Here's Your Latest Advocacy in Action Newsletter
This newsletter will inform you of how the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce is actively working to advocate for your business. 
Province-Wide State of Emergency

The Ontario Government has declared a second State of Emergency and issued a stay-at-home order. There have also been some further restrictions on businesses including:

  • Limiting the hours of non-essential retail stores from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
  • Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.
  • Introducing the "Stay Safe All Day" campaign, focusing on workplace inspections in areas of high transmission and providing new educational materials to promote safe behaviour at work.

This order came into effect at 12.01 am on Thursday, January 14th and will last for a minimum of 28 days.
Ontario Small Business Support Grant

The Provincial Government has launched the Ontario Small Business Support Grant to support businesses during the Provincial Shutdown.

This new grant will provide eligible businesses with up to $20,000 to cover costs during the Province-wide shutdown.
Peter Bethlenfalvy appointed as Finance Minister

The Hon Peter Bethlenfalvy has been sworn in as the new Ontario Finance Minister.

Minister Bethlenfalvy will combine the Finance portfolio with his previous position as Minister for the Treasury Board Secretariat. The Minister will be responsible for plotting Ontario’s economic recovery and tabling the next Provincial Budget, due in April. 
Changes to Electricity Rates

The Ontario Government has announced that Electricity prices are held at 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for all Time-of-Use and Tiered customers starting January 1, 2021.

This fixed price will apply to residential, small business and farm customers who buy their electricity from their utility and applies to customers on Time-of-Use (TOU) or Tiered pricing. This rate will be available 24/7 for all electricity used for a 28-day period. 
Environmental Innovation During COVID-19

The Canadian Energy Sector has continued to work on environmental innovations to assist with the fight against climate change during COVID-19.

Supplied by our partners at CAPP, this article analyses how advanced technologies will position the oil and natural gas industry as part of Canada’s ‘green’ recovery.