COVID-19
Guidance and Resources for BusinessHere’s What Your Chamber is Doing
- We’re assembling and streamlining business-related information and resources as they become available. Get the latest information on the resources, programs and relief strategies being put into place by the federal, provincial and municipal governments at www.tbchamber.ca/covid19.
- We’re gathering information about the unique needs of our region’s businesses. On April 27 we launched the first of six monthly surveys which will collect essential data for ongoing advocacy efforts and the development of recovery programs tailored to Thunder Bay’s needs.
- We’re in discussions with our Federal, Provincial and municipal governments to explore measures which will reduce business risk and stimulate business recovery.
- We’re reaching out to our Members. Our team is contacting Members directly to hear how we can help you and share the latest information about our advocacy work and the government supports available.
- We’re keeping you connected. Follow us on Facebook for updates on business resources and upbeat news about what Members are doing to help sustain our community during this difficult time.
Visit the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 pages for more information.
NEW Directory Category:
COVID19 Safety Supplies & Services
If you’re looking for PPE, hand sanitizer, protective barriers or directional materials to help steer your customers and staff to safe habits, visit our Member Directory’s new #COVID19 category and start with a fellow Chamber Member! Check it out now.
Latest Update from the Chamber:
Ontario Launches Recovery Program for Northern Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
Today, Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs announced the creation of a new short-term Northern Ontario Recovery Program (NORP) to help businesses adapt to new COVID-19 public health guidelines and protect employees and customers.
Companies can apply to NORP for assistance with projects that help them adjust to the impacts of COVID-19, such as, but not limited to:
– Building renovations and new constructions
– Customer and employee safety installations
– Equipment purchases, including personal protective equipment (PPE)
– Marketing for new business initiatives
– Restructuring of business operations
Applications will be open from October 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) administering the new program. The current NOHFC program streams will close for applications as of September 30, 2020, to allow the NOHFC to focus exclusively on NORP funding applications.
Minister Rickford also announced plans for a new and improved NOHFC program to be launched in January 2021. The new program will make it easier for more people and businesses to apply and support more projects in rural northern communities. The program will target both existing and emerging market opportunities, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the north.
More information on the NOHFC website
Regional Economic Development Branch Advisor can be contacted for assistance by calling 1-866-711-8304
Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce clients can also call/email the following Northern Development Advisors
Mike Dunlop 807-629-6221 mike.dunlop@ontario.ca
Kathleen Baker 807-823-0532 kathleen.baker@ontario.ca
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More Chamber Updates
- Ontario Launches Recovery Program for Northern Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 September 28, 2020
- New Public Health Measures Implemented Province-wide to Keep Ontarians Safe September 25, 2020
- Speech from the Throne Outlines Extended Support September 23, 2020
- New Screening Protocol for Businesses from Thunder Bay District Health Unit September 11, 2020
- Government Announces Extension of Rent Relief for Small Businesses September 9, 2020
- Government announces greater flexibility and extension of Canada Emergency Business Account September 1, 2020
- Masks to be Made Available to Members August 26, 2020
Upcoming COVID19 Events for Business
webinar recordings
- July 8: Bring About What You Think About
- June 17: Leadership During a Crisis
- June 4: Staying “Cyberstrong” during COVID19
- Returning to Work after COVID shutdown – O’Neill Associates Employment Law
- April 30: Townhall with MPs Hajdu & Powlowski
- April 23: Employment Law & COVID-19 with O’Neill Associates
- April 16: Implementing Government Supports with MNP
- April 9: Burnout & Self-Care with Kelly Mental Health
- April 2: Overview of Government Supports
Other Webinar Recordings:
- Pandemic Planning: Reopening for Business E-course from Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
- Take Control of Your Business: Three Simple & Essential Tools to Help Your Business Survive and Thrive in a Period of Extreme Uncertainty: Canadian Chamber
- How Businesses can Persevere and Recover from COVID-19: Canadian Chamber
- Succeeding in Uncertainty: Managing your business through the COVID-19 crisis: PwC
- Ensuring the recovery and resilience of Canada’s food service sector: Canadian Chamber – May 12
- COVID-19: How to get through the crisis with an online strategy: BDC – April 30
- Information Security and Data Privacy in the age of COVID-19: Ontario Chamber of Commerce – April 28
- How Big Data is Being Used to Combat COVID-19: Ontario Chamber of Commerce – April 24
- Understanding and Accessing the BCAP and Capital Loans During COVID-19: Ontario Chamber of Commerce – April 14
Resources for Business
Federal Supports
- Innovation Canada’s Interactive Business Benefits Finder
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Canada Emergency Business Account
- Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
- Access to Capital
- Regional Relief & Recovery Fund (FedNor)
Visit the Canadian Business Resilience Network for other Federal resources.
Municipal Supports
- deferral of the May 6th interim tax levy installment to July 8th
- waiving the water penalty for water bills due April 14, May 15 & June 15
- extending payment terms for accounts receivable invoices from 30 days to 90 days
- waiving business-related permit and license fees for 3 months and reducing sign permit fees by 25%.
- waiving all municipal fees, waiving certain zoning restrictions and expediting process for outdoor patios
- reducing interest penalty to 0.5% for tax payment defaults
- rent relief for commercial tenants in City owned buildings
Containment Measures
Visit the Canadian Business Resilience Network for info to contain the spread of COVID-19 and prevent a second wave.
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit: COVID-19 and Workplaces
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit: Mandatory Mask Directive
Useful Info from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services:
- Post Pandemic Resumption Checklist – Businesses Operating Through the Pandemic
- Post Pandemic Resumption Checklist – Businesses Returning to the Workplace after Working Remotely
- Post Pandemic Resumption Checklist – Businesses Returning after Shutdown of Operations
Business Continuity
Visit the Canadian Business Resilience Network for tips to empower your workforce and continue business operations.
Recovery
Visit the Canadian Business Resilience Network and position your business to help drive economic recovery when the crisis passes.
Business Resilience Service Advisors
Toolkits
Restaurants Canada: Reopening Best Practices
Retail Council of Canada: Retail Recovery Playbook
Recovery Readiness: A Guide to Reopening Your Business
Additional Resources
The Recovery Activation Program (RAP) is an immersive online workshop program that connects businesses with industry experts for guidance, mentorship and practical advice about process modernization and end-to-end digital transformation.
It is completely free for businesses and supports firms of any size across Ontario.
Local businesses are essential to our economy and communities. These businesses need our help, now more than ever. So, join and participate in the movement, buy local, and spread the word. Learn more about Canada United.
Chamber Members receive preferential pricing with discounts ranging from 25%-45% on Purolator Express and Purolator Ground suite of courier services. Learn more/ sign up.