Ontario Chamber welcomes further supports for business in light of provincial lockdown measures

(Toronto – December 21, 2020) – Today, Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce released the following statement in response to the new small business supports announced by the Ontario government today. The Ontario Small Business Support Grant will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to help small business owners during the province-wide lockdown.

“With lockdown measures being expanded throughout Ontario, the small business supports announced by the Ontario government today provide struggling small businesses with a chance at surviving the second wave. We have been deeply concerned about the pandemic’s impact on small businesses and their employees, who are in jeopardy through no fault of their own.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the lifeblood of our communities. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have called for targeted relief for business. We thank the government for continuing to take critical steps in helping to protect public health while supporting Ontario businesses and their employees.

“The OCC also continues to call for stronger contact tracing and rapid testing which will allow government to take targeted action against community spread and virus hotspots. Introducing arrivals testing in Ontario airports would provide an added, stronger measure to protect our communities from COVID-positive travelers and protect small businesses from potential further spread.

“Prioritizing public health is our best long-term economic strategy, the faster we stop the spread of COVID-19 in the second wave; the faster our businesses and economy can recover in the New Year.”

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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:
Ceara Copps – Edwards
Manager, Public Affairs
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca| Mobile: (647) 936-6734