April 7, 2020
Your Weekly Chamber News & Updates
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A Message from the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce
You may have noticed an increase in our communication materials sent to you as a result of the uncertain COVID-19 situation we have found ourselves in. Please know that we are sorting through great volumes of new information everyday to compile the most relevant and useful material to benefit you, our members. For the time being, we will be sending twice-weekly newsletter updates, with standalone emails as we see fit.

As always, never hesitate to contact Suzanne Renken, CEO, or Brittany Van Den Brink, Policy & Communications Coordinator, or call us at 519-983-6085, with specific questions or suggestions for how we can help you during the COVID-19 crisis.
THE LATEST COVID-19 UPDATES
CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LAUNCHES NEW MICROSITE WITH SUPPORTS FOR BUSINESSES
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce launched its official COVID-19 website on April 6, 2020 in collaboration with the Government of Canada. The website will hosts resources to help Canadian business navigate the COVID-19 reality and prepare for recovery.
The microsite is a key element of a campaign announced yesterday by Prime Minister Trudeau that came to fruition as a result of a partnership between the Government of Canada and Canada's leading business and industry associations, including the Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.

ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES LIST REDUCED FROM 74 TO 44
Late last week, following advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, on April 3, 2020, Ontario updated the list of essential businesses that can remain open. The restrictions are aimed at further reducing contact between people and stopping the spread of COVID-19.  See the revised list here .  

  • Cannabis stores and most construction projects, including non-critical industrial construction have been removed from this list. 
  • If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. 
  • The new essential services list went into effective at 11:59pm on Saturday, April 4.
SURVEY: WE NEED YOUR VOICE
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Statistics Canada have teamed up in an unprecedented way to create what is arguably the largest business intelligence survey in Canadian history. As you know, credible, reliable data is the foundation for sound decision making by business leaders, market analysts and policy makers. By participating, you can position Tillsonburg and Canada for eventual recovery.

Your voice matters! A ccess the online questionnaire in one easy step, by clicking the following link:   www.statcan.gc.ca/CSBC.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WAGE SUBSIDY DETAILS
On March 30, we l earned more details about the federal government’s Temporary Wage Subsidy Program, including: 

  • Businesses and non-profits of all size are eligible for the subsidy if they have experienced a drop in revenue of at least 30%.
  • The measure will cover 75% of annual earnings up to $58,700 or $847 per week. 
  • The measure is retroactive to March 15, 2020.

The Chamber Network continues discussions on this matter so that the program can benefit as many businesses as possible.
Updates from Our Members
HR Partners 4 Business   CAN HELP WITH THE FOLLOWING HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES

  • Job description development
  • Policy development
  • Layoff and dismissal assistance
  • Training for employees and leaders
  • Harassment investigations

Contact   Katherine Englander   for more information.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS

Russ Salamon of Salamon Commercial and Fine Art Photography is working on a a couple projects that will offer companies free exposure.

  1. A short video compilation of Tillsonburg-area businesses that are adjusting and/or retrofitting their businesses due to the pandemic.
  2. A portrait compilation of Tillsonburg-area businesses titled "Working Together against COVID-19."

Contact Russ if you would like your company to be included.
AN UPDATE FROM TILLSONBURG TRAVEL

Tillsonburg Travel is temporarily closed to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but will be available Mon. - Fri. from 9 am - 12 pm to receive phone calls and emails.
A MESSAGE FROM MCFARLAN ROWLANDS
Chamber Events & Updates
LET THE TDCC HELP YOU THROUGH THE COVID-19 CRISIS
Despite the importance of taking necessary precautions to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce recognizes the extreme strain businesses are facing. We want to help you!

The TDCC is offering members the opportunity to advertise your services with us through our email broadcasts and social media channels free of charge. Examples might include:

  • Gift cards available for purchase online
  • Coupon codes to encourage customers to make online purchases
  • Online courses or other services offered by your business.

Email Brittany at [email protected] to include your offer in our communications materials.
REMINDER: THE 2020 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE HAS BEEN POSTPONED
The Awards of Excellence is our biggest event of the year and it is important to us to hold a celebration to recognize business achievements in our community.

However, we are committed to doing our part to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. As such, the event currently scheduled for May 7, 2020 will be rescheduled - likely to September 2020. Registrations will still stand for the new date for those who have already purchased tickets and sponsored the event.
Local News
HOW HAS YOUR JOB BEEN AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 CRISIS?
SUPPORTING OXFORD WEBSITE PORTAL
If your business is a food, tourism or Business to consumer company with retail operations and you are able to provide gift cards to purchase for later use or can offer local delivery or alternate accommodations, you may wish to sign up for the   Supporting Oxford website portal , which has been launched to help small businesses as they navigate through uncertain times. More information can be found at https://www.supportingoxford.ca/
Member Benefits
CHAMBERS PLAN LAUNCHES NEW COVID MICROSITE

The Chambers Plan launched the new COVID-19 microsite aimed at pulling resources into one place as we move through this fluid situation. Please visit  www.covid19.chamberplan.ca  and take a few minutes to review, there’s a lot of info and help available there.
THE CHAMBER CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS SAVE

Below are our cost-savings benefit programs, exclusively for our members: