BIA News & Updates
Mother's Day Promotion
We are promoting how easy it is to find the perfect gift for Mom on Preston Street. We have created a promotion using our print calendar for April to encourage people to purchase their Mother's Day gifts in Little Italy.

We want to highlight all of the personal services that we offer for women, from aesthetics to nail care to fitness, hair and beauty and fashion. And of course, any pampering package for Mom should include great dining, pastry and gelato!!!

We will run a contest that asks people to tell us their favourite story of Mom and all entries will be put in a draw to win a pampering package from the Merchants of the Preston BIA. Their stories will be put out through our social media channels and live on the website as well.

The most successful campaigns we have held in the past, featured real people and their stories. This contest will tap into the interest in this kind of story, while raising awareness that Little Italy can take care of all your Mother's Day needs.

If you can contribute to the Prize package, please email info@prestonstreet.com or call the office at 613-231-2815.


Annual General Meeting on April 10th
Tuesday, April 10th, at 6:30 pm

The deadline is fast approaching to RSVP for the Annual General Meeting.

The AGM will be held at St. Anthony's Banquet Hall.

Reservations are required as we will be serving dinner and need to tell St. Anthony's how many meals to make.

The OBGS 2018 survey has opened! 
The OBGS is an exclusive survey to collect important insights from Ottawa business leaders.

The purpose of the survey is to understand local business trends, challenges and opportunities. 
  • Express your views on the local economy by participating. 
  • 10-15 minutes is all it takes! 
  • All responses will be kept anonymous and only reported in aggregate. No confidential or financial information will be asked. 
  • Those who complete the survey will have a chance to win an Amazon Alexa.
Who conducts the survey?

This survey is presented by Welch LLP and conducted by Abacus Data for the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Ottawa Business Journal.


Italian Festival Message to Licensed Restaurants
Preston Street Italian Festival is  June 15 to 17  this year.

We are preparing your applications and will be contacting you shortly to sign your license extension application and pay for your barricade rentals.

Barricade prices have gone up this year, they are now $17 each, taxes, delivery and pick-up included.  If anything about your patio has changed since last year, please let the BIA office know immediately at info@prestonstreet.com  or 613-231-2815.
"Meet Me on Preston" Events Calendar gives you free listings of events and promotions at your business












Our April events print calendar is out!

Did you know that as a BIA Member you can put your events on the monthly calendar?

This is your tool to promote your business and attract customers. All you need do is come up with a great promotion, and we'll get it up in the calendar. 

Start thinking about promotions you might want to do in the month of May. Deadline for the print version of the May calendar is April 13th.

We can add events to the web calendar throughout the month so be sure to make us aware of any special event or promotion you are having. We will also use that information to expand your advertising reach through the BIA social media channels.

If you have an event that you would like listed on the website, please email prestonbiainfo@gmail.com.
Presdelicious 2018 - July 20th to August 2nd
We are starting preparations for Presdelicious 2018. This year it will run from July 20th to August 2nd.

Participating restaurants will feature a choice of three different three-course meal options created especially for the festival, priced at either $28, $38 or $48 (drinks and gratuity extra).

We will be contacting you next week, so please keep an eye out for our email.  The sooner you get your information in the more exposure your restaurant will get.

Here is a sneak peak of the new look and feel of the event branding.


Other News
Fostering a Safe Workplace












This month's article is about fostering a safe workplace that is free from violence and harassment.  Your members who may be struggling to understand where to get started or how to maintain their Violence and Harassment program it will find helpful tips to inhibit harassment of any kind in the workplace. 

Also included are links to a risk assessment questionnaire, the law and other resources that will help organizations of every size put together and maintain their physical and sexual violence and harassment programs.

 

Desiree D'Souza
Industry Partner Relations
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services


















Ontario Launches New Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence
Message from Yasir Naqvi, MPP:

I am writing you today to let you know that  Ontario is building on its commitment to create a province free from domestic and sexual violence by launching It's Never Okay: Ontario's Gender-Based Violence Strategy   that will help support survivors and end the cycle of violence. 

This comprehensive new strategy will help survivors and families get the support they need, when they need it, as well as help to prevent violence by intervening early. 

 
The strategy will focus on four key areas:
  • Improving services and supports for survivors, families and communities. Support services like counselling will be expanded, as well as access to emergency shelters, transitional housing and Indigenous shelters and healing lodges;
  • Intervening early and effectively to help youth who have seen or experienced violence by providing consistent and flexible supports for children who find themselves in shelters and greatly reducing the waitlist for the Child Witness program;
  • Changing attitudes and norms through public education, along with training for service providers, communities and bystanders so they can recognize and respond to gender-based violence; and,
  • Improving the justice system response by providing free legal advice to survivors of sexual assault. In addition, alternate justice options for survivors of gender-based violence that are trauma-informed and survivor-centred will be explored in partnership with the violence against women sector.
Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email or call  613-722-6414.

Sincerely,

Yasir Naqvi, MPP
Ottawa Centre
 
Queensway Bridge Replacements: Where will they take place?










Construction season is just around the corner.

Commuters are being warned about two upcoming Queensway bridge replacements.

One is expected to get started this spring between Young Street and Gladstone near Preston Street.  Learn more here
CRA hosting free webinar series answering your payroll questions. Last chance to register!
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is pleased to host a free webinar series answering your payroll questions and helping you meet your deducting, remitting, and reporting requirements.

The upcoming webinar in the series is for employers who are interested in learning more about the enhancement of the CPP.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

English: Quebec and Ontario at 1:00 pm

French: Quebec and Ontario at 10:00 am Register now.

Stay connected with the @PrestonStreetBIA community online
Join the BIA community online!

Facebook: @prestonstreetbia
Instagram: prestonstreetbia
Twitter: @Preston_BIA

Hashtags you need to know about:

#prestonstreetbia 
#littleitalyottawa
#prestonstreetottawa
#myottawa

Be part of the conversation!












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CONTACT
CONTACT US:

Lori Mellor
Executive Director
Preston Street Business Improvement Association
118 A Preston Street, K1R 7P2
613-231-2815



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