A Message from Sally Litchfield, General Manager: |
|
Hello everyone,
As we were about to hit send on this email, the latest update came through from the Province - the stay-at-home order has been extended until at least June 2. Certainly not the news any of us were hoping for, but a decision made with the health and safety of all Ontarians in mind. We have linked below in the Updates sections to the full news release.
In addition to this, there are lot's of things to highlight this week, so let's return to a bullet point list shall we?!
-
Rapid Screening Initiative launched. Any business in Wellington County who employs 150 people or less can access rapid screening kits free of charge, through the CWCC. More details here. Orders received before Sunday at midnight will be processed on Monday and be able to pick up their kits next week. Thanks to those already onboard as supporters of this program - Ecclestone Financial Group, Curtis Villar, and Record Tel Inc. It's such an important program to provide to the business community and we are so grateful for your support.
-
We went live on Facebook with Lynne Bard of Beyond Rewards to talk about the new Paid Sick Days program announced by the province. Worth the 10 minute listen, if you have questions about this program. More information to follow as it's announced, regarding the portal to apply for employer reimbursement, etc..
-
Who would you like to hear from next on a Facebook Live?! Let me know!
-
Next week's Elevating Business Series session is all about Dashboards - how to set them up for your business, what key data to include from both a financial perspective and a sales/marketing perspective, and perhaps most critically, how to use that data to make sound business decisions. Check out all the details here for the May 20 session. If you'd like to just attend this session, send me an email.
-
Make Google work harder for you! Our next Google My Business sessions are running on May 25. Find all the details here. The April session received great reviews from over 20 businesses. Whether you're not yet set up on Google My Business, or already have a profile, there's something to learn from these workshops.
-
#CWSignWars continue to thrive! Search up the hashtag on Facebook and/or Instagram - it's quality scrolling and so fun to see the interactions and positive energy within the community. I'll dedicate some time this weekend to updating our Facebook album!
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, ideas, etc, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Stay safe everyone.
Sally
|
|
Government & COVID19 Related Updates |
|
 |
Ontario Extending Stay-at-Home Order Until June 2
With the new, more contagious variants continuing to pose significant risks, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has extended the Stay-at-Home Order (O. Reg. 265/21) until at least June 2, 2021. All public health and workplace safety measures under the provincewide emergency brake will also remain in effect. During this time, the government will prepare to administer the Pfizer vaccine to youth between the ages of 12 and 17, beginning the week May 31, 2021, as the province also finalizes plans to gradually and safely re-open the province.
“While we are seeing positive trends as a result of the public health measures put in place, we cannot afford to let up yet,” said Premier Ford. “We must stay vigilant to ensure our ICU numbers stay down and our hospital capacity is protected. If we stay the course for the next two weeks, and continue vaccinating record number of Ontarians every day, we can begin looking forward to July and August and having the summer that everyone deserves.”
|
|
|
|
|
Province Launches New Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant
Applications open for eligible small businesses in tourism and travel industries
The Ontario government is providing one‐time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to support eligible small tourism and travel businesses struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through the new $100-million Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant. Read more here
|
|
|
|
|
Expanding Access to Broadband Connectivity in Wellington County
Faster, Reliable Internet will Support the Creation of Jobs and Economic Growth in Rural and Remote Ontario
More than 280 homes and businesses of Wellington County are one step closer to fast, reliable internet access with construction now underway for expanded broadband infrastructure in the community. Read more here
|
|
|
|
|
Ontario to Modernize and Streamline Apprenticeship Training
Proposed legislation will help apprentices prepare for in-demand jobs and complete their training faster
The Ontario government is introducing new measures to help tradespeople get their certification from one reliable, streamlined destination through a new Crown agency, Skilled Trades Ontario, that would replace the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT). Read more here
|
|
|
|
|
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS!
Rhyze Ventures is a custom-designed program created by women entrepreneurs, for women entrepreneurs. We have crafted a balance of in-class online learning, practical hands-on project work, mentorship, and peer-to-peer networking to address your biggest business challenges, push your boundaries and see you through to implementation.
The next program session begins August 2021 and completes in March 2022
|
|
|
|
|
Ontario Supporting Agri-Food Sector with New Labour Strategy
Long-Term Labour Strategy to Ensure Sector Remains Strong
The Ontario government is launching an agri-food labour strategy that will address sector labour challenges and ensure a stronger, more sustainable and innovative agri-food industry. Read more here
|
|
|
|
|
Ontario Pauses Administration of AstraZeneca Vaccine
On Tuesday Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the province:
“Effective today, Ontario will be pausing the rollout and administration of first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine at this time." Read more here
|
|
|
|
Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce
400 Tower St. S., Fergus | 519.843.5140| www.cwchamber.ca
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
