Vital updates:
- Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, announced a non-repayable FedDev Ontario investment of $500,000 to support the tourism industry in Niagara-on-the-Lake. With this investment, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake will establish a fund that will provide contributions of up to $20,000 to small- and medium-sized businesses in the tourism sector. Tourism-oriented SMEs will receive support to offset the costs of reopening and adapting. Recipients of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s fund must provide a minimum 20 percent contribution toward total project costs. The project is expected to support 50 businesses and maintain an about 100 jobs. The Minister also announced the intention to provide a contribution of up to $400,000 to the Shaw to support outdoor theatre performances and support visitor activity in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Annually, Niagara-on-the-Lake attracts more than 3 million visitors, while the Shaw Festival draws more than 250,000 festival-goers and generates over $220 million in economic activity. About 25% of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s population are employed in the tourism sector. For more information, visit Niagara-on-the-Lake‘s website.
- The WTO dispute-resolution panel has ruled that the U.S. countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports violated international trade rules. Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, John Yakabuski, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, issued statements welcoming the decision.
- Join us on Thursday for the next edition of GNCC Espresso Live. GNCC CEO Mishka Balsom is joined by guests Danny Pehar, Cyber Security Expert, Bestselling Author and Professional Speaker and Graeme Barrie, President and Founder, Netmechanics Inc. to examine the challenges that COVID-19 has created in the cyber security world. Participants will be able to ask their own questions of the panel and get answers to their IT and cybersecurity issues. Registration is free.
Reading recommendations:
- How to Promote Racial Equity in the Workplace, Robert Livingston, Harvard Business Review
- Should people talk politics at work? Staff writer, Canadian HR Reporter
- 5 ways university education is being reimagined in response to COVID-19, Ishwar K. Puri, The Conversation
If you are showing symptoms, contact your health care provider, call the Public Health Info-Line at 905-688-8248, or chat to Public Health online. For testing, call 905-378-4647 ext. 42819 (4-CV19) for information on test centres in Niagara and to book an appointment.
Remember that a COVID-19 test is only a snapshot of your health on the specific date and time the swab was taken. No testing is perfect and a negative result doesn’t mean you haven’t been exposed to COVID-19. You can still develop symptoms days after your test was taken.
It is important that everyone practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Maintain a 2-metre distance from other people. When maintaining distance is impossible, wear a mask or face covering. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Avoid touching the face. If you have recently traveled outside the country, you are legally required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Previous updates can be accessed here.
Stay safe and be vigilant. The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.
