November 2023

Chamber Update

Chamber Office


Exciting times at the Chamber office. The Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce has moved into our new office space. We are located on the main floor at Town Hall, in the Ottawa Valley Business Hive, across from the Treasury Office. Our new phone is 613-432-4848 ext. 181. The Downtown Visitors Centre is open, which is located in the Chamber office. Drop by and say hi, and check out our new space. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me through email info@renfrewareachamber.ca or call 613-432-4848 ext. 181 Please take note that our phone number has changed. Plans are in the works for an Open House, more information to follow soon.

Meet our New Member



Renfrew County Voices

Renfrew County Voices for People with Developmental Disabilities is not government funded or under the umbrella of any other organization or agency. We do, however, support the efforts of other organizations and are grateful for the services provided for the disabled through Community Living, ODSP, Passport, and DSO to name a few.

​We are a group of volunteers prepared to help navigate the system for anyone who may need it, answer any questions they may have , or just be an ear for a frustrated family member or caregiver.

Our Mission: To make a difference in the lives of the disabled! To be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.​

Our Vision: That all people with intellectual disabilities and their families find the support and the resources needed to live in a healthy, happy and safe environment.

How we can help: PEER SUPPORT / ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL / JOIN US FOR FUN-FILLED FAMILY EVENTSMEETINGS:

The first Tuesday of the month at 7pm.The Renfrew Wing, 164 Argyle St. S., Renfrew, ON K7V 1T5, Please enter through the side door to the Lounge.

Visit their website at Renfrew County Voices

The Chamber Board of Directors continues to meet in person and by Zoom meetings. Our Board of Directors Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Members are always welcomed to attend.

Funding Opportunities

Events and Seminars



Unlock the potential of Chat GPT, the AI language model, and revolutionize your business operations. In this comprehensive online course, you'll discover how Chat GPT can be your business's secret weapon for success. Learn to leverage its natural language understanding and generation capabilities to streamline processes, enhance customer engagement, and drive growth. Explore real-world use cases, develop implementation strategies, and ensure responsible AI use. By the end of this course, you'll be equipped to harness the power of Chat GPT to gain a competitive edge in today's business landscape.





The Downtown Renfrew BIA presents:


SHOP STAMP & WIN!


When customers spend a minimum of $10 at a Downtown Renfrew business, they will be one step closer to winning a $500 Downtown Shopping Spree.



Renfrew & Area Health Services Village 2024 Calendars are now in stores both in Renfrew and Calabogie. Renfrew Home Hardware, Giant Tiger, Scott's Shoe Store, Scott's Hardware, A Sense of Country, The Warehouse, Metro, Protyre, Gourley's and the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce. $15.00 per calendar.

Employers and pension plan administrators: Changes coming to T4/T4A reporting

 

The Government of Canada is committed to improving access to dental care services to help people get the dental care they need and make life more affordable to Canadians. The Canadian Dental Care Plan will provide dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000.

 

New reporting requirements

 

Beginning with the 2023 tax year, issuers (including employers and pension plan administrators) of the T4 Statement of Remuneration Paid and T4A Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income must report on a T4 or T4A slip whether, on December 31st of the taxation year to which the information return relates, a payee or any of their family members were eligible to access dental insurance, or dental coverage of any kind, including health spending and wellness accounts, due to their current or former employment.

 

This reporting requirement is mandatory beginning with the 2023 tax year, and will continue to be required on an annual basis. Failing to report this information may result in financial penalties.

 

T4 and T4A updates

 

To support these new reporting requirements, the following changes were made to the T4 and T4A slips:

 

  • Box 45, Employer-offered Dental Benefits, was added to the T4. This new box will be mandatory for all slips.
  •  Box 015, Payer-offered Dental Benefits, was added to the T4A. This new box will be mandatory if an amount is reported in Box 016, Pension or Superannuation. The box will otherwise be optional.


The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may reject any T4 or T4A slip that is filed without this information.

 

Administrative policy

 

For calendar year 2023 only, it is not mandatory to fill out the new box when and only when code 1 is applicable. This administrative policy applies only if all reasonable efforts have been made to comply with the reporting requirements.

 

Support

 

The CRA’s Electronic Media Processing Unit enquiries line (1-800-665-5164) will support filers with questions related to the electronic filing of the T4 and T4A information returns.

 

For information about completing T4 and T4A slips and summaries, visit canada.ca or contact the CRA’s Business Enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525.


Stay connected

To find out what’s new at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):

 

The Town of Renfrew is excited to unveil a new logo and branding materials.

Check out this video highlighting our beautiful community!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jJ62UTF5rQ

The Town of Renfrew offers a digital newsletter as a tool to keep residents updated on what is happening in the community. You can sign up for the newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/pp5FTu5/RenfrewNewsletter

This newsletter will be emailed once a month and past editions of the newsletter are available, follow the link: Town of Renfrew Newsletter


The Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce has a very good supply of Rapid Test Kits. Free test kits are available through the Chamber of Commerce office while supplies last.

Contact 613-432-7015 or email: info@renfrewareachamber.ca to order today.

Chambers of Commerce

Group Insurance Plan


Doucett Insurance are exclusive advisors for the Chambers Plan. Contact us to learn more about how it can help your business https://doucettinsurance.ca/

You can also contact the Chamber office for more information regarding this plan.

info@renfrewareachamber.ca

Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Access to up-to-date information that affect Canadian Businesses. Visit the Canadian Chamber of Commerce website.. http://www.chamber.ca

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