With these challenging and unpredictable times we are currently facing due to the COVID-19 crisis, the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce want to provide our Members access to up-to-date government announcements and support programs, resources, webinars, and other important information .

In an effort to maximize our resources, we have created this collaborativ e email as a response to these updates that apply to our Memberships at large. We will be sending out relevant government resources once per week, or when important announcements are made, on behalf of th e Grimsby Chamber, L incoln Chamber, and West Lincoln Chamber.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
Applications Open April 27
As a Canadian employer whose business has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for a subsidy of 75% of employee wages for up to 12 weeks , retroactive from March 15, 2020, to June 6, 2020.

This wage subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19, help prevent further job losses, and better position you to resume normal operations following the crisis.

How to apply
Beginning  April 27 , applications will be open for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy .

  • Most businesses may apply using My Business Account
  • If you represent a business, you may apply using Represent a Client
  • Alternatively, you may apply using a separate online application form (available April 27)

The CEWS will be processed at the payroll program (RP) account level, so you will have to file a separate application for each RP account.
Get ready to apply

  1. Register now for CRA’s My Business Account if you are not already signed up.
  2. Make sure your business details and direct deposit information for your payroll accounts (RP) are up to date.
  3. Calculate the estimated subsidy
  4. If you are expecting a payment of $25 million or more, you will have to get your payment through the large value transfer system (LVTS).
To accommodate the expected volume of applicants, the CRA is still requesting that applications are submitted on different days of the week based on birth month.

If you were born in:
January, February, or March, apply on Mondays
April, May, or June, apply on Tuesdays
July, August, September, apply on Wednesdays
October, November, or December, apply on Thursdays

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are for everyone.
Open in Niagara
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, and the need for businesses to adapt and find new and innovative ways to remain competitive, the Niagara Region is going to launch the OpenInNiagara website.

This website has been designed to crowd-source information and let people and businesses advertise what’s open and how they are delivering their services.
 

Once there are enough businesses listed on the site, they will start their campaign to raise awareness and promote the website through their channels. This is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure for your business throughout Niagara.
 
To participate, go to https://www.OpenInNiagara.ca and click on “Add a Business” in the top right corner.

Please reach out to your home Chamber if you have any questions!
April 24 - Virtual Round Table with
West Niagara MP & MPP

Please join Dean Allison, MP for Niagara West, and I, for a second virtual round table on Government Resources for Businesses in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Join us live at 10 AM, Friday, April 24, 2020 , on the remote video conference application, Zoom .

Dean and I hope to walk local businesses through the various federal and provincial programs, including financial assistance, wage subsidies and tax deferrals.

Please join us by participating online at the following Zoom Meeting link:


The Meeting ID is 886 0712 7449 and password is 767302.

For a video tutorial on joining a Zoom Meeting, visit the following Zoom YouTube link:


Please reach out to our constituency office at sam.oosterhoffco.pc.ola.org if you have questions or require additional details - my team and I are here to help wherever possible.
Updates From Public Health Officials
On April 20, the Ontario government released updated COVID-19 modelling, which shows that the enhanced public health measures, including staying home and physically distancing from each other, are working to contain the spread of the virus and flatten the curve . However, the Chief Medical Officer of Health says emergency measures must remain in place to continue reducing the number of cases and deaths.


Read the provincial government's press release.
Contact Your Local Chamber
Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director

Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director

West Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director

This email was sent by on behalf of the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce, which consists of the Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and the West Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. You have received this email because you subscribed to our newsletters; your email address will not be shared and will be used only for these updates.
You may unsubscribe from receiving these emails at any time.
Please contact your local Chamber if you have any questions or concerns.