OCC COVID-19 ADVOCACY RESPONSE
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is taking concerns from the business community and communicating them to all levels of government.
Feedback from Ontario Business
We have established an online form for Ontario business to share their specific needs and concerns as they face new challenges that the COVID-19 crisis has generated.
COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit
The OCC & Hicks Morley have created a COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit to support Ontario businesses.
Organizations need to be prepared for any human resources or operational-related disruptions. The guidelines and resources contained in this toolkit have been prepared to help businesses plan for and adapt to the disruption of COVID-19 and any future influenza pandemics.
Support for Chambers of Commerce/Boards of Trade
We are regularly updating a COVID-19 Communications Toolkit to support Ontario’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade.
Please reach out to Ariel Benjamin, Specialist, Public Affairs to access the communications toolkit and if you have any questions or suggestions.
Letters to Government
While we offer support for individual concerns and connect businesses with government officials, we also continue to send letters to government in a coordinated effort to advocate for policy and regulatory changes that will help industry manage the disruption caused by COVID-19.
All letters will be published on our website here. To date, we have sent the following letters:
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Consultation
- Patio Liquor Licenses in Ontario
- Immediate Need to Fix the CECRA rent subsidy program
- Multi-Association Rent Letter to Premier Ford
- Ontario’s Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery and ICI Construction
- Reopening Canada Memo
- A coordinated Approach to Reopening Canada’s Economy (Federal)
- A Coordinated Approach to Reopening Ontario’s Economy (provincial)
- Retraining Ontario’s workforce to recover from COVID-19
- Health policy reforms during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Provincial Access to Capital During the Reopening and Recovery Phases of COVID-19
- Federal Access to Capital During the reopening and recovery phases of COVID-19
- Providing Further Rent Relief for Commercial Tenants
- New Health and Safety Guidelines for Employers
- Electricity Rate Relief for Businesses During COVID-19
- Providing rent relief for commercial landlords and tenants
- ‘Good Samaritan’ liability legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Supporting Ontario’s beverage alcohol industry during COVID-19
- Need for industry consultation and central body with decision-making authority for construction projects in Ontario
- Ontario chamber dedicated to Ontario’s recovery
- Essential services support during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Supporting Ontario’s agri-food and agricultural sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Access to capital during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Support for manufacturers during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Further support for small business during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Accelerating Internet connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic
- OCC letter of support regarding inclusion of self-employed workers in the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
- Support for Canada’s airports during the COVD-19 pandemic
- Supporting Ontario’s most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Amendment to allow for delivery and curbside pickup for recreational retailers
- Support for Ontario’s Tourism Industry During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Supporting the food supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Further temporary amendments to the ESA during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Supporting renters during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Releasing cash flows for business during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Supports for small business during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Working with municipalities to support business during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Temporary amendments to the ESA and OHSA during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Extending deadline for submissions during the COVID-19 pandemic
OCC Media Releases
- June 22: Spotlighting Ontario Small Business #DifferenceMakers
- June 16: Data Innovation Critical to Ontario’s Economic and Social Well-Being
- June 11: Helping Small Businesses Go Digital Critical to Economic Recovery
- June 11: Small Business Rebound Necessary for Economic Recovery
- June 9: RCU Partners with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
- June 8: Careful Reopening Key to Long-Term Economic Success
- June 1: Ontario Business Stands in Solidarity Against Racism and Discrimination in all its Forms
- June 1: Ontario Chamber Welcomes Extension of Emergency Leave
- May 19: The Economy and the Health of Ontarians are Interdependent and Must be Addressed Together
- May 14: Careful Reopening Key to Long-Term Success
- May 13: Regional Economic Funding Welcome by Chamber
- May 13: Collaboration Critical to Economic Recovery
- May 13: Six Critical Areas to Ensure Safe Open
- May 6: Ontario Business Community Ready to Reopen
- May 5: Expanding Virtual Mental Health Services Critical in this Time of Need
- May 5: OCC Pleased to See Support for Keeping Food Supply Chain Safe and Moving
- May 1: Ontario Chamber Calls For Moratorium on Commercial Evictions
- April 28: Province Reduces Critical Barriers to People and Business
- April 27: Ontario Chamber Reacts to Framework To Re-Open Province
- April 27: Unprecedented Health Crisis Demands An Unparalleled Economic Response
- April 24: Ontario Chamber Welcomes Rent Relief
- April 21: Ontario Business Important to Province’s Response and Recovery Plans
- April 16: More Welcome Relief & Chamber Eager for Details
- April 16: Not the Time For Non-Urgent Regulatory Proposals
- April 15: Welcome Relief and Chamber Hopes More to Come
- April 9: OCPC Applauds Curbside Pick-Up and Online Delivery for Cannabis Retail Stores
- April 8: Chamber Calls for Speedy Delivery of Wage Subsidy
- April 8: Positive Canada-US Relations Must Prevail in the Fight Against COVID-19
- April 6: Protecting Supply Chains Critical to COVID-19 Response
- April 1: Businesses Cannot Afford to Wait Any Longer
- April 1: Ontario Business Support to Join the Fight
- March 31: Partnership Creates New Opportunities for Ontario Business
- March 28: Ontario Business Eager for Details
- March 27: Ontario Chamber Reacts to Latest Federal Relief Package
- March 25: 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update Provides Relief for Ontario Business and Employees
- March 25: Rapid Policy Update – 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update
- March 25: Canada’s Leading Business Organizations Call on Government to Protect Jobs and Postpone Non-Essential New Measures
- March 24: Slashing Electricity Rates the Right Thing to Do
- March 24: Prioritizing Public Health Is Our Best Long Term Economic Strategy
- March 24: Ontario Cannabis Policy Council Calls for Cannabis Sector to be Included in COVID-19 Economic Relief Packages
- March 21: Joint statement with Canadian Chamber of Commerce & Canadian businesses, calling on governments to support a national effort to protect jobs and to postpone non-essential new measures.
- March 21: Chamber response to Government of Ontario’s new procurement portal, Ontario Together, that will help businesses and their employees work with the province to meet the challenges of COVID-19.
OCC in the News
- Week of June 22: Toronto Star (1), BNN Bloomberg, Toronto Star (2), Windsor Star, Timmins Press
- Week of June 8: CBC News, Huffington Post, BNN Bloomberg (1), Financial Post, BNN Bloomberg (2), Woodstock Sentinel-Review, Convivium
- Week of June 1: CTV News Ottawa, BNN Bloomberg
- Week of May 25: OPED by Rocco Rossi: Toronto Sun, Global News, CBC News, Ottawa Sun, National Post, CTV News
- Week of May 18: Toronto Star
- Week of May 11: Toronto Star, BNN Bloomberg, Vancouver Sun, CTV News, CTV Ottawa
- Week of May 4: CBC News, Exchange Magazine
- Week of April 27: Toronto Star (1), Toronto Star (2), CBC News, CP24, BNN, Canadian Press, 640 Toronto Radio
- Week of April 20: Toronto Sun (1), Toronto Sun – opinion piece (2), Toronto Star
- Week of April 12: Financial Post, QP Briefing, National Post, Welland Tribune
- Week of April 5: Financial Post, BNNBloomberg, CBC News(1), CBC News(2), Exchange Magazine, Toronto Star, Chatham Daily News,
- Week of March 29: CP24, Toronto Star (1), Toronto Star (2), Exchange Magazine, Toronto.com, Sault Star, AM640, AM980, Shoreline Beacon
- Week of March 22: CBC News, Toronto Sun, BNN Bloomberg, Toronto Star(1), Toronto Star (2), Toronto Star (3), Ottawa Sun, The Growth Op, National Post, Toronto Sun, Exchange Magazine, The Windsor Star, Toronto Star
- Week of March 15: The Hamilton Spectator, Exchange Magazine (1), Exchange Magazine (2), Edmonton Examiner, Toronto Star
Public health and safety are priorities for all Ontario businesses. We will continue to monitor and assess new developments pertaining to COVID-19 closely and work with our members, partners, and all levels of government to provide support to Ontario business.