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Now more than ever we need to support small businesses in Burlington

Now more than ever we need to support small businesses in Burlington

by | Apr 1, 2020 | Chamber News

(April 1, 2020, Burlington) The need has never been greater as our local economy continues to be dramatically weighed down by the daily impacts of COVID-19. Some small businesses have made the decision to close completely, others are working in reduced capacity.  In times of unprecedented hardship our small businesses and independents often experience the brunt of this crisis. Your assistance is needed.

Small businesses are an essential part of our community.  They are risk-takers by nature; many are family owned and many are residents of the community where their business is located. They are the entrepreneurs that hire our children, sponsor our teams, donate for our events – they are our neighbours.

Team Burlington, which is a collective of the combined talents of The Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Economic Development, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Aldershot Village BIA and Tourism Burlington, encourages residents to support small businesses online from the safety of their home. They have made seven suggestions:

  • Shop small businesses online: even though their doors may be closed, many businesses are still offering on-line sales and incentives with no-contact shipping/delivery
  • Order takeout or delivery: show your support to restaurants/eateries that are still offering takeaway options by ordering at home
  • Purchase a gift card for future use: you may have to wait to use it but it provides cash to the business now when they need it most
  • Submit a positive review online for your favourite business
  • Connect online by following a few more local businesses and commenting on their posts
  • Attend an online fitness workout: many fitness providers are offering classes from home virtually
  • Support a local not-for-profit/charity: to the extent that you are able, please donate directly to local not-for-profits and charities to ensure that critical support continues to be available to those most vulnerable in our community

Brian Dean, Executive Director of the Burlington Downtown Business Association emphasizes “Shopping locally during this challenging time for Burlington business is more than a good idea, it is a necessity to help keep these small businesses flourishing”.

The days, weeks and months ahead are uncertain.  These are your neighbours. This is your community. Small businesses need your support, now, more than ever.  We’re all in this together.

Media Contacts

Samantha Statham
Marketing & Events Manager, Burlington Downtown Business Association
samantha@burlingtondowntown.ca 905.407.4057

Kelly Harris
Marketing Specialist, Tourism Burlington
Kelly.harris@burlington.ca 416.726.8359

Ontario Chamber of Commerce Calls on Province’s Business Community to Help Flatten the Curve

Ontario Chamber of Commerce Calls on Province’s Business Community to Help Flatten the Curve

by | Mar 21, 2020 | Chamber News

(Toronto, March 21, 2020) – Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce released the following statement in reaction to the Government of Ontario’s launch of a new procurement portal, Ontario Together, that will help businesses and their employees work with the province to meet the challenges of COVID-19.

“All businesses across the province and country must shift their focus to the singular cause of slowing the pace of the transmission of the virus. The Government of Ontario’s new procurement portal is critical as it will remove barriers and speed up the process for the government to procure required goods and services and share creative solutions.

“Several of our members have already stepped up and offered to help support on-going public health efforts.

“I echo the Premier in stating extraordinary times call for extraordinary efforts. It is critical that we work collectively to identify the province’s supply challenges and solicit ideas and advice from Ontario’s business and manufacturing communities on how we can work together with government to meet the need.

“Public health and safety are priorities for us all. We applaud the Government of Ontario’s on-going leadership throughout the COVID-19 crisis.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the 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 at michelleeaton@occ.ca or 647-261-4594

HOW YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION CAN HELP FIGHT CORONAVIRUS

The Government of Ontario is welcoming help from businesses and organizations who can supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support our response to COVID-19.

Click here to learn more.