Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Update

April 3, 2020
Click to view this email in your browser
Updates from Our Members
HR Partners 4 Business Can Help You 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.

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
Access to Emergency Medical Supplies
Gowns and shields are now available through Talbot. Orders must be placed by contacting Dawn St. Onge at [email protected] or 519-773-3095.
Chamber Network Response: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
We, along with the Chamber Network, are disappointed in the final design of the additional details released this week by the Government of Canada on the wage subsidy for business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rocco Rossi, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, made the following statement in response to the government's announcement:

“A wage subsidy is a critical measure to support businesses and employees throughout this difficult time and we appreciate the Government of Canada’s efforts to listen and respond to our needs. However, we are disappointed in the subsidy’s final design. Simply put – businesses cannot afford to wait any longer for relief.

“Asking businesses to wait an additional six weeks is completely unacceptable. They have waited long enough. Every day means more and more businesses closing and more and more workers being laid off."
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce points out similar issues, including the reality that Canadian businesses will need to wait another six weeks for funds will be detrimental as many smaller businesses do not have enough cash reserves to wait that long. 
Additional Resources from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce held two technical briefings over the past week with government officials to discuss how they can help SMEs through this crisis. You can access the recordings here:

A  NEW Emergency Micro-loan program  has been developed by Community Futures Oxford (CF Oxford) with input from the Mayor’s Working Group, which is comprised of representatives from the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Improvement Association. 
 
This Emergency Funding program has been approved by CF Oxford’s board of directors in response to the business interruption currently being experienced by small businesses in our community. The micro-loan can be used to cover rent or lease payments as well as other monthly requirements.
 
Applications are being accepted immediately!
 
More details can be found below or at  www.cfoxford.ca/emergency-response-fund  or by contacting Allan Simm at [email protected].
We Are Taking Your Questions!
As we are forced into a new way of doing business for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19, we have been encouraged by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) to submit questions related to the pandemic on behalf of our members.

Submit your questions / concerns related to any of the following issues to Suzanne at  [email protected].