The Timmins Chamber of Commerce has written a letter to Timmins MPP Gilles Bisson calling for further grants or tax credits to support businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The full letter follows:
Dear Gilles,
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting employers as they experience economic disruption related to COVID-19. As the situation continues to evolve, the Timmins Chamber, along with the Ontario Chamber Network, is taking concerns from the business community and communicating them to all levels of government. We write today to ask the Government of Ontario to consider additional supports for business.
We are supportive of the government’s implementation of a proof-of-immunization system and app. A well-designed proof-of-immunization system can help prevent another province-wide shutdown and has already encouraged more Northern Ontarians to get vaccinated. Combined with high vaccination rates, it is also key to underpin lifting capacity limits to spur recovery.
However, businesses have suffered greatly over the last 19 months and continue to face unprecedented cash flow constraints and uncertainty. Many have operated under reduced capacity for a significant amount of time and have had to hire additional staff to verify documents or implement new staff for security purposes because of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate requirements. We, therefore, ask that you urge the government to consider further grants or tax credits to support these businesses.
No business, region, sector, or demographic should be left behind in the pursuit of economic recovery and growth. Support programs and pro-growth policies should be targeted towards those experiencing the most pronounced challenges.
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 supporters, partners, and all levels of government to provide support to business.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Keitha Robson, Timmins Chamber chief administrative officer
Rob Knox, Timmins Chamber president
