Niagara Mayors and Regional Chair Join Together to Form Niagara Economic Rapid Response Team

March 19, 2020 | Business Resources, Daily Update, Local Matters

Niagara’s Mayors and Regional Chair have announced a joint effort to support local businesses impacted by COVID-19 with a region-wide Niagara Economic Rapid Response Team.

As we go through this unprecedented and quickly-changing situation, it is critical to work together to support local businesses and employers both now and into the future. Building on a strong foundation of collaboration, the Rapid Response Team will go beyond municipal borders to be as responsive and flexible as possible to the needs of Niagara’s business community

The Rapid Response Team will be comprised of professional economic development staff across Niagara’s municipalities who will work together to respond to the changing needs of local business and employers. The team response will allow municipal resources to go beyond municipal boundaries and that all local businesses receive timely, responsive support.

The Rapid Response Team is already working together to survey business needs, advocate on behalf of Niagara’s business community and help keep business going. The Team is compiling information about federal and provincial support programs that have been announced for businesses and employers. The Team will also consider adjusting local business programs in response to changing needs.

Business owners can contact their local economic development office or info@niagaracanada.com where emails will be triaged and connected quickly with a member of the Niagara Economic Rapid Response Team.

Share this:

Four Things Business Should Consider During COVID-19 Outbreak

March 19, 2020 | Business Resources, Daily Update

Article originally published by the Government of Canada.

In an interconnected global economy, the new coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) is affecting Canadian businesses and their operations. It has resulted in restrictions on travel and public gatherings, as well as supply chain disruptions and market uncertainty.

The Government of Canada is committed to providing you with the information and support you need to make informed decisions as your business navigates through these challenges.

FOUR KEY CONSIDERATIONS

1. SUPPORTING YOUR EMPLOYEES

People are the cornerstone of any successful business. It is important for you to protect your employees – open, two-way communication is essential to achieving this goal.

No employer should feel like they have to lay off a worker because of the virus, and no one should have to worry about their job if they have to be quarantined. That’s why the Government of Canada’s $1 billion COVID-19 Response Fund goes towards support for employers and workers through the Work-Sharing program, and by waiving the one-week waiting period for Employment Insurance sickness benefits.

2. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS AND BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS

Canada’s strong fiscal position means we are well-positioned to respond to challenges – and our approach includes measures to prepare for the possible broader impacts on our people, the economy, and small businesses across the country.

It is also vital for Canadian businesses to have contingency plans in place to manage potential financial risk. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, as well as Business Development Canada, has developed helpful and comprehensive guides to help you with planning and preparedness.

3. BUSINESS TRAVEL AND EVENTS

Companies should consider the impacts of international travel on their operations. Canada has several active travel health notices for COVID-19 for countries around the world. These are updated regularly based on ongoing risk assessments.

When it comes to conferences and business events, you can consult the Government of Canada’s advice on deciding whether to postpone or cancel a mass gathering of people.

On March 13, 2020, the Government of Canada advised Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.

4. EXPORTING AND DOING BUSINESS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Today’s business climate means many companies are globally connected – what is happening around the world has a direct impact on operations in Canada.

The Trade Commissioner Service has an unmatched network of over 1,000 business-savvy experts in 160 cities worldwide who help Canadian businesses trade, grow, and succeed. Trade commissioners can provide you with market-specific insights and guidance to help you mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

Read the full article here or visit https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca for additional information.

Share this:

Support Downtown Businesses

March 19, 2020 | Local Matters

As of March 19, the Downtown St. Catharines office is open by chance, or by appointment. They have been regularly updating a list of downtown businesses that are offering take-out, delivery, etc. You can view the list below, or check their website for updated information.

The St. Catharines Downtown Association knows that you want to continue to support your favourite Downtown businesses. Many of them are offering alternative solutions to serving you. For example, place orders for delivery, get curbside takeout, or buy gift certificates to use in the future.

Contact the businesses you love in Downtown St. Catharines to find out how you can support them during these unusual times.

(March 19, 2020): As situations are changing rapidly, we recommend checking directly with downtown businesses to verify if they are open. As of today, here are some of the ways our Downtown businesses want to serve you:

Amakara Japan take-out and delivery available

Bella Noella’s Pizza take-out and delivery available, slices available for take-out from 4pm to 9pm

Bolete dinners on Thursday, Friday, Saturday available for take-out, free local delivery in St. Catharines, 25% off gift cards to be used in the future

The British Boutique store is open with many food items, please call if there is something you need and you are not able to visit the store

Burrito Boyz take-out available, also delivery through Skip The Dishes, debit or credit payments only

Chef Mi pick-up only

Craft Arts Market open on Wednesday March 18 and Saturday March 21 from 10am to 1pm to pick up items from the store, no coffee being served, no cash

Dani’s Bistro VQA Wine Bar curb-side pick-up, free delivery in St. Catharines (and $5 delivery charge for neighbouring cities), porch drop-off

Dispatch Restaurant fresh baked breads and prepared meals for pick-up, bonuses with gift certificate purchases

East Izakaya Discount for take-out and delivery. Orders for take-out can be picked up from Wind at 131 King Street

Erroll’s Shoe & Luggage Repair open to service and repair your footwear, jackets, purses, etc.

Freshii take-out and curb-side pick up

Garden City Essentials online orders with free local delivery in the Niagara Region for orders over $20

Grandma’s Basement online shop is open

Green Lotus Thai Lao Cuisine take-out and delivery available

Hambrgr take-out from 11:00am to 9:00pm, please phone in order, also delivery through Skip The Dishes and Uber Eats

Helen’s Delicatessen take-out, delivery, catering, lots of grocery items for sale

Heraki Grill take-out and delivery available

The Hub Cafe take-out available

Huong’s Kitchen take-out available, plus delivery from Skip The Dishes

Incoho Restaurant take-out available

Kully’s take-out only from 12noon to 8pm

Little Chief & Co. free local delivery on Wednesdays starting March 18 with minimum purchase of $50

Ludology Boardgame Cafe take-out and delivery available

Merchant Ale House take-out available for food orders and retail beer from 11am to 7pm

Mindbomb Records online orders for delivery or pick-up at store Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm

N’ata Cosa Ristorante take-out and delivery available from 12noon to 6pm, plus gift certificate special – for $100, get $150 value gift certicate

OddBar take-out and delivery available

OddBird take-out and delivery available, debit and credit payments only, no cash

Pharmacii Snackbar take-out and delivery available

pocket CHANGE online shop is open with pick-up and delivery available

Pretty & Co. Gift certificates available on website (get a $50 gift certificate for $40, and get a $100 gift certificate for $80). Feel So Pretty boxes for sale (quarantine edition) for $50, pick-up from 11am to 1pm on Friday March 20 and Monday March 23.

Ruby Red Beautiful pick-up at store by appointment, free local delivery available

Sahla Thai take-out and free delivery for St. Catharines residents

The Saucy Chicken open for take-out starting at 7:00pm

Seasons Sushi take-out available, also delivery through Skip The Dishes, Uber Eats or Door Dash

Seoul Korean Cuisine take-out available, also delivery through Skip The Dishes and Food Highway

Small Batch Co. curbside pick-up from 10am to 3pm, delivery available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday ($5 delivery fee, or free delivery for orders over $50)

Smoke’s Poutinerie take-out available, also delivery through Skip The Dishes, Uber Eats or Door Dash, payment by debit or credit or prepay through the Smoke’s app

Someday Books curb-side pick-up, free local delivery

St. Catharines Farmers Market many market vendors are offering private sales from their farms / approved kitchens

Taibah take-out available, also delivery through Skip The Dishes

Tim Horton’s take out only, payment by debit or credit cards only, no cash

Twenty take-out and delivery beginning Friday March 20

Vulies Tea and Cafe open Wednesday March 18 and Saturday March 21 from 10am to 12noon only for sales of tea and coffee products

VTGWayCa online sales only effective Sunday March 22, with free shipping or local drop-off

The Works Burger take-out available, also delivery through Skip The Dishes, Uber Eats or Door Dash

Wind Japanese and Thai Discount for take-out and delivery

Share this:

Lost ‘n Found Yoga Offering Online Classes

March 19, 2020 | Local Matters

The staff at Lost ‘n Found Yoga are doing their best to provide value to members during this time by providing full-length yoga classes by online video from some of the instructors! These videos are being provided to their members as part of their regular unlimited membership, but are also available to anyone holding a class pass package by signing up for a daily Online Yoga Class on their website.

Every evening at 9:00PM there is an “Online Yoga Class” on the schedule. Anyone that signs up for this will have 1 class deducted from their class package, then they will receive the next day’s e-mail with videos when they are distributed at 6:00AM. Lost ‘n Found Yoga has promised their members that they will publish at least 1 class every day, and hopefully 2 – 3 classes on most days. By signing up the “Online Yoga Class”, class pass holders are only charged for 1 class from their package, but they will receive all 3 videos, which they can keep and watch multiple times.

If anyone is interested but is not currently a member of the studio, they can sign up on the website for either a 30-day Intro Offer ($39) for unlimited access to all classes, or they can purchase a class pass if they want. The website address is https://www.lostnfoundyoga.com.

Facebook: @LostnFoundYoga
Twitter: @lostnfoundyoga
Instagram: @lostnfoundyoganiagara

 

Share this:

South Niagara Canoe Club Issues Hope Floats Challenge

March 17, 2020 | Member Spotlights, Members in the News

The Hope Floats Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat crew challenges you to find 10 Cancer Survivors and 10 Supporters and enter a team into the  1st Annual Hope Floats Challenge!
This breast cancer survivor and cancer survivor/supporter Dragon Boat Festival will take place on August 28, 2021 at the world-class Welland International Flatwater Centre
Everyone knows a cancer survivor!
Don’t know how to dragon boat?   See our special Dragon Boat rental rate for GNCC members – and let us teach your crew how!
Sponsorship Opportunites available, please see our sponsorship package here.

Find out more: https://southniagaracanoeclub.wildapricot.org/Hope-Floats-Challenge/

Share this:

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) & Business: Being prepared

March 17, 2020 | Business Resources, Daily Update, Latest News

Employers and employees have a role to play in reducing the spread of infection.

Further information on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 (PDF) is available from the World Health Organization.

General advice

  • Increase awareness about COVID-19 through communication with staff.
  • Evaluate the workplace for areas where people have frequent contact with each other and shared objects.
  • Increase the distance between desks and workstations as well as employees and customers (ideally 2 metres).
    • A physical barrier like a cubicle or Plexiglas window also works to increase distance between people.

Hygiene

  • Encourage frequent hand hygiene, sneeze and cough etiquette, and staying home when ill.
    • Consider providing additional tissues should someone develop symptoms of COVID-19.
    • If COVID-19 symptoms develop, the employee should immediately be separated from others and sent home without using public transit, if possible.
  • Ensure frequent cleaning, with particular attention to high-touch surfaces, such as:
    • bars
    • desks
    • phones
    • kitchens
    • computers
    • cash registers
    • elevator buttons
    • restaurant tables and menus
  • Provide access to handwashing areas and place hand sanitizing dispensers in prominent locations throughout the workplace, if possible.

Flexible work arrangements and sick leave

  • Where feasible, adjust policies to reduce social contact, such as:
    • flexible hours
    • staggering start times
    • teleworking arrangements
    • using email and teleconferencing
  • Relax sick leave policies to support employees in self-isolating when ill.
    • This includes suspending the need for medical notes and reduces the burden on an already stressed health care system.
  • Prepare for increases in absenteeism due to illness among employees and their families or possibly school closures.
    • Access your business continuity plan for how to maintain key business functions if faced with high absenteeism.
    • Consider the need for cross-training personnel to function in key positions.

Business travel

For business travel, check the latest information on affected areas and any travel health notices. Consider the risks and benefits related to upcoming business travel. It may be better for the health and safety of your employee if they attend meetings virtually.

International business travellers returning from affected areas should self-monitor for symptoms. Employees should contact the public health authority in the province or territory where they live.

Closure

Workplace closures may be considered in an exceptional circumstance and should be based on a risk assessment. This may be the case if many employees must be off to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Original: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being-prepared.html#a5

Share this:

BDC Announces Support for Entrepreneurs Impacted by COVID-19

March 17, 2020 | Local Matters, Network News

The health and well-being of entrepreneurs, clients and non-clients as well as of our partners is BDC’s top priority. BDC stands ready to support companies through to a more stable period.

As announced by the Minister of Finance, BDC will increase the amount of financing available as the situation develops.

With flexible and tailored solutions, BDC can help you with the right financing and advice for your business.

Do you have questions or need financial support?

Important note: BDC’s business centres are closed, but their teams remain available virtually to help you. Please note that the Client Contact Centre is currently experiencing a higher than usual level of calls, which could generate longer waiting times. BDC thanks you for your understanding.

BDC clients are encouraged to reach out to their account manager.

Not a BDC client? Call the toll-free number: 1-877-232-2269
Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Make a financing request

Share this:

Niagara Children’s Centre Suspends Face-to-Face Services March 16

March 16, 2020 | COVID-Related Closures

At Niagara Children’s Centre our priority is for the safety and wellbeing of staff, clients and our community. We have monitored the COVID-19 situation closely and have made the difficult decision to suspend face-to-face client visits in the Centre, preschool speech and language satellite locations, in homes and in the community until at least April 5, 2020.   This will be in effect by end of business day March 16, 2020.

Clients, family members, students or volunteers will not be permitted to enter any Niagara Children’s Centre sites during this time.

Families who have scheduled appointments during this time will be contacted by the Centre to discuss their specific circumstances and rescheduling.

During this period of time, the following services will be available:

  • Reception- Will remain open between 8-4 pm to receive phone inquiries and deliveries.  If making a delivery please contact the Centre in advance to make arrangements.
  • Intake Services- The Centre’s intake department will continue to process new referrals for service.
  • Special Services at Home (SSAH) -SSAH invoices will continue to be processed. Families involved with the SSAH program may drop their invoices off at the drop off slot (door immediately left of our main entrance).  

Virtual Services

Phone Visits– Where appropriate, therapists and social work staff will provide support and consultations to families through phone visits.  Therapists will be monitoring their voicemails regularly and will return calls within one business day.

The Hanen “More than Words” telepractice sessions will continue as scheduled.

Parent Support

On-Line Parent Support Group (closed Facebook group) will continue to be supported and monitored.

Parent Talk will be cancelled during this time.

Administrative Services

Will continue to operate during this time.

Inquiries

  • General Inquiries- 905 688 3550 (between 8- 4 daily)
  • Intake- 905 688 1890 ext 110 (between 9-4 daily)
  • Direct inquiries- 905 688 1890 you will be prompted to enter the extension you wish to reach.

As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, our circumstances may change. Please check our website periodically and follow our Facebook and Twitter pages to receive the most up to date information about our Centre’s services.

For the most up to date information about the virus and how you can protect yourself, visit: 

Thank you to all for your patience as we navigate these unprecedented waters. With your help, we are doing our part to curb the spread of COVID-19, and keep Niagara safe.

Oksana Fisher
Chief Executive Officer

Share this: