City of Ottawa advises residents of downtown travel
disruptions ahead of expected demonstration
A demonstration involving a large convoy of trucks coming to Ottawa will cause significant traffic and transit delays and disruptions this weekend. The City of Ottawa is working with the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and all other partners to ensure that the safety of our residents is maintained during the anticipated demonstration involving a large convoy of trucks.
If possible, avoid unnecessary travel through or into the downtown core as early as Friday, January 28, going into Sunday, January 30, with the largest impact being Saturday, January 29. There is a possibility that disruptions may extend beyond Sunday. If you do travel, plan ahead and expect significant delays. Pedestrians and cyclists should be aware that there will be a significant heavy truck presence on roads and they should exercise caution. Expect to see a large police and emergency services presence in the downtown core and on major highways and roads. The City is working with the lead partner, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), to keep the public informed on city-wide traffic and transit.
Advice for business owners and operators
Communicate your operating plans (open, closed, amended hours of operation) with your customers using your social media channels. Advise them of any anticipated or actual customer access issues - this includes delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, appointments. If your business will be open, advise staff to avoid vehicular transportation to get to work.
Connect with neighbouring businesses to communicate your operating plans through the weekend and encourage them to reach out to customers and employees.
Appointment-based businesses (salons, spas, etc.) should advise clients to reschedule or communicate that travel time, especially to downtown, will likely be impacted.
STAY INFORMED
-
Follow @OttawaPolice for more further updates and details.
- The City of Ottawa will also be providing updates and maps on ottawa.ca.
-
For traffic updates, follow the City of Ottawa @Ottawa_Traffic or use a traffic monitoring app to check for traffic congestion before you travel.
-
OC Transpo buses and Para Transpo may also experience some travel delays through the downtown core, and detours may be required. Stay up to date on the latest transit information by visiting octranspo.com, calling 613-560-5000 or following OC Transpo’s Twitter account.
-
Keep track of the latest service impacts by following the City of Ottawa’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
CALL TO ACTION: As businesses in Ottawa will be impacted by this demonstration, the Ottawa Board of Trade continues to encourage residents to buy and support local. For more information on how you can support your local businesses visit: http://buylocalottawa.ca
|
|
Ontario Chamber aligned with the Ontario Trucking Association
The Government of Canada AND the United States have made vaccinations a requirement for truckers to cross the border. Similarly, all Canadians must be vaccinated to cross the border. In addition, there are vaccine requirements to travel within Canada on federally regulated transportation. A convoy of truckers opposed to COVID-19 vaccine mandates is making its way across Ontario in protest.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce are supportive of the Ontario Trucking Association’s (OTA) position. "The vast majority of the Canadian trucking industry is vaccinated with the overall industry vaccination rate among truck drivers closely mirroring that of the general public. Accordingly, most of our nation’s hard-working truck drivers are continuing to move cross-border and domestic freight to ensure our economy continues to function.
The Ontario Trucking Association does not support and strongly disapproves of any protests on public roadways, highways, and bridges. OTA believes such actions – especially those that interfere with public safety – are not how disagreements with government policies should be expressed. Members of the trucking industry who want to publicly express displeasure over government policies can choose to hold an organized, lawful event on Parliament Hill or contact their local MP.
|
|
Virtual Town Hall
January 31, 2022 | 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Join us January 31, 2022 for a virtual Town Hall with local leaders in health and government. The event is intended to provide updates and insights to prepare businesses for the next stage of reopening.
The agenda will include a presentation from Dr. Brent Moloughney, Deputy Medical Officer of Health as well as a message from Hon. Lisa MacLeod, Hon. Merilee Fullerton and Mayor Jim Watson, City of Ottawa. The event will conclude with a question period for our registrants
|
|
Ottawa Public Health Business Updates
Effective January 31st, the Province is lifting some public health restrictions. Two local Letters of Instruction have also been revoked; therefore there are no additional local restrictions for outdoor recreational amenities and establishments that serve food and drink. For the full list of updated public health measures please visit the provincial website. Masking and proof of vaccination requirements will continue to apply in some settings.
A reminder that in some settings all residents, age 12 years and older, will be required to use Ontario’s enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code to show proof of vaccination. The certificate can be shown either on their hand-held device or printout. Those with a medical exemption will also need to use the QR code certificate as of January 10. Valid identification must show a participant’s name and date of birth and has been issued by an institution or public body. The app to scan QR codes can be downloaded from the Verify Ontario webpage and now scans proof of vaccination from many different jurisdictions (not just Ontario). Data is not required to use this app and it does not store personal information.
As some businesses and facilities reopen on Monday, Ottawa Public Health encourages all businesses to review your signage and updated guidance.
The passive screening poster has also been updated in accordance to the new isolation guidelines. Where applicable, encourage customers to do their own health assessment and prevent entry into your establishment if they have symptoms by posting this signage at your entrance.
|
|
Childcare Critical to Ontario’s Economic and Social Prosperity
Today, Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement: “If we want a robust and inclusive economic recovery, we need governments to create the right conditions to support a productive labour force. This includes childcare and we hope to see a deal finalized soon between the Governments of Ontario and Canada. Childcare has been a challenge for Ontarians long before the pandemic. However, the COVID-19 crisis has disproportionately impacted women, in part because they took on most of the unpaid childcare that became necessary as schools and daycares closed. Affordable, high-quality childcare ensures parents can access job opportunities that reflect their skillsets, but it also has a multiplier effect by improving the economic outcomes of the next generation. We appreciate the government is taking its time to get this right.”
|
|
FUN! FAST! FOCUSED!
February 23, 2022 | 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Grow your business and build your brand by connecting with fellow business leaders with our new member only networking opportunity. Make 5 new connections every month by investing just 30 minutes. Effective, facilitated conversations that will enhance your professional network and strengthen your business community.
|
|
Proud OBOT Member Sponsor |
|
You're invited! Join the 2022 Run for Women Ottawa
Calling all Ottawa business leaders! Your Ottawa Board of Trade invites you to join our team for the 2022 Run for Women in support of women’s mental health at The Royal. Our actions today will make a world of difference for women in our community living with mental illness. Join our team and help us support The Royal Ottawa Foundation and the important and impactful work that their organization does to support the health and wellness of our community, women leaders, and their teams.
|
|
|
|
February 24, 2022 at 7:30 am
Virtual Event | Virtual Networking
Join Mayor Jim Watson, the Ottawa Board of Trade, the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa's top business and community leaders for the first Mayor's Breakfast of the year. Start your morning with virtual networking, followed by a lively conversation with the Dr. Adam Kassam from the Ontario Medical Association.
|
|
Become an Ottawa Ambassador Today!
On December 14, 2021 at the Ottawa Economic Outlook, the launch of the Ottawa Ambassador Initiative was announced to synergize the efforts of the Ottawa Board of Trade, City of Ottawa, Invest Ottawa and Ottawa Tourism in mobilizing proud citizens from local businesses and the broader community to be “Ottawa Ambassadors.”
The initiative makes it easy for Ottawa Ambassadors to register, engage with others online, and promote Ottawa as the best place to “live & learn, work & invest, visit & play” to help rebuild our city during COVID-19 and beyond.
|
|
Take the EmployerOne Survey Today
Ottawa Employment Hub is calling on all Business Owners and HR Managers to complete the annual EmployerOne Survey. It is quick and easy to complete and your insights will impact workforce development initiatives in the National Capital Region.
The EmployerOne Survey is open between Jan. 4th and Feb 18th, 2022.
|
|
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Ottawa Board of Trade (OBOT) is looking for business and community leaders who want to make a difference in our community, support Ottawa businesses and strengthen the voice of business.
OBOT is a member driven, impact focused business advocate. We are an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan collection of passionate leaders determined to create a thriving world class business community in Ottawa.
OBOT volunteers have reported increased connections, greater understanding of information and opportunities as well as an ability to influence our economy. Members are invited to join these two committees today.
For more information, please contact: Kassondra Walters,
|
|
 |
Membership Committee
Grow and diversify the OBOT membership by promoting the value proposition including services that help businesses succeed.
|
|
|
|
Ambassador Corps
Welcome and orient new OBOT members to help them realize the full value of membership and make meaningful connections.
|
|
|
|
Are You a FAN of Supporting Local?
FanSaves is a free, easy-to-use platform that helps you take savings and supporting local businesses to a whole new level. Use your unique code to unlock exclusive deals and give your employees full access to all available discounts. Become a fan of the Ottawa Board of Trade and start saving today!
Looking to post a deal to FanSaves? It's easy! In a few simple steps, you can begin offering and promoting Exclusive Deals, Public Deals and Flash Deals.
|
|
Advertise with Your Board of Trade
Ramp up your marketing, brand awareness and advertising with OBOT. Members can take advantage of the many advertisement and sponsorship opportunities available to help you Build your Business, Promote your Brand or Support your Community!
|
|
THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERS!
The Ottawa Board of Trade is a non-profit, non partisan, independent
association that exists for the sole purpose of advocating for our
businesses and growing community prosperity. Although we are driven by the needs of the entire business community, it is the members who make it possible for Ottawa to have a strong voice of business. And it may never be more important than now. So please join us in saying
THANK YOU to our members.
|
|
Promote Your Business| Build Your Brand | Support Your Community |
|
Special Thanks to our Community Partners! |
|
Follow us on our social media to stay connected |
|
|
|
|
|
|
