Success! Update from the Barrie Chamber on appeal to move out of lockdown
| WE’RE MOVING BACK INTO THE RED ZONE ON MONDAY AFTER LOBBYING EFFORTS! MESSAGE FROM THE BARRIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
| This message was sent Wednesday March 3rd following conversations, media releases and letters to officials regarding business concerns over the survivability of small business, particularly since there is no evidence we contribute to COVID spread |
| We are very encouraged as we see the support from our MPPs, Andrea Khanjin and Doug Downey, and our Mayor, Jeff Lehman, for our recommendation to return Simcoe/Muskoka to the Red designation. We continue to urge Dr. Gardner to follow the numbers and use section 22 of the framework to request the Province and Dr. Williams put Simcoe Muskoka into a less restrictive modified Red restrict or state at the very least. Operating in a modified red zone rather than in grey will allow our restaurants and personal services businesses to reopen safely with all of the strict protocols they’ve put in place, while enabling our local health unit to impose the tighter capacity restrictions on the larger stores that will give the protection they were trying to achieve with the transition to grey. We have been working diligently behind the scenes with all of the Chambers within the SMDHU region to request changes to the existing framework to address the serious threat from the variants of concern and the ever changing landscape as more of our population is vaccinated. We are also beginning meaningful discussion on encouraging Dr. Gardner and the SMHDU to consider sub-dividing our region to more effectively address the spread of Covid and limit damage to our small business community. The Barrie Chamber has a seat on the Ontario Vaccine Support Council to continue to bring the private and public sectors together to more effectively work on solutions to deliver vaccines, support PHUs and end this pandemic sooner. https://occ.ca/events/ontario-vaccination-support-council/ The many many calls, emails, and social media comments we’ve seen from Barrie and region residents clearly demonstrate the public support for the survival of our local business community. We continue to urge all members and residents regardless of the current zone we are in to exercise caution by following masking and distancing protocols. When possible work from home, limit outings to only essential trips, and be relentless with hand washing. |
| If you would like to discuss our recommendation or provide feedback, please feel free to contact our Executive Director, Paul Markle, at 705-721-5000 x 5 or paul@barriechamber.com |
Business Mentor & CEO at Grow Vantage & Ask For Directions Training
Business Mentor at Ask For Directions Training and Grow Vantage
Patricia is the Business Mentor and owner of Grow Vantage and a Past President of the Barrie Chamber of Commerce. She applies over 30 years of business experience (from start-up to corporate) to mentor entrepreneurs. Since 2011, she has held over 6,500 coaching and training sessions in-person and online. Through Ask For Directions Training, her entrepreneurial training program (and parent company Grow Vantage), and as a business coach, she works with start-ups who are new (or who have lost traction) to design, launch and grow their businesses. Along with 20 other expert instructors she teaches strategies in marketing, sales, communications, and finance, as well as practical techniques to increase productivity, and manage their businesses. In other words, everything entrepreneurs need to learn to grow and run their businesses successfully, and avoid the costly mistakes they can't even see coming - that lead to delays in growth and getting stuck.
Patricia is the Business Mentor and owner of Grow Vantage and a Past President of the Barrie Chamber of Commerce. She applies over 30 years of business experience (from start-up to corporate) to mentor entrepreneurs. Since 2011, she has held over 6,500 coaching and training sessions in-person and online. Through Ask For Directions Training, her entrepreneurial training program (and parent company Grow Vantage), and as a business coach, she works with start-ups who are new (or who have lost traction) to design, launch and grow their businesses. Along with 20 other expert instructors she teaches strategies in marketing, sales, communications, and finance, as well as practical techniques to increase productivity, and manage their businesses. In other words, everything entrepreneurs need to learn to grow and run their businesses successfully, and avoid the costly mistakes they can't even see coming - that lead to delays in growth and getting stuck.
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