Hello everyone,
As I expect all of you are aware, late last week the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health care indicators.
Our colleagues at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are meeting frequently with Ontario Government ministries, and this presents opportunities for the feedback, perspectives, and stories of Centre Wellington businesses to be heard within these meetings. If you have comments, concerns, or feedback on the reopening plan, if you have fallen through the cracks when it comes to the Ontario Business Support Grant, we want to hear from you. Help us to escalate your concerns. Email me at [email protected] or call 519-843-5140.
On the topic of the Ontario Business Support Grant, there is a roundtable consultation on the Ontario Small Business Support with the Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister, Small Business and Red Tape Reduction on Thursday, June 3 from 1:00PM to 2:15PM. Click here to register.
The Minister is asking for feedback from the business community and Ontario Chamber Network on the grant. Please bring your constructive feedback and concerns on the Ontario Small Business Support Grant to the virtual roundtable consultation, or, as above, email or call me with your thoughts and I will ensure they are addressed.
Lastly, an update on our Rapid Screening Initiative. In our first week we distributed over 4,000 screening kits to businesses in Wellington County. The goal of the program is to identify asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in the workplace that might otherwise be missed, helping to curb the spread in the workplace, at home and around the community. 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 that week. Thanks to those already onboard as supporters of this program - Ecclestone Financial Group, Curtis Villar, Record Tel Inc., and Rotary Club Fergus-Elora. It's such an important program to provide to the business community and we are so grateful for your support.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, ideas, etc, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Stay safe everyone.
Sally
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June 14 - 18, 2021
June 15, 2021
June 23, 2021
June 29, 2021
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Government & COVID19 Related Updates |
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The WSIB’s 2021 maximum insurable earnings ceiling was reduced
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) was amended to reduce the 2021 maximum insurable earnings ceiling from $102,800 to $97,308. This change is retroactive to January 1, 2021. Employers should use the updated maximum insurable earnings ceiling of $97,308 when reporting all 2021 insurable earnings to the WSIB.
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Calling 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
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Ontario Proceeding with Second Dose Administration of AstraZeneca
The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other public health experts, is proceeding with second dose administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, beginning with those who received their first dose of the vaccine between March 10 and March 19, 2021. Read more here
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Entrepreneurial Success Can Drive Canada’s Economic Recovery If Given A Chance
We know that Ontario’s economic recovery will largely be driven by entrepreneurs engaged in launching and scaling their enterprises. Yet small business owners encounter challenges at various stages of growth. Real progress will come from eliminating barriers and advancing creative solutions to improve access to capital and other resources.
Read the Ontario Chamber of Commerce report here.
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Guidelines for the Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program
The Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program is now open. This new, $10 million funding helps more farmers and agri-food operators purchase personal protective equipment, enhance cleaning and disinfection and redesign workstations to better protect workers. The program will also help farmers who experience unexpected costs as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak among on-farm employees. Read more here
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Agri-Tech Innovation Cost-Share Program
The Agri-tech Innovation Program is a new $22-million cost-share program that will help farming operations and processor businesses adopt innovative and new technologies. This intake will support implementation of sector-specific, unique and innovative technologies in the workplace that enhance protection of workers against COVID-19, lead to increased business efficiencies and productivity, and help build the sector's resilience. The first intake is open now and runs to June 21, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Read more here
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Canadian Agricultural Partnership
Canadian Agricultural Partnership: offers cost-share funding to support farmer, processor, other businesses, sector organizations and strategic partnerships. Funding offered through the program is subject to change based on the timing of application intakes and the availability of funds. Read more here
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Strategic Decisions by Council
Termite Survey Report for Fergus and Elora
In the fall of 2020 Termite Research Services Inc. led by Tim Myles, Ph.D. undertook a Termite Survey project in the areas of Fergus and Elora known to contain Termites. The survey was presented to Council for information. Staff will be preparing a future Report for Council's consideration on next steps and allocation of the 2021 Termite Funding approved by Council in the 2021 Capital Budget. To review the Termite survey report, click here
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Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce
400 Tower St. S., Fergus | 519.843.5140| www.cwchamber.ca
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