Burlington Chamber of Commerce joins Canada United to support local businesses and accelerate small business recovery
Created by RBC in collaboration with the national network of Chambers of Commerce and over 50 corporate partners Burlington Chamber of Commerce to support local businesses as part of the nationwide movement
July 22, 2020 (Burlington, Ontario) – The Burlington Chamber of Commerce announced today it is joining Canada United, a national movement to support local businesses in communities across the country. As part of the movement, RBC has brought together more than 50 of Canada’s leading brands, Business Associations and the national Chamber network to rally Canadians to “show local some love” by buying, dining and shopping local.
“The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support the Canada United movement and help bolster businesses in and around our community. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and key to a thriving community,” says President & CEO, Carla Y. Nell. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for businesses in the Halton Region and across the province. We need to continue to support SMEs who create jobs, drive innovation, and generate wealth for communities across Ontario – they will play an integral role in helping the province bounce back.
Canadians are invited to join the Canada United movement by buying and dining local, including celebrating and supporting local businesses during the Canada United Weekend from August 28 to 30, 2020.
Canadians are also encouraged to watch the Canada United videos online at GoCanadaUnited.ca, like posts from @GoCanadaUnited on social media and use #CanadaUnited to demonstrate their support. For each of these actions until August 31, 2020, RBC will contribute 5 cents up to a maximum contribution amount of $2 million to the new Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, while working with government and corporate partners to source additional contributions to the fund during the course of the campaign. The Fund will provide small businesses with grants of up to $5,000 to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE) renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines and developing or improving e-commerce capabilities.
Small Canadian businesses across the country will be able to apply for up to $5,000 in grant funding. The program intends to support small Canadian businesses of all kinds from across the country. The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be administered by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national Chamber network. Small business owners who are interested in the program can visit GoCanadaUnited.ca to learn more about grant application details, including eligibility criteria, and to apply.
“We are excited to welcome the Burlington Chamber of Commerce to Canada United to help local businesses and Canada’s economy come back strong,” said Neil McLaughlin, Group Head, Personal & Commercial Banking, Royal Bank of Canada. “Canada United has created to kick-start an economic rebound by rallying consumers to give local businesses the support they need to re-open during these uncertain times. By bringing together government, business associations and corporate Canada, we are looking to start a movement to get Canadians to buy local and support businesses across the country. We are genuinely excited by the energy all of our partners are bringing to this effort.”
“If there has been one silver lining in all the tragedy and sacrifices of the current crisis, it has been the spirit of collaboration and unity of purpose that has been evident between levels of government, across provinces and across sectors,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
“We are calling on that same unity of purpose with Canada United. Small, local businesses are the heart of our communities, our Main Streets and our economy. Together, it is time to show local some love.”
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 84,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.
We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.
OCC and Chamber Network report outlines need for strong data governance in modern, post-pandemic economy
(BURLINGTON, JUNE 16) – Today, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released their latest report, In Data We Trust: Unlocking the Value of Data in Ontario. With the COVID-19 crisis rapidly transforming the modern economy, the report outlines the need for Ontario to unlock opportunities and manage the threats of its increasingly data-driven economy.
“Long before COVID-19, it was evident that data has quickly become one of the most valuable resources in our economy, revolutionizing traditional business models across finance, health care, manufacturing, and many other sectors,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the OCC. “The reality is that almost everything we do as consumers relies on and is made possible to some extent by data analytics and related technologies, from fraud detection to supply chain optimization. In many ways, the pandemic has accelerated this transformation, as the need for digitization and the integration of health data have become more critical than ever.”
In Data We Trust reflects on the value of data innovation, explores lessons from COVID-19, and outlines organizational best practices and policy recommendations focused on privacy, cybersecurity, data sharing, and artificial intelligence (AI).
“Digital contact tracing, adoption of AI technologies, and expansion of 5G networks: all of these will benefit our society, and will require mobilizing data in responsible and innovative ways,” explains report author Claudia Dessanti, Senior Policy Analyst at the OCC.
Key takeaways include:
Privacy frameworks should protect individual rights while encouraging data-driven innovation. Ontario and Canada should reinforce their principles-based approach with strong industry standards. Businesses and other organizations have an important role to play to ensure their own privacy practices enhance public trust.
Cybersecurity breaches are affecting organizations of all kinds. More can be done to build capacity and limit future attacks with stronger adoption of industry standards, information sharing, and best practices around risk assessments, staff training, technology adoption, and insurance.
Data sharingis an opportunity to improve efficiencies and spur innovation across the economy. Organizations should collaborate on shared standards and infrastructure to enable data sharing across all sectors, including health care, without compromising privacy. Meanwhile, governments should improve the use of their open data programs.
AI is a competitive advantage that Ontario should leverage. Going forward, the province should prioritize expansion of regional broadband infrastructure, translate AI research expertise into widespread adoption of the technology, prepare the workforce for an AI-driven economy, and mitigate ethical risks related to AI use.
“The data revolution does come with certain risks, including the erosion of personal privacy, data security breaches, labour market disruption, ethical challenges, and increasing regional inequality,” says Carla Y. Nell, President & CEO. “That is why the Burlington Chamber of Commerce is committed to working with our community to create an environment that encourages data-driven innovation while protecting against these very real challenges.”
In Data We Trust was informed by a Data Working Group composed of leading experts from a range of sectors across the province.
About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.
For more information, please contact:
Michelle Eaton
Vice President, Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
michelleeaton@occ.ca or 647-261-4594
Burlington, Ont.—March 17, 2020 — As the City of Burlington continues to support the efforts to slow the COVID-19 virus, payment is not required for on-street parking or in municipal parking lots until further notice. This is to take away numerous people touching the same parking machines throughout the day. Parking enforcement for lack of payment is also suspended. Machines are being put ‘out-of-order’ and covered with stickers to let patrons know that payment is not required.
Parking enforcement is currently limited to safety-related issues such as fire routes, accessible parking, no parking/stopping areas and blocked areas. Time limit restrictions have been relaxed to help those working from home or self-isolating.
For this measure to be successful and deliver its intended relief, it is imperative that parking permit holders in municipal lots continue to park in their assigned lots.
Residents who would like to dispute a ticket, can do so online or via a phone meeting. Because ticket review requests have dropped in volume, parking services is reducing the number of days per week that online and phone requests will be reviewed. Online and phone ticket reviews will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., until further notice.
The best thing residents can do to protect themselves and the community, is stay home.
This situation is evolving every hour and we are continually monitoring. The City of Burlington will continue to keep you informed.
Burlington is ranked as Canada’s best community and best place to raise a family. It is a City where people, nature and businesses thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/Enews and download the free City of Burlington app.
Quotes
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
“I am in complete support of the City’s decision. The COVID-19 situation has created a lot of uncertainty and worry for many residents — paying for parking while ducking out quickly for food or supplies shouldn’t be one of them. In addition, relaxing time limit restrictions will help those community members working from home or self-isolating. These are difficult times, but we will get through them, as long as we continue to follow the advice of our medical professionals and employ social distancing. Please remember to check in on family, friends and neighbours via phone, email and social media.”
Ward 2 City of Burlington Councillor Lisa Kearns
“At this time, it’s so important as a city to focus on essential services, including parking. Keeping visitors and patrons safe while parking in the downtown remains a priority. We recognize our downtown partners require support as many have temporarily closed or modified operations. This initiative to waive daily parking fees can make it easier for people to support downtown businesses when essential items are needed, when picking up online orders or gift cards, or when making food service pick-ups. I am encouraged that offering this relief is one additional way we can show that we are all in this together.”
Brian Dean, Executive Director, Burlington Downtown Business Association
“Parking infrastructure and available parking supply downtown are key to maintaining the steady flow of goods and services to our small business community. The relaxation of parking enforcement during this challenging time for our small business entrepreneurs is a welcomed development. The Burlington Downtown Business Association and its four hundred-member businesses appreciate the flexibility in parking operations toward our continued growth in this uniquely challenging time.”
Quick Facts
Contact Halton Region Public Health by calling 311, 905-825-6000 or toll-free at 1-866-442-5866 if you have a fever OR cough OR breathing difficulty AND any of the following:
travelled outside of Canada in the 14 days before onset of illness; or
close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19; or
close contact with a person with acute respiratory illness who travelled to affected areas within 14 days prior to their illness onset.
Links and Resources
For further COVID-19 information, including where to get tested, please visit Halton Region Public Health www.halton.ca/coronavirus
We understand that this is an extremely challenging time for businesses across our community. Please know that the Burlington Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting our members and the broader community during this crisis.
We are carefully monitoring COVID-19 developments on a continual basis and will be sharing the most up to date information and resources as developments unfold to keep you informed.
We are working closely with our counterparts at the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce to ensure that the needs of the business community are addressed by all levels of government. Information about any fiscal counter measures and relief that will be provided to SMEs to offset financial hardship will be shared as soon as details are released.
Burlington Chamber of Commerce staff will continue to be available during regular business hours. If you have any questions or support requirements, please do not hesitate to contact Chamber staff via email or phone.
Premier Ford Announces Job Protection for Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Today, March 16th, Prime Minister Trudeau addressed the nation regarding the COVID-19 Outbreak.
The following was announced affecting the business community:
Travel restrictions will not apply to commerce or trade so that products will continue to flow in and out of the country.
$1 Billion COVID-19 Response Fund: includes measures to respond to the outbreak and prepare for its possible broader impacts on Canadians, our economy, and small businesses – more details to follow.
Please be advised that the following events will be rescheduled to a later date:
March 21 – Chamber Travel Trip to Morocco
March 24 – Business Excellence Young Entrepreneur Award Finalist Panel
March 26 – Business Before 9 with Ashwood Glen School
Stay tuned for information regarding alternate dates.
Chambers Plan and Teledoc Partnership
Chambers Plan has teamed up with Teladoc to provide employees with instant access to medical advice from qualified doctors. Plus, the app has video conferencing, so you can connect face-to-face. Skip waiting at the walk-in and receive a personal consult in 60 minutes or less. Please contact Hynek Financial for more information.
We are delighted to announce the 2020 Business Excellence Awards Finalists! The following 21 organizations exemplify leadership and business excellence in our community. The Award nominations are based on criteria that include outstanding business leadership, community involvement, entrepreneurship, environment, employee welfare, innovation and growth.
While the list of finalists is now public, the names of the winners remain a closely guarded secret. The winners will be announced at the virtual 2020 Business Excellence Awards Gala presented by RBC on Tuesday, June 23rd. Please join us in honouring our finalists and celebrating our vibrant business community.
