Posts Tagged ‘COVID-19’
Post-Pandemic Business Confidence Continues to Decline: Chamber Report
High inflation, interest rates and housing costs continue to drive pessimism in Ontario’s economic outlook, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) eighth annual Ontario Economic Report (OER). Despite this, many businesses surveyed remain confident in their own outlooks, with 53 percent expecting to grow.
“Business confidence in the economy has plunged from 29 percent at the height of the pandemic to just 13 percent two years later – driven by the rising costs of living and of doing business,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “There are bright spots – particularly in growth sectors such as mining – thanks to strategic investments, population growth and improved labour market resilience. In 2024 and beyond, productivity must be our priority.”
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Responds to Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) Announcement
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased by the announcement that the Federal Government is giving businesses an extra year to repay their Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans.
“While these loans were a lifeline for businesses during the pandemic, many are still recovering from its effects,” said Chamber CEO Rakesh Naidu. “In the wake of COVID-19, many businesses are still dealing with high inflation, labour shortages, and supply chain challenges. The CEBA loan repayment at the end of the year was a challenge that many businesses might not have been able to handle.”
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Appoints New Members to the Board of Directors for 2023-2024 Year
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is delighted to welcome four new members to its Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year. The following individuals have been selected from among the many applicants to join the Chamber’s Board of Directors: Angela Scott of Enbridge, Bill Marra of Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Brad Smith of Felix Culpa Architecture, and David Mady of Rosati Group.
Read MoreCross Border Chambers Welcome End of ArriveCAN and other Border Measures
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is delighted with the Government of Canada’s decision to end the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app and other border restrictions. The Detroit Regional Chamber joined it’s Canadian counterparts in applauding the Canadian government’s decision.
Read MoreBorder Chambers of Commerce ask government to Scrap the App
A coalition of Chambers of Commerce representing border communities across the country is calling on the Government of Canada to lift the remaining COVID-related border restrictions and to suspend use of the ArriveCAN app.
Read MoreOpen letter from Canadian businesses to our elected representatives
Canadian businesses have suffered under the strain of constant disruptions over the last two years. The challenges they have had to overcome have included COVID-19, extreme weather events, increasing inflationary pressures, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions. Now achieving a successful recovery is threatened by the ongoing blockades of the critical infrastructure that enables the livelihoods and well-being of all Canadians.
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber Announces Extension of WEVax Transportation Program
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the extension of their WEVax Transportation Program thanks to High Priority Community Funding (HPC) from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Read MoreJoint Statement From Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce (WERCC), Detroit Regional Chamber (DRC) and Canada-U.S. Business Association (CUSBA)
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce President & Chief Executive Officer, Rakesh Naidu joined Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Office, Detroit Regional Chamber, and Mark High, President, Canada-United States Business Association in a joint statement urging the United States government to reopen the border to Canadian residents safely.
Read MoreCanadian Chambers call for urgent cross-border collaboration to accelerate vaccination
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement today about the importance of exploring every avenue to accelerate the vaccination of Canadians.
Read MoreCOVID-19 Rapid Screening Program Launching in Windsor-Essex
Local business owners now have access to an additional tool in the fight against COVID-19 as the Windsor-Essex, Leamington District, and Amherstburg Chambers of Commerce announced the roll-out of the StaySafe™ rapid antigen screening program that aims to put rapid COVID-19 antigen screening kits in the hands of small- and medium-sized businesses free of charge.
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