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The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce presents A Zoom Update with MP Michael Barrett on Jan 20, 2022

Thank you to our Partner the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation for being part of the update.

MP Michael Barrett is a current member of the Canadian House of Commons, representing the Ontario riding of Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes .

November 11, 2021

MPP Steve Clark

100 Strowger Blvd

Brockville Ontario

K6V 5J9

Re: Request for further support for business

Dear MPP Clark

Thank you for your continued leadership to support employers as they experience economic disruption related to COVID-19. As the situation continues to evolve, the Ontario Chamber Network is taking concerns from the business community and communicating them to all levels of government. I am writing today to ask the Government of Ontario to consider additional supports for business.

We are supportive of your government’s implementation of a proof-of-immunization system and app. A well-designed proof-of-immunization system can help prevent another province-wide shut down and has already encouraged more Ontarians to get vaccinated.  It, combined with high vaccination rates is also key to underpin lifting capacity limits to spur the recovery.

However, businesses have suffered greatly over the last 19 months and continue to face unprecedented cash flow constraints and uncertainty. Many have operated under reduced capacity for a significant amount of time and have had to hire additional staff to verify documents or to implement new staff for security purposes because of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate requirements. In addition, due to travel restrictions and the closure of the US-Canada border, tourism has been at an all-time low, further impacting these businesses.  We, therefore, ask your government to consider further grants or tax credits to support these businesses.

No business, region, sector, or demographic should be left behind in the pursuit of economic recovery and growth. Support programs and pro-growth policies should be targeted towards those experiencing the most pronounced challenges.

Public health and safety are priorities for all Ontario businesses. We will continue to monitor and assess new developments pertaining to COVID-19 closely and work with our members, partners, and all levels of government to provide support to business.

Thank you for your consideration.
 

Sincerely,

Pamela Robertson

Executive Director

CC:       The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

November 11, 2021

City of Brockville

1 King Street West

Brockville Ontario

K6V 7A5

Dear Mayor Kalivas and Councillors

On behalf of the Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce we wish to respectfully express our concerns with the City’s plans for the Dock Replacement Project – Tunnel Bay and Ernie Fox Quay (Item SR2021-207). Given the importance of a quality marina to attract people to Brockville, and the importance to the boating community locally, the Chamber is recommending the City act urgently and strike a committee of stakeholders, including representation from the Chamber, to advise Council on this issue.

The report presented at EDRTC in November indicates that the cost of the docks will be funded by debenture which ultimately is paid by Brockville taxpayers. The report also requested approval for staff to tender for the replacement docks. At this point with that process not having taken place, and the timeframes required to provide those docks, it seems unlikely the City could achieve this project within the next six months.

The Marina Market Demand Study Final Report completed in April 2018 indicated that recreational boating is a growing market of 1% to 3% per year, and indicated Brockville had the potential to increase its market share. The Marina currently hosts 99 slips, and the projections in the report indicated there was a need for 128-286 slips by 2028. Along with the slips, the Waterfront Ad Hoc Advisory Committee looked at capital improvements including a Harbour Redesign and the need for a Harbour Master. Since 2018 there appears to be no action on recommendations from the consultant’s plan, nor on recommendations of the stakeholders on the Advisory Committee to achieve additional slips.

Given this, the Chamber would ask that the City’s direction would be to focus on the recommendations of previous plans, specifically towards the provision of additional slips to accommodate both our community and visitors to our community. The Dock replacement project has not been part of any previous Council approved plans, but most importantly it does not add any needed slips. The Chamber also has a concern that the completion of a project of the size and scope required to provide a full-service marina appears unlikely to be accomplished given the short time frame involved. The Chamber is aware that the Tall Ships Festival is in June of 2022, and it is critical to have the harbour area in pristine and accessible condition.

Again, the Chamber wishes to request Council to consider the impact of this matter on our community. Making any changes that will require construction of docks and services required to service a seasonal marina, and the resultant new management appears to be a large undertaking given the time frames involved. Without a comprehensive business case that outlines the feasibility of this project it is difficult to determine if the proposed City project would meet the goals and needs of the boating community, or even a revenue objective for the City. We are at a critical juncture where a possible outcome could hamper Brockville’s ability to attract boaters, which then ultimately impacts our businesses who rely on ancillary business from the boating community.

At this time, it is recognized that there is currently not a permanent CAO in place, and currently no full complement of Councillors until at least December 1. But to reiterate, the key concerns for the Chamber at this time is the following:

• There has been no public consultation, and no consultation with the stakeholders (boaters) as well as no information on the actual long-term impact to taxpayers
• There has been no business plan created for the operation of a seasonal slip business and the projected financial implications
• There is a likelihood that given the timeframe and the needs required, that there will not be an efficient and operational marina in place for the start of the boating season, and for the Tall Ships Festival in June.

The Chamber recognizes that the City is in the process of developing a new Official Plan, which would include the downtown waterfront. While it is unknown at this time what the recommendations will be for any development of the waterfront, more importantly without a financial estimate, it is also unknown to our community if the 2022 budget could accommodate the required costs of this project.

The Chamber thanks Council in advance for their thoughtful consideration of this matter and taking the appropriate actions in order to understand the impact on Brockville’s ability to attract residents and visitors, as well as ensuring the outcomes for our businesses and our community are ultimately positive in this matter.

Best regards,

Pamela Robertson

Executive Director

cc: Kent Henderson

Chair of Advocacy Committee

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce has co-sponsors two policy resolutions going forward at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM: Here are the two policies

Ensuring Canada’s Tourism Sector Recovers From Covid-19

DESCRIPTION

With the onset of COVID-19, tourism was one of the hardest hit sectors and it will be one of the last to fully recover. A strategy is needed to address the projected labour shortage facing the sector, as well as additional investments to ensure tourism businesses across the country can survive and Canada can continue attracting domestic and international travelers to support the sector’s economic recovery.

BACKGROUND

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s tourism sector contributed $105 billion to the economy, encompassed 225,000 small and medium-sized businesses, and employed 1.8 million workers.  In fact, one out of every 11 jobs were directly involved with travelers – including those employed in travel services, accommodations, recreation and entertainment, transportation, and the food and beverage industries. The tourism sector was also a significant employer of youth, women, and newcomers. , 

As the Tourism Sector Association of Canada (TIAC) explains, 2020 was an incredibly challenging year for travel and tourism. Sector advocates are concerned tourism will be one of the last industries to fully recover, with experts not expecting a return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023. 

This situation owes to several reasons. COVID-19 was transmitted around the world, leading governments to introduce numerous travel restrictions.  In Canada, tourism and travel came to a halt as borders were closed to non-essential travel in March 2020. This was compounded by the implementation of important public health measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. Most countries are continuing to maintain travel restrictions and varying degrees of public health measures to control the virus and its variants. 

While Canada welcomed 96.8 million international travelers in 2019, this figure fell to 25.9 million in 2020 as the pandemic devastated the international travel.  Many tourism businesses across the country lost significant revenue, while they remained liable for fixed expenses such as rent/mortgages, property taxes, and utilities.  Emergency grants, loans, and tax relief programs have helped thousands of businesses keep their doors open thus far, but these supports are temporary.

The tourism sector warrants particular attention because of its uniqueness and economic impact. It is one of the few industries that generates economic activity in every province/territory by promoting Canada’s diverse regions. The sector also benefits many adjacent industries.  When a tourist visits another community or region, they typically stay for several days, enjoying multiple experiences and excursions. This creates a ripple effect that supports other businesses. Hence, measures that support the tourism sector have the potential to generate economic returns for other industries, businesses, and the economy as a whole.

Some of the sector’s challenges predate the pandemic. Despite the growth, the tourism sector was experiencing prior to COVID-19, Tourism HR Canada predicted 93,000 tourism jobs would go unfilled by 2035.  This projected labour shortage, coupled with the effects the pandemic has had on the tourism economy, underscores the need for a national strategy to stem the losses and help the sector and its workers recover.

In addition, the Canada Emergency Wage Benefit (CEWS) has been a lifeline for the tourism sector during the pandemic. It has enabled businesses to retain and/or re-hire workers as the federal government subsidized a percentage of an employees’ pay based on the business’ revenue loss. This program should continue into Spring 2022, with targeted financial support for tourism businesses that will take more time to fully recover from the pandemic.

Finally, there is an opportunity to encourage Canadians to use their travel dollars to support the domestic and local tourism operators when restrictions are lifted. Prior to COVID-19, spending on domestic tourism accounted for a significant portion (or 78 percent) of tourism spending in Canada.  Providing Canadians with a tax incentive for the 2021/2022 tax years could encourage residents across the country to visit Canadian attractions, festivals, events, campgrounds, and so on, and thereby spur the sector’s recovery.

While Budget 2021 included $1 billion for the tourism sector starting in 2021-22,  continued support is needed as COVID-19 remains a global health threat. This will ensure the sector remains a national economic contributor and that Canada continues to be a global tourism destination.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Government of Canada:

1. Develop a national strategy to address the labour shortage facing the tourism sector, which includes:

a) Re-skilling workers who were laid off during the pandemic;

b) Leveraging immigration policies to attract workers; and

c) Building partnerships between post-secondary institutions and the private sector to connect students with careers in the tourism sector.
 

2. Extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy for businesses in the hardest hit sectors or those still operating with public health restrictions until Spring 2022 using subsidy rates from Period 16 (May 9-June 5), while winding down the program for businesses that have been able to recover more rapidly.
 

3. Provide Canadians with a tax incentive for the 2022/2023 tax years to encourage local and domestic travel within Canada.

Submitted By: Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Co-sponsored by: 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber, Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce, Belleville Chamber of Commerce

CEBA Loan Forgiveness For Hardest Hit Businesses

DESCRIPTION

Many of Canada’s hardest hit businesses will struggle to meet the current CEBA loan deadlines, forcing them to incur more debt and further delay their economic recovery.

BACKGROUND

The Canada Emergency Business Account program has been a vital lifeline for businesses with nearly 900,000 Canadian businesses approved for loans. The generous terms of this loan have been exactly what many businesses needed.

Circumstances have changed since this program launched in early April of 2020. The government has shown flexibility in expanding eligibility criteria and increasing access to funds, but the repayment terms have not been updated to reflect the length of time businesses have been expected to reduce their access to the public.

Unfortunately, the economic impact of COVID-19 has hit some businesses harder than others. Many businesses in sectors including food service, hospitality, tourism, arts and entertainment, retail, and personal service have spent a significant portion of the last year and a half heavily restricted — if not completely closed — to the public. It’s not uncommon for businesses to carry a debt in good times, but one can only imagine the level of debt some business owners have incurred just to survive. They carry debt to their lending institutions, landlords, suppliers and in some case, have leveraged personal assets and borrowed from friends and family.

In addition to having the least ability to serve their customers during this public health crisis, these business sectors are likely to take the longest to recover as they heavily depend on consumer confidence and the resumption of social routines.

Under the current terms, the loan is interest free until December 31, 2022, at which point it increases to 5%. Those who pay back 67% of the balance of their loan by that date will have the remainder of their loan forgiven. Full repayment is due by December 31, 2025.

These terms will be attainable for many CEBA recipients, but will be a struggle — if not an impossibility — for those hit hardest by this health crisis. Many will require 3 to 5 years just to return to pre-pandemic income. Repayment of an interest-free loan will not be their highest priority in the short term. The result is the most vulnerable businesses will also get the least benefit from this program, resulting in significant interest incurred and the requirement to pay back 100% of the principal — dragging out their recovery even longer. Additionally, the government will be forced into the unpopular position of collecting on their debts from the most vulnerable businesses.

Not only are certain business sectors more vulnerable to this health crisis, but this government has acknowledged the disproportionate impact on social demographics including women, ethnic and racial minorities, and First Nations. A larger number of people in these demographics depend on the hardest hit businesses for employment and those who own business tend to have less financial backing to weather a financial crisis like COVID-19.

Adding to this struggle is the mental health crisis many business owners are facing. Prolonged social restrictions, increasing debt, and a less optimistic recovery are weighing heavily on many people who have invested significant time and money into their business.

Businesses hardest hit by this public health crisis require a longer interest-free loan period and a larger debt forgiveness program.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Government of Canada:

1. Extend the deadlines for repayment of the Canada Emergency Business Account program

2. Make the forgivable portion of the loan available to all business that are struggling to recover from COVID-19-related issues

3. Allow businesses that are struggling to recover from COVID-19-related issues to be exempt from incurring interest prior to the balance of their loan being due

Submitted By: Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

Co-sponsored by: 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce, Belleville Chamber of Commerce and Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce.

Hello everyone,

For a four-month period, from October 2021 to the end of January 2022, the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is operating a “Shop Where Your Heart Is” Campaign. We will be doing so in partnership with the DBIA (Downtown Brockville Improvement Area) and the City of Brockville. Throughout the four-month duration of the Campaign, we will be encouraging consumers to shop locally to support and strengthen our local economy. 

The first initiative of the “Shop Where Your Heart Is” Campaign is a monthly prize draw that will run for the entire four-month period of the Campaign. Each month from the 1^st to the 29^th, consumers will have the opportunity to shop local and be rewarded for it. 

In order to be entered into a draw to win a prize at the end of each month, consumers must submit three receipts from purchases they have made at local businesses that month in an envelope provided by the Brockville Chamber. “Shop Where Your Heart Is” envelopes will be supplied to local businesses and you can ask to collect one upon your purchase. In the case that the business does not have envelopes provided by the Chamber, you can visit the Chamber office to submit your receipts and we will happily provide you with one. 

Envelopes containing your three receipts and contact information (name, phone number) can be dropped off at the mailbox located outside of the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce Office – 3 Market Street West, Suite #1, Brockville, Ontario. From there, envelopes will be collected and each person’s name will be entered into a prize draw. 

The deadline to submit your envelope containing three receipts from local purchases is the 29^th of each month. On the 1^st of each month, the winner of the prize draw from the previous month will be announced. 

If YOU would like to have “Shop Where Your Heart Is” envelopes in your store and to participate in this community-driven initiative then please make an inquiry. We ask that you inform consumers of the details required for the opportunity to be entered into a draw upon their purchase. This will allow for us to encourage them to continue shopping local in order to be rewarded.

Finally, if there are any questions, whether a business or consumer, please do not hesitate to contact Josh Hare (student@brockvillechamber.com) or Pamela Robertson (pjrobertson@brockvillechamber.com) at the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce office.

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce 

3 Market Street W, Suite #1, Brockville, ON, K6V 7L2

613-342-6553

For more information visit here: https://www.brockvillechamber.com/shop-where-your-heart-is.php

As of today September 22, Ontario requires proof of vaccination to access select settings.

Download or print your vaccination receipt at ontario.ca/proofofvaccination

Businesses, access posters for your business at: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/.../2019_guidance.aspx...

Proof of vaccination requirements will come into affect in higher-risk indoor settings. The following areas will be affected:

• Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
• Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
• Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
• Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
• Sporting events;
• Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments;
• Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas;
• Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs;
• Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).

This requirement does not apply to outdoor setting areas and where people receive medical care, food from grocery stores and medical supplies.

Guidance for businesses is available from the Ontario Ministry of Health webpage. Your vaccine certificate can be downloaded using your health card.

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has now extended job-protected unpaid infectious disease emergency leave (IDEL) until January 1, 2022. To read more about the extension, visit the COVID-19 temporary change to the Employment Standards Act webpage.

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce and South Grenville Chamber of Commerce held a All Candidates Debate on Wednesday Sept 8 at the Brockville Art Centre for the riding of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. 

Unfortunately Lorraine Rekmans from the Green Party could not attend. 

Thank you to Sue Watts from Employment and Education Centre  for moderating the All Candidates Debate

Thank you to YourTV Brockville and Gananoque for broadcasting the event live on Sept 8 plus recording the event. 

The Brockville Vaccine clinic is MOVING. It will no longer be at the Memorial Centre. Starting Friday, August 27 it will be held at the Health Unit office in Brockville at 458 Laurier Blvd.

#DownSizing #AlmostThere #VaccinesSaveLives

Ride the River Route starting August 30th, 2021!

A new public transit service to popular employment areas from Brockville to Cardinal along County Road 2.

Starting in Brockville, the bus continues east and brings commuters to and from popular workplaces in Brockville, Augusta, Prescott, and Edwardsburgh Cardinal in a 2-hour loop, 6 times per weekday.

More details click this link