COVID-19 Business Update: October 13th, 2020

October 13, 2020 | Daily Update

Applications for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) are now open. The program offers income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, as well as policies, forms, and posters for download and use, are available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • Applications for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) are now open. The program offers income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. Beneficiaries of the program can receive $1,000 before taxes for a two-week period, and can apply for up to 13 periods (26 weeks). 240,640 Canadians have already applied for the program. Get more details or apply here.
  • To provide relief for local restaurants and other businesses impacted by the new public health measures, the Government of Ontario has announced $300 million to help offset fixed costs, including property taxes, hydro and natural gas bills. Last week, the province introduced additional targeted public health measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts to help slow the spread of the virus. Over the next 28 days, indoor food and drink service at restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments in these regions will be prohibited, but they may continue to offer takeout, delivery and outdoor dining. The government is also supporting small business through its Main Street Recovery Plan by:
    • Committing to permanently allow licensed restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order before the existing regulation expires;
    • Permanently allowing 24/7 deliveries to restaurants;
    • Supporting the distribution of local food and food products by increasing the range of products sold at the Ontario Food Terminal;
    • Providing $57 million with federal partners through the Digital Main Street program and creating new Digital Main Street squads to help small businesses grow online; and
    • Launching a new portal to assist small businesses to quickly find the supports and information they need.
  • The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched a new customizable tool kit resource to help workplaces across Canada operate safely and prevent the spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anchored by the COVID-19: Workplace Health and Safety Guide, the online hub provides one-stop access to more than 40 free resources to reduce the spread and protect everyone in the workplace. The guide includes information on the responsibilities of employers and workers, and what workplaces should do to control risks. Topics covered include how the coronavirus spreads, employers’ duties, handling work refusals, hazard and risk assessment identification for COVID-19, and how to control the risk and apply the hierarchy of controls in the workplace. Workplaces can download the guide on its own or bundle other industry and workplace-specific tip sheets, infographics, and posters to create a customized and comprehensive COVID-19 tool kit tailored to their industry or specific workplace needs. The COVID-19 tool kit of health and safety resources can be found on the CCOHS website: www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/covid19-tool-kit/.
  • Customers eligible for the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) will automatically receive a 33.2% reduction off their energy bill when new electricity rates for Regulated Price Plan (RPP) customers come into effect November 1, 2020. At the same time, customers paying Time-of-Use (TOU) rates under the RPP will also have the option to switch to tiered rate pricing. Time-of-use electricity rates vary by time of day and are comprised of three different rate periods of off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak pricing. Tiered electricity rates provide customers with a set rate for electricity up to a certain level of consumption. Ontario is also introducing a new streamlined Energy Affordability Program (EAP) for households struggling to pay their electricity bills. Beginning the week of January 4, 2021, EAP will:
    • Provide free electricity saving measures to help participating households manage their electricity-use and lower their electricity costs by up to $1,000 per year;
    • Tailor energy-efficiency upgrades based on household income, home heating system, location, and an energy needs assessment; and,
    • Simplify access to new and updated electricity saving measures through a single program that replaces the Affordability Fund Trust and Home Assistance Program, which are ending in 2020.
  • The City of St. Catharines is looking to residents for their input on its next Accessibility Plan. Specifically, the City is inviting residents to weigh in via an online survey that will help guide the development of the 2021-2025 Accessibility Plan, the document that will act as roadmap for continuing accessibility efforts. The City remains committed to developing, implementing, maintaining, and enhancing accessibility by providing integrated services and equitable opportunities while reflecting the principles of dignity and independence. Residents can visit engagestc.ca/AccessibilityPlan and complete the survey to provide their input before 4 p.m. on Oct. 30.
  • Changes to waste collection in Niagara will begin October 19th. Collection services inside designated business areas may be different between local municipalities, depending on the level of service selected and paid for by each municipality. Find your collection services. Businesses outside a designated business area will now have garbage collection every-other-week with a limit of eight containers. Blue & Grey Boxes and Green Bins will continue to be collected every week. Industrial, Commercial and Institutional properties located outside designated business areas will have a combined limit of eight Blue and Grey Carts and a limit of eight Green Carts.

Reading recommendations:

  • COVID-19 is changing the way men and women split the risk in the workplace, Evan Dyer, CBC News
    • Service-oriented trades that tend to employ a lot of women — such as health care, education and retail — also involve a lot of interaction with the public. That means a heightened risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. That heightened risk may be showing up in the caseload statistics now.
  • This game can stop people from falling for COVID-19 conspiracies, Ruth Reader, Fast Company
    • Members of Cambridge’s Social Decision Making Lab are hoping to reform conspiracy theory believers in the same way that PETA turns meat eaters into vegetarians: by showing them what goes into creating and spreading misinformation.

 

Niagara Economic Summit Series 2020

Where are we now, how did we get here, and where do we go? This year’s summit, taking place between November 10 and November 24, brings experts and leaders together from across the country to identify where we are economically, what our future opportunities are, and how we can seize them. Find out more and get a calendar save-the-date here.

 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: October 7th, 2020

October 7, 2020 | Daily Update

Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and Bill Walker, Associate Minister of Energy, joined representatives from Enbridge and Walker Industries in Niagara Falls today to formally announce the Niagara Falls Renewable Natural Gas plant.

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and Bill Walker, Associate Minister of Energy, joined representatives from Enbridge and Walker Industries in Niagara Falls today to formally announce the Niagara Falls Renewable Natural Gas plant, which will be the largest of its kind in Ontario and will generate enough clean renewable energy from landfill waste to heat 8,750 homes across the country and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 48,000 tonnes. The innovative Niagara facility will transform landfill waste into clean energy. This is achieved by capturing biogas generated by decomposing organic waste and transforming it into renewable natural gas.
  • Today, Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, announced Ontario’s Main Street Recovery Plan and intends to introduce the Main Street Recovery Act, 2020, proposed legislation that would support small businesses and modernize rules to allow them to innovate and meet the challenges of today. If passed, the act will remove hurdles faced by small businesses and allow them to pursue new opportunities — while maintaining or enhancing protections for public health, safety and the environment.

    The plan includes:

    • A one-time grant of up to $1,000 for eligible main street small businesses — in retail, food and accommodations, and other service sectors — with two to nine employees to help offset the unexpected costs of personal protective equipment (PPE);
    • Ontario’s Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Network, which links 47 Small Business Enterprise Centres across the province as places where small businesses can access tailored advice and information on local, provincial and federal programs;
    • Digital Main Street Squads to help small businesses grow online;
    • Mental health supports for families, frontline workers, young people, children, and Indigenous communities;
    • Ontario’s Small Business Recovery Webpage to provide single window access to small business supports.

    The plan’s regulatory and legislative changes, if passed, will:

    • Commit to exploring options to permanently allow licensed restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order before the existing regulation expires;
    • Permanently allow 24/7 deliveries to businesses that include retail stores, restaurants, and distribution facilities;
    • Support the distribution of local food and food products by increasing the range of products sold at the Ontario Food Terminal;
    • Enable Community Net Metering demonstration projects to help support local communities to develop innovative community projects like net-zero or community micro-grids;
    • Modernize the Assistive Devices Program;
    • Support Ontario’s Taxi and Limousine Industry by increasing fines for illegal operators.
  • The GNCC has added downloadable COVID-related guidelines, templates, posters, and other downloadable resources for businesses to its website. These free resources are accessible at gncc.ca/covid-19/resources-and-subsidies/.

Reading recommendations:

 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: October 6th, 2020

October 6, 2020 | Daily Update

The Ontario government is investing $19.25 million into mental health supports for postsecondary students in 2020-21, an increase of $3.25 million over last year.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • The Ontario government is investing $19.25 million into mental health supports for postsecondary students in 2020-21, an increase of $3.25 million over last year. This funding is intended to help students by strengthening community partnerships and increasing the number of mental health workers and programs at colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes. In 2020-21, the ministry is investing in the following initiatives supporting student mental health:
    • Good2Talk/Allo j’écoute ($5.16M) mental health helpline service for postsecondary students, available 24/7/365;
    • Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health ($0.5M): knowledge exchange hub providing resources and access to expertise for the postsecondary sector;
    • Mental Health Worker Grant ($4.45M) for front-line mental health service workers on campuses, annual ongoing support to 45 colleges and universities to offset the costs of hiring front-line, campus-based mental health workers;
    • Mental Health Services Grant ($6M): annual support to 45 colleges and universities, for the development of programs and services as determined by the institution;
    • Indigenous Institutes Mental Health Grant ($0.5M)support to the 9 Indigenous Institutes in Ontario for the provision of mental health services, staff, and needs assessment as needed;
    • Get-A-head ($250,000) – the ministry is providing one-time funding to support the launch of a mental health online application.
  • Canadian Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam has urged Canadians to think carefully about their Thanksgiving plans this year to protect themselves, their loved ones and communities. At his press briefing today, Premier Ford expressed similar concerns for Ontarians. Canadian Minister of Health Patty Hajdu recommends that families celebrate Thanksgiving virtually this year. Gatherings indoors will be safest if they only include household members, especially where infection rates are highest. Gatherings outdoors that involve people from outside our households will be safest if well-spaced. Remember, too close is too close, even if you are outdoors. Don’t share food or objects. “Bring-Your-Own” is safer.
  • Businesses and residents in Port Colborne may notice temporarily abnormal water pressures during the month of October as routine maintenance and inspection is completed on the water tower. Tap water will remain safe to drink. If low water pressure occurs for longer than 24 hours, the City of Port Colborne suggests calling their Operations Department at 905-835-5079.
  • The township of West Lincoln is alerting residents to a scam in which calls are made about a credit on their water bill. The Township will never call to request banking information, and requests that residents and businesses spread the word to friends and family.
  • The Town of Pelham is petitioning other governments for financial support in developing a municipal cannabis regulatory framework and in meeting the court challenges faced as a result. The town has asked Dean Allison MP and Sam Oosterhoff MPP to champion this cause in the federal and provincial legislatures, and is seeking voluntary contributions of $15,000 each from the cities of Welland and Thorold towards its defense in the legal actions brought against the town by Woodstock Biomed Inc., CannTrust Holdings and Redecan Pharm.

Reading recommendations:

 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 24th, 2020

September 24, 2020 | Daily Update

The Government of Canada has announced the introduction of Bill C-2, which would create three new temporary Recovery Benefits to support Canadians who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • The Government of Canada has announced the introduction of Bill C-2, which would create three new temporary Recovery Benefits to support Canadians who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. These benefits would include:
    • A Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) of $500 per week for up to 26 weeks, to workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for EI and who still require income support. This Benefit would support Canadians who have not returned to work due to COVID-19 or whose income has dropped by at least 50%. These workers must be available and looking for work, and must accept work where it is reasonable to do so;
    • A Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) of $500 per week for up to two weeks, for workers who are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19. This Benefit aims to support the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensure all Canadian workers have access to paid sick leave; and,
    • A Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) of $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household, for eligible Canadians unable to work because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19 or because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine.
  • These changes will also establish a minimum weekly benefit payment of $500 for all EI recipients, at the same level as the CRB. Canadians will be able to apply for these programs through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for one year up until September 25, 2021. As announced previously, temporary measures to help Canadians access EI benefits more easily are effective September 27, 2020, for one year, including:
    • 120 hours of work required to qualify
    • Minimum benefit rate of $400 per week
    • At least 26 weeks of regular benefits.
  • The Government of Ontario is changing provincial COVID-19 testing guidelines, now stating that asymptomatic individuals should not be tested unless they have had close contact with a case, are part of an outbreak investigation, or those at risk due to their health condition or their employment. Publicly-funded testing will be available for individuals falling into these categories, as well as those exhibiting symptoms. Niagara Region Public Health officials have recommended against asymptomatic testing for some time, and this move by the Province represents greater alignment between provincial and regional policy. Effective immediately, Ontarians should only seek testing at assessment centres if they are:
    • Showing COVID-19 symptoms;
    • Have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, as informed by your public health unit or exposure notification through the COVID Alert app;
    • A resident or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified and informed by your local public health unit; and
    • Eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
  • The Niagara Community Observatory and Niagara Workforce Planning Board have released Special Report: The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Niagara Women in the Workforce (PDF link), which highlights how the pandemic has affected the employment of men and women locally. In the report, the two research organizations conclude that Niagara is following the national narrative in that women have borne the brunt of employment losses since February, and are continuing to do so.

Reading recommendations:

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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: September 17th, 2020

September 17, 2020 | Daily Update

The Ontario government has introduced the Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act, including changes to the Commercial Tenancies Act to extend the temporary ban on evictions for commercial tenants.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • The Ontario government has introduced the Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act, including changes to the Commercial Tenancies Act to extend the temporary ban on evictions for commercial tenants. The ban was initially in place from May 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020, to align with the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program for small businesses. This temporary ban would continue to apply to businesses that are eligible for federal-provincial rent assistance through the CECRA for small businesses, but whose landlord chose not to apply for the program. The ban will protect small businesses from being locked out or having their assets seized during COVID-19. More information is available here.
  • The GNCC had begun lobbying for the commercial eviction ban to be extended in early August, when it became apparent that the economy would not have recovered enough to prevent potential mass commercial evictions when CECRA and the ban both expired at the end of the month. On September 8th, the Government of Canada announced that CECRA would also be extended. More information on CECRA and how to apply can be found here.
  • The bill, if passed, would also freeze rent in 2021 for most rent-controlled and non-rent-controlled residential units. The Residential Tenancies Act sets out the formula for calculating the maximum allowable rent increase for the next year in rent-controlled units. The proposed legislation would revise the guideline for 2021, which is set at 1.5 per cent.
  • In response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the Government of Ontario is revising limits on the number of people who can gather in the Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto public health units. People in those units will be forbidden from gathering indoors with more than 10 people in attendance (down from 50), or more than 25 at an outdoor gathering (down from 100). This policy comes into effect at midnight tonight. These restrictions do not apply to Niagara at this time, but anyone traveling to or attending events in these regions should bear this in mind.
  • The Government of Ontario is also proposing amendments to the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act which would, if passed, create a new offence regarding hosting or organizing a gathering in residential premises or other prescribed premises that exceeds limits under an order, with a minimum fine of $10,000 for organizers of these gatherings. The Lieutenant Governor in Council would be given authority to prescribe additional types of premises for the purpose of the new offence, and a police officer, special constable or First Nations constable would be allowed to order the temporary closure of premises where there are reasonable grounds to believe that any gathering exceeding the number of people allowed is taking place and require individuals to leave the premises.
  • Niagara Region will vote tonight on an extension of the region-wide mask bylaw. The current bylaw expires at the end of this month. Regional Councillor Laura Ip publicly noted that residents expressing support for the bylaw outnumbered those who had concerns by more than three to one, and Niagara Health President Lynn Guerriero has called for an extension of the bylaw on behalf of the organization. Although the outcome of the vote will not be known until later tonight, the GNCC advises businesses to prepare for an extension of the current bylaw into October or later, and to plan accordingly.
  • Niagara Health President Lynn Guerriero is calling upon (PDF link) all Niagara residents to do their part in keeping the transmission of the virus down in the community. This means adhering at all times to the important public health measures that helped to combat the first wave in Niagara. President Guerriero notes that an increase in cases could mean ramping down hospital services and/or limiting access to visitors, but the GNCC also notes that such an increase could mean a rollback of re-opening measures, as has just occurred in Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto, or even more restrictive measures, since the Government of Ontario has been adamant that it will act first and foremost to protect the health of the public. For the sake of both public health and our economic recovery, the GNCC urges all Niagara businesses and residents to follow all public health directives and advice.

Reading recommendations:

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.

Share this:

COVID-19 Business Update: September 1st, 2020

September 1, 2020 | Daily Update

The federal government has reached agreements with Novavax and Johnson & Johnson to secure millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • Alectra Utilities suspended service disconnections from March until September 1st. Alectra customers who are past due and have not made payment arrangements will now begin to receive collection notices. Customers who were in good standing before the pandemic can access the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Plan for Small Business (CEAP-SB) on the Alectra website here. This new program from the provincial government will be administered by Alectra on an application basis and will provide one-time on-bill credits of up to $850. Residential customers can access other programs here. Residential and business customers can also contact Alectra to arrange a payment plan.
  • Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, announced the coming into force of changes to federal labour standards. The changes strengthen protections and regulations for internships in federally regulated workplaces and build on other efforts to protect young workers, including anti-harassment and violence legislation such as Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1. As of today, interns in federally regulated workplaces are recognized in two ways and entitled to new protections:
    • Interns: individuals seeking to obtain knowledge or experience through a temporary placement in a workplace that is not part of an educational program. They will have the same labour standards protections as employees, including the right to be paid at least the minimum wage.
    • Student interns: students undertaking a temporary placement in a workplace that fulfills the requirements of an educational program. They may be unpaid and will be entitled to certain labour standards protections set out in the new regulations.
  • Employers in federally regulated workplaces, educational institutions and associations—as well as interns—can consult the following resources to understand the new requirements and their rights and obligations:
  • The federal government has reached agreements with Novavax and Johnson & Johnson to secure millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine candidates. The deals hinge on Health Canada approval but if trials proceed as planned, deliveries in Canada would begin at the start of 2021. The government has also inked deals with pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Moderna for access to millions of doses of their unique candidates.
  • In case you missed the August 27 edition of GNCC Espresso Live on cybersecurity with guests Danny Pehar, Cyber Security Expert, Bestselling Author and Professional Speaker and Graeme Barrie, President and Founder, Netmechanics Inc, the episode is now available for streaming.

Reading recommendations:

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.

Share this:

COVID-19 Business Update: August 11th, 2020

August 11, 2020 | Daily Update

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vital updates:

• Since it was launched, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has been an important income support for over 8.5 million Canadians and their families, who have had to stop working due to the pandemic. As the country continues to gradually restart the economy, over 1.6 million Canadians have been able to return to work. However, not all sectors are re-opening at the same pace. That’s why the Government is preparing to transition as many Canadians as possible back to the Employment Insurance (EI) system at the end of the month. When individuals begin transitioning off of the CERB back to EI regular benefits at the end of this month, those living in EI regions with an unemployment rate lower than 13.1% will have their EI benefits calculated on the basis of the 13.1% rate, while individuals living in regions with a higher unemployment rate will have their benefits calculated using the actual rate for that region. This temporary measure will establish minimum entry requirements for EI eligibility across the country for Canadians to access the income support they need now or might need later. This is the first in a series of steps, to be announced in the coming weeks, that will help eligible Canadians transition from emergency income measures back into the EI system. Employment Insurance Program

Reading recommendations:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Share this:

COVID-19 Business Update: July 29th, 2020

July 29, 2020 | Daily Update

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • Niagara Region has passed a new bylaw for restaurants and bars. Patrons must now be seated at all times unless entering, exiting, travelling to and from a washroom, or paying. Restaurants and bars must also maintain a client log with a name and contact information for at least one person in each party. The registry will include the date, check-in and checkout times and table number. The health department can access the information for contact tracing. Establishments must maintain the list for 30 days, after which it can be destroyed.
  • Niagara Region has released a template sign (PDF link) for businesses to place at all public entrances to their premises in anticipation of their mask bylaw, which comes into effect on Friday, July 31. As of that date, all Niagara businesses must:
    • adopt a policy regarding the wearing of face coverings that prohibits persons from entering, or otherwise remaining, within the enclosed public place unless they are wearing a face covering, subject to the exemptions provided for in the by-law
    • ensure that all persons working at the enclosed public place are trained in the requirements of the policy
    • provide a copy of the face covering policy for inspection by any persons authorized to enforce this by-law
    • post clearly visible signage conspicuously at all entrances to the enclosed public place containing the following text in a minimum font size of 24 point:
      Protect each other
      Wear a face covering
      Cover your nose, mouth, and chin
      Required by the Face Covering By-law
      Does not apply to children under the age of five and those who are unable to wear a face covering as a result of a medical condition or a disability.
    • provide hand sanitizer with a minimum 70% alcohol content, at all public entrances and exits at all times for the use of members of the public attending the enclosed public place
  • The following are exempt from the regional mask requirement. Note that businesses may not require proof of an exemption, but are also not obliged to admit or serve anyone claiming an exemption or refusing to wear a mask, and may be legally required to refuse entry under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to protect their employees and other customers.
    • Children under the age of five
    • A person who is unable to wear a face covering as a result of a medical condition or a disability
    • A person who is unable to remove the face covering without help
    • A person who would have their breathing inhibited or restricted by wearing a face covering
    • A person while consuming food or drink provided by a business that is permitted to operate
    • A person receiving services involving the face
    • A person engaged in sport or other strenuous physical activity
    • A person while helping or accommodating another person with a hearing disability
    • Individuals working in an enclosed public space that isn’t open for public access
    • Individuals working behind a physical barrier
  • Face coverings are not required in:
    • Daycares, schools, post-secondary institutions and other facilities used for educational purposes
    • Hospitals, independent health facilities and offices of regulated health professionals
    • Buildings and services owned and operated by the Province of Ontario or the Federal Government of Canada
    • An indoor area of a building that’s accessible only to employees
    • Portions of buildings that are being used for the purpose of providing day camps for children or for the training of amateur or professional athletes
  • To learn more about face coverings and how to properly wear, fit, remove and clean non-medical face coverings visit:
  • On Friday, July 31, the City of Toronto and Peel Region will move into Stage 3 of the provincial re-opening framework. After 12:01am on July 31, only Windsor-Essex will remain in
  • The federal government has given Bill C-20 royal assent, ensuring that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program will continue until Dec. 19, 2020. Employers with revenue losses of less than 30% are now eligible for the program, including those that previously qualified but have now recovered above the 30% loss threshold. Specifically, the changes introduced in Bill C-20 will:
    • Allow the extension of the CEWS until December 19, 2020, including redesigned program details until November 21, 2020.
    • Make the subsidy more accessible to a broader range of employers by providing a gradually decreasing base subsidy to all eligible employers that are experiencing a decline in revenues. This will help many struggling employers with less than a 30-per-cent revenue loss get support to keep and bring back workers, while also ensuring those who have previously benefited could still qualify, even if their revenues recover and no longer meet the 30 per cent revenue decline threshold.
    • Introduce a top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25 per cent for employers that have been most adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This will be particularly helpful to employers in industries that are recovering more slowly.
    • Provide certainty to employers that have already made business decisions for July and August by ensuring they will not receive a subsidy rate lower than they would have under the previous rules.
    • Address technical issues with the CEWS identified by stakeholders, for example by providing continuity rules to address circumstances where an employer purchased all or substantially all of another entity’s business assets.
    • Make the proposed amendments to the CEWS previously introduced in Bill C-17, An Act respecting additional COVID-19 measures.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, you must self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days. Call a public health authority immediately. Do not visit any healthcare provider in person before you have been directly advised to by public health authorities.

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, use a face mask. 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.

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COVID-19 Business Update: July 22nd, 2020

July 22, 2020 | Daily Update

Information on government grants, resources, and programs, and how to apply for them, is available here.
The Government of Canada has a support page with summaries of current programs and application portals.

Vital updates:

  • Yesterday, MPs in the House of Commons passed Bill C-20, including the improved CEWS discussed yesterday, which was announced on Friday last week. The Senate must now study the bill before it can be implemented.
  • The Government of Ontario has clarified that when restaurants re-open on Friday, there will be no restrictions as to the occupancy other than that required to implement physical distancing. Public health officials suggest that patrons be seated at all times unless entering, exiting, travelling to and from the washroom, or paying, and that restaurants maintain a client log with a name and contact information for one person, minimum, in each party along with the date, check in and check out times, and table number, and be prepared to provide this to public health officials upon request for the purposes of contact tracing. Contact tracing is the key to containing the outbreak, preventing a new wave of infection and a return to a more restrictive lockdown. Businesses should consider refusing service to those who will not provide their contact information.
  • BCD has released an economic outlook (PDF link) examining the broad economic picture in Canada and the United States. Key highlights include:
    • COVID-19 precipitated the sharpest economic slowdown on record, with a drop in GDP of 11.6% since February posted only two months later.
    • The economic impact has not been evenly distributed. Accommodation and food service businesses have lost an average of 63.7% in GDP since February, while finance and insurance has only lost 1.6%. The average was 18.2%. No industry recorded any GDP gain in that time period.
    • The economic recovery is already underway, with unemployment significantly down and employment up from the worst of the crisis. That being said, there is still a long way to go.
    • Ontario suffered the sharpest downturn, with a greater percentage of lost jobs and GDP than the country as a whole.
    • Food products and chemical manufacturing are predicted to make the fastest recovery. The end of lockdowns also saw a resurgence in construction activity and manufacturing employment.

Reading recommendations:

If you are showing symptoms, you must self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days. Call a public health authority immediately. Do not visit any healthcare provider in person before you have been directly advised to by public health authorities.

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, use a face mask. 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.

Share this: