COVID-19 Updates
The Government of Canada announced they will begin easing border measures for fully vaccinated travellers
On September 7, 2021, provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable, the Government intends to open Canada’s borders to fully vaccinated travellers with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements.
As a first step, starting August 9, 2021, Canada plans to begin allowing entry to American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel.
These updated measures include, but are not limited to:
- Fully vaccinated U.S. tourists can enter Canada starting August 9, 2021
- Hotel quarantine policy ending August 9, 2021
- Unvaccinated children under 12 years of age, or unvaccinated dependent children, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents residing in the U.S. can enter Canada with restrictions
- Fully vaccinated tourists can enter September 7, 2021
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport will begin accepting international flights
While many questions remain about how the partial reopening will work, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomes the announcement as a positive step towards making safe international mobility a reality.
"Businesses have been calling for predictable, science-based border measures. We are encouraged that the government is modifying quarantine rules for vaccinated travellers and enabling more airports to receive international travellers. However, we are concerned that the costly and cumbersome procedures that remain for fully vaccinated travellers will discourage short visits, including many business trips." - Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
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Support for Businesses
Tourism Relief and Investment Program Funding Still Available
Are you a tourism business who is making adaptations to your site to safely welcome visitors back in the context of public health recommendations and protocols? Administered by Ottawa Tourism, the Tourism Relief and Investment Program (TRIP) can help you recoup some of your financial investment into those projects.
The fund provides one-time, non-repayable grants of up to $20,000 to eligible francophone, Indigenous, rural, and semi-urban tourism businesses in the Ottawa region to assist in offering a COVID-wise visitor experience.
Applications for TRIP are still open. Funding (which can be applied retroactively to June 1, 2020 and/or used for projects up to December 31, 2021) can be used for the following types of projects and more:
- PPE purchases;
- Patio space expansion and/or retrofits to enable physical distancing;
- Improvements to existing tourism infrastructure to make it COVID-safe;
- Digital tools aimed at contactless booking and purchase of tourism experiences; and
- Creation of COVID-19-related signage
Government of Canada launches Jobs and Growth Fund to create jobs and foster economic activity in Canada’s communities
The Jobs and Growth Fund is a $700-million federal program to support regional job creation and position local economies for long-term growth. This includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet the eligibility criteria.
The fund will help job creators and the organizations that support them future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth.
Applications for Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) Open
The CRHP and the CEWS both support the payroll of eligible employers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, while the CEWS was meant to help eligible employers keep their employees on their payroll and help them rehire, the CRHP is designed to encourage businesses to (re)hire and grow as the economy recovers.
For more resources, tools, and savings to help your business
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Better Budgets: Bolstering the Fiscal Resilience of Ontario's Municipalities
While the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged municipalities and businesses across Ontario, it has also exposed and exacerbated existing weaknesses within municipal fiscal governance. The business community feels there is a window of opportunity to re-align the funding relationship between orders of government and encourage pro-growth decision-making among municipal governments. This would both aid with post-pandemic recovery and ensure that communities across Ontario can prosper over the long-term.
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Ottawa SMEs Order Your FREE Rapid Test Kits Now! |
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We're excited to see vaccination rates on the rise and case counts lowering. Despite this we must continue to diligently follow public health protocols to help slow the transmission of new variants while herd immunity is being achieved.
Rapid testing is a critical part of curbing the spread of COVID-19 by identifying asymptomatic cases in the workplace that might otherwise be missed.
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Getting vaccinated can bring us all back together, faster.
Getting vaccinated can get us back to doing all of the things we used to love, and visiting all of the places we used to go.
The Ottawa Board of Trade and Ontario Chamber Network encourages every Ontarian to get their shot as soon as they can to help slow transmission of new variants and prevent a fourth wave.
67% of Ottawa residents 18+ have received their 2nd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. We'd like to thank all of the healthcare workers, volunteers, and staff who have helped vaccinate Canadians over the last few months! And thank you to everyone who has rolled up their sleeves to help bring us all together again.
Book Your Accelerated Second Dose Now
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Nominate a small business that is making
Canada stronger
Through the True North Small Business Grant Contest Purolator is giving back to small business. It also gives every Canadian another way to express their support and gratitude.
There are two ways to participate in the contest:
Small Business Owners/Founders
Businesses can self-nominate for the chance to or receive 1 of 3 Grant Prizes of $20,000 cash and over $15,000 in additional prizing.
or
Community Nomination
Customers, employees, and/or general supporters may nominate their favourite small business separately for a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card.
Deadline to apply is August 16, 2021
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2021 Nominations Now Open!
The Best Ottawa Business Awards are back! The Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal are pleased to deliver this important awards program designed to recognize excellence, innovation and success in our business community. These highly anticipated awards span many sectors and areas of business, representing the diversity of our economy.
Deadline to submit your nomination is Friday, September 24, 2021.
Recipients will be honoured in November 2021. Details forthcoming.
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Ottawa's Best Networking Golf Tournament
Camelot Golf & Country Club | August 30, 2021 | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
This long running event is typically a sell out, attracting business and community leaders to network and enjoy a day outdoors.
We look forward to seeing you on the links!
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G.R.O.W. Member Strategy Session
Weekly on Thursdays
Introducing new 20 minute member strategy sessions with our Manager, Membership Experience!
Are you ready to take your Ottawa Board of Trade (OBoT) membership to the next level?
Share your business goals with Kassondra Walters, OBoT's Manager, Membership Experience and learn how your member benefits can help you to nurture your business' growth.
Collaborate over a virtual coffee to sow the seeds of your business' success and G.R.O.W. with OBoT in membership!
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Maximize Your Membership:
New & Future Member Onboarding
July 26, 2021 | 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Maximize Your Membership is back Monday at 1:30 PM!
Join us to learn more about the work of the Ottawa Board of Trade and how membership can support your business' growth. Kassondra Walters, Manager, Membership Experience will share the benefits of membership joined by Heather Allin, Doucett Insurance, representing the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan. The Chambers Group Insurance Plan is the Ottawa Board of Trade's (OBoT) national affinity program through our partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC).
Register today and learn how you can maximize your membership!
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Business After 5
August 18, 2021 | 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Grab your favourite 5 o'clock beverage and settle in for two hours of casual conversation and networking. Catch up with familiar faces and meet new people!
Have you experienced the eSAX Virtual Networking platform? This is not your typical breakout room networking!
We can't wait to see you!
If you would like to sponsor a Business After 5 event please reach out to OBoT's Manager, Membership Experience Kassondra Walters.
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THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERS!
Your Ottawa Board of Trade is a non-profit, non partisan, independent association that exists for the sole purpose of advocating for our businesses and growing community prosperity. Although we are driven by the needs of the entire business community, it is the members who make it possible for Ottawa to have a strong voice of business. And it may never be more important than now. So please join us in saying
THANK YOU to our members.
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Promote Your Business| Build Your Brand | Support Your Community |
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Special Thanks to our Community Partners! |
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Follow us on our social media to stay connected |
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