Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade staff will be off to rest and rejuvenate July 1,2, and 3. We will back in our virtual offices on Monday, July 6. For urgent issues, please email Executive Director Nicole Gibson at
ngibson@apboardoftrade.com
.
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2020 Business Excellence Award Nominations Open
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The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade is excited to announce the opening of nominations for the 2020 Business Excellence Awards. Our members have done a lot worth celebrating this year!
We have moved submissions to an online platform and award categories and criteria have been updated make for an improved experience.
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Mayor Shaun Collier of Ajax and Deputy Mayor Kevin Ashe of Pickering joined the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade for the first-ever virtual Mayors’ Breakfast.
The impact of COVID-19 was a hot topic. Mayor Collier took the opportunity to announce
new patio licensing rules
to help restaurants struggling to survive the pandemic (Pickering has announced
similar plans
).
Deputy Mayor Ashe celebrated the Pickering Casino Resort, touting the more than 10,000 jobs that it will eventually bring to the region. He shared that the project is anticipated to open with the Stage 3 reopening of the province.
Both leaders also addressed recent anti-racism protests and joined in the call to address systemic racism.
As is the case at all APBOT’s signature events, attendees were invited to make donations to a local not-for-profit. Members can still donate to Alzheimer Society Durham Region by
clicking here
.
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Members Ask About Masks, Distancing, Cleaning Practices, and More
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Thank you to the members and business leaders who joined us last week for 'COVID-19 and your Business: A Conversation with Durham's Top Doctors'.
Experts from Durham Health and employment lawyer Christine Ashton, of Wilson Vukelich LLP answered questions about workplace health and safety and employer obligations.
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APBOT Introduces New and Improved Advertising Options
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The APBOT has introduced new and affordable advertising opportunities for our members.
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Members Highlight COVID-19 Impacts
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Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to our Business Recovery Survey.
The results showed that over 80% of respondents shared that they had to temporarily close or change their way of doing business, and that they had experienced a decrease in revenue. 70% experienced supply chain issues, particularly in the areas of PPE, shipping costs and when dealing with foreign suppliers.
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Ontario Extends Emergency Orders to July 10
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The Ontario government has extended all emergency orders currently in force
until July 10, 2020. This decision was made in consultation with Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health to ensure the safe and gradual reopening of the province on a regional basis can continue as part of Ontario's
Framework for Reopening the Province.
In addition, the government has removed certain restrictions for Stage 2 indoor sports and recreational fitness activities facilities. This will enable the facilities to be used by more businesses and organizations to train amateur or professional athletes, or to run certain non-contact amateur or professional athletic competitions.
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Banks Beginning to Accept Applications for Next Phase of CEBA
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Canada’s banks have begun accepting applications from business customers for the third phase of the federal government’s Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program.
As announced by the government in May, CEBA has been expanded to enable a greater number of qualifying sole proprietors, or businesses with payroll lower than $20,000, with eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million to apply for interest-free, partially forgivable loans of up to $40,000. CEBA is administered by Export Development Canada (EDC), which is working closely with banks in Canada to deliver the loans.
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Region of Durham Launches Roadmap for Post-Pandemic Recovery
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Durham Regional Council has approved the Regional Recovery Framework and Action Plan a roadmap to recovery that considers supports for vulnerable residents, local businesses and the modernization of Regional services and programs.
The four pillars of the plan include:
•
Social Recovery contributes to the safety and well-being of Durham residents by identifying gaps and needs within our vulnerable sectors.
•
Built Recovery is centered on the Region’s ability to "build back better".
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Economic Recovery is designed to build a strong and resilient economy.
•
Municipal Recovery focuses on financial sustainability and reimagining the safe delivery of modern Regional services.
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Stage 2: City of Pickering
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The Ontario government announced that municipalities within the Durham Region Public Health Unit, including the City of Pickering, can move into Stage 2 to reopen its economy, effective as of Friday, June 19, 2020.
This means that certain establishments can once again open for business, including restaurants, bars, hair salons, malls, and more. Please visit
Ontario.ca for details.
The City is reviewing what this stage means for the municipality, as well as the time needed to safely implement any facility or amenity reopenings.
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On June 15, 2020 the Durham Region Public Health Unit, which includes the Town of Ajax, was cleared to enter Stage 2 of the Province of Ontario’s reopening framework.
The Town continues to take a measured and responsible approach to reopening amenities and facilities. We understand that residents are looking forward to utilizing public infrastructure. However, we need to balance reopening procedures while maintaining customer service levels, without straining our budget - which relies heavily on property tax dollars - to reduce any undue burden on our community.
The Town endeavors to keep residents and businesses as informed as possible as amenities reopen. Visit
ajax.ca/COVID19 for the latest information.
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Penmore Callery Group Delivers Meals to Front Line Workers
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APBOT member Penmore Callery Group gave a big 'Thank You' to the front line heroes at Ajax Pickering Hospital.
They delivered 150 meals prepared by The Greek Tycoon in Whitby to the essential workers who are helping battle COVID-19.
Has your business showed support to front line workers?
Share your story
with us.
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United Way of Durham Region accepting funding applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) - The ECSF provides financial support to charities and other qualified donees adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund was announced by the Government of Canada and is administered locally by the United Way of Durham Region in collaboration with United Way Centraide Canada.
Click here to obtain information about the application process and guidelines.
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Durham Community Foundation launches new $1,232,110 Emergency Community Support Fund alongside communities from coast to coast to coast - Durham Community Foundation announced it will be providing $1,232,110 to support local charities responding to COVID-19 as part of a new partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross, funded through the Government of Canada’s $350M Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). This vast national effort aims to support vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Durham Community Foundation is among some 150 local community foundations across Canada that are taking part.
Learn more.
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Feed the Need in Durham Launches Responding to Hunger Campaign - Running from June – August the RESPONDING TO HUNGER campaign invites the community at large to celebrate their solidarity as part of the “ALL IN” this together response to hunger. This campaign highlights how we feed those who face hunger in our community, and celebrates how we stand up, as a community at large, for the most vulnerable every day. This is more important now than it has ever been. Together, we are #FeedingDurham.
Learn more.
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Protect your business, its future and back to business
– The ever changing restrictions and rules can make this time stressful for a business owner, but it Peninsula's goal to help you operate with ease as Canada reopens. Register for our webinars to receive the latest updates, best practice tips and answers to any pressing questions you have. A must watch for every employer! Register below with this code: APB001.
Register Now
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Elexicon Corporation Releases 2019 Annual Report: Delivering Transformation – Together
– Elexicon Corporation, the single shareholder and holding company of Elexicon Energy Inc. and Elexicon Group Inc., released its 2019 Annual Report. The report, entitled Delivering transformation – together, highlights the many accomplishments that subsidiary companies Elexicon Energy and Elexicon Group have achieved since Veridian Corporation and Whitby Hydro Energy Corporation merged to form Elexicon Corporation on April 1, 2019.
[Read more]
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We need to stay on top of all the work-from-home changes that are happening in benefits management
– We've all been working from home for the last four months and now it looks like we're probably never going to go back to working in the office." It's a statement I'm hearing every day, as more and more workplaces are discovering that working from home is working out better than anyone ever imagined.
[Read more]
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Cheer on our Quarter horses from home
- Ajax Downs is not open to the public yet, but watch us online every Wednesday starting at 12:55 pm. Watch us on Live stream from our website
www.ajaxdowns.com.
Follow us on social media to stay up to date on Quarter horse racing at Ajax Downs Racetrack.
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The City of Pickering Introduces “Alternate Summer Camp Programs” - Following all Provincial and Health Department guidelines, we are introducing alternate camp programs on a much smaller scale, while ensuring the same opportunities to participate in new programs, experiences, and make new friendships. Alternate camp programs will be supervised by experienced, trained staff, ready to make this the most enjoyable summer ever! Camp registration will be open to 6-12 year olds.
Learn more.
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Summer camp goes online in Ajax - Camp isn’t cancelled in Ajax! The Town is taking programming online for campers aged 4 – 17 years old looking to participate in summer camp from the comfort of their own home or backyard. From July 13 to September 4, 2020 our experienced and highly-trained staff will offer more than 45 virtual sessions. The online, interactive and inclusive programs will be live streamed on Zoom, registration is now open at
ajax.ca/camps.
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Rediscover the Downtowns of Durham Region - Durham Region is home to thirteen distinct ‘main street’ downtowns. From historic storefronts, to culturally diverse independent restaurants; from contemporary hair salons to espresso-to-go. These businesses are in urgent need of your support now, so that they can recover and rebuild. #ShopLocal.
Learn more.
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15% Off at Hilton Hotels Ajax
- The Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites by Hilton Ajax are proud members of the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade and are pleased to share they now offer preferred pricing to members!
Click here to learn how you can save 15% off their best available rate.
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More than ever, it's important to talk about final wishes - Pine Ridge Memorial Gardens are here to help with 0% monthly financing now available. For more information contact Jennie Fagan at 416-305-1363 or
jfagan@arbormemorial.com.
Learn more.
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Durham Mental Health Services guide to COVID-19 government financial benefit programs - A free guide for businesses and workers on COVID-19-related government supports plus local and online helping services -
https://tinyurl.com/ydyw7ywa.
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Submit your own member announcement!
Send a 100-word, single paragraph, text write up with the highlights to
bulletin@apboardoftrade.com
. You can also include a link to a webpage or attach a flyer in .pdf format that our readers can link to for additional information.
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Contact information for APBOT Staff:
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