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.
From the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce
As we work to continue to drive numbers down and reduce the threat of COVID-19 variants, it is important to continue to stay home unless for essential reasons, wash our hands frequently, wear a mask, continue physical distancing, and stay connected virtually. You can find guidelines and recommendations from Ontario Public Health on preventing the spread of COVID-19 here.

The West Niagara Chambers of Commerce are dedicated to supporting local businesses during the pandemic through advocacy, connecting you to information and resources, offering a space to develop a support system of Chamber peers, and more. Please reach out to Rebecca Shelley (Grimsby), Lindsey Hendriks (Lincoln), or Denise Potter (West Lincoln) if there is anything our Chambers can do to assist your organization during these difficult times.

We're with you.
Government of Ontario
Province Extends Stay-At-Home Order
Yesterday, the province announced that our hopes to do more outside will have to wait a bit longer. The current stay-at-home order has now been extended until June 2.

Although many of us were hoping that Premier Doug Ford would rescind the ban on outdoor recreational activities including golf, tennis, and basketball, he announced that all public health measures will remain in place until the scheduled date of June 2. After this date, the province intends to open recreational spaces and introduce a plan to reopen Ontario.

The plan to reopen will not include the return to large sporting events or concerts, rather, the goal is to "have the most normal July and August possible."

Although there has been a decrease in daily new COVID-19 case counts, and there has been a vaccination uptake in hotspot areas, hospitals are still under immense pressure, and COVID-19 variants remain a major concern.

Ontario officials continue to call for stronger border measures by the federal government.

Schools will continue with virtual learning until public health doctors, teachers, and labour partners are able to reach a consensus.

Support for Travel and Tourism Businesses

With no travel or tourism opportunities on the horizon, the Ontario government is offering small tourism and travel businesses one-time payments of $10,000-$20,000. Eligible businesses include travel agencies, hotels, and resorts that did not receive funding from the Ontario Small Business Grant.

This grant is estimated to support 7700 businesses, with the flexibility to support more.

Applications are open until June 25. Learn more about eligibility and apply here.
Provincial Legislation - Employer Obligations COVID-19 Sick Pay

As an employer, are you aware of your sick pay obligations to your employees?
Please click the link for this important information.

 
Ontario Supporting Business Investment and Prosperity during COVID-19
The Ontario government is proposing new red tape and burden reduction measures intended to minimize existing barriers on businesses and support a long-term recovery plan. On April 15, Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, announced...
Ontario Supporting the Non-Profit Sector During COVID-19
The Ontario government is providing more than $42 million to help 559 non-profit organizations across the province to support staff and volunteers, reimagine programming and renovate facilities as they deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic...
Ontario Announces Emergency Child Care for Critical Frontline Workers
The Ontario government is providing eligible health care and other frontline workers with free emergency child care for school-aged children. This initiative started on Monday, April 19, 2021...
Ontario Now Accepting Public Feedback to Strengthen Municipal Codes of Conduct
In April, the Ontario government launched a 90-day consultation to obtain feedback on how to strengthen municipal codes of conduct. With the support of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the province is working to better...
Niagara Region
Statement of Support for Niagara’s Small Businesses from Regional Chair and Niagara Mayors
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our community. Lives have been lost and our most trusted systems have been challenged. This third wave and the Province’s stay-at-home order is having a massive impact on residents and businesses...
Third survey provides updated picture of COVID-19 impact on Niagara's businesses.
Niagara’s Economic Rapid Response Team now has up-to-date information on the state of recovery of Niagara’s businesses, thanks to a recently completed Niagara COVID-19 Business Impact Survey - Part 3.
 
This survey ran from March 29 to April 16, 2021, and was completed by 786 respondents from all 12 municipalities.

Click here to read the key findings.
Vaccination Information
Continuing throughout May, older adults (those turning 40 or older in 2021), adults living or working in COVID-19 hot spot communities, people who live and work in high-risk congregate settings, caregivers in select congregate care settings, and people who cannot work from home (a high-risk group that is equivalent to health care workers) are eligible for the vaccine.

More specific dates:
  • Starting the week of May 3, high-risk individuals and people who fall within the First Group will be eligible for the vaccine.
  • The First Group includes:
  • Remaining elementary and secondary school workers
  • Workers responding to critical events
  • Enforcement, inspection, and compliance roles
  • Remaining individuals working in licensed childcare settings
  • Foster care agenda workers
  • Food manufacturing and distribution workers
  • Agriculture and farm workers
  • Funeral, crematorium, and cemetery workers
  • Starting the week of May 10, at-risk individuals and people who fall within the Second Group will be eligible for the vaccine.
  • The Second Group includes:
  • Essential and critical retail workers
  • Workers in manufacturing industries directly involved in supporting the COVID-19 response, construction, and other essential businesses and services where facilities are at heightened risk for COVID-19 outbreaks and spread
  • Independent childcare providers who directly provide care to children who are not related
  • Social workers and social services staff who provide in-person client services
  • Courts and justice system workers
  • Transportation, warehousing, and distribution workers
  • Electricity
  • Communications infrastructure workers
  • Water and wastewater management workers
  • Financial services workers
  • Veterinarians and veterinary teams
  • Waste management workers
  • Oil and petroleum workers
  • Natural gas and propane gas workers
  • Mine workers
  • Uranium processing workers
  • Starting May 31, Ontario youth aged 12-17 will be eligible to book an appointment for their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

To view Ontario's entire COVID-19 vaccination plan, click here.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Workplace Recovery Toolkit
Vaccine Resource Hub

The Workplace Recovery Toolkit includes the latest information and best practices for businesses to operate safely. 

The Vaccine Resource Hub provides businesses with a one-stop-shop to help in building vaccine confidence amongst their team. This includes practical guidance for how employers can speak with their employees about vaccinations.
Upcoming Events
Niagara Chamber Partnership Virtual Info Session
and Networking Event
What IS the Niagara Chamber Partnership and how does it help YOUR business?

Join us on May 18 from 10 - 11 AM to learn about the Associate Membership program and how you can custom-build your regional network!
Complimentary Webinar on Tax and Government Subsidy Updates
Join DJB’s Tax Managers, Lynne Vidal, and Neil Patel, as they host an informative webinar covering a number of important tax updates.

The presentation will include commentary on the Federal and Ontario budgets, as well as COVID-19 government subsidies.
Share YOUR Message

Want to place your communication in our collaborative newsletter? For just $150 + HST, we’ll send your message to our collective 1000+ contacts!

Limited to one paid spot per bi-weekly newsletter edition, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Content to be approved by all three Chambers ahead of time. Must be a member (associate or full) of all three Chambers.

Contact your home Chamber for more details and to reserve your spot:
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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