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.
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Virtual Town Hall with West Niagara Regional Councillors and Economic Development Officers |
Wednesday, April 7 | 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Join us on Wednesday, April 7 for a virtual Town Hall with West Niagara Regional Councillors and Economic Development Officers.
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Niagara Remains in Red-Control Level
Niagara will remain in Red-Control. Let's all continue to follow public health recommendations and requirements to ensure Niagara continues to move in a positive direction and does not return to Grey-Lockdown.
Today, the government announced limited, targeted adjustments to public health and workplace safety measures in the Grey-Lockdown level of the Framework, allowing the safe resumption of select activities where the risk of COVID-19 transmission can be minimized. This includes:
- Effective Monday, March 29, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., permitting outdoor fitness classes, outdoor training for team and individual sports and outdoor personal training, subject to public health and workplace safety measures, including, but not limited to: a maximum of 10 patrons, every person maintaining a physical distance of at least three metres from another person, requiring a reservation and active patron screening.
- Effective Monday, March 29, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., permitting marinas and boating clubs to operate clubhouses or any restaurant, bar and other food or drink establishment for outdoor dining, subject to public health and workplace safety measures.
- Effective Monday, April 12, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., personal care service settings including but not limited to barber shops, hair and nail salons, and body art establishments, will be permitted to operate at 25 per cent capacity or five patrons (whichever is less) subject to physical distancing, including by appointment only, and other public health and workplace safety measures.
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2021 Ontario Budget
On March 24, the government released its 2021 Budget. The Budget builds on the government's record investments in response to the global pandemic, bringing total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people's health and $23.3 billion to protect our economy. Ontario's COVID-19 action plan support now totals $51 billion.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has created a a summary of highlights from the perspective of Ontario’s business community, as well as an analysis which you can read here.
Highlights of the 2021 Budget from the OCC include:
Tourism
- New Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant ($100 million)
- One-time payments between $10,000 and $20,000 for small tourism businesses that have experienced a minimum decline in revenue of 20%
- New Tourism Recovery Program ($100 million) to assist with costs related to restructuring, safe reopening, recalibrated marketing activities, and partnership development
Small Business
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Doubling the investment in the Ontario Small Business Support Grant for a total investment of $3.4 billion to support approximately 120,000 small businesses
- Eligible businesses will receive an automatic top-up for this second round
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Additional $10 million to the Digital Main Street program
Health Care and Mental Health
- $1.8 billion committed to the hospital sector in 2021-2022
- Additional $175 million in 2021-2022 to support mental health and addiction services
Beverage Alcohol Industry
- VQA Wine Support Program (an additional $7.5 million) and the Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program (for a total of $2.6 million) funding extended to 2022-2023
Agri-Food Sector
Women
- Minister of Finance and the Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues to establish a task force on inclusive economic growth to inform recovery efforts
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20% top-up of the CARE tax credit for 2021, increasing average amount from $1,250 to $1,500 per family
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Third round of payments through the Ontario COVID‐19 Child Benefit
- Payments will double to $400 per child for this round and $500 for each child with special needs
Communities
- Extending the pause on property tax reassessments for municipalities
- $2.8 billion invested into to expand broadband access, bringing the Province’s total investment to nearly $4 billion over six years beginning in 2019–20
Workforce Development
- Proposed new temporary Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit ($260 million over two years)
- Support for 50% of eligible expenses (up to $2,000)
- Eligible expenses include fees for occupational skills courses, trade or professional exams, and postsecondary education courses
Other Supports
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Additional $50 million to the Ontario Together Fund in 2021-22 to help manufacturers retool their operations to produce personal protective equipment and develop technology‐driven solutions and services for business to reopen safely
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$400 million over four years to the Invest Ontario Fund to encourage business spending in the key sectors of advanced manufacturing, technology, and life sciences
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Ontario's Action Plan Doubles Ontario Small Business Support Grant |
The Ontario government is providing additional support to eligible small businesses to help with the ongoing costs of the COVID-19 pandemic. Confirmed eligible recipients of the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will automatically receive a second payment equal to the amount of their first payment, for minimum total support of $20,000 up to a maximum of $40,000...
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Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy |
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Canada Small Business Financing Program
Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower, of which no more than $350,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment. Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan.
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Business Benefits Finder
To get a tailored list of the ones that fit your business situation or to discover other federal, provincial and territorial programs and services designed to help Canadian businesses grow, try the interactive business benefits finder.
You can also sign up for the notification feature to receive emails when there are changes to your favourite programs, when application deadlines are approaching, or when a new program that meets your needs is introduced.
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Government of Canada Helps Employers Create Accessible and Inclusive Workplaces for Employees with Disabilities |
The Government of Canada remains committed to building a more inclusive and accessible Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. One way to strengthen Canada’s workforce and economic recovery is to address the challenges experienced by persons with disabilities in securing gainful employment. To help improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs, the Government of Canada introduced the National Workplace Accessibility Stream under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. |
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Regional Council Extends Face-Covering By-Law
In recognition of the continued importance of following public health measures to control the spread of COVID-19, on March 25, Regional Council voted to extend Niagara’s temporary face-covering by-law, which was set to expire on April 1, 2021.
The by-law requires masks in all enclosed public spaces in Niagara, and aligns with orders issued by the province under the Reopening Ontario Act. The by-law will automatically expire when those Provincial requirements are no longer in effect.
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Contact Your Local Chamber |
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Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
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Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
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West Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
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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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Please contact your local Chamber if you have any questions or concerns.
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