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January 7, 2022: The government is announcing an Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen. Eligible businesses subject to closures as a result of the province’s move to the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen will receive a grant of $10,000. The Ontario Government is also introducing the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program to support businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. Businesses can apply at: www.ontario.ca/COVIDSupport
The Algoma Vaccination Support Council (AVSC) was established by The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce (SSMCOC) and the STRIVE Young Professionals Group. The working group is comprised of local businesses, organizations, and community stakeholders, and has identified the goal of increasing vaccination literacy, information dissemination about local vaccination efforts, and providing support wherever possible. The Council believes that there is a significant role for the business community to play in ensuring that timely and accurate public health information reaches Sault Ste. Marie workers and their families, as well as customers, clients and local citizens. Click HERE for links to local, provincial, federal, and medical / professional COVID - 19 vaccine resources.The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce has several members that can assist your business with its PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) needs, including: face / surgical masks, face shields, sanitizer, gowns, plexiglass barriers, signage, floor decals / markers, design / fabrication of specialty items, floor / furniture layout. Click HERE for Chamber member PPE suppliers.Find the information, tools, and resources your business needs to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic and plan your recovery.Sault Ste. Marie Chamber members receive a 10% discount. Use our promotion code. -
Recent News
- January 12, 2022 - Canadian Government extends loan forgiveness repayment deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account
- January 7, 2022 - Ontario Providing Supports for Small Businesses, Workers and Families. Plan includes $10,000 grant for eligible small businesses and additional electricity-rate relief
- January 6, 2022 - Province Helping People Start Healthcare Careers in Northern Ontario
- January 3, 2022 - Ontario Temporarily Moving to Modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen
Your Chamber Working For You- January 13, 2022 - Ontario Chamber Urges Province to Provide Immediate Clarity on Next Steps of Reopening
- September 9, 2021 - SSMCOC Briefing: Ontario's Vaccination Passort System
- September 2, 2021 - Chamber welcomes news of Ontario Vaccine Passport System for high risk settings, further guidance required
- March 18, 2021 - Watch a replay of COVID-19, Vaccinations and the Workplace, Legally Speaking, presented by Wishart Law Firm LLP
- March 17, 2021 - Watch a replay of Tax Tips for 2020, presented by BDO Canada LLP
- March 4, 2021 - Ontario Vaccination Support Council launches online portal to support COVID-19 vaccine distribution
- February 18, 2021 - Watch a replay of the Update for Business with Algoma Public Health, hosted by the SSMCOC
- September 17, 2020 - SSM Chamber calls on Feds to get rid of Alcohol Escalator Tax
- August 26, 2020 - SSM Chamber of Commerce supports campaign to prevent closure of restaurants
- August 20, 2020 - SSMCOC will appear before Ontario's Standing Committee on Financial and Economic Affairs
- July 24, 2020 - Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce joins Canada United to support local small businesses
- July 16, 2020 - Chamber looks to take municipal tax system concerns provincial
- July 13, 2020 - New program will help local businesses go digital in response to COVID-19 - Recovery Activation Program expands to Sault Ste. Marie
- June 25, 2020 - Chamber of Commerce and STRIVE YPG name high school graduating class of 2020 honourary Chamber members
- June 17, 2020 - SSMCOC CEO talks to the Sault Star about local tourism
- June 11, 2020 - Sault Chamber Presents to Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, RE: Ontario's tourism sector
- June 5, 2020 - Broadband Announcement welcomed by Sault Chamber of Commerce
- May 12, 2020 - Ontario Chamber calls for Economic Recovery Program to help rural and northern SMEs recover from COVID-19
- April 25, 2020 - Terry and Rory happy with emergency commercial rent assistance announcement
- April 17, 2020 - Sault Ste. Marie Chamber: COVID-19 drives increase in interest in supporting local and small businesses
- April 6, 2020 - Chambers of Commerce and Government Team Up to Launch Canadian Business Resilience Network
- March 26, 2020 - Chamber and Saultonline / ONNtv launch #InThisTogetherSSM
- March 23, 2020 - SSMCOC CEO Rory Ring Discusses Business Resources with Lou-Ann and Tim at ONNTV
- March 23, 2020 - Sault Ste. Marie Chamber Calls on City to Defer Non-Residential Property Tax
COVID-19 ResourcesThe Canadian Business Resilience Network - In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has established the Canadian Business Resilience Network to help Canadian businesses navigate the COVID-19 reality and prepare for recovery.- The CBRN Re-opening Toolkit, supported by TD
- Links to Financial Support including federal and provincial support programs, access to capital, tax relief programs, cost-savings programs and resources for Indigenous businesses
- Data and Research
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COVID-19 Impact on Ontario Businesses - Submit your feedback HERE
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Tips, Tricks & Resources to Aid You in Working from Home
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Updates
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Travel advice
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Prevention and risk
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Symptoms and treatment
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includes the most up-to-date statistics on status of cases in Ontario
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Local and Regional Essential Businesses
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Information about COVID-19
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Workplace Signage for social distancing, masks, etc.
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Travellers returning to Canada
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Provincial guidance documents on COVID-19
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National guidance documents on COVID-19 - schools (K-12) and childcare programs
Webinars and Webinar ReplaysReplaysSault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce - SSMCOC Briefing: Ontario's Vaccination Passort System, presented by Wishart Law Firm LLPSault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce - COVID-19, Vaccinations and the Workplace, Legally Speaking, hosted by the SSMCOC, presented by Wishart Law Firm LLPSault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce - Tax Tips for 2020, hosted by the SSMCOC on March 17, 2021, presented by BDO Canada LLPSault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce - Update for Business with Algoma Public Health, hosted by the SSMCOC on February 18thMinister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries - Northern Ontario Regional Business Support Webinar (Feb 5, 2021)Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce - An Introduction to SaniTrakrSault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce - December 2nd Update for Businesses by Algoma Public HealthNorthern Ontario Chamber Network - A Town Hall with the Premier of Ontario and Ministers (September 14)Northern Ontario Chamber Network - Leadership During a Crisis with Hon. Perrin Beatty and Rocco RossiNorthern Ontario Chamber Network - Meet the Northern Ministers - Discussing the state of business in the North amid COVID-19Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce - Recovering from COVID-19, presented by Tim Harmer and Mia Carella of Wishart Law Firm LLP.Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce - Transitioning to Online Sales: An E-Commerce Guide for Local Businesses, presented by Jeronamo SolutionsOntario Chamber of Commerce - The State of Women's Entrepreneurship In CanadaOntario Chamber of Commerce - How COVID-19 has Impacted Ontario's Health Care SystemOntario Chamber of Commerce - Recovery in the Food Processing IndustryOntario Chamber of Commerce - Ontario's Tourism & Hospitality Sector: The Impact of COVID and What Comes NextOntario Chamber of Commerce - Canada Together: A Virtual Town Hall with Canada's Minister of Economic Development & Official LanguagesOntario Chamber of Commerce - A Virtual Town Hall with the Premier of Ontario (May 14)Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Canada's Supply Chain During the COVID-19 Crisis: The CN PerspectiveOntario Chamber of Commerce - Information Security and Data Privacy in the Age of COVID-19Ontario Chamber of Commerce - How Big Data is Being Used to Combat COVID-19.Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Mitigating Your Cybersecurity Risk during COVID-19.Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Understanding and Accessing the Business Credit Availability Program & Capital Loans During COVID-19.Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan - Supporting Mental Health During the Pandemic, presented by Arete HR.Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan - Leading During a Crisis and Switching to Remote Work.Additional Resources