CHAMBER CHAT - Week of March 29
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In the midst of planning for the cruise last Friday, both Anthony Callaghan (1st Vice President) and I were also attending a variety of virtual meetings at Queen's Park as part of this year's OCC Advocacy (Day) Week. This year, the one-day event was replaced by a series of meetings that put the Chamber network from across the province "in the room" with the Premier, leaders of the opposition, deputy ministers and critics. With the OCC AGM and Conference coming at the beginning of May, these meetings give us an opportunity to get a sense of the complex priorities government is facing and where the "voice of business" must enter the conversation to ensure the needs of the business community are not overlooked. The government has remained very aware of the challenges the pandemic has placed on small business but as we slowly return to more normal activities, issues present before are now closing back in. We continue to deal with labour and housing shortages for which there are no easy solutions either.
I also attended the Centre for Workforce Development's Local Labour Market Plan report launch last week and if you're interested in what is going on with the local labour force, you'll find this local approach to the numbers eye-opening. From an economic development perspective, we've all agreed there is a need to attract a younger demographic to the region to support the need for labour. What is also interesting to note is that the youth in Eastern Ontario actually have a higher participation rate in the workforce than anywhere else in the province and that our lower net income rates may be more representative of younger retirees choosing fixed incomes rather than continuing to work.
There is a great deal happening while we wrestle with rising case counts again and anticipate a change in our colour status in Friday's Health Unit report. If you're interested in hearing more or have questions about what comes next, join us on Thursday with Roberto Almeida and Andrew Landy again - 9:00 am (registration link below).
Also mark next Thursday, April 8 (link below) on your calendar for the opportunity to discuss the Ontario Budget with MPP Todd Smith. If you want a bit more information on what that looks like, here's a quick link to the OCC response and we'll provide a bit more detail next week.
Finally, if you really couldn't make it on our cruise last Friday evening but would like to read and watch some of what happened, the best parts were prepared by our friends at YourTV and links are available in the news story linked below.
We had a lot of fun! And thanks to our team here - Lisa, Susan & Anna - for staying creative and the Board for coming along for the ride and trusting we weren't going to run aground! As only one of two "fundraisers" we do a year, it was critical to our operations to have this event in some capacity and thanks to our partners for making it possible! For everyone who attended as well, thank you for supporting our members as the audience who were there to cheer on our Cornerstone & Lifetime Achievement recipients. And of course, to our 5 member restaurants that served 175 meals on Friday night! Chilangos, Paulo's & Dinkel's, Montana's, Sans Souci & Signal did a great job with their menus (and special thanks to the volunteers from Rotary that took care of deliveries for those who were unable to pickup their meals).
Thanks again to all who came out! We've loved hearing how much you enjoyed it really felt you'd "been somewhere"... (maybe not really Aruba, but somewhere other than home!)
Enjoy the sunshine! Patio season is coming soon!
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In Conversation with HPEPH
Thursday, April 1
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Active COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Hastings Prince Edward.
Join us as we talk to the Public Health Unit and find out
what they have to say about what is happening in the region.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1st 9:00 a.m.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email
containing information about joining the webinar.
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In case you missed it...
We cruised through the celebration of our Cornerstone Awards and President's Dinner last Friday...
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The Chamber took to the high seas on the safest 3-hour tour ever with their virtual cruise event to commemorate the swearing-in of the new President (Captain Peter Kempenaar) and the presentations of the Cornerstone and Lifetime Achievement Awards during the 4th Annual celebration held on Friday, March 26th. |
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RECAP: 5 new members in March
Check out their listings on the Chamber's Member Directory.
A professional accounting and taxation service.
Transportation service
Luxurious B&B and wedding venue
Digital solutions for marketing, design, and software development.
Manufacturer of cannabis beverages.
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Is your membership plaque
up-to-date?
Call Lisa at 613.962-4597 ext. 2 OR
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DID YOU KNOW?
you can advertise on bellevillechamber.ca
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Were you required to close or restrict services due to the Provincewide Shutdown in December?
Do you have fewer than 100 employees?
Did you experience at least a 20% revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019?
IF YOU ANSWERED YES to any of these questions,
you could be eligible for the grants from the provincial government - BUT HURRY!
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APPLICATION DEADLINE:
March 31
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CLICK HERE for more information on financial supports available through the province.
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Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has been at the GREEN-Prevent level since February 10th. Thank you to our local businesses for persevering and keeping this region safe. Although we are able to be open for business it is not a 'return to normal'.
DID YOU KNOW? 32 % of COVID-19 cases have been associated with workplace outbreaks?
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Enjoy our Elected Representatives as they
take "working in harmony" to the next level!
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Please join CAA for a special lunch hour webinar,
“Belleville and the Importance of Road Repair,”
Thursday, April 8, 2021 from noon until 1:00 p.m.
Register now, and you will be entered into a draw for a $50 The Ultimate Dining Gift Card, valid at Canada’s favourite restaurants, including Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, Milestones, Montana’s and many more!
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Join the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for a discussion with Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, about his vision of a more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable Canada.
This virtual event will be a one-on-one conversation with our President and CEO Rocco Rossi. Please send your questions in advance so we can work them into the conversation! They will discuss how we safely get those sectors and communities hardest hit on the road to recovery and build stronger and safer communities post-pandemic.
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Wage subsidies for active employees remain at 75%.
Rent subsidies stay at 65% AND applicants can continue to use pre-pandemic reference months.
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Find all of the support programs available to you and your business including CEBA, CERS and CEWS.
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Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan.
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The Community Development Council of Quinte provides food security and assistance in Hastings and Prince Edward County. The ''Good Food Box' and the 'Good Baby Box' helps people get what they need at an incredibly low price.
YOU CAN HELP by playing WINE SURVIVOR
· Put a team together of 6 people & choose a team captain.
· Each person pays $45 per entry / $270 per team
· Win a lot of wine from Sandbanks Winery in Prince Edward County.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: May 7
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THE STATION is designed to inspire your kids to get active!
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With a spy school in the front and a movement gym in the back, children 4 years and up can play, learn to overcome obstacles, join in and just have SOME FUN!
Homeschooling? Make The Station a part of your school day.
Strict COVID-19 protocols are in place!
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Chamber Members GET 20% OFF |
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ARE YOU MISSING SOME FRESH FACES AROUND THE BOARD TABLE?
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Looking to engage younger leaders
in your non-profit board?
Investing in leaders young and not so young is just what we at Clearview love to do.
This has also been why we are so excited about the
87 young people who have already taken our
FREE NON -PROFIT BOARD TRAINING
For 30 And Under.
We are offering our next round of free board training on April 12 (1-4 pm or 6-9 pm). If you are a young leader under 30 or you know someone, check us out.
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The Human Resource Professionals Association (HRPA)
has approved Clearview as a
Continuing Professional Development Provider.
If you have or are working towards CHRP, CHRL and/or CHRE designations, you can check out the full list of available courses now available through Clearview. CLICK HERE
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Seeking an outstanding individual to join the dedicated faculty team as a full-time professor responsible for facilitating the delivery of a range of business courses.
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Did your employee group benefits rate increase?
Is it time for a change?
It is quick and easy to get a quote and compare.
CALL 613-962-4239
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Drop in at the Log Cabin, 5 Moira St. East, Belleville
Monday - Friday 8:30 - 4:30 pm
613-962-4597
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Belleville Chamber of Commerce | www.bellevillechamber.ca
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