Issue 43 | October 19, 2021 |
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From the Desk of the CEO... |
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Activity at the Chamber continues to be brisk, as we celebrate Small Business Week this week with our friends and partners at the Business Resource Centre, Enterprise Brant, the BDC, Meridian Credit Union, and our banks: RBC, TD, Scotiabank, CIBC, and BMO, in addition to the broader network of members supporting members in all aspects of the business community. Thank you!
Our Shop Local Brantford-Brant campaign is beginning to take shape, with several members signing on for exposure, services, and support. Please get in touch through [email protected] to learn more!
There is no shortage of business issues to advocate for, including additional target supports for business provincially, addressing social issues through all levels of government that impact business, labour and housing matters, and more. Your ideas and support through the Board of Directors and Advocacy Committee are welcomed and encouraged. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Business Survey linked below is an essential tool to help identify issues in our area. Please take a few moments to help improve the provincial and regional data set to assist in targeting provincial and local advocacy issues for business.
Dave
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Small Business Information |
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Meridian’s Small Business Contest!
Businesses of all shapes and sizes have faced unprecedented challenges throughout COVID-19. We’ve all heard the stories. A family-run restaurant offering meal kits for festive occasions. An enterprising contractor designing backyard home offices. A distillery brewing up hand sanitizer, donating portions to local clinics and shelters. These stories are a beacon of hope, and they make us proud to serve so many Canadian businesses.
Now, to celebrate Small Business Month, we’re asking you to help us recognize a deserving Ontario business by awarding them up to $15,000!
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ATTENTION JOB SEEKERS! A virtual job fair with over 35 local employers is coming up October 19-21st from 10AM to 7PM each day - organized by our friends at St. Leonard's Community Services! Don't miss out on this great opportunity to meet with local employers!
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COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate QR Code is now available |
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As you are aware, the Ontario government is making the enhanced vaccine certificate with an official QR code and the free, made-in Ontario verification app, Verify Ontario, available for download. Together, these tools will make it easier, more secure and convenient for individuals to provide proof of vaccination where required to do so, and for businesses and organizations to verify vaccine certificates while protecting people’s privacy.
Ontarians will need to continue to show a piece of identification with their name and date of birth along with their proof of vaccination when visiting select businesses and organizations.
Verify Ontario App for Businesses
Businesses and organizations can now download the free Verify Ontario app from the Apple App and Google Play stores. The app has been made available in advance of program implementation on Friday, October 22, 2021, to make sure your business can download the app and have sufficient time to become familiar with it.
The made-in-Ontario app has been designed to help businesses by making it quicker and easier to confirm if a person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 while protecting their privacy. The Verify Ontario app for businesses can be used without an internet connection, but like any app, it will need to connect to the internet periodically to keep it up to date. The app never stores personal information and only shows the minimum amount of information necessary to confirm vaccination
Verify Ontario will only scan and read official, government-issued QR codes, such as Ontario’s vaccine certificate and those SMART Health Codes from other provinces including Quebec, British Columbia and Yukon Territory.
Ontario has updated regulations and guidance for businesses to support the implementation of the enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code and the Verify Ontario app.
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The Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant is proud to announce that nominations for our annual Business Excellence Awards are NOW OPEN. Please ensure your nominee meets all criteria before submitting them for consideration.
Please note- ALL nominees MUST be Chamber members in good standing to be considered.
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from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce |
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Last week the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released its latest report, Mental Wellness in The Workplace: A Playbook for Employers & SMEs with support from Sun Life. These resources provide employers of varying sizes with strategies and support to help bridge the gap – from fostering a health-focused culture to effectively communicating with employees to encouraging staff to access free government resources.
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Send a message to Queen's Park
The Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) are looking for your insights on what matters to business amidst the crisis and post-pandemic recovery. How confident are you in Ontario’s economy and recovery? What is your organization’s outlook for 2022?
As we work together on post-pandemic recovery, your participation in our annual Business Confidence Survey is as important as ever. The results of the survey will inform the 2022 Ontario Economic Report: the landmark research platform of the OCC, offering a unique perspective on the experience of businesses of all sizes across the province.
This survey is being conducted by Golfdale Consulting, an independent consulting firm. All responses will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential.
Closing date: Friday, November 12, 2021, at midnight
As we look towards economic recovery, the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are committed to ensuring government understands what is top of mind for the business community. That’s why we need your help to express the voice of business loud and clear at Queen’s Park.
Share your views by taking a short five-minute survey here:
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Additional COVID-19 Resources |
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PD27 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy Self-identification Form for Employers. Click here
Support for your business from the Government of Canada. Click here to find out which supports best fit your business
Support for Individuals from the Government of Canada. Click here to find out which supports best fit your business
Business Resilience Service phoneline: call 1-866-989-1080 to connect with a business advisor from the accounting profession. The service is available 7 days/week from 8 am – 8 pm ET
Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA); This $55 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits. Click here to apply
Develop your Workplace Safety Plan with tools from the Government of Ontario here.
For the most up-to-date provincial & federal programs, take a look at our website.
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Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant
519.753.2617
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