Grant application status”. To check application status, authorization number and CRA business number are required.
 
Learn more about the grant: http://ontario.ca/COVIDsupport
Resources for Businesses
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Wagepoint Guide for Businesses that Took Advantage of the Temporary Wage Subsidy

In response to the pandemic, the Canadian government introduced the 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy (TWS) as a source of financial relief for small business owners.

If your business took advantage of the TWS in 2020, you have a new tax form to complete - Form PD27. This form lets the Canada Revenue Agency properly document the reduction in Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and employment insurance (EI) remittances on your payroll program account and lowers your chances of receiving a discrepancy notice at the end of the year. 

Canadian Chamber member Wagepoint has a guide that walks you through how to properly complete and submit the new form.
Ontario Energy Board

Increased Financial Support and Easier Access to COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program

Small business and registered charities struggling to keep up with their electricity or natural gas bills will now have an easier time accessing the financial support offered by the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB).

The program’s eligibility criteria was recently simplified and credit amounts have been increased to enable customers to catch up on their past due energy bills and resume regular payments. Under CEAP-SB, a small business or registered charity can now receive up to $1500 towards their electricity and natural gas bills through a one-time, on-bill credit.

CEAP-SB is funded by Ontario and delivered by electricity and natural gas utilities and unit sub-meter providers (USMPs). To apply, contact your utility or USMP directly as each may have a unique approach for application in-take. CEAP-SB funding is limited with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Canatrace - Keeping Canadians Safe
Canatrace is a FREE service offering an easy, paperless way for businesses to contact trace, and was recommended by the Niagara Region.

Canatrace is a fast, secure solution used to collect contact and health screening information per Provincial guidelines. Customers & employees can simply scan a QR code, which redirects them to a branded (your logo) page, NO APP REQUIRED.
Contact Your Local Chamber
Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director
Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director
West Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director
This email was sent by on behalf of the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce, which consists of the Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and the West Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. You have received this email because you subscribed to our newsletters; your email address will not be shared and will be used only for these updates.
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