APBOT Calls for Better Support for Employers Struggling to Understand HR Obligations |
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The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade (APBOT) is proud to have passed a policy resolution at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) Annual General Meeting that speaks to better HR support for employers. The pandemic has highlighted how little assistance is available to small business owners when trying to navigate the lengthy list of health and safety policies, programs, and training that must be developed and implemented.
The policy, “Bettering Ontario Workplaces,” calls for a centralized support mechanism (such as a web portal) that businesses could easily access.
Meanwhile, the APBOT also passed the sunsetting resolution “Regional Transportation Fare Integration,” before it was set to expire. This policy, with previous iterations presented by the Toronto Region Board of Trade and Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, calls for Metrolinx to work with regional transit operators in the GTHA to implement an integrated fare structure, and to equitably distribute those fare dollars among the participating operators.
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Celebrating the Best in Business |
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The most prestigious of all our signature events, the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade is pleased to once again honour the achievements of local businesses, organizations, and Business Person of the Year at the 2020 APBOT Business Excellence Awards.
This year's event will be held virtually on October 22, 2020.
Learn more about the 40 incredible businesses, organizations, and people nominated.
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The Recovery Activation Program (RAP) Digital Needs Assessment can provide you with a critical starting point for your digital transformation, and your gaps and opportunities.
Once complete, you will receive your ‘DNA’ results and a follow-up email with a custom recommendation of the Recovery Activation Program service offering(s) that best meet the needs of your business.
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Applications Now Open for Sickness and Caregiving Benefits |
Applications were opened this week for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) programs.
- Gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they’re sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19.
- Gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care.
The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), which gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, will open on October 12. |
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Ontario Proposes New Measures to Help Businesses Recover from COVID-19 |
Today, the Government of Ontario announced plans to introduce the Main Street Recovery Act, 2020.
If passed, the act would include:
- A one-time grant of up to $1,000 for eligible main street small businesses with two to nine employees to help offset the unexpected costs of personal protective equipment (PPE);
- Ontario's Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network, which links 47 Small Business Enterprise Centres across the province as places where small businesses can access tailored advice and information on local, provincial and federal programs;
- Digital Main Street Squads to help small businesses grow online;
- Mental health supports for families, frontline workers, young people, children, and Indigenous communities;
- Ontario's Small Business Recovery Webpage to provide single window access to small business supports.
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Second Round of Funding Available to Not-for-Profit and Charitable Sectors |
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Durham Region Introduces Free Online Food Ordering Service |
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The Regional Municipality of Durham, in partnership with Ritual, is pleased to announce support for local restaurants and food services in Durham Region through Ritual ONE—an accessible, online method of contactless food ordering.
This service allows local restaurants and food-based businesses, in need of a digital ordering solution, to provide customers with a method of placing orders for dine-in, or contactless pickup or delivery. QR code menus and ordering are also available.
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upNext is a 3 week entrepreneurial and experiential development program that offers young adults (18-29) in Ajax, Durham Region, and beyond the opportunity to take a business from idea to launch or take their personal brand and resume to the next level. All within just 3 weeks. Its aim is to help participants take control of their own future and it’s 100% free.
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City of Pickering Reviews Ward Boundaries |
The City of Pickering is conducting a ward boundary review to ensure that residents receive fair representation at their local council table.
Residents are invited to take part in one of four virtual open houses to learn more and provide feedback.
Visit pickering.ca/WBR for more information and details on the upcoming virtual open houses. |
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The Pickering Town Centre is attracting attention with their new wall mural.
The "Mall Wall Crawl" project turns blank wall space into beautiful works of art.
Their first mural is funded by The Fortis Group, with a portion of the revenue going to the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation and an honorarium paid to the artist.
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Left to right: Jim VanDusen, President & Owner, VanDusen Chevrolet Buick GMC, representing the Board of Directors of the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation, Liviya Horbatuik, Artist, Pickering Town Centre Guest Services Representative, and Tim McEachen, Senior Project Manager, The Fortis Group |
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October 15 - On Thursday, October 15, Ontario Tech University will host its second annual Women for STEM Summit. This year’s Virtual Summit will bring together industry and university leaders, academics, students and alumni in STEM careers. It will explore the challenges faced by women in STEM-related disciplines and how gender diversity is an important component in helping to build a better future. The Summit will feature keynote speakers Kevin Peesker, President, Microsoft Canada and Rhonda Barnet, President and COO, AVIT Manufacturing. Registration is complimentary. Donations to Ontario Tech’s Women for STEM Fund are welcome. |
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October 19 - Ontario By Bike! The Ontario By Bike Network develops and promotes cycle tourism in Ontario and certifies bicycle-friendly businesses for free. The Network provides tourism operators, business owners and regional stakeholders the tools and opportunities to build their cycle tourism product, attract more cyclists and tap into a growing visitor market. Register now for a free cycle tourism destination development webinar. |
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TOA resumes full parking enforcement measures October 13 - Throughout the spring and summer, TOA By-Law Services have been focused on proactive enforcement of our Parks By-Law and parking enforcement in high-traffic areas, in addition to responding to complaints received by the community. Fall and winter protocols start coming into effect beginning on October 13. Learn more.
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Get a website or blog up and running quickly, easily and affordably - Build A Website Days are a new website bundle Sue put together for small business owners who want to get a website or blog up quickly. Each Build a Website day include 1-day of training and 1 week of support to ensure even WordPress novices can get a web that works in a week. Learn more
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Eight Things We Should Be Doing in Every Virtual Meeting - Let’s face it. We know that “mental health” comes up in first place in survey after survey of workplace issues that employees are dealing with, especially now that Covid and working-from-home have swept the rug out from under our feet. [ Keep reading] |
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Career Ready Fund: Auto Incentive Program - The Career Ready Fund provides incentives to employers of up to $3,000 per work placement per participant (student, recent graduate and/or apprentice) or up to $5,000 per placement for a participant with one or more disabilities. If positions are recognized co-ops, employers may also be eligible for the Co-operative Education Tax Credit. Learn more. |
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Re-Ignite from Spark to Flame! Strategic* Intentional* Growth - Heart of Networking presents our 8th annual Business Conference, an exciting virtual event open to everyone! Re-Ignite is designed to connect and motivate business owners through a day of education and inspiration. Key note speaker is Durham Region’s own Denise Marek, award-winning speaker, internationally acclaimed worry management expert, and creator of the CALM methodology for worry-free living. First 50 registrants receive a fabulous Conference Gift Package delivered directly to you! Click here for a full list of amazing speakers, event details and to register today. |
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Phoenix Enterprises presents the contactless fundraiser - For service groups, sports teams, schools, day cares and more. Do you want to do a fundraiser to support a not for profit? You can do that here. Flyer is attached. We setup your personalized store. No minimum order. You share with your contacts, the profit is all yours. Ask us for more information Donna Anderson, daraphoenix@rogers.com 289-200-0494 |
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You're Invited! CDCD's Annual General Meeting - You are invited to Community Development Council Durham's Annual General Meeting, on October 14 at 6:30 pm. Please register for the meeting by October 9. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please note that this event will be recorded. |
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How Does a Paid-Up Additions Rider Work with IBC? - We’re often asked, what is a paid-up additions rider, and why is it an important part of the Infinite Banking Concept strategy? Click here and watch this 1-Minute Video to find out. |
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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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