The Listowel BIA
e-Newsletter
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COVID-19 Updates and the Listowel BIA
Please see updates since our last newsletter. Past newsletters for COVID-19 can be found on our website at www.discoverlistowel.com We continue to be available to you at lschaefer@northperth.ca or 519-444-8233. If you have any questions, concerns or are experiencing challenges during this time, please reach out to us.
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Provincial Government Updates
- The government of Ontario confirmed that the provincial Declaration of Emergency will be extended until June 30, 2020. Included in this emergency order is the ban of social gatherings of more than five people who are not from the same household.
- The provincial government announced that it has enacted a new regulatory amendment that will put non-unionized employees on Infectious Disease Emergency Leave any time their hours of work are temporarily reduced or eliminated by their employer due to COVID-19. This amendment will ensure businesses are not forced to terminate employees after their Employment Standards Act (ESA) temporary layoff periods have expired. More information about this amendment can be found in the announcement.
- Over the weekend, the provincial government announced that they are suspending Time of Use (TOU) electricity pricing and introducing the COVID-19 Recovery Rate, which will automatically be applied to all time-of-use customers (including eligible businesses) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The COVID-19 Recovery Rate, which will be 12.8 cents per kWh, will be in place between June 1, 2020 – October 31, 2020. This week, the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) was announced. This program will provide support to businesses who are struggling with bill payments as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. More information will be shared when it becomes available.
- The Premier announced that the COVID-19 testing strategy for the province of Ontario is being expanded. One of the pillars of this strategy is Outbreak Management, which will include agile and rapid response capacity for outbreaks at workplaces. Moving forward, the province expects that private-sector workplace testing will leverage private and public resources as the government works with private-sector employers to develop the appropriate models for each sector and workplace. More information can be found HERE. In his remarks, the Premier also indicated that a regional approach for staged reopening is one of the options that is being considered. The Premier reiterated that the government will take a measured, gradual approach to reopening based on advice from health officials.
- The Ontario government has launched a website, the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory, to provide businesses with a list of Ontario companies and business associations that are ready to supply PPE to businesses.
Federal Government Updates
- The Prime Minister announced that the funding that communities receive through the federal Gas Tax Fund will be accelerated this year. Communities will receive their funding in one payment in June to help them move forward with infrastructure project that will help to restart local economies.
- The federal government has launched a Business Support Portal to help businesses find COVID-19 support they may qualify for.
General Business Supports
The
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
announced the
Canadian Business Resilience Network Small Business Relief Fund
.
This new program, a partnership between the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Salesforce, will help 62 small businesses in Canada recover and support their resilience with $10,000 grants. Small businesses can use this grant to support their recovery efforts, including paying salaries, acquiring safety and PPE for staff, replenishing materials or paying for the measures required to adapt business models to the economic impacts of COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for a grant between June 1 and June 12. More information about this program, including eligibility criteria and the application process can be found
HERE
.
A new program, the
Business Resilience Service
(BRS), has been launched to provide small to medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations and charities with direct access to a network of qualified business advisors to help provide guidance. This program is being run by the
Canadian Business Resilience Network
(a government-funded program by the
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
) in collaboration with
EY
and with support from
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)
and
Imagine Canada
. The BRS is free of charge and will provide options for any vulnerable small to medium-sized business, not-for-profit or charity to immediately connect with experienced accounting and tax professionals across the country from professional services firms. The BRS program will be provided for four weeks and will involve support from approximately 125 business advisors from across the accounting profession. Organizations can access the BRS seven days a week by calling 1-866-989-1080. Please visit the
BRS website
for more information
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North Perth Business Directory
In an effort to track the impact of COVID-19 on North Perth businesses, the Municipality of North Perth is seeking your assistance in providing details on your business operations, as well as the supports you require, through completion of the
COVID-19 North Perth Business Questionnaire
. They will use this information to compile a
COVID-19 Business Status Directory
, as well as to plan for current and future local business supports and advocate on your behalf. They encourage you to complete the survey when your business operations change to keep it up to date. You can complete the survey
HERE
.
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Floor Stickers Available
One of our businesses ordered floor stickers in bulk and has some left over. They are 16" x 16" and are $10 each plus tax. If you are interested in these stickers, please contact me at
lschaefer@northperth.ca
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Open For Business Signs
SIGNS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
Roger from PennySaver Signs has developed these amazing signs for our businesses. He has donated them to any business in North Perth who would like to display them. If you would like a sign, please contact me at
lschaefer@northperth.ca
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Navigating Government Support Programs
Perth Community Futures Development Corporation (PCFDC) is available to assist with providing support and information on all government funding available as well as going through cash flow, etc. You can reach Alex at PCFDC at:
Alex Toll
Lender, Business Analyst
Perth Community Futures Development Corporation
519-814-6803
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You can reach Lisa Schaefer, Coordinator, by email at lschaefer@northperth.ca or by phone at 519-444-8233.
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© Office of the Municipality of North Perth, 330 Wallace Ave. N., Listowel ON N4W 1L3
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