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Invest Durham, with the Cities, Towns, and Townships, Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade and local post-secondary institutions have combined forces to support Durham businesses and residents impacted by U.S. tariffs. Here is how the Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) can help:  

• Visit InvestDurham.ca/tariffs for information on who to contact, and what support is available. 
• Register for an information webinar on March 20 for exporters seeking to diversify to other markets.  
• Economic Development teams are reaching out to businesses to offer advice on ways to mitigate impacts and make connections to government services.  
• We are providing information about Durham Region businesses to the Province of Ontario to support a Team Canada response. 
• We are putting together a trade diversification support program. Let us know if your product can be sold in international markets beyond the U.S. 
• We will launch a promotional campaign to encourage people to shop locally and visit Durham Region.

The DETF meets regularly to collaborate on the best ways to support Durham Region businesses, and residents. Our economic strength and resilience will help us weather the storm together to emerge stronger.

Amid the U.S. tariff war, there is a growing movement to support local. Durham Region businesses can leverage numerous online platforms to increase their visibility to consumers who want to support homegrown products.

Durham Tourism encourages residents and visitors to explore local food and shopping options. Our local food directory and shopping guide promote offerings throughout the region. 

Support Ontario Made promotes products made in Ontario including a directory of local manufacturers. It also offers marketing resources for businesses. 

Made in CA is a grassroots initiative that highlights Canadian-made products and services across various categories. The website also includes a grocery guide. 

Bartender Atlas is a directory and resource for bar and restaurant professionals. They have compiled a list of Canadian distilleries and wineries that include information on products and where to order. 

The Government of Canada’s Office of Consumer Affairs also offers tips and resources for supporting local businesses. 

By tapping into these networks, businesses can strengthen their presence and showcase their unique offerings. 

Take The Survey And Support Agriculture

In North Durham

Thank you to agriculture businesses and community members who provided feedback on Durham Region’s study to update policies for agriculture-related and on-farm diversified uses in the townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge.  

Draft recommendations and an application toolkit are now available for review. Give your feedback by taking part in the online survey before March 17. 

Presentation materials from the March 3 Public Open House are also available for your reference.   

Film Durham is set to host its annual free Film and Television Industry Career Fair. On March 17, high school and post-secondary students and adults interested in a career change will learn about the over 150 career opportunities that exist in Durham Region’s film and TV industry.

Film and television production volumes are rising at unprecedented rates, and the booming industry provides work opportunities from script to screen to special effects in Durham Region and beyond. 

The career fair is being held at the Durham College and Ontario Tech University Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre in Oshawa and connects attendees with industry professionals and shows the industry in action with interactive displays. 

The City of Oshawa took home seven awards at this year’s Festivals and Events Ontario FEO Awards. Wins included the FEO Impact Award and Best New Festival Award for Oshawa’s Indigenous Cultural Celebration. Five of Oshawa’s premier festivals also nabbed Top 100 Awards: Oshawa’s Indigenous Cultural Celebration, Peony Festival, Canada Day, Kars on King, and Convergence—organized by Oshawa Tourism. 

The City of Pickering was also a big winner at the Festivals and Events Ontario Awards. It took home Municipality of the Year in the population category of 50,000 to 150,000. Pickering’s Cultural Fusion Festival was also named in the Top 100 Awards. 

Congratulations also goes out to the Town of Whitby. Festivals and Events Ontario named the Brooklin Harvest Festival one of the Top 100 events in the province too.

The Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) wants to better understand the workforce challenges in the local tourism and hospitality sector. They are asking businesses to take part in a survey about hiring, training and retraining staff.

OTEC hopes to use the data to create strategies that help businesses grow. Anyone in the tourism and hospitality industry, employment services, educational institutions or support services are encouraged to participate.

Springtide Music Festival is out with the first wave of artists that will be hitting the stages in Uxbridge June 12 to 14. Performers include a special presentation on the main stage by Reuben and The Bullhorn Singers. Springtide features a collection of music stages in multiple venues along a walkable 750 metre strip of downtown Uxbridge.

Get your tickets and see who else is playing. 

Join the Whitby Chamber of Commerce on April 4 for its Entrepreneur Panel: The Power of Partnerships. Ideal for small business owners, entrepreneurs and students, the event will bring together industry experts to discuss how collaboration and technology can drive success. Register to be a part of this interactive and networking event.

The website for Durham Farm Fresh has a fresh new look. The not-for-profit marketing organization is all about connecting people to local farms and producers who offer fresh, locally grown produce and goods, and unique farm experiences.  

Current News & Trends

Downtown Bowmanville was devasted by a fatal fire on March 6. Businesses in the surrounding area are open, and people are encouraged to support the community by shopping or dining downtown. Clarington is working with the Downtown Bowmanville BIA and Clarington Board of Trade to provide support to those businesses that are temporarily closed. Displaced residents can be helped through a donation to Salvation Army Bowmanville.

Snow tubing at Lakeridge was highlighted on CTV Toronto’s News at Noon on March 10. The hill was featured several times as part of the weather forecast. John Tustian, Director of Outside Operations, also had a chance to discuss the fantastic winter season and the exciting activities available at Lakeridge. Watch the newscast from March 10.

Ottawa has reached a deal with the majority of provinces to allow Canadian alcohol to flow more freely across the country. Find out from the CBC how it could throw Canadian businesses a lifeline from U.S. tariffs.

The Town of Ajax is planning to launch a restaurant guide showcasing the more than 250 restaurants, bakeries, breweries, cafes and other food and beverage providers in Ajax.

Oshawa’s Convergence Music and Art festival has won the Economic Developers Council of Ontario award for Inclusive Community-Based Programming. Read more about how the recognition highlights Convergence’s contribution to local tourism and economic development. 

Interested in making immersive experiences a part of your business? Find out the top 11 immersive trends predicted to take over the attractions industry in 2025.