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.

Niagara Public Health Update
Niagara Region Public Health has enhanced the data section on their website .

The case growth charts are showing a flattening of our curve, and we wanted to congratulate everyone for their physical distancing and extra protection efforts!

The past several weeks have been particularly trying on our local economy, but if we continue to follow the recommendations from public health authorities, our communities will start to re-open!
COVID19 in Niagara: Contact Tracing
Dr. Mustafa Hirji, medical officer of health (acting), Niagara Region, and Sandra, public health nurse, Infectious Diseases, Niagara Region Public Health, outline the follow-up procedure Niagara Region Public Health takes in response to each positive COVID-19 case in the Region.
Government Updates and Programs
Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, on April 24 announced that the federal government has reached an agreement in principle with all provinces and territories to implement the  Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses.

This program will lower rent by 75% for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.  This support will also be available to non-profit and charitable organizations.
Ontario Unveils Guiding Principles to Reopen the Province
Ontario is planning for the next phase of responding to the coronavirus (COVID‑19) outbreak – reopening our province.

As a first step, they have developed a framework to guide their approach. This framework outlines the method and principles they will use to reopen businesses, services and public spaces to responsibly lead Ontario’s economy back to a strong position.

A Framework for Reopening our Province   includes three stages:

  1. Protect
  2. Restart
  3. Recover

Through all stages, public health and safety will be the number one concern, while balancing the needs of people and businesses.
Ontario Launches New Website - COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers
From the Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction:

Today, our government launched the COVID-19: Tackling the Barriers website to help identify the unique challenges created under these unexpected circumstances and consider ways to overcome them.

Businesses retooling their operations to produce health-related products, those that can continue to operate during the emergency or are preparing to reopen their operations in this new environment of physical distancing, can submit their ideas to the website.

The new website provides a simple, straightforward way to identify opportunities our government can temporarily change a regulation or rule to help navigate or respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The feedback received will help us identify challenges, prioritize pressing issues, and determine where temporary changes to processes, rules and regulations need to be made to help us weather the storm.
Virtual Round Table Recording from April 24 - Niagara West MP & MPP
Niagara West MP Dean Allison and MPP Sam Oosterhoff co-hosted a virtual round table for local businesses to ask questions about government support measures.

Listen to the recording if you missed it, but still want to be informed!

Password required to access the recording: 5X%$5^46
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
Applications for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) opened this week through the CRA My Business Online Portal .

The federal government announced that direct deposit will be available to receive CEWS funds. Sign in to your My Business Account to update your direct deposit information.

They are working with Canadian financial institutions to help you register your business payroll accounts for direct deposit through your bank’s portal. This new service is available with some banks now, with others offering the service within a few more days.

These financial institutions can securely update your direct deposit information with the CRA:

Coming soon
  • BMO
  • TD Canada Trust
Chamber Benefits Plan
Webinar Recording on Supporting Mental Health During the Pandemic
In these uncertain times it is now, more than ever, so very important we look after our mental health. We wanted to share a link to a recent webinar hosted by the Johnston Group (The Chambers Plan) and Dr. Bill Howatt . Not only are there some great points on keeping your team healthy , there is also a lot of take-home for individuals.

We here at the Garrett Group, hope you are staying well. 

If you would like more information from the webinar, or the powerpoint, please reach out to us at info@garrettgroup.ca.
Premium Adjustments Due to COVID-19

For Members covered by the Chamber Plan, the following credits, retroactive to April 1st, will be on your May billing: 

Dental : 50% premium reduction adjustment
Extended Health : 10% premium reduction adjustment

No action is required to receive these credits - they will be automatically applied. Your May bill will show the credits applied for April, as well as the full premium for May. Adjustments deemed applicable for May would be reflected on their June billing, and so on.
Video Conference | Re-Opening the Economy
Join your local Chambers of Commerce for a video conference with the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages on Monday, May 4, 2020 at 7 p.m.

She will be providing our members an update on the re-opening the economy and her perspective on where we go from here.
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.
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Please contact your local Chamber if you have any questions or concerns.