STATEMENT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2020
THE 12 DAYS OF SMALL BUSINESS
Ontario Chamber Network Launches Campaign to Support Small Business across the Province
(Bay of Quinte, ON) – Today, the Bay of Quinte Chambers of Commerce released the following statement about the Ontario Chamber Networks upcoming Campaign “The 12 Days of Small Business”.
“Small businesses are the heart of our communities and our economy. The situation is urgent and critical — We all need to do our part to see them through to the other side of the pandemic,” said Suzanne Andrews, CEO of the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce. “This crisis is not affecting businesses equally; some sectors are managing quite well while others are being challenged to survive. Focused support from the government to businesses that need the help is crucial. Everyone can do their part, shop local when you can to keep your dollars in your own community and engage through social media by liking and sharing the posts of local small businesses.”
“In Prince Edward County our local business owners and their employees are in jeopardy through no fault of their own,” stated Lesley Lavender, Executive Director of the Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce. “Ontario’s Chamber Network has been fighting on their behalf for fairness, evidence-based public health measures, and government support. In the spirit of the holidays, let’s rally Ontario behind small business. When small businesses prosper, we all prosper.”
The 12 weeks leading up to New Year’s Day can account for up to one-third of annual sales for retail business. Over the course of the coming weeks, the Ontario Chamber Network will be participating in the “12 Days of Small Business” campaign across the province, actively putting a spotlight on local businesses and engaging small businesses in discussions about the challenges and opportunities that have arisen because of the pandemic. The ultimate goal is to ensure these small businesses survive when the pandemic is over, so they can continue to serve and support local communities and their recovery efforts.
“This year has shone a spotlight on the importance of small business and how the efforts of small business owners to support themselves, their employees and their communities are so important. We’ve seen this in how much it has cost the government to attempt to stand in to make up the difference. We are infinitely grateful for this support and ask our communities to see the long term gain of supporting their local small business as well – because when that happens we all win,” said Jill Raycroft, CEO of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce.
“We are deeply concerned about the impacts the COVID-19 crisis is having on small businesses, charities, and not-for-profit organizations in Ontario,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy, accounting for more than 90 percent of jobs in the private sector. We are in this together and will not stop fighting on behalf of our small business community across the province.”
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The Bay of Quinte Chambers of Commerce collaborates as the regional voice for the Belleville, Prince Edward County and Quinte West Chambers of Commerce. Representing over 1200 businesses of all sizes and all sectors located in the Bay of Quinte riding, this regional voice advocates for fair government policies that allow businesses to thrive and prosper. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is Ontario’s Business Advocate.
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:
Suzanne Andrews, CEO
Quinte West Chamber of Commerce
E: manager@quintewestchamber.ca
T: (613) 392-7635
Jill Raycroft, CEO
Belleville Chamber of Commerce
E: jill@bellevillechamber.ca
T: (613) 962-4597
Lesley Lavender, ED
Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce
T: (613) 476-2421
