Dear Business and Community Leaders,
The Ontario Government announced the province will be moving into
The three-step plan to gradually reopen and lift public health measures is based on the
province-wide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health system indicators.
Step One in the Roadmap to Reopen will include, but is not limited to:
- Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people;
- Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
- Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted at up to 15 per cent capacity of the particular room;
- Non-essential retail permitted at 15 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold;
- Essential and other select retail permitted at 25 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold;
- Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households;
- Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training to be permitted with up to 10 people, among other restrictions;
- Day camps for children permitted to operate in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health;
- Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks, and short-term rentals;
- Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open outdoors for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with no more than 10 performers, among other restrictions;
- Outdoor horse racing tracks and motor speedways permitted to operate without spectators; and
- Outdoor attractions such as zoos, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens with capacity and other restrictions.
Ontario will remain in Step One for at least 21 days to evaluate any impacts
on key public health and health system indicators.
The City of Ottawa has provided a break down of the Roadmap to Reopen,
outlining the three-step approach.
While the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Chamber Network welcomes recent news that Ontario’s reopening will commence slightly sooner than anticipated, many businesses are opening under extremely strict guidelines and will struggle to make ends meet. New supports are needed to help keep businesses afloat.
As we move towards reopening we encourage everyone to continue following public health guidelines and safety protocols, especially in the workplace. Be COVID Wise - wear a mask, stay home when you're sick, maintain physical distancing, and exercise proper hand hygiene. Together we can all help curb spread and avoid another lockdown.
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Ontario Accelerates Rollout of Second Doses
Ontario accelerates rollout second doses ahead of schedule. Ontarians turning 70 and over, as well as individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before April 18, 2021, are now eligible to schedule an appointment to receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Apply for the Ontario Tourism and Travel
Small Business Support Grant Today!
Applications are open for the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant, which will provide one-time payments of $10K to $20K to support eligible small businesses in the tourism and travel sector recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Applications for this grant will close on Friday, June 25, 2021.
New CEBA Application Deadline Extended to June 30!
The CEBA program provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. New CEBA applications have been extended to June 30, 2021. This deadline extension applies to any new applications for CEBA loans of $60,000 or to new applications from businesses that have already received the $40,000 loan and intend to apply for the additional $20,000.
Ottawa SMEs Get Your FREE Rapid Tests Now!
The Ottawa Board of Trade is distributing free rapid test kits to small to medium sized enterprises in Ottawa. Rapid test screening can provide an additional layer of protection for workplaces. Get yours and help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace and build employee confidence!
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Ottawa Public Health Seeking
Participants for Focus Group
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is looking for participants for a one-time 1.5-hour focus group to inform the development of a toolkit about returning to work safely. The focus group will look at informing the development of a toolkit for employers to support mental health and wellbeing as well as COVID-19 prevention in the workplace.
OPH is looking for participants from the following group(s):
- Employees who have been working from home and will be returning to work in-person (June 21, 11:00am-12:30pm)
- Employees who have been working throughout the pandemic on location in essential workplaces (June 22, 11am-12:30pm)
- Human Resources leaders for large employers planning physical returns to the workplace (June 24, 10:30am-noon)
- Individuals managing or owning small businesses planning a physical return of employees to the workplace (June 24, 1:00-2:30pm)
The focus group will be facilitated in English by an OPH staff member on the Zoom platform (join online or via phone). Participation is voluntary and the discussion will be confidential. They will not report the names of participants.
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Business After 5
June 17, 2021 | 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Don't miss this month's Business After 5! Grab your favourite 5 o'clock beverage and settle in for two hours of casual conversation and networking. Catch up with familiar faces and meet new people!
We can't wait to see you!
If you would like to sponsor a Business After 5 event please reach out to OBoT's Manager, Membership Experience Kassondra Walters.
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Maximize Your Membership
June 14, 2021 | 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Maximize Your Membership is back this Monday at 1:00 PM! Join Kassondra Walters, Manager, Membership Experience, as shares the benefits of membership with the Ottawa Board of Trade. Learn more about the work of the Ottawa Board of Trade and how membership can support your business growth.
Register today and learn how you can maximize your membership!
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June 23, 2021 | 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Ottawa Board of Trade and Ottawa Business Journal celebrate the 2021 recipients of Forty Under 40.
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June 25, 2021 | 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Join Mayor Jim Watson, the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal for the Mayor's Breakfast on Friday, June 25 with a timely talk on VIA Rails big plans for 2021.
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Promote Your Business| Build Your Brand | Support Your Community |
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Special Thanks to our Community Partners! |
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