PPE Supplies
St. Catharines Rapid Response Team
Business Resources
Contacts
Updates
Feb. 9
The Government of Canada has announced it will extend expanded eligibility for the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit and the Local Lockdown Program until March 12, 2022.
The Ontario Small Business Relief Grant application portal is now open until March 11.
The Ontario Government is expanding access to free rapid tests by making 5 million free rapid tests a week available at more than 2,300 pharmacy and grocery stores across the province.
Jan. 31
Effective today (Monday, January 31) the Ontario government will begin easing COVID-19 restrictions for many businesses, including a 50 per cent capacity limit for the following indoor public settings:
- Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;
- Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)
- Shopping malls;
- Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;
- Cinemas;
- Meeting and event spaces;
- Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks;
- Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions; and
- Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
- Religious services, rites, or ceremonies.
St. Catharines Rapid Response Team
St. Catharines Rapid Response Team
Our Economic Development Team is working with Federal and Provincial government to find out more about how and when businesses will be able to access funding and advocating for a quick turnaround to get money to individuals and businesses. Businesses can reach our team at edceconomic@stcatharines.ca.
We continue to support our business community with the following initiatives:
- Monitoring the situation and keeping you informed of any and all changes to the industry;
- Observing and adjusting the marketing message in response to the changing situation;
- Sustaining an active presence on social and digital platforms to share information with consumers about your state of business;
- Collaborating with industry partners to design a strategy and ensure alignment of efforts; and
- Continuing to provide exceptional service to ensure ongoing customer experience
We are also part of the the Niagara Economic Rapid Response Team, an effort by Niagara’s Mayors and Regional Chair to support local businesses impacted by COVID-19. More details on this as well as supports for businesses can be found here.
Business Resources
Here are more resources to help your business cope with COVID-19:
- World Health Organization' Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 document
- Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce offers a business guide to coping with COVID-19
- Ontario Chamber of Commerce
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce has useful information and a Preparing for a Pandemic Guide.
- BDC has a comprehensive guide for business continuity
- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
- Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses for keeping you and your employees safe
How businesses can cope with COVID-19
With public health officials warning people to avoid large crowds to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 businesses can expect to face some challenges as we work our way through this evolving situation.
Here is some advice from the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre that businesses can use to help adapt to this challenging situation.
- Look after your employees
They are your biggest asset so it makes sense to support them in any way that you can and help them to navigate applications for employment insurance claims if required. - Review your health and safety protocols
Enhance already careful sanitizing and cleaning measures and increase frequency. Instruct staff to stay home if they have even minor symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat, or generally feeling unwell). - Communicate with your customers
Step up your communications with your customers. Keep them informed of any operational changes that you make, remind them of your hours of operation, and offer to help them. Be a trusted and helpful resource for your customers. - Check your financials
Have conversations with landlords, creditors, suppliers and others about what options are available. - Adapt
What adjustments can you make to adapt your services to the needs of your customers? Can you offer online shopping? Is free delivery or in-store / curbside pickup an option? Can you meet online instead of in person? Small changes can make a big difference and help keep your business going.
Gift cards are a great way for you to keep generating revenue now when volume is down and gives the customer something to use when regular business practises resume. - Watch your marketing
While it's important to adapt marketing campaigns to this ever-evolving situation, avoid unreasonable and unsustainable offers to attract immediate sales and customers for a short-term gain. It is still important to focus on the future and stay the course.
Participate in shop local and shop small campaigns such as #ShopSTC. Make an effort to support other small businesses. Can you make purchases from your neighbouring businesses? Can you offer sensible joint promotions? - Revisit your business plan
Use downtime to make your business better. Take a look at the things you've been putting off, such as improving your CRM system, updating your website and developing a far-reaching online ad campaign. Planning now means you'll be ready to go when things stabilize.
Contacts
City of St. Catharines
Citizens First, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
www.stcatharines.ca
citizensfirst@stcatharines.ca
905.688.5600
Alectra
Business Inquiries
1.833.253.2872
alectrautilities.com/AskUs
Province of Ontario
Stop the Spread Business Information Line
1.888.444.3659