In this challenging and constantly changing business environment, the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce want to support our Members by providing relevant and up-to-date information. This includes government announcements and support programs, resources, webinars, surveys, and other important updates.
This is a collaborative email to share information that applies to our Memberships at large, sent on behalf of the Grimsby Chamber, Lincoln Chamber, and West Lincoln Chamber.
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CRA Online System Back Up
The CRA online services are now live after recent cyber attacks. Everyone who was impacted by the cyber security attacks will be contacted with a letter explaining next steps. For information on what to expect when the Canada Revenue Agency contacts you, click here.
It was reported that the hackers used “credential stuffing” to access the CRA accounts. Read about how to protect yourself against credential stuffing from the BMO Security Centre.
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Canada Emergency Response Benefit Extended
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be extended by an additional 4 weeks to a maximum of 28 weeks.
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Income Support After CERB
Changes to Employment Insurance
The government will transition people who have been receiving the CERB to a more flexible and generous EI program for those who qualify, which will provide them additional features and tools to get back into the workforce.
The Government of Canada is:
- Establishing a minimum unemployment rate for the EI program of 13.1% across Canada.
- Allowing Canadians with 120 hours of insurable work or more to qualify for benefits by providing a temporary, one-time credit of:
- 300 insurable hours for those claiming EI regular benefits
- 480 insurable hours for those claiming EI special benefits (maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family).
- Freezing the EI premium rate for employees at the 2020 level of $1.58 per $100 of insurable earnings for two years. The rate for employers will also remain unchanged at $2.21 per $100 of insurable earnings.
As of September 27, if you are eligible for EI benefits, you will receive a minimum benefit rate of $400 per week, or $240 per week for extended parental benefits.
If you are not eligible for EI benefits, you may be eligible for the following three new income support benefits:
The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) will provide $400 per week for up to 26 weeks, to workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for EI and who still require income support and who are available and looking for work. This benefit will support Canadians whose income has dropped or not returned due to COVID-19. The benefit will allow Canadians to earn more income while on claim.
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) will provide $500 per week for up to two weeks, for workers who are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19.
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) will provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household, for eligible Canadians unable to work because they must care for:
- a child under age 12 due to the closures of schools or daycares because of COVID-19.
- a family member with a disability or a dependent because their day program or care facility is closed due to COVID-19.
- a child, a family member with a disability, or a dependent who is not attending school, daycare, or other care facilities under the advice of a medical professional due to being at high-risk if they contract COVID-19.
The CRB, CRSB, and CRCB will be in effect for one year, following the end of CERB payments. Canadians will be able to apply for these benefits through the Canada Revenue Agency.
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NRT onDemand
NRT OnDemand, a new transit service, connecting West Niagara by transit with the rest of Niagara Region, launched on Monday August 17, 2020.
The service is operated by Via Mobility and is in partnership with the communities of Grimsby, Lincoln and Pelham, Wainfleet, and West Lincoln.
Fares and Service Areas
Your fare allows you to travel from your location to the pre-set destination you select when you book your ride. This is a flat fee service. The price will never increase based on your location or service area.
- $3 for trips within your municipality (available to residents of Grimsby, Lincoln and Pelham)
- $6 for trips to other communities (available to residents of Grimsby, Lincoln, Pelham, Wainfleet and West Lincoln)
OnDemand riders arriving at any of the three transit hubs can transfer onto Regional or local transit to complete their trip.
For example, a rider can board an OnDemand vehicle in Grimsby, transfer to a Niagara Region Transit bus at the St. Catharines Bus Terminal, and travel to the Outlet Collection at Niagara, all for just the one Regional fare.
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What Can You Wear as a Face Covering? |
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A face covering or mask must fit securely to the head and be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the mouth, nose, and chin without gaping.
What can you wear as a face covering? It can be a non-medical cloth mask, a non-medical disposable mask, or a bandana or scarf made of cloth, linen or other similar fabric.
How to Safely Wear a Face Covering
Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds before putting on or removing your face covering. Face coverings should be removed carefully by grasping the straps. Store your face covering in a clean bag or container until used and put in the laundry after use. If it’s a disposable mask, throw the bag and mask away after use.
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New Niagara Health Drive-Through Assessment Centre
Niagara Health's new temporary drive-through COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened this morning, in the parking lot at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, for testing hospitality and tourism employees.
The organization is reminding the public that appointments are required to be tested; the centre cannot accommodate walk-ins or friends and family members of the hospitality and tourism workers at this location.
Appointments can be made directly through the employees’ workplace manager or by emailing Anastasia Belashov at Niagara Falls Tourism. Appointments are being scheduled daily between the following hours:
- 8 a.m. to noon
- 12:35 p.m. to 4:55 p.m
- 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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Canada United Weekend is almost here! Don’t miss your opportunity to participate.
Canada United is a nationwide campaign to get Canadians to shop or dine with you August 28, 29, and 30. You may have noticed the TV ads and digital marketing asking Canadians to “show local some love.”
And now, Canada United will be giving away 25 $10,000 cash prizes to Canadians shopping or dining with local businesses during the 3-day Canada United Weekend. You can tell your customers that spending with you could earn them a chance to win!
the following:
- Add Canada United stickers and GIFs to your social media posts
- Create custom banners and logos to share online
- Get decals for your storefront which you can pick up at a nearby RBC Royal Bank branch
- Download posters and more which you can print out on your own
Mark your calendar for August 31 if you are interested in applying for a Canada United Small Business Relief grant of up to $5,000 to offset costs related to COVID-19 for your business.
You can’t afford to miss out on this opportunity. Join the movement and be the local business that gets the love.
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Canadian Chamber of Commerce |
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Upcoming Webinar
August 27 at 1:00 pm: Building Digital Capacity And Business Resilience During COVID-19
In partnership with TC Energy
Digital innovation was the foundation that enabled TC’s employees to remain productive, collaborative and connected in the wake of the pandemic. Embracing change allows organizations to accomplish things that didn’t seem possible and unlocks creativity and innovation, inspiring and motivating people to realize untapped potential and deliver outstanding business outcomes to build business resilience.
Join Chris Foster, Vice-President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer with TC Energy, as he discusses building digital capacity and business resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Tourism & Hospitality Emergency Response |
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Are you a Tourism & Hospitality Worker? Are you out of work or working less due to COVID-19?
Help is available through the Tourism & Hospitality Emergency Response. Visit TourismHospitalityWorkers.ca for information on training, employment supports, and relief programs. You can also register for the Tourism & Hospitality Workers’ Registry to receive information about job opportunities, safe return to work, and regional and virtual employment services.
This initiative is led by OTEC and funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre and the Government of Ontario.
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If you have communications needs and the ability to host students remotely this year, please submit a project/internship request here.
If you have any questions or concerns, or if you have ideas but need some more support to translate the internship experience online, contact Anneka Bosse.
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Contact Your Local Chamber |
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Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
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Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
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West Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
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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.
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