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Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Daily Update: July 19th, 2021

On September 7, 2021, Canada’s borders will open to travellers who have received a full course of a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine.

Free rapid COVID-19 testing kits are now available to businesses

Visit gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits to learn more and reserve kits for your organization.


Canadian borders to re-open for fully-vaccinated travelers

On September 7, 2021, provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable, the Government intends to open Canada’s borders to any fully vaccinated travellers who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements.

As a first step, starting August 9, 2021, Canada plans to begin allowing entry to American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel.

Click here for more information.


Ontario announces Winery Agri-Tourism COVID-19 Relief Initiative

The new Winery Agri-Tourism COVID-19 Relief Initiative will fulfill a commitment to provide a one‑time $10 million grant in 2021 by providing grants to eligible wineries and cideries with on-site retail stores in September 2021.

To be eligible, businesses that were in operation prior to March 17, 2020 will need to attest to either a revenue decline in at least one line item of business, such as decreased tourism, tours, events and tastings or increased expenses to comply with public health safety measures for COVID-19.

Agricorp will send applications directly to eligible wineries/cideries on July 20, with a deadline to apply by August 6, 2021.

Grant payments will be issued in this fall.

Click here for more information.


Employment Insurance consultations to be launched later this summer

The Government of Canada will consult with Canadian workers, employers and other stakeholders, recognizing that both employees and employers are partners in the program and have an important stake in how it evolves.

Employers and self-employed businesspeople are encouraged to participate.

Click here for more information.


Government of Ontario to invest $10 million in Digital Main Street program

The Ontario government is investing $10 million towards the Digital Main Street program for 2021-22 to help over 13,000 small businesses expand their digital presence and market their services online. As businesses enter Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen, the renewed program will provide small businesses with $2,500 grants, technical training, and digital resources to help them reach more customers in person and online, positioning them for a stronger recovery.

Click here for more information.


Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and other organizations receive provincial funds to protect and restore Great Lakes

The Ontario government has selected 44 community-based projects to receive $1.9 million in funding through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund, which supports local projects that protect and restore the Great Lakes. Ontario invests approximately $14 million per year in actions to protect and restore the Great Lakes, including projects that support commitments in the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health and Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy. The NPCA received $48,940.

Click here for more information.


Canada and Ontario invest in improved public transit for residents of Hamilton

The Government of Canada is investing over $201.8 million in seven projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure program. The Government of Ontario is providing more than $168.2 million, and the City of Hamilton is contributing over $148.8 million to these projects.

Among the projects funded, the construction of a new 60,000 square metre public transit maintenance and storage facility that will include a 30-bus maintenance area, storage for 200 conventional size buses, approximately 4000 square metres of administration space, and a four-level parking structure.

Click here for more information.


Niagara Health expands COVID-19 protocols for emergency and urgent care

Niagara Health will now allow anyone coming to the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre to bring one Support Person with them. This was previously available in exceptional circumstances only.

There are a number of infection prevention and control measures in place for everyone’s safety. Support Persons entering the hospital, including those who have been vaccinated, must pass COVID-19 screening, wear a mask at all times, practice physical distancing and hand hygiene while on site.

Click here for more information.


Reading Recommendations

Stock markets fall, oil prices plummet as COVID-19 fears rise again

CBC News

The Toronto Stock Exchange had its worst day in months on Monday as rising COVID-19 infections around the world gave investors a sobering reminder that the pandemic is still far from over.

The S&P/TSX composite index lost more than 350 points, or almost two per cent, to 19,655 nearing the end of the trading day.

Less than a month ago, Canada’s benchmark stock index was hitting all-time highs as optimism over the looming end of COVID-19 had investors pouring money into stocks poised to benefit from the reopening of the global economy. Even as recently as last week, the TSX was nearly 1,000 points higher than it is right now.


Posthaste: A third of Canadians feel ‘house poor,’ but are ready to take on more debt as economy reopens

Financial Post

While the pandemic certainly improved the financial situation of many Canadians, not everyone has been fortunate enough to build a ‘wall of wealth’.

Despite surging home prices that have left many Canadians look fiscally stable at least on paper, many are struggling to make ends meet, according to a new survey.

The latest MNP Consumer Debt Index shows the number of Canadians concerned they cannot make ends meet without going into further debt has reached its highest level in three years.

Almost half (45 per cent, up 6 points since March) are not confident they will be able to cover all living and family expenses in the next 12 months without taking on more credit, according to the quarterly poll conducted by Ipsos on behalf of MNP Ltd, released this morning.


Niagara COVID Stat Tracker

December 18December 25January 1January 8January 15January 22January 29
Reproductive number1.41.81.41.11.00.70.9
New cases per 100,000101.2267.3469.8575.8507.1295.5250.6
New cases per day (not including outbreaks)60.7178.7311.7376.9325.4182.7145.7
Percent of hospital beds occupied97%95.2%98.2%103.2%104.5%103.6%106%
Percent of intensive care beds occupied78.8%77.3%87.9%87.9%90.9%89.4%93.9%
Percentage of positive tests6.1%15.6%28.1%28.6%26.6%21.2%16.2%

Last updated: July 10, 2021

These data show the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara. The Province of Ontario is now using a provincewide approach to reopening, and these data no longer have any influence on Niagara’s restrictions.

Data are drawn from Niagara Region Public Health.

Click here for a guide to this table.


Niagara COVID vaccination tracker

Last updated: July 19, 2021

Niagara’s most up-to-date vaccination numbers are presented below, along with comparison data from Ontario, Canada, and G7 countries.

Total doses administered in Niagara: 581,350

Total doses administered in Niagara since yesterday: 3,350

Ontario is currently in Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen.

Percentage of population with one dosePercentage of population fully vaccinated
Niagara82.7%78.2%
Ontario84.6%79.1%
Canada84.7%78.6%
United States75%64%
United Kingdom78%72%
Germany76%74%
France80%77%
Italy83%76%
Japan80%79%
World63%53%

Data are drawn from Niagara Region, the Government of Ontario, and Oxford University’s Our World in Data project.


Information on government grants, resources, and programs, policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here.The GNCC is here to support you. Contact us with any questions you have.
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